News Releases

Capella University Announces $50,000 in Scholarships to Graduate Students in Mental Health Services

Ten students are awarded scholarships at online university

MINNEAPOLIS, November 18, 2008 - Capella University (www.capella.edu), an accredited* online university, announced today that 10 current and prospective Capella University students have been awarded $5,000 scholarships to further their education in the field of mental health services. Half are pursuing online doctoral degrees and half are enrolled in online master's degree specializations in psychology and counseling.

More than 750 people applied for the merit-based scholarships. The 10 scholarship recipients were chosen based on their answers to five essay questions about their educational and professional goals, their interest and experience in mental health services, and how their work has benefited others.

"I've had to make changes in my life because of the rigors of Capella's PhD program, but in many ways, Capella's format is also what made pursuing a degree possible," said Paul Wade, one of the scholarship recipients. Wade's experiences as a non-commissioned officer with the Air Force, mentoring those under his charge, inspired him to pursue a career in mental health following his retirement from the military. His goal is to become a psychologist to better serve the mental health needs of veterans and other members of society. He currently works as a manager for a veterans service organization and as a psychology assistant while pursuing his PhD in Psychology, Counseling Psychology specialization, at Capella. "Capella's dual focus on high curriculum standards and attentiveness to student needs has given me the opportunity to balance my life priorities while staying focused on my professional goals," said Wade.

Like Wade, most of the scholarship recipients are senior-level professionals in mental health or related fields and are seeking to strengthen their skills and career options. The scholarship recipients, listed with their hometown, degree program and specialization, and occupation, are:

Amy Adams, Sterling, IL. MS in Human Services, Mental Health Counseling specialization. Healthy families team leader, behavioral health care center.
Teri Chartier, Eastpointe, MI. MS in Psychology, Clinical Psychology specialization. Employment specialist case manager, non-profit community services organization.
Stacy Clark, Blytheville, AR. MS in Human Services, Counseling Studies specialization. Program coordinator, state department of community corrections.
Lillian Hansen, Granville, NY. MS in Human Services, Mental Health Counseling specialization. Mental health advocate, non-profit community services organization.
Melissa Jackson, Lihue, HI. MS in Human Services, Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling/Therapy specialization. Family self-sufficiency coordinator, county housing agency.
James Ryan Kennedy, Denver, CO. PhD in Psychology, Clinical Psychology specialization. CEO and clinical director of counseling agency; faculty member, university counseling psychology department.
Ofra Schaham, Wynnewood, PA. PhD in Human Services, Counseling Studies specialization. Program supervisor/clinician, non-profit early intervention program.
Allison Shardell, Newark, OH. PhD in Human Services, Counseling Studies specialization. Director of behavior services/behavior specialist, autism-focused school/non-profit organization.
Paul Wade, Reynoldsburg, OH. PhD in Psychology, Counseling Psychology specialization. Office manager, non-profit veterans services organization; psychology assistant, private mental health practice; and former veterans counselor.
Aaron Williams, Jeannette, PA. PhD in Psychology, Clinical Psychology specialization. Psychological associate and regional manager of psychological consulting group.

Capella offers more than two dozen graduate specializations in counseling, psychology, and related fields, including the first and only online master's specializations in counseling that are CACREP-accredited. Learn more about Capella's mental health programs at capella.edu/mentalhealth .

About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is an accredited*, fully online university that has built its reputation providing quality graduate education for working adults. Eighty-three percent of Capella students are currently enrolled in master's or doctoral degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services, psychology, public health, and public safety. Capella also offers bachelor's degree programs in business, information technology, and public safety. Within those areas, Capella currently offers 111 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 15 certificate programs. More than 24,000 learners were enrolled as of September 30, 2008, from all 50 states and 45 other countries. Capella is committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Founded in 1993, Capella University is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, please visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).

* Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), www.ncahlc.org.
Capella University, 225 South Sixth Street, Ninth Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552), www.capella.edu.

Learn more about earning an online degree at Capella University:
online education (http://www.capella.edu/online_education.aspx)
distance learning (http://www.capella.edu/distance_learning.aspx)
online university (http://www.capella.edu/online_university.aspx)