Alesha C. McCord of Primm Springs, TN  has been awarded the 2009 NBCC Foundation (NBCCF) Rural Scholarship.  The NBCCF rural scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in a CACREP-accredited counseling program who commit to serving in rural and underserved areas after graduation.

The mission of the NBCC Foundation is to promote mental health through the advancement of professional counseling and credentialing.  The rural scholarship was created in 2009 to encourage students from rural and underserved areas to embark on a career in counseling.  Nearly 60 students from across the country applied for this scholarship and the NBCCF Board of Trustees was very impressed with the overall qualifications of the applicants. 

McCord will receive $3,000 to support her counseling education.  McCord is currently a student at Middle Tennessee State University pursuing a master’s of education in mental health counseling and holds a bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University.  She has a passion for helping others and has worked as a case manager assisting adults with mental illness.  Upon graduation, McCord wants to increase the quality of mental health care in her rural Tennessee community through periodic needs assessments and the creation of a free referral and specialty services publication for agencies.

In addition to McCord’s scholarship, four additional $3,000 rural scholarships have been awarded.  The NBCC Foundation has also awarded six $3,000 military scholarships to servicemembers and veterans enrolled in a CACREP-accredited counseling program during or after military service who commit to serving military personnel after graduation.

NBCCF plans to continue offering scholarships to increase numbers of counselors in needed areas.  More information about the Foundation and its scholarships can be found at www.nbccf.org.