Doctoral Student Wins National Award for Counseling

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Arlis Young

Arlis Young, a University of Arkansas doctoral student in the rehabilitation counseling program, was named counselor of the year by the Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Association, a division of the National Rehabilitation Association, for his work with people with disabilities.

Young attended the association’s national conference Aug. 24-26 in Chicago to receive the award. He works as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in the Fayetteville office of Arkansas Rehabilitation Services counseling and guiding people with disabilities on vocational and mental health issues.

Young, who is a certified rehabilitation counselor and licensed associate counselor, also works with HIV/AIDS patients to help them live a richer, more fulfilling life. He created NWA HOPE (Northwest Arkansas HIV Outreach and Prevention Education) in 2010 with Andrea Hampton Hall.

NWA HOPE provides free, confidential HIV testing in Northwest Arkansas as well as free group education on HIV. The community program is part of the NWA Center for Equality in Fayetteville. It averages 10 HIV tests monthly, which Young said is a dramatic increase in the past two years.

“We are very proud of Arlis and the work that he has done,” said Lynn Koch, professor of rehabilitation education and research. “He started the master’s program the same year that I came to the University of Arkansas, and, along with other students in his cohort, holds a special place in my heart. Arlis is truly a leader in rehabilitation counseling and advocacy work.”