Dr. Mark Pope

The Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders Program

ACSSW is excited to announce the Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders Program. This program has been named in honor of Dr. Pope, one of the first ACSSW Trustees, and early supporters of the mission and vision of ACSSW. Dr. Pope was a leader in the counseling field and, anyone who knew him and had the honor of his mentorship, knows how he invested his time, energy, and nurtured upcoming counselors and counselor educators. In keeping with Dr. Pope's model of guiding emerging leaders, the ACSSW emerging leaders are provided with mentorship and opportunities within an evolving organization through the ACSSW Executive Council and committees. After their year as Emerging Leaders, our hope is that the ACSSW emerging leaders will continue to embody the mission of ACSSW within the organization as well as the broader counseling community.

Program Opportunities

Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders recipients will have the opportunity to:

Mentorship & Guidance

Choose an area of interest related to counseling sexology & sexual wellness and receive mentoring from ACSSW leadership.

Service & Contribution

Provide a minimum of 25 hours of service to ACSSW and contribute to the organization's mission and growth.

Conference Presentation

Submit a poster presentation proposal for the ACA Conference and share your work with the professional community.

Committee Involvement

Serve on one of the ACSSW committees and gain hands-on experience in organizational leadership.

Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders 2025-2026

Jerry L. Mize

Doctoral Level Recipient

Jerry L. Mize (He/Him)

Jerry is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of the Cumberlands and a Resident in Counseling based in Richmond, VA. As an emerging scholar and clinician, his work centers on the intersection of sex, sexuality, and mental health, with current research projects exploring counselor competency and comfort in addressing sexual issues. Jerry has authored peer-reviewed publications, presented nationally, and is actively engaged in promoting inclusive approaches to sexuality in counseling.

Clinically, he maintains an active caseload working with individuals and those in relationships impacted by sexuality, identity, and trauma. He also serves as an Instructor and Online Undergraduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Psychology at George Mason University.

Iris Wilson-Farley

Master Level Recipient

Iris Wilson-Farley (she/her)

After a 33-year career in corporate Human Resources that included 25 years in learning and career coaching and three years working at the executive level, Iris Wilson-Farley is a second-career counselor-in-training, focused on learning about trauma-informed practices, sexual diversity, and how she can best serve the LGBTQIA+ community. She is in her second year in the Master's in CMHC program at The Chicago School and is a proud member of ACSSW and SAIGE.

As a transgender lesbian, Iris hopes to bring a unique perspective to her work with the ACSSW Board and committees and is eager to learn and contribute. Iris lives in Chicago with her wife, their dog (Scooby), and their cat (Mac). Outside of her studies, Iris enjoys running, watching old movies, and being part of the pinup community.

Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders 2024-2025

Emily Warner Holtz

Doctoral Level Emerging Leader

Emily Warner Holtz, MA, LPC-A

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Emily Hotz, LPCA is a doctoral student at Southern CT State University in the Counselor Education and Supervision program. She graduated in 2022 from the University of New Haven with her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and obtained her LPCA in August 2022. Emily currently works at Serenity Wellness Center providing individual psychotherapy sessions to clients and is currently teaching as an adjunct professor at Southern CT State University for Master Level students. She is interested in investigating self-care practices within the counseling and the counselor educator professions as well as interrogating how self-care has been packaged in the past using decolonization and liberation frameworks.

Brandon Marrero

Master Level Emerging Leader

Brandon Marrero, BA

Pronouns: he/his/him

Brandon Marrero completed his BA in Psychology at SNHU and is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling intern currently completing his clinical internship at a community mental health clinic in the South Bronx, NY. He anticipates completing his Masters in CMHC in May 2025. With a strong commitment to social justice and advocacy, he strives to create a meaningful impact in underserved communities. Brandon adopts an integrative counseling approach, drawing from humanistic theory, narrative therapy, and REBT to support clients in understanding their unique stories and fostering resilience.

Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders 2023-2024

Vanessa Center

Doctoral Level Student

Vanessa Center, LPCC, LPC

Vanessa Center is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision at Oregon State University. Her dissertation will be an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis aiming to understand counselors' experiences as they acquire professional competency and navigate mononormative bias while working with consensually non-monogamous (CNM) clients.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Vanessa holds licenses as a professional counselor in both California and Oregon. She owns and operates her private practice, Centered Therapy. Vanessa identifies as a sex-positive therapist, an LGBTQIA+ ally, and is currently training to become a certified sex therapist.

Lyric McNeil

Master Level Student

Lyric McNeil

Lyric McNeil received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University and completed her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Hood College in May 2024.

Her research pursuits are centered around positive sexuality, supporting individuals experiencing miscarriage loss and pregnant individuals with mental health challenges. Following graduation, she plans to work towards obtaining certification as a sex therapist. She is an active member of ACSSW, AASECT, ACA, SAIGE, and MCA.

Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders 2022-2023

Cody Helgesen

Emerging Leader Doctoral Student

Cody Helgesen, LPCA, NCC

Cody Helgesen (they/them/theirs) currently works as a full-time school based mental health counselor as well as an advanced clinician and assistant clinical coordinator at a private practice. They are currently pursuing the terminal degree in counselor education and supervision at Southern Connecticut State University where they also serve as a full-time graduate studies graduate assistant and teaching assistant, as well as starting their post-masters certificate in school counseling.

Mx. Helgesen earned their master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from Southern Connecticut State University while working in both residential and inpatient settings. Their research interests include queer studies, intersectionality, protected populations, and clinical applications in agency and school settings.

Tanna Davis

Emerging Leader Masters Student

Tanna Davis

Tanna Davis is in her 3rd year of her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Central Methodist University. She is currently working as a Counseling Intern at Middle Path Counseling in Missouri where she is working primarily with young adult women.

Tanna has been a member of ACSSW through the duration of her graduate studies and is excited to be a part of the Emerging Leadership program. She is looking forward to working with ACSSW in this capacity and learning more about research and leadership from her peers and mentors.

Interested in Becoming an Emerging Leader?

The Dr. Mark Pope Emerging Leaders Program provides mentorship, leadership opportunities, and professional development within ACSSW. Join us in advancing counseling sexology and sexual wellness.

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