Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Ph.D. Rehabilitation Counseling – The University of Texas-Pan American (2015) Master of Rehabilitation Counseling (MRC) – Utah State University (2008) B.S. Family, Consumer, and Human Development – Utah State University (2006) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC #112130) | Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification | Exp. 09/30/2024

COUN, REHAB, CHDP

Dr. Benjamin C. Jenkins is not just an educator; he's a trailblazer in rehabilitation counseling and futures-literacy leadership. Currently serving as an Associate Professor and the Department Chair for Advanced Clinical & Education Programs at Western New Mexico University (WNMU), Dr. Jenkins is renowned for his innovative and inclusive approach to higher education. With a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of Texas-Pan American and a Master's from Utah State University, as well as a national Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Dr. Jenkins has cultivated an illustrious career that bridges academic excellence and practical expertise. His leadership is marked by a visionary overhaul of the Educational Leadership Program, introducing futures-literate leadership principles and groundbreaking curriculum rooted in dialogic organizational development and generative change theories. Dr. Jenkins's creative pursuits have led to the development of unique programs such as a Yoga Studies degree, to be the first of its kind at a public university, and a registered Yoga Teacher Training program. His commitment to fostering an inclusive culture is evident in the transformation of WNMU's Counseling Program, where he spearheaded the implementation of a Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Strategic Plan and introduced the Board-Certified Telemental Health certificate curriculum. In the realm of vocational and forensic rehabilitation, Dr. Jenkins is a sought-after expert specializing in evaluations related to trucking-related injuries and accidents. His proficiency in vocational rehabilitation has been pivotal in numerous civil litigation and insurance claim cases, providing insights into economic damages and residual vocational potential. A champion for community health, Dr. Jenkins pioneered the first Certified Community Health Worker training program in Southwest New Mexico, endorsed by the New Mexico Department of Health. His collaborative efforts have secured substantial grants, such as the $1.57 million Grow Our Behavioral Health Workforce New Mexico project, aimed at integrating behavioral and primary health care in rural communities. Dr. Jenkins's academic contributions are extensive, with numerous publications and presentations at national and international conferences. He holds editorial positions with respected journals and is an active member of professional organizations like the Association for Career & Technical Education and the International Association of Rehabilitation Counselors. Dr. Jenkins’s passion for inclusive education, his foresight in leadership, and his relentless pursuit of creative solutions make him a transformative figure in the fields of rehabilitation counseling and higher education. His work continues to inspire and empower students, faculty, and the wider community, embodying the true spirit of innovation and excellence.

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

EdS – Education Leadership Oakland University (MI) MA – Secondary School Administration; Central Michigan University BS – Business Education; Eastern Michigan University

EDL

Robert Neu is a leader in education reform initiatives in school culture, equity, and closing opportunity and achievement gaps. He served 10 years as Superintendent in Michigan, Washington State, and Oklahoma. He is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Educational Leadership program at Western New Mexico University. He is a co-developer of a research-based school culture framework that defines, measures, and monitors school culture in real-time. He currently provides leadership coaching for school and district leaders through dialogic organizational development based on generative change theory systems design and processes that transform school district culture. Under his leadership, his schools earned recognition by the Center for American Progress as the highest rating on taxpayer investment; made the Washington Post’s “Top in the Nation List”; and earned distinction as a College Board Advanced Placement Honor Roll School District. Rob has presented at national and international conferences, including the Beijing Institute of Education, the Korean Ministry of Education, and the University of Oulu Teacher Training School in Oulu, Finland. His topics include school transformation, equity, social justice reform, social emotional learning, and promoting healthy school culture. Rob has been recognized for his work in education leadership and contributions to education diversity. His work on inclusion in advanced coursework resulted in Washington State law. He was the recipient of the 2015 University of Central Oklahoma Friend of Diversity Award, and the 2009 Oakland University School of Education and Human Services Award. Rob has served as an advisory member of the United States Department of Education Technology Advisory Committee, College Board National Superintendent Advisory Council, Oklahoma Governor’s Education Advisory Council, Oklahoma State Superintendent of Instruction Advisory Council, and the University of Central Oklahoma President’s Advisory Council.

