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Graduating to Serve: 91传媒’s First CMHC Cohort Answers Rural Oregon’s Mental Health Needs

Graduating to Serve: 91传媒’s First CMHC Cohort Answers Rural Oregon’s Mental Health Needs

On June 14, 2025, Kate Gekeler and DJ Maurer, along with the rest of their classmates, stood proudly in Quinn Coliseum as they received their salmon-colored master鈥檚 hoods. For both, it marked the culmination of years of hard work balancing the demands of school, personal growth, and professional development. The colleagues are part of the first cohort to graduate from 91传媒鈥檚 innovative new Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program.

鈥淔or me, commencement is the end of a journey and the beginning of new opportunities to help people,鈥� Gekeler said. 鈥淚 can confidently say that I have the skills needed to step into the field and start making a difference right away. I am so thankful for the training and development I received through 91传媒鈥檚 program.鈥�

Meeting Oregon鈥檚 Mental Health Needs

Launched in 2023, 91传媒鈥檚 program was created to address the growing need for mental health professionals in Oregon and other states. Most of the state is designated as a mental health professional shortage area, and a lack of qualified counselor supervisors remains a key barrier to training and licensing new counselors. The program helps by preparing students to provide counseling services in clinics, hospitals, schools, and private practices. Students gain a foundation to become qualified supervisors.

This collaboration between 91传媒 and regional mental health providers is a key part of the program鈥檚 mission. 91传媒 collaborates closely with mental health centers to assist students in securing internships and job placements. Gekeler began working at CHD while completing her degree thanks to a variance that allows students who have completed sufficient coursework to begin supervised employment.

“The program was designed to help people who want to work in mental health, especially in small towns where help is needed the most,” said Program Director Dr. Hope Schuermann.

Gekeler has worked as a school-based mental health therapist with the Center for Human Development (CHD) in Union County since August 2024. During the school year, she helps students at Greenwood Elementary and Island City School. In the summer, she sees clients at CHD鈥檚 office, at their homes, and in the community. The job provides her with the opportunity to support people in both educational and community settings.

“The interest in the program has been amazing,” 91传媒 President Kelly Ryan, PH.D., said. “We鈥檝e added more classes to meet the demand and are proud of how the program is helping our communities.”

Gekeler isn鈥檛 the only graduate putting her skills to work locally. Her classmates Jessica Arnson and Alisha Delatori secured jobs at CHD, working with youth in the community. Others from the program have joined organizations such as Community Counseling Solutions in Pendleton.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a significant need for mental health professionals in Oregon, especially in rural areas,鈥� Gekeler explained. 鈥淗iring students who have completed some coursework and are eager to learn on the job is one way agencies are helping to supplement the workforce and meet growing community needs.鈥�

A Trailblazing Online Model for Diverse Lives

91传媒鈥檚 CMHC program launched in 2023 with a clear goal: to meet Oregon鈥檚 growing need for licensed mental health professionals. The program emphasizes flexibility for students balancing work, life, and education. Students can keep their jobs while attending classes online and earn stipends through paid internships.

鈥淒oing 700 hours of unpaid work wouldn鈥檛 have been possible for me,鈥� said Gekeler. 鈥淭his program made it possible to earn money while getting the experience I needed. The program provided many of us in our cohort with opportunities to receive paid internships or to be hired as full-time employees.鈥�

The program鈥檚 design opened doors for graduates like Maurer, who moved across multiple states during their education. Originally from Lewiston, Idaho, Maurer had been living in Portland when his partner enrolled at 91传媒. After his partner graduated, the couple relocated to Arizona so he could complete a master鈥檚 degree, and that鈥檚 when Maurer discovered the CMHC program.

鈥淚t was something I always wanted to do, but I hadn鈥檛 found the right program,鈥� Maurer explained. 鈥淭he online format gave me the flexibility I needed during a major life transition. I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to do a program that required me to be on campus.鈥�

Maurer, now based in Eugene and completing an advanced internship in Salem, is building a counseling career focused on LGBTQIA+ identity, grief, and trauma-informed care. Maurer’s clinical philosophy is grounded in cultural humility and person-centered approaches.

鈥淎ffirming care is life-saving,鈥� Maurer said. 鈥淭he program taught me to meet people where they are, to reflect deeply, and to see every client as the expert in their own story.鈥�

Learning That Transforms Lives鈥擨ncluding the Counselors’

The CMHC program trains students in counseling techniques and shapes them into thoughtful professionals.

鈥淭he professors are great,鈥� said Gekeler. 鈥淒r. Christine McNichols gave feedback on everything鈥攅ven minute-by-minute reviews of our practice videos. That helped me improve.鈥�

For Maurer, that same focus on feedback and nuance was transformative.

鈥淲e broke down recordings of our sessions in detail. I鈥檝e learned to use open-ended language that promotes exploration. It鈥檚 not just about helping others鈥攊t鈥檚 about learning who you are so that you can show up authentically,鈥� Maurer said.

Another powerful feature is the deep sense of community students experience, even from a distance.

鈥淲e had people from all over鈥擯asco, Corvallis, the coast,鈥� Gekeler said. 鈥淲e still talk every week. That support group is going to help us throughout our careers.鈥�

Maurer echoed that feeling after meeting classmates for the first time at graduation:

鈥淲e鈥檝e shared so much vulnerability and growth over the past two years. When we met in person, it was like we鈥檇 known each other forever.鈥�

Looking Ahead

Gekeler, Maurer, and the rest of the first cohort are already shaping the future of mental health care in Oregon. Some are serving school districts, others are entering private practice, and still more plan to become clinical supervisors.

鈥淢y goal is to become a supervisor so I can support new counselors as they navigate their growth,鈥� Maurer said.

Both graduates credit their success to the financial support available through 91传媒, such as substantial scholarship opportunities, and to a culturally responsive curriculum that supported their academic and personal growth.

鈥淢ental health is more than symptom management,鈥� Maurer emphasized. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about seeing the whole person鈥攃ulture, background, and identity included. 91传媒 helped me do that.鈥�

As Oregon continues to face critical mental health shortages, particularly in rural areas, the CMHC program at 91传媒 is proving to be a timely and transformative solution.

鈥淭he demand for mental health care is only going to grow, especially in underserved and rural communities,鈥� Gekeler said. 鈥�91传媒 is playing a vital role in addressing the shortage by preparing compassionate, community-minded professionals who are ready to step in where they鈥檙e needed most.鈥�

With their degrees finished and real-world training behind them, Gekeler, Maurer, and their classmates are now ready to serve the people and places that need them most.