Dr. Keisha G. Rogers awarded nearly $1 million grant from the Department of Education to expand rehabilitation counseling training

Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Professor Dr. Keisha Grayson Rogers has been awarded a prestigious five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The grant, totaling nearly $1 million, will support innovative training opportunities for future rehabilitation counselors.

Dr. Rogers, a professor in WSSU’s Department of Rehabilitation Counseling, serves as the principal investigator and project director for the Vocational Rehabilitation and Co-Occurring Mental Health Counseling Virtual Training Initiative. This initiative was developed in partnership with several state agencies, including the North Carolina Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD), the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind, the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department and the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

The program is designed to recruit and train graduate students pursuing careers in rehabilitation counseling, preparing them to address the complex needs of individuals with disabilities, particularly those with co-occurring mental health disorders. Through this initiative, students will gain specialized skills to provide competent, compassionate and inclusive support to the communities they serve.

Funding from OSERS will cover tuition, stipends and professional development activities, such as attending and presenting at state, regional and national conferences. These resources will help remove financial barriers for prospective students who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling at WSSU.

“This grant represents a significant investment in preparing the next generation of rehabilitation counselors,” said Dr. Rogers. “By equipping students with both clinical knowledge and cultural competence, we are ensuring that individuals with disabilities, especially those navigating mental health challenges, receive the highest quality of care and advocacy.”

Nationally, just 15 grants were awarded. This marks Dr. Rogers’ second DOE/RSA grant, further solidifying her leadership in advancing rehabilitation education and workforce development.