Published: October 27, 2009 11:42 am      

Dr. Ybanez to be honored by the TCA

San Marcos — Dr. Kathy Ybanez, a counselor educator at Texas State University, will be awarded the 2009 Advocacy Award by the Texas Counseling Association [TCA].

Dr. Ybanez said she believes in teaching her students about the important role advocacy plays in setting public policy.

Leading by action, she has met with congressional leaders in Washington D.C. in addition to attending numerous legislative advocacy days in Texas.

Mentoring her students to participate during advocacy days, Dr. Ybanez helps shape the roles of and funding for professional counselors.

She will receive the 2009 Advocacy Award for demonstrating a strong commitment to the advocacy of professional counselors both in Texas and across the nation.

TCA will honor Dr. Ybanez during an awards banquet on Nov. 12 at the 53rd Annual Professional Growth Conference in Dallas.

“Kathy Ybanez is most deserving of TCA’s 2009 Advocacy Award. She has influenced elected and appointed officials, on behalf of professional counselors, in Washington D.C. and here in Texas. Kathy also encourages her students to develop their leadership skills through personal meetings with state legislators,” Judy Nelson, president of TCA, said.

TCA, formed in 1947, is a non-profit association that represents more than 6,000 professional counselors in a variety of specialties across the state.