Bellevue University Faculty Member Represents Counseling Profession on Capitol Hill
Dr. LaNita Jefferson, Assistant Professor in Bellevue University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, participated in the American Counseling Association's Hill Day 2026 in Washington, D.C. The event brought counseling professionals together with federal policymakers to discuss mental health access, workforce development and issues affecting the counseling profession while providing opportunities for advocacy and leadership.
Key Facts
- Dr. LaNita Jefferson represented the counseling profession at the American Counseling Association Hill Day 2026 on Sept. 16-17 in Washington, D.C.
- Hill Day connects counselors, counselor educators, counseling students and professional leaders with members of Congress and their staff.
- Participants discussed access to mental health services, counseling workforce development and issues affecting the counseling profession.
- Dr. Jefferson serves as an Assistant Professor in Bellevue University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
- The experience will help inform classroom discussions about advocacy, leadership and professional responsibility in counseling.
Bellevue University Faculty Member Brings Advocacy Experience to the Classroom
Dr. LaNita Jefferson joined counseling professionals from across the country at the American Counseling Association's Hill Day 2026, an annual advocacy event that gives counselors an opportunity to engage with federal policymakers on issues affecting mental health care and the counseling profession.
The two-day event included advocacy training, networking opportunities and meetings with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. Participants shared professional experiences and discussed policies that affect counselors, mental health providers and the communities they serve.
For Jefferson, the experience reinforced the connection between counseling, leadership and public policy. By participating in conversations with lawmakers, she gained insight into how federal decisions can influence mental health services, workforce development and access to care.
Bellevue University Connects Counseling Education and Professional Advocacy
Dr. Jefferson said experiences such as ACA Hill Day help bridge classroom learning with the policy discussions that influence mental health care across the country. By participating in conversations with lawmakers and counseling leaders, Bellevue University faculty gain perspectives they can share with students preparing to enter the profession.
Bellevue University's CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program includes coursework focused on counselor identity, ethics, advocacy, multicultural competency and professional practice. Students also complete supervised practicum and internship experiences that connect academic preparation with the counseling field.
Dr. Jefferson said bringing advocacy experiences back into the classroom helps students understand that counselors not only support clients but also contribute to conversations that shape access to mental health services, professional standards and the future of the profession.
Counseling, Leadership and Advocacy
Dr. Jefferson said advocacy is a professional responsibility that extends beyond direct client services and plays a role in shaping systems, policies and access to care.
Our Clinical Mental Health Counseling students will become counselors, leaders and advocates within their communities. Participating in ACA Hill Day showed how counseling professionals can help inform policies that affect mental health care, access to services and the counseling workforce. I want our students to understand that their voices and expertise matter throughout their careers.
Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a non-profit university with more than 70,000 graduates worldwide. The University is a recognized national leader in preparing students for lifelong success with career-relevant knowledge and skills, while making college affordable. Routinely ranked among the nation’s top military and accessible institutions, the University serves residential students at its main campus in Bellevue, Nebraska, and everywhere online with more than 85 degree programs uniquely designed for working adults. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).