Dear Members of the Ohio Counseling Association,

I’m very excited to serve as the President of the Ohio Counseling Association for the 2024-2025 term! It’s an opportunity that I don’t take lightly. For me, working in this field is so much more than a career - it’s a purpose and vocation that includes being involved in the development and defense of the profession.

My leadership with OCA began in 2014. At this time, the threats to our profession at the state level were real, and this continues today. But I believe we are able to face these issues.by being a united organization, which our previous leadership has emphasized as well, time and time again. We’ve seen growth and progress in the last decade as we’ve grown our chapters, divisions, and committees, created a Leadership Certificate Program (LCP) to help build our future governance, and created a strong state advocacy group that is at the forefront of issues that are of importance to our membership.

However, there is more thoughtful and strategic work yet to be done. In the coming year, I intend to:

• Further unify our chapters and divisions around OCA’s overarching organizational mission. I believe the work we do throughout the state should reflect the values, goals, and vision for OCA.
• Address and face any challenges that lie ahead with the current socio-political landscape, especially HB68, and to set-up our future leaders for the pressures that are sure to come.
• Recognize and elevate our membership professional expertise and support their willingness to advance the profession as innovators. It’s not by chance that we’re one of the strongest states in terms of professional leadership, rigor in licensure, and advocacy. You’ll see this is reflected in our theme of this year’s All-Ohio Counseling Conference – Creativity @ Work. We’ve put an emphasis on sessions that highlight unique research, advanced approaches, and interventions our members are doing around the state. I’ve already seen this year’s approved sessions and am very excited about this year’s conference!
• Continue to give increased intention to developing and training our future leaders. I believe this mentality must start in our Counselor Education programs, which have the opportunity to teach and promote the importance of professional identity and advocacy. This includes creating opportunities and pathways for graduate students to get involved (such as attending and presenting at the All-Ohio Counselor’s Conference and Legislative Advocacy Day) and training members in OCA’s rich history, mission, and purpose.
• Provide ongoing support to the OCA Leadership Development Committee as they continue to evolve the Leadership Certificate Program (LCP) to recruit diverse leadership, preserve the legacy of past leadership, and equip incoming and current member leaders for success in their volunteer roles. Outcomes indicate that LCP has been very successful in training members in the history and development of OCA and better equipping them with the tools they need to successfully hold and transition leadership positions.

As much as I’m looking forward, I’m also reflecting on my past year as President-Elect. Members - take comfort in the wealth of collective expertise and wisdom we have on our team! I’ve been blessed to learn from the OCA Executive Council Leadership Team. I am grateful to our immediate Past Presidents, Sherdene Simpson, Staci Tessmer, and DoHee Kim-Appel for their insights and leadership for this role. Amy Barcelo continues to be a firm foundation for our professional organization, and long-time leaders Treasurer Alma Moore and past Secretary Kelsey Jager have strengthened the work of OCA in many ways. I’d also like to welcome President-Elect Carmella Hill and current Secretary Annaleise Fisher to the Executive Board. This is quite the team; I look forward to working with you all!

I am truly excited about the coming year and working with all of you! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me (mlewis7@capital.edu), as I will be reaching out to many of you. Let the journey begin!

Be well,

Michael S. Lewis, Ph.D. LPCC-S

Ohio Counseling Association President, 2024-2025