Dr. Karen D. Rowland

Education

• B.S., Education, University of Maine, 1989
• M.Ed., Counselor Education, University of Maine, 1993
• Ph.D., Counselor Education, University of South Carolina, 2001

Dr. Karen Rowland, Professor of Counseling, began her tenure at Mercer University in 2008 as an Assistant Professor. She currently serves as the Department Chair, School Counseling Coordinator, and faculty in the Department of Counseling. Dr. Rowland has almost 30 years of experience in education as a teacher, school counselor, college counselor, and counselor educator. She received her undergraduate and Masters degrees in Elementary Education and Counselor Education respectively, from the University of Maine and her Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of South Carolina.

Dr. Rowland has a number of papers published in school counselor and counselor education peer-reviewed journals, magazines, and newsletters. She has numerous papers presented at local, regional, national and international professional conferences and workshops. Dr. Rowland is a strong proponent of mentoring students in becoming professionals and does this by publishing and presenting with students annually. Her expertise is in school counselor preparation with an interest in trauma and crisis counseling, social media, career, and multicultural counseling in the P-12 schools and multicultural counselor supervision.

Dr. Rowland is a Licensed Professional Counselor, an Approved Counselor Supervisor, a state (S-7) Certified School Counselor (Georgia), and a National Certified Counselor. Dr. Rowland has recently completed training and coursework to provided telemental health counseling supervision. In 2014, she was selected to serve on the Georgia State team on First Lady, Michelle Obama “Reach Higher Initiative,” and attended the White House Convening in San Diego, CA. Dr. Rowland was also awarded the Georgia state Counselor Educator of the Year 2012-2013 by the Georgia School Counselor Association (GSCA) and has served on the GSCA leadership team in multiple roles. She served as the GSCA Journal editor for two consecutive terms (2013 – 2019).

Originally from Nassau, Bahamas, Dr. Rowland is married to Jason Rowland, Lead Pastor of Living Waters International Church (AG) in Riverdale, Georgia where she serves as a leader for the women and has coordinated the church’s Resplendence conference. They are proud parents of seven children and one daughter-in-law.

Licensure

• National Certified Counselor (NCC)
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
• Certified School Counselor

Courses taught

COUN 601 Career Development
COUN 606 Counseling Skills and Techniques
COUN 613 Social and Cultural Issues in Counseling
COUN 618 Ethics and Professional Issues
COUN 631 Introduction to School Counseling
COUN 632 Leadership and Administration in School Counseling
COUN 640 Internship in School Counseling
COUN 641 Theories of Family Counseling
COUN 642 Brief Therapy
COUN 644 Orientation to Professional School Counseling Practice
COUN 645 Crisis, Trauma, and Grief Counseling
COUN 802 Counselor Supervision
COUN 901 Prospectus Design
COUN 910 Doctoral Internship
COUN 920 Dissertation

Areas of specialization

School Counseling, Counseling Children & Adolescents, Career Counseling, Multicultural Counseling, Multicultural Counseling Supervision

Leadership positions in the profession or discipline

Georgia School Counselor Association (GSCA) Leadership Team (June 2013 – July 2019) – Journal Editor; GSCA Leadership Team (June 2010 – July 2011) – Coordinators and Counselor Educators Liaison

Research and professional interests

School Counseling (National Model, School Counselor Roles & Responsibilities, Use of Data), Adolescents & Social Media; Adolescents Trauma & Crisis; Career Decision-Making in Adolescents, Counselor Supervision

Research with students or opportunities for students to assist or become involved in scholarship

• The Effects of Clinical Supervision on Levels of Burnout – Adrienne White – May 2017
• Therapists’ Perceptions about Violent Female Offenders and their Influence on the Provision of Therapeutic Services – Giselle Cunningham – March 2016
• Interaction between Professional Identity and Leadership Skills in Professional School Counselors – Necole Bryant-Baker – March 2018
• Affectivity, Depression, and Acculturative Stress in Asian International College Students using an Online Written Disclosure Protocol – Tara Overzat – June 2019
• The Relationship of Academic and Family Stress to Perfectionism in Non-Traditional Post-Secondary Students – Thommasina Odom Lawson – June 2015
• The Effect of Professional License Type and Gender on Self-Efficacy and Comfort Level of Counseling Skills in Addressing Sexual Issues with Clients – Tanyeka Hayes – March 2019
• Former Correctional Officers and their Perceived Stress Related to the Work Environment while Employed in a Georgia Prison Facility for Male Inmates – Maya Rookard-McPherson

Recent publications

• Panjawani, S., Ayers, L.N., & Rowland, K. D. (2019). Impact of Dual Relationships in Counseling Supervision. SACES Newsletter 14 (1), 5-6. San Antonio, TX.
• Rowland, K. D. (2018). Professional School Counseling Literature Reviews: Using Core Curriculum Classroom Guidance Lessons. GSCA Journal 26, 54-59. Marietta, GA.
• Mabeus, D. & Rowland, K. D. (2016). Reality Therapy in a Middle School Setting: Altering a Student’s Perception. GSCA Journal 23 (1), 48-52. Marietta, GA.
• Santana, M. & Rowland, K. D. (2016). Personal Theory of Brief Counseling in the High School Setting. GSCA Journal 23, 68-74. Marietta, GA.
• Sweeney, M. D., Caze, M., & Rowland, K. D. (July 2014). Multicultural Issues in Supervision: Exploring Gender Identity Differences in Supervision. SACES Newsletter 9 (5), 5. San Antonio, TX.
• Rowland, K. D. & Davis, T. (2014). Counseling Immigrant Students in the Schools. GSCA Journal 21, 22-28. Marietta, GA.
• Bayonne, L., Fountain, Y., & Rowland, K.D. (May 2014). Supervisee Resistance: Shame in Supervision. SACES Newsletter, 10 (1), 8. San Antonio, TX.
• Rowland, K. D. (May 2014). Ethics in Action: Confidentiality in Working with Students. Georgia School Counselor. Spring Edition (7). Alexandria, VA: ASCA.
• Gilbert, A., & Rowland, K.D. (April 2014). Amazing Grace: A Book Review for Second and Third Grade Classroom Guidance. GSCA Beacon. Spring 2014, 11-13. Marietta, GA.
• Woods, P., & Rowland, K.D. (April 2014). Staying Safe While on the Net or on Your Cell”: A Classroom Guidance on Cyber Safety. GSCA Beacon. Spring 2014, 21-22. Marietta, GA.

Awards or recognitions

• Selected as a member of the State of Georgia Team on the First Lady, Michelle Obama “Reach Higher Initiative,” and attended the White House Convening in San Diego, CA (November 17-18, 2014)
• Recipient of the State Counselor Educator of the Year award (2012-2013) by the Georgia School Counselors Association
• Member of the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) School Counseling Standard Setting Study: create examination questions and make recommendations for the passing scores for the new school counselor certification examination. July 2013 – present
• Member of Chi Sigma Iota

Contact Dr. Rowland

678.547.6049
rowland_kd@mercer.edu
Atlanta Administration Conference Center (AACC), Suite 375