The College of Education and Communications congratulates Matthew Nice on being elected the fifty-fourth president of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. The PCA is a state branch of the American Counseling Association, which promotes and supports the competent, ethical, and culturally inclusive practice of professionals in the field of counseling.
Nice earned his PhD in counselor education and supervision from Duquesne University and is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His previous experience was as a visiting professor at Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Nice has modeled his research around the topic of cultural identity, emerging adulthood development, school counseling college knowledge, and counselor wellness. He has also worked for several years as a professional counselor in the Pittsburgh Schools. Nice was awarded the 2019 Richard Duncan Student Memorial Resources Award for outstanding work in Duquesne's counselor education program as well as the 2020 Duquesne School of Education Distinguished Graduate Student Award for excellence in leadership, service, and education. His leadership promotes culturally inclusive practices that fosters social justice and advocates for Pennsylvania's marginalized populations.
Nice's strengths and experience in counselor advocacy will enhance the work of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. The Department of Counseling is grateful to have Professor Nice as a member of the faculty and believe his leadership skills will strengthen the counseling profession in Pennsylvania.
Kim Desmond, chairperson of the Department of Counseling, shared, "The Department offers full support to Dr. Nice in his presidency and are privileged to have him as a member of the faculty."