Are you an emerging leader in school counseling?
The Emerging Leader Grant seeks to identify individuals who reflect promising School Counselor leadership potential, with a strong vision to promote the Counseling profession and positively impact the lives of students. The 2026 OSCA Emerging Leader Grant winner will receive $2000 to support registration, lodging, and travel to attend the ASCA National Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 11-14, 2026. The ASCA conference is transformative and we strategically offer this grant to help develop excellent school counseling programs and school counselor leaders among our ranks. The Emerging Leader winner also serves on an OSCA committee for the duration of at least one year and presents their findings from the ASCA Conference at the OSCA Fall Conference.
For more information click the following links: Emerging Leader Grant Rubric and Emerging Leader Grant Requirements with application.
OSCA’s 2025 Emerging Leader is Gayle DuBois!
Gayle DuBois is a Counselor at Colcord High School, in Colcord, OK. She was surprised this morning at her school by Principal Denny, who is one of her biggest fans, and a former student of Gayle’s many years ago! Her colleague, Cassi Hampto, shared, “I can say without hesitation that she is one of the most dedicated, innovative, and effective school counselors I have encountered… Gayle is already seen as a leader in the school counseling field, both in her district and in surrounding communities.”
Gayle’s vision for her students: “My vision for my students is that they will not only be productive members of society, but that they will follow their hearts, speak their truths, and empower themselves and those around them… My primary goal is to help them recognize their inherent value and cultivate pride in themselves and their community.”
Gayle has been making a positive impact on the lives of others and the field of Counseling for over 30 years. She continues to find creative ways to expand her reach, and she is known in her district as a tireless advocate for her students and the profession. We are proud to present Gayle with the Emerging Leader Grant for the 2024-2025 school year.
Please contact OSCA Awards Committee Chairperson Susan Watson if you have any questions or concerns at sewatson@okcps.org." Thank you!
Previous winners of the Emerging Leader Grant:
2024- Denise Massey from Truman Primary
2023 - Jenny Clark from Grove High School attended the ASCA Conference in Atlanta, GA
2022- Chelsea Hinkle from Canyon Ridge Intermediate School attended the ASCA Conference in Austin, TX
2021- Jaqueline Coplen from Norman Public Schools attended the ASCA Conference in Las Vegas, NV
2020- Joy Tatum from Locust Grove Public Schools attended the ASCA Conference virtually due to COVID-19
2019 - Megan Kennedy from Union Public Schools attended the ASCA Conference in Boston, MA
2018 - Christy Sturgeon from Broken Arrow Public Schools attended the ASCA Conference in Los Angeles, CA
2017 - Missy Smith from Norman Public Schools attended the ASCA Conference in Denver, CO
2016 - Tara Kerr from Perry Public Schools attended the ASCA Conference in New Orleans, LA
