Jane E. Okech, PH.D., NCC.
Dr. Jane Okech is a Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Vermont, where she has served as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs since July 2022. She has also served as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal for Specialists in Group Work since July 2023, combining distinguished scholarship with extensive administrative leadership in higher education.
Her academic credentials span two continents: a bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Philosophy of Religion and History from Kenyatta University (Kenya), a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from the United States International University-Africa (Kenya), and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Counseling from Idaho State University (United States).
At the University of Vermont, Dr. Okech has contributed to the institution’s academic landscape through progressive leadership roles spanning nearly two decades. Her administrative experience includes chairing the Department of Leadership and Developmental Sciences and the Department of Counseling, Human Development, and Family Science, serving as Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs in the College of Education and Social Services, and guiding academic programs as Coordinator for both Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Counseling programs, demonstrating her versatility in academic leadership.
As vice Provost, Dr. Okech’s core focus is on faculty affairs, strategic planning, and team building. Her leadership approach emphasizes collaborative environments that foster individual excellence and collective achievement while promoting healthy workplace cultures.
Dr. Okech is an internationally recognized scholar in group psychotherapy and clinical supervision, focusing on the needs of diverse populations and complex relational dynamics. Her research examines the processes involved in acquiring counseling micro skills and their therapeutic impact in bothindividual and group contexts. Her scholarly contributions have earned her Fellow status in the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) and numerous accolades, including the ASGW Outstanding Article Award in 2006 and 2015, theASGW Article of the Year in 2017, and the Counselor Education and Supervision Publication of the Year Award from the Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES) in 2019.
Dr. Okech advocates for diverse and equitable academic communities through targeted recruitment and initiativesfocused on inclusive excellence. She promotes inclusive hiring practices and professional development programs that supportunderrepresented groups in academia, effectively bridging academic excellence with institutional leadership to create environments where diverse perspectives can thrive.
Throughout her career, Dr. Okech has found her professional home in ASGW, crediting the organization for significantly shaping her personal and professional development. She considers it a privilege to give back to the organization through her service and leadership as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal for Specialists in Group Work.
Dr. Okech, thank you for your contributions to the field of group work!