“Counseling and social justice are synonymous,” says Vong Ratts, a 2006 graduate with a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. “As counselors and counselor educators, we have an ethical responsibility to advocate for issues of social justice.” His belief that counselors have an ethical responsibility to serve as social change agents aligns perfectly with the College of Education’s emphasis on social justice.

Originally from Laos, Vong and his family immigrated to the United States as refugees in 1976. He is a first generation college graduate. Like most refugee experiences, his transition to the United States was difficult, however, Vong successfully navigated the higher education system as a result of the support he received from his friends, family, and professors.

Vong is especially interested in ways to make social justice a more prominent focus in the counseling profession. He works to accomplish this through his involvement with Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ), a professional subdivision of the American Counseling Association (ACA).

As a College of Education alum, Vong views his doctoral experience as one of the most memorable of his life. He says, “My professors gave me the freedom to explore, examine and supported my research agenda. As a person of color, this was important in that I felt I could speak my mind without fear of being ostracized”. In the fall 2006, Vong will begin working at Seattle University. He has accepted a tenure track position as an Assistant Professor in the Counseling and School Psychology department.