Bellevue University Students Receive Nebraska Counseling Association Scholarships
Four students received $1,000 scholarships from the Nebraska Counseling Association during its Spring Conference held in April at Bellevue University. Bellevue University students Chrystol Spraling and Cassie Wistrom were among the recipients. The scholarships were awarded to NCA student members.
Key Facts
- Four scholarships of $1,000 each were awarded by the Nebraska Counseling Association
- Recipients: Chrystol Spraling, Bellevue University; Chelsea McCoy, Doane University; Sandy Scott, Wayne State College; and Cassie Wistrom, Bellevue University
- Scholarships were presented on April 24, 2026
- Awards took place during the Nebraska Counseling Association Spring Conference at Bellevue University
Bellevue University Students Receive NCA Scholarships
Bellevue University recognizes two of its students who received scholarships from the Nebraska Counseling Association at the organization’s 2026 Spring Conference. Chrystol Spraling and Cassie Wistrom earned two of the four awards presented to student members.
“Serving in leadership with the Nebraska Counseling Association and working directly with our students gives me a clear view of the dedication it takes to enter this profession,” said Katey Shirley, Ph.D., LIMHP, NCC, ACS, Bellevue University Professor and Past President, Nebraska Counseling Association. “Chrystol and Cassie have demonstrated a commitment to ethical practice, clinical growth and service to others.”
Scholarships Awarded at April Conference
The Nebraska Counseling Association presented the scholarships during its conference on April 24 at Bellevue University. The event brought together counseling and mental health professionals and included sessions on practice, ethics, and assessment. The association awards scholarships each year to support students who pursue counseling education and training.
Preparing Students for Counseling Careers
Spraling and Wistrom are students in Bellevue University’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, a CACREP-accredited graduate program aligned with national licensure standards. The program prepares students to pursue licensure through coursework in counseling theory, ethics, assessment, and diagnosis, combined with supervised practicum and internship experiences totaling 700 clinical hours.
Students in the program develop skills in assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, and treatment planning, while building competency in multicultural counseling, advocacy, and professional practice. The flexible online format, required residencies, and clinical placements allow students to gain experience in real-world settings while continuing to meet personal and professional commitments.
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).