2027-2028 Officers & Directors Candidates
SCA is pleased to announce the nominees for GSCA Officers and Directors for the 2027-2028 year. Information regarding each nominee follows. GSCA are encouraged to read the candidates' information, watch their candidate video, and vote for the future of GSCA from November 12 until 5 pm on December 3, 2026.
VOTING WILL OPEN NOVEMBER 12
Members in good Standing will receive an Email With the Link to Vote
President-Elect
Cedric Cooks, Gwinnett County Public Schools
Vision for GSCA
My vision is to help grow and engage our membership, strengthen opportunities for professional development and leadership, and build meaningful partnerships within education and across our communities. Most importantly, I want to ensure that GSCA continues to be a strong and trusted voice for the school counseling profession and for the students and families we serve.
Statement on Goals and Qualifications
Hello, GSCA! My name is Dr. Cedric Cooks, and I am honored to announce my candidacy for GSCA President-Elect.
I have been a proud member of the Georgia School Counselor Association since 2017 and the American School Counselor Association since 2020. Currently, I serve on the GSCA Executive Board as Metro Director. Throughout my GSCA journey, I have also had the privilege of serving as Secondary Liaison, Mentoring Chair, and Secondary Director. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to GSCA and deepened my understanding of the needs, opportunities, and challenges facing school counselors across our state.
I bring 26 years of experience in education, with 18 of those years as a practicing school counselor. Throughout my career, I have served as a department lead, supervised counseling interns, and served on district-level collaboration committees. I currently serve as a school counselor at Norcross High School in Gwinnett County Public Schools, and I have also served as a school counselor and educator in Mississippi. Additionally, I bring more than a decade of experience as an adjunct professor in counselor education. I currently teach online graduate-level counseling courses at Jackson State University and will soon begin teaching with The Chicago School. I am passionate about supporting and developing the next generation of counselors.
I earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of the Cumberlands and a Doctor of Professional Counseling degree from Mississippi College. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Georgia and Mississippi, a National Certified Counselor, a National Certified School Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. I am also a member of the American Counseling Association, Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, and Chi Sigma Iota.
Throughout my professional career, advocacy, equity, access, and culturally responsive school counseling have remained central to my work and focus. My scholarship and professional presentations have addressed gatekeeping in advanced courses, culturally competent counseling, student advocacy, and postsecondary success. I am particularly proud to have received the 2025 Excellence in Advocacy and Social Justice Award from the University of the Cumberlands and to have been named the 2023 Gwinnett County Public Schools High School Counselor of the Year.
As a candidate for GSCA President-Elect, I am committed to listening, connecting, collaborating, and advocating. My vision is to help grow and engage our membership, strengthen opportunities for professional development and leadership, and build meaningful partnerships within education and across our communities. Most importantly, I want to ensure that GSCA continues to be a strong and trusted voice for the school counseling profession and for the students and families we serve.
More specifically, I will focus on two priorities. First, growing and engaging our membership. I want every school counselor across Georgia to see GSCA as a professional home, a place where they can connect, learn, and know that their voice matters. Second, strengthening collaboration. We must continue building meaningful partnerships among school counselors, school and district leaders, higher education, mental health providers, and our communities. When we connect and collaborate, we strengthen our profession; when we strengthen our profession, we strengthen the outcomes we create for students. Lastly, I believe effective leadership begins with listening, service, collaboration, and a commitment to our profession and the students we serve. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve you and the Georgia School Counselor Association as your next President-Elect.
Thank you.
If elected, what two goals would you like to accomplish during your term?
Goal 1: Growing and Engaging Membership
I want every school counselor across Georgia to see GSCA as a professional home, a place where they can connect, learn, and know that their voice matters.
Goal 2: Strengthening Collaboration
I want to continue building meaningful partnerships among school counselors, school and district leaders, higher education, mental health providers, and our communities. When we connect and collaborate, we strengthen our profession; when we strengthen our profession, we strengthen the outcomes we create for students.
Experience
My GSCA leadership experience as Metro Director, Secondary Liaison, combined with 26 years in education and 18 years as school counselor, has prepared me to serve effectively. My experience as a counselor educator, supervisor, and district collaborator further strengthens my ability to support Georgia School Counselors.
Why should GSCA members vote for you?
GSCA members should elect me because I bring experience, proven service, a commitment to collaboration, and a genuine passion for the school counseling profession. I am ready to listen, to serve and work with you to move GSCA forward.
President-Elect
Mark Ellis, Fulton County School district
Vision for GSCA
My vision is that the Georgia School Counselor Association will work with all Georgia county district leaders to provide professional learning and support to all Georgia Professional School Counselors to ensure that all Georgia Students receive Academic, Social, and Emotional support and are College & Career Ready.