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

ABD Doctor of Education, Reading Literacy, and Assessment, Walden University Master of Arts in Teaching, Reading Education Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and General Agriculture in an Agricultural Business Curriculum

RDG

RDG 407 RDG 410 RDG 412 RDG 420 RDG 507 RDG 510 RDG 512 RDG 520 RDG 526

N/A

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Counseling (Clinical Mental Health)

Adjunct WNMU since 1/21; prior full time core Counseling faculty University of the Southwest 9 yrs., 25 yrs. clinical practice as child therapist; Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor, NM LPCC since 1994.

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Counseling, School Counseling

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Idaho, and I have been practicing for 6 years. The first part of my career was spent working with survivors of trauma and specifically sexual abuse. I am trained in EMDR and TF-CBT. I now work as an elementary school counselor in a small, rural school district.

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Daisha Lopez has been an adjunct professor in the rehabilitation services field for 9 years. She enjoys helping her students gain understanding through experiential learning. In her free time she enjoys exercising, spending time with her 3 children and husband and traveling.

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Counseling

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Rehabilitation Services and Counseling

Dr. Oswald brings over 20 years of experience across employment, vocational rehabilitation, and professional development pedagogy to the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability. Her career has included experience at the local, state and national level through the direct provision of vocational habilitation and rehabilitation services in Ohio, professional development of preservice and current practitioners across the country, and leadership at the national level in rehabilitation organizations. Her key areas of interest and research focus on universal design, best practices in employment services, transition-aged youth services, assistive technology, inclusive STEM education and makerspaces for all, caregiver supports, and health and wellness. At the Yang-Tan Institute, Dr. Oswald is currently a Senior Extension Associate and Principal Investigator of the Vocational Rehabilitation – Training, Education, and Development (VR-TED) project and NYS Consortium for Advancing and Supporting Employment (CASE) project. She also supports Oregon and Montana service providers through the development and delivery of trainings. Prior to coming to YTI, Dr. Oswald held faculty positions at the University of Maine at Farmington, Wright State University, and Maryville University of St. Louis. She also worked as a state vocational rehabilitation counselor, campus-based transition-aged youth program coordinator, job developer and coach, and facility-based service provider. Her experience spans multiple states, diverse geographic and demographic regions, and unique populations. She is a certified rehabilitation counselor.

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Dr. Michael O’Brien has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a master’s degree in career vocational guidance from Chadron State College (NE), and an Ed.D. in occupational and adult education from Oklahoma State University. He has more than 45 years’ experience in rehabilitation and mental health counseling as a clinician, administrator and professor. He has served in full time faculty positions in rehabilitation and mental health counseling at New Mexico Highlands University, Southern University, and Mid-America Christian University. He also managed the RSA vocational evaluation grant at Southern University. He previously wrote and managed the RSA vocational evaluation grant at New Mexico Highlands University. He has taught graduate vocational evaluation, psychometric, rehabilitation counseling, mental health counseling, school counseling and substance abuse courses at East Central University, Western Washington University, Western Oregon University, California State University at San Bernardino, Langston University, the University of Oklahoma, New Mexico Highlands University, and Western New Mexico University. He has also served as a clinical affiliate professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine and on a research project with the University of Richmond. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist. He served as chair of the 30th IRI: A New Paradigm for Vocational Evaluation: Empowering the VR Consumer Through Vocational Information. He also served as a commissioner and chairperson of the Commission on Certification of Work Adjustment and Vocational Evaluation Specialists. He served as a commissioner on the Council for Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (and chaired the Standards committee and served as a member of the Research and Exam Committee). He also served as a commissioner for the Council on Rehabilitation Education. He served on the Executive board for the Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation for several years. He has also served as the executive director for the state/federal vocational rehabilitation programs for Washington and Oklahoma. He has served as an editorial board member for both the VECAP and VEWAA journals and the Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling. He is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns., the National Rehabilitation Counselors Association, and the Vocational Evaluation and Career Assessment Professionals. He has over 200 publications and regional/national presentations to his credit. He has been married to his bride, Jan, for over 46 years. They have four grown children, 13 grandchildren and have recently welcomed their first great-grandchild.

Advanced Clinical and Education Programs

Counseling