DedicationI would like to dedicate this dissertation to a few individuals. First, I want to dedicate this study to the ten women and men who participated in the research. It was an honor and a privilege to hear your stories. I hope I have done them-and you, justice.I would also like to dedicate this body of work to my mother, Patsy Dickens, who always encouraged me to keep learning. Her words inspired me to further my education and pursue my dream of obtaining a doctoral degree.Lastly, I dedicate this dissertation to my dear friend, fellow graduate assistant, and "partner-incrime," Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson. I am lucky to know you, and to have worked along-side you. I will always be grateful for your friendship and wisdom, and awed by your determined spirit. You are an inspiration to me.
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AcknowledgmentsAs the old proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child." I would now like to thank my "village."I would like to start by thanking my higher power, God, for providing me with strength in times of weakness and renewed faith in times of despair.To my chair, Dr. Herlihy: there are not enough words in the English language to express the gratitude I have for you. You have been more than a dissertation chair and advisor to me.You have been a mentor, a role model, a source of comfort and strength, a motivator, and a believer in my abilities to navigate the doctoral student role and dissertation maze. I would not have completed this journey without your guidance and wisdom. Thank you for believing in me even when I struggled to believe in myself. It is because of your encouragement that this research topic was chosen, and I look forward to the future work we will do together.To my methodologist, Dr. O'Hanlon: thank you for signing up for this journey! Your attention to detail and dedication to the formulation of this study was instrumental to the finished product. Thank you for your kindness and encouragement. Your guidance has made me a better researcher. It has been a pleasure working with you.To Dr. Johnson: I am so glad you came to UNO! Thank you for taking this journey with me, and for your thoughtful feedback and questions. Thank you for your mentorship, especially regarding the experience of being a new counselor educator. I look forward to further mentorship opportunities with you.To Dr. Bitter: Jim, thank you for everything. I still remember you saying, "You need to go to UNO and study with Dr. Barbara Herlihy." Without your encouragement I would not have applied to UNO, and thus not had the opportunity to work with amazing people. You have been, v and will continue to be, one of the most influential mentors, counselors, counselor educators, and people I will ever meet. Your passion for helping others, or as Adler would say "gemeinschaftsgefühl," is inspiring and a quality I hope to emulate with my work. Your mentorship served as the foundation for my development as a counselor and counselor educator, and for this I am grateful. I will always cherish your friendship.To Dr. Paradise: thank you for humor ...