Education
University of Maryland at College Park
Doctorate of Philosophy, Counselor Education, May 2000
The Johns Hopkins University
Master of Science, School Guidance and Counseling, May 1993
Loyola College in Baltimore
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, May 1991
Professional Licensure and Certification
- Advanced Professional Certification in School Guidance and Counseling in the State of Maryland
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the State of Maryland LC#1410
- MD Approved Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Supervisor #507
Biography
Jennifer Scaturo Watkinson is a Professor of Counselor Education and Program Director of School Counseling at Loyola University Maryland. Watkinson spent 14 years as an elementary school counselor before joining Loyola where she led a comprehensive school counseling program that was data driven and intentional in meeting the mental health needs of children. As a counselor educator, Watkinson partners with local school district leaders to mentor school counseling professionals on how to shift their time away from non-counseling related responsibilities to increase their time on developing and implementing the ASCA National Model. She co-wrote and was the lead on an Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program grant that was awarded to a local school district. While administering the grant, Watkinson worked collaboratively with the district leaders to hire more school counselors and increase the number of professional development opportunities available to school counselors. Over the last eight years, Watkinson has supervised countless school counselors on transformational leadership and tier II interventions. Further, Watkinson has mentored school counselors on how to identify and dispute assumptions they hold about their role to transform their practice. Watkinson has written and presented on topics related to school counselor supervision, professional advocacy, leadership, and school counselor practice. Her new research interest is in supporting the mental health needs of student athlete going through the college recruiting process.
Professional Research Interests
I am a counselor educator who believes research should inform and enhance practice. I am committed to the mental health needs of youth, particularly youth who need intervention due to marginalization, severe mental health diagnoses, or environmental stressors that challenge their resiliency. I contribute to the well-being of youth through my dedication to bettering the preparation of school counselors and strengthen school counselor practice. In 2021, I embarked on a new research initiative focused on examining the experiences of high school student athletes. To date, my service has focused on mentoring professional school counselors within a collaborative school/university partnership.
Selected Publications
Watkinson, J.S., Shi, Q., Slezak, H. & Litvin, R. (in press). Preparing future school counselors
to work with English language learners. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision.
Watkinson, J.S., Cicero, G. & Burton, E. (2021). Addressing anxiety: Practitioners’
examination of mindfulness in supervision. The Professional Counselor, 11(4), 459-474.
doi: 10.15241/jsw.11.4.459
Shi, Q. & Watkinson, J.S., (2019). English language learners and school belonging:
Implications for School Counselor Practice. Professional School Counselor, 22 (1a)
54-
62 doi:10.1177/2156759X19834442
Watkinson, J.S., Goodman-Scott, E., Martin, I & Biles, K. (2018). Phenomenological study of counselor
educators’ experiences preparing pre-service school counselors. Counselor Education
and Supervision, 57, 178-193 doi: 10.1002/ceas.12109
Goodman-Scott, E., Watkinson, J.S., Martin, I. & Biles, K. (2016). School counseling faculty perceptions and experiences preparing elementary school counselors. The Professional Counselor, 6, 303 – 317 doi: 10.15241/egs.6.4.303
Watkinson, J. S. (2015). I just thought I would be the school counselor: Vision as a reflective practice. Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 2, 14-28.
Grants
Watkinson, J. S. & Harford County Public Schools
Principal Investigator. Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSCP)
1.1 million – funded, 2013
Watkinson, J. S.
Principal Investigator. Loyola University Maryland, 2012 Summer Research Grant.
Focus: Participatory study exploring the process of training elementary school counselors in the art of visioning.
4,000, funded, 2012
Watkinson, J. S.
Principal Investigator. Loyola University Maryland, 2012 Hoen Faculty Research Grant.
Focus: Participatory study exploring the process of training elementary school counselors in the art of visioning.
2,000, funded, 2012
Research Award
2014 Faculty Award for Excellence in Engaged Scholarship, Loyola University Maryland
Selected Conference Presentations, International, National & State
Watkinson, J.S., Cicero, G. & Burton, E. (March 2019). A mindfulness approach to supervision. Presented
at Evidence-based School Counseling Conference; Columbus, OH
Watkinson, J.S. & Cicero, G. (October 2018). Enhancing counselor identity development: A mindfulness
approach to supervision. Presented at Southern Association for Counselor Education
and Supervision, Myrtle Beach, SC.
Qi Shi & Watkinson, J.S. (March 2018). What do English language learners need? Interventions and implications
for school counselors. Presented at Evidence-based School Counseling Conference; NY,
NY.
Moore-Thomas, C., Watkinson, J.S. & Haskins, D. (November 2017). Courageous conversations: Talking with young children
and race. Presented at Maryland Counseling Association, Baltimore, MD.
Watkinson, J.S. & Moore-Thomas, C. (October 2017). Grant writing 101: Planning strategies and practical
tips. Presented at Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Chicago, IL.
Watkinson, JS., Goodman-Scott, E., Martin, I & Blies, K. (October 2017). Examining school counselor
preparation: Results of a national study. Presented at Association for Counselor Education
and Supervision, Chicago, IL.
Professional Memberships
American Counseling Association (ACA)
Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
American Educational Research Association (AERA)