Gregory C. Wright, LCPC, NCC
Counselor Education and Supervision
Leadership and Advocacy
“Leadership in counseling is not about position but presence- advocating for others through compassion, courage, and example.”
​Gregory C. Wright, LCPC, NCC
One of the most important things that I have come to learn from this program is the importance of leadership and advocacy. Encouraged by my professors, I grew into my "voice" and realized that my voice matters and needs to be heard. Leadership is all about integrity, compassion, empathy, and vision- all done out of love. Whether as a teacher's assistant, as an assistant faculty supervisor, or as a friend, I embraced these positions in all humility, encouraging and assisting where needed.
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I John 4:21 says, "Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister" (NIV, 2011). With this in mind, this type of love leads to advocacy. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere..." (Martin Luther King, Jr.) I believe that true advocacy starts when the leader becomes the sounding board of empathy- leading systems in the direction of justice and people in the direction of hope. This program has enabled me to see the necessity of developing spaces where others can learn to speak for themselves. My goal is to be the light, whereby God can be glorified; people can see; and change can happen. This program has prepared me for this part of my mission.
CACREP Doctoral Competencies (2024):
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A. Theories, models, and skills of leadership
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B. Leadership and leadership development in professional organization
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C. Leadership in counselor education programs
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D. Accreditation standards and program accreditation processes, including self-studies and program reports
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E. Management and administration in agencies, organizations, and other institutions
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F. Leadership roles and strategies for responding to crises and disasters
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G. Strategies of leadership in consultation
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H. Current sociopolitical and social justice issues and how those issues affect the counseling profession
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I. Models and competencies for counselors and counselor educators advocating on behalf of the profession and professional counselor identity
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J. Models and competencies for advocating for clients at the individual, system, and policy levels
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K. Strategies of leadership in relation to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice issues
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L. Culturally sustaining leadership and advocacy practices
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M. Ethical leadership and advocacy practices
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N. Role of self-care in advocacy and leadership
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Benchmark Social Justice Action Plan
Meets Criteria B, H, I, K, L​
This COUC 860 focuses on developing a proactive, social justice action plan to become a more effective agent of advocacy and social justice. This paper also helps to develop a self-awareness of personal attitudes and beliefs.
Benchmark Personal Philosophy of Leadership & Advocacy
Meets Criteria A, C, J, L​
This paper integrates various aspects of leadership in conjunction with my personal beliefs and self-reflection about leadership and advocacy. A personal action plan for leadership is developed based on my philosophy of leadership.
Advocacy Project Assignment
Meets Criteria C, D, H, I, K, L
This project assignment shows the work of a group of colleagues in the COUC 860 class during an in-person intensive. This presentation focuses on the Black doctoral students’ needs during the doctoral journey. Our presentation discusses some of the following: creating a safe environment for acceptance, general challenges, benefits of community, benefits for the Black community, and forming community. The presentation entails for the class the target population, the rationale for the proposed project, relevant research supporting the need to the proposed project, and details for the implementation of the project, as well as the project outcomes.
Benchmark Leadership Interview
Meets Criteria A, C, E, G, L​
This assignment focuses on my interview with Dr. Mark Myers, a professor at Liberty University, who is a leader in the counseling profession. He was interviewed due to his passionate work in the counseling field and due to his strong counselor educator identity. This assignment also shares my personal reactions and reflections.
Leadership and Advocacy Discussion Boards
Meets Criteria A-L​
This reflective discussion boards from COUC 860 allow for reflective thinking, as well as engaging interaction with fellow colleagues and the professor, as it pertains to leadership and advocacy and the text for this class.
Leadership and Advocacy Presentation​
Diemer, Y., Doyle, P., Woods, A., & Wright, G. (2024, March 8). Shifting from the background: The Black doctoral student. Liberty University.