Emerging Leader Grant for 2026-2027
***The Emerging Leader Grant Application is due by December 10, 2026.***

The American College Counseling Association (ACCA) is pleased to invite applications from graduate students and new professionals for the Emerging Leader Grant (ELG) to attend the ACCA Annual Conference in 2027. Applicants must be willing to attend and serve in the ELG position at the ACCA conference.

Graduate students must be actively enrolled in a master’s or doctoral graduate counseling program (e.g. clinical mental health, clinical psychology, counselor education and supervision).

New professionals are those working in college counseling within 2 years of matriculating from a counseling graduate program, or within 2 years of transitioning from another counseling profession into college counseling. College counseling includes a variety of professions such as mental health, career, or disability services.

The review and selection committee will typically be composed of the Graduate Student Member-at- Large (GS-MAL), an Executive Council Member, the ACCA Graduate Student & New Professionals (GSNP) Committee Chair/Co-chair and/or members, and previous ELG recipients. Throughout the process, the GS-MAL will be the primary contact person for questions by applicants as well as assistance, support, and follow-up with ELG recipients throughout the year.

The Emerging Leader Grant covers the cost of the ACCA conference registration and includes a $500 travel reimbursement (with receipts, post-conference). This is NOT a cash/money grant.

ACCA Emerging Leaders responsibilities prior, during and after the ACCA conferences:

●       Maintain active paid membership of ACA and ACCA at application, at time of application and, if chosen, throughout one's time as an Emerging Leader.

●       Be informed about ACCA as an organization and willing to assist with the ACCA conference as needed.

●       Write a short reflection essay within one (1) month after the conference. Additional information about the content for the essay will be provided to recipients after the conference. Note: Essays may be quoted in ACCA promotional materials for next year’s conference.

●       Serve on an ACCA committee for one year.

●       Submit feedback on the ELG program at the end of the year.

●       Optional: Assist in the review and selection process for next year’s ELG recipients.

Duties for those chosen to attend the ACCA 2027 Houston, Texas Conference—February 18-21, 2027:

●       Attend the ACCA conference.

●       Be available for a variety of opportunities for connection and service leadership training provided by ACCA board members. Specifics will be determined closer to conference time.

The Process:

A). Applications are due electronically by email by email to Janeyshka Ortiz-Flores @ janeyshka@gmail.com

Submit all materials as PDF files. No applications will be accepted in any form other than electronically. The ELG review committee will examine all applications for eligibility.

B). Applications must include ALL of the following (5 items):

1.     Join or reinstate membership in ACCA. Include your ACCA membership # in the application.

2.    Completed application form: Emerging Leader Application.

3.    A resume or curriculum vitae.

4.    Two Letters of Recommendations:

○      One letter from a current or recent faculty member or employer.

○      One letter from your most recent site/internship supervisor.

Note: Letters from colleagues, classmates, family members, or friends will not be accepted.

5.     Professional, Diversity, and Inclusion Narrative:

○      A typed, double-spaced 1-2 page narrative describing your past and current scholarly activities (e.g. presentations, publications, research projects) and/or professional service (i.e. within a college campus community, professional organizations, committees, etc.), and how you are contributing to the future of the college counseling profession. You are welcome to include how your identities, lived experiences, and/or professional experiences have shaped your professional commitment to diversity, inclusion, and multicultural competence.

○      You may also describe how receiving this honor and attending the conference would support your future research, professional development, clinical work, advocacy, or contributions to college counseling.

C). Decisions are based on the quality of the submitted information and each category is given consideration in the overall score. The ELG review committee will conduct a blind review of the applications to select grant recipients.

D). All ELG applicants will be notified by email regarding their application status. Those awarded an Emerging Leader Grant will be sent a separate email with further information about conference registration.

Eligibility requirements:

A). Applicants must be a student or new professional member of ACCA. Individuals who are not current members must affiliate with ACCA as a division within ACA in order to be considered for this award. To join ACA and ACCA, please visit the ACA webpage for membership information and forward your confirmation email of your membership to the GS-MAL. The review committee chair will confirm verification of membership in ACA and ACCA before considering your application.

B). Applicants cannot have previously received an Emerging Leader Grant from ACCA.

Emerging Leader Grant Application

Deadline: December 10, 2026 at midnight (12am CST)

Questions can be directed to:

Janeyshka Ortiz-Flores, PsyD, MFT

janeyshka@gmail.com

Member-at-Large, Graduate Students and New Professionals

American College Counseling Association

Quick Links

Join Now! Job Board Annual Conference Member Resources Contact Us

---

Upcoming Events

Training & Supervision
Support Space
Virtual Meeting
September 16, 2026

2027 Annual Conference
Houston, TX
February 18 - 21, 2026

Announcements

View the press release on HEMHA's new guide to Animals on Campus

Click here to access the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources

ACCA joins the 4th edition of Health and Well being in Higher Education: A Commitment to Student Success

Please note the addition of the College Counseling & Psychological Services Knowledge Base to the resources page.

ACCA Members in the News