Statement on Goals and Qualifications
My name is Mark Ellis, and I am running for President-Elect. This is my 21st year as a GSCA, ASCA, and Fulton School Counselor Association Member. I have a Masters of Art in Counseling and a Specialist in Ed Leadership Admin & Supervision. My certifications include: Georgia Educator Certificate in School Counseling (P-12); Georgia Educator Certificate in Ed Leadership Admin & Supervision; and National Board Certified School Counselor & National Board Certified Counselor. I have 23 years of experience with the Fulton School District. Six of the years were at the district office where I provided leadership, professional development, and support to 235 Counselors and Graduation Coaches. I also have 6 years of experience as a Counseling Department Chair. I have one year of experience as the Coordinator of the Mobile Assessment Team at Anchor Hospital. In addition, I have held 10 GSCA leadership positions, and I have 21 years of leadership experience with the Fulton School Counselor Association which include President, President Elect, Conference Chair, and Recognition Dinner Chair. My awards and honors include: Georgia School Counselors Association (GSCA) Supervisor of the Year 2013 - 2014; GSCA Region 3 Secondary School Counselor of the Year 2007 - 2008; Fulton School Counselor Association (FSCA) Supervisor of the Year 2012 - 2013; FSCA Advocate of the Year 2013 - 2014; Fulton School District Counselor of the Year 2006 – 2007; and Anchor Hospital Service Excellence Award April, 2002
If elected, what two goals would you like to accomplish during your term?
First goal is to increase our college and business partners by 5%. As FSCA President and District Counseling Coordinator, I partnered with 8 colleges and 8 businesses.
Second goal is to increase the GSCA membership by 10%. As FSCA President I increased the FSCA membership 17% in 2 years.
Experience
GSFC Website Advisory Committee
GA DOE Capstone Committee
GSCA Performance Management Committee, Counselor KEYS
Fulton Charter System Instruction Committee
Fulton Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Advisory Board
Fulton CTAE Committee
Fulton Future Focus Fair Committee
GSU Advisory Board
UWG Counseling & Educational Psychology Advisory Board
Mercer University School Counseling Advisory Board
Why should GSCA members vote for you?
I have 22 years of experience with the Fulton School District. Six of the years were at the district office where I provided leadership, professional development, and support to 235 Counselors and Graduation Coaches. I have 20 years of leadership with the Fulton School Counselors Association. GSCA Supervisor Award Recipient.
Secretary
Rebecca Burkhart, Savannah Chatham County Public School System
Vision for GSCA
I want to build on GSCA's strong foundation by strengthening connection and leadership among Georgia school counselors. I envision an association that listens to needs, develops future leaders, and provides meaningful opportunities for every school counselor to grow, connect, and make a lasting impact in the lives of students.
Statement on Goals and Qualifications
As a GSCA leader, I have served as Elementary Director and previously Middle Director, along with leadership roles of Elementary Liaison, Elementary Mentoring Co-Chair, and Professional Recognition Co-chair. These experiences have given me a better perspective on the needs of school counselors across our state and made me a stronger school counselor.
As GSCA secretary, my goals are to support effective communication, strengthen member engagement, and help ensure GSCA remains strong and responsive to needs of school counselors. I believe we can learn from one another, encourage each other to develop more as leaders, and all advocate for comprehensive school counseling programs. I am especially passionate about inspiring school counselors both new to the profession and veteran.
My 21 years in education including 13 as a Georgia school counselor have taught me the value of collaboration, servant leadership, and strong professional relationships. I would bring that same commitment of service, organization, and advocacy to the role of secretary, working alongside the entire Executive Board to further strengthen our organization and thus our profession.
Central Director
Joycelyn White, Bibb County School District
Vision for GSCA
My vision for GSCA is to strengthen our organization by increasing membership, cultivating meaningful connections, and creating greater value for members. I envision an association where school counselors feel supported, heard, and empowered to remain engaged, while building a stronger, more unified voice for our profession across Georgia.
Statement on Goals and Qualifications
My name is Joycelyn White, and I am honored to run for the position of GSCA Central Director. I have been a member of the Georgia School Counselor Association for six years and have actively served in leadership roles for the past five years. I hold a Master of Education and Education Specialist degree in School Counselor Education and Leadership from Fort Valley State University and am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Throughout my career, I have served as a K–8 school counselor, 6–12 counselor, high school counselor, and currently as a middle school counselor. My experience spans large districts such as Savannah-Chatham County, rural districts such as Twiggs County, and Title I districts such as Bibb County, providing me with a broad perspective on the diverse needs of school counselors across Georgia. Within GSCA, I have served as a Region 4 Liaison, Central Director, and founder of the Middle Georgia School Counselor Network, creating opportunities for collaboration, professional learning, and connection among school counselors. I was honored to receive the 2024 GSCA Emerging Leader Award and have secured several financial sponsorship commitments to support the association and its initiatives. I am passionate about strengthening GSCA, expanding membership, retaining and engaging current members, and ensuring that every school counselor has a voice, feels connected, and recognizes the value of belonging to our professional organization.
Elementary Director
Premlata Miller, Henry County Schools
Vision for GSCA
My vision is to help strengthen the Georgia School Counselor Association by enhancing membership, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting the development of engaging, innovative conferences.I envision providing relevant professional learning, leadership opportunities, and practical resources that empower school counselors to grow professionally, collaborate with colleagues, and positively impact students and school communities statewide.
Statement on Goals and Qualifications
For the past two years, I have served as Elementary Liaison on the leadership team, advocating for and supporting the unique needs of elementary school counselors. In the absence of the Elementary Director, I co-led the Elementary work setting Session, helping create a space where counselors felt seen, heard, and valued. As Elementary Director, my goals are to strengthen counselor engagement, increase membership, amplify elementary counselors’ voices, and provide meaningful opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, and connection. I am committed to serving as an advocate and creating spaces where elementary school counselors feel supported, connected, and empowered.
Secondary Director
No nomination received
Finance Committee (General Member)
No nomination received
Finance Committee - (Past President)
No nomination received