High School Counselor of the Year

Published May 17, 2022

Amy Owens, director of counseling at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, has been chosen as this year’s Central Region High School Counselor of the Year by the Arkansas School Counselor Association. The award honors Owens’ performance, advocacy and leadership in the field of school counseling. She will be recognized as a regional winner at this summer’s ArSCA conference in Hot Springs and is eligible to advance to the state-level Counselor of the Year competition. Eden Coker, freshman counselor, and Whitney Smotherman, the school’s college counselor, nominated Owens for the honor.

During her 10 years at MSM, Owens has been instrumental in building a comprehensive counseling program that now includes targeted support in freshman transition and postsecondary planning as well as a learning services coordinator and testing center. She has helped spearhead the development of the MSM Wellness Center, Honor Council, Mental Health Club and Prepare U mental health curriculum at the school. Most recently, she completed more than two years of outside training through Central Arkansas Pet Partners to be able to incorporate a therapy dog in her work with students. Oliver, a 4-year-old Goldendoodle, joined the counseling team this past fall. In addition to heading the Counseling Department, Owens also serves as the 10th-12th grade counselor.