Gardner-Webb Assistant Professor Dr. Lorell Gordon Celebrates Achievements of Her Students 

Counseling Educator Recognized with Faculty Service Award for Contributions to Department and University

By Avery Copeland, Intern for University Communications

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Dr. Lorell Gordon, an assistant professor in the Gardner-Webb University School of Psychological Science and Counselor Education, recognized a need within the school’s program offerings and worked with her colleagues on a solution. She played a key role in developing and implementing the Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling (MCFC) concentration within the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

For her work on the new concentration and other contributions, Gordon received the Faculty Service Award for 2024. Her actions led to growth in the department, and her efforts across credit and non-credit domains were for the betterment of the University.

“I am very honored to receive this award,” Gordon commented. “I am not involved in the things I do for reward or recognition, but it sure does feel good to see it acknowledged and appreciated. Receiving this award is validation and motivating.”

She finds that her greatest reward is the students’ excitement and investment in the concentration and watching them acquire these skills. Gordon emphasized the success of developing the MCFC concentration was realized when she witnessed the first three students complete the program and graduate in 2024.

Additionally, Gordon used her expertise to add value to Gardner-Webb’s Searight PACE Program. She helped obtain approval for continuing education credits for mental health counselors for courses offered through PACE. She has also given her time to chair several search committees for eligible new hires on the main and Charlotte campuses.

Gordon volunteers her time to provide counseling for veterans, active-duty military, and their families through the American Red Cross. She is also a Navy Reserve veteran and serves as the president of the Military and Government Counseling Association of North Carolina.

Gordon was born in Philadelphia, Pa., but when she was 15 years old, the family moved to her parents’ hometown in Moncks Corner, S.C. In addition to earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Science in Food and Nutrition, and a Master of Education at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., she also received her educational specialist degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., and her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

“After graduation, I worked as a nutritionist and had a part-time job as an addiction counselor. It did not take long to know that my passion was to work exclusively in the mental health counseling field,” Gordon shared.

While working in counseling and serving as a mentor and clinical supervisor for many years, Gordon knew she wanted to explore teaching. She joined Gardner-Webb as an adjunct instructor for Gardner-Webb online, formerly known as the Degree Completion Program (DCP), before applying for a full-time faculty position in the Counselor Education program (CEDU).

Gordon finds the most rewarding aspect of her career to be witnessing her students’ growth throughout their educational journeys. “The students in our program are awesome and I would say that is one of the primary reasons I have stayed over the years,” Gordon remarked. “I work with a great group of colleagues and have an enormous appreciation for the supportive and Christian community of Gardner-Webb.”

Her other goals include providing rich educational experiences for counselors-in-training, authoring books related to counseling effectiveness, and continuing to play an integral role in the continued growth of the graduate counseling programs. Gordon stated, “As an educator, my goal is to continue to positively impact the counseling field with the small part I play in adding competent counselors to the field.”

Avery Copeland, of Atlanta, Ga., is a senior English major.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.