The MSCA Awards and Recognition are professional recognition that encourages excellence and instills professional pride. Our applicants are committed to upholding the quality and professionalism associated with Maryland School Counselor Associations. These awards honor the professionals who devote their careers to serving as advocates for the nation’s students. The Maryland School Counselor Association Recognition Committee is charged with coordinating the nominations and selections for School Counselor of the Year as well as the other recognition awards.  In addition, this committee will organize the Recognition Gala. 

Maryland School Counselor of the Year Award

• Deadline:  October 14, 2022 at midnight
• Link to make a nomination google form for this year: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2-Ye0ZMm5lI0PYYWtHEsQA6HkYnYxFt2-OFAov4aOHAINEA/viewform
• Questions: Contact the Professional Recognition Chair, Maureen Ponce: presidentelect@mscaonline.org
• Who can make a nomination? Any person can nominate but may only submit one nomination.
• All applications will be judged by a robust group of evaluators and will be screened by the MSCA Recognition Chair (s) and committee to ensure that they meet the MSCA eligibility requirements.  The committee’s job is to select a state winner for each category.
• All state winners were recognized at the MSCA Awards Ceremony held during the Annual Conference.  

MSCA Counselor of the Year application process (general information):

• Nomination window is opened, advertised via email to all MSCA members, posted on website, on MSCA social media accounts, and targeted emails to partners.  
• Once the nomination window is closed, All nominees are vetted by the Recognition Committee chair to ensure they meet the eligibility requirements.  
• Nominees are then contacted via email by the Recognition Committee chairperson and provided instructions on how to access the online application with the corresponding deadline to submit the application electronically.  MSCA uses the ASCA application found on this portal: https://schoolcounselorawards.org 
• Once the application window is closed, all applications are assigned to a group of evaluators identified by the MSCA Recognition Committee for judging.  
• The top three applicants based on the rubric scores reach semi-finalist status and will then take part in a structured interview with selected MSCA Elected Board Members. 
• The SCOY winner is announced during National School Counseling Week of each year.   

MSCA Professional Recognition Criteria For Additional Awards

• • MSCA Professional Recognition Awards categories:
    • Administrator of the Year
    • Dr. Vivian Lee Advocate of the Year Award
    • Graduate Student of the Year award
    • Maryland School Counselor Educator of the Year
    • Novice School Counselor of the year

• • Deadline:  October 14, 2022 at midnight (this date was extended from October 1st) 
  • Questions: Contact the Professional Recognition Chair, Maureen Ponce: presidentelect@mscaonline.org
  • Nominators:  Any person can nominate but may only submit one nomination
  • For more information about the MSCA Professional Recognition Awards application process, click here. 
  • All applications will be judged by a robust group of evaluators and will be screened by the MSCA Recognition Chair(s) to ensure that they meet the MSCA eligibility requirements.  The committee’s job is to select a state winner for each category.
  • Winners will be recognized at the MSCA Recognition Awards Ceremony held during the upcoming Annual Conference, March 2023.  Exact date TBD.