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Importance of Maternal Mental Health Proclaimed in Kansas

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Carol Best

Thanks to the work of MNU students and Associate Professor Andrew Secor, PhD, LCPC, LCMFT, LCAC, CCMHC, NCC, RPT-S, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared May, Maternal Mental Health Month in Kansas. In her remarks, Gov. Kelly recognized the importance of bringing awareness to the challenges mothers face.

The idea originated after MNU clinical mental health students in the Master of Arts in Counseling program completed a social justice/advocacy project on maternal mental health. Seeking a way to bring the issue to light, Secor secured proclamation language from the American Counseling Association and made a formal request to the Office of the Governor.

“I was also informed that going forward, the American Counseling Association will include a request nationally for maternal mental health month on their next iteration of proclamation guidance for all states, as a result of what we accomplished here in Kansas,” Secor said.

Last spring, Secor was instrumental in getting a bill passed in Kansas to ease the process of licensing counselors in multiple states.

MNU Counselor Education offers multiple tracks for mental health professionals. Learn about the counseling programs at www.mnu.edu/graduate-aos/master-of-arts-in-counseling and learn about all our programs and the new RISE Opportunity Scholarship for Professional and Graduate students at MNU at www.mnu.edu/connects.

Feb
19
PGS Education Virtual Information Meeting
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5:45 pm

7:00 pm
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19
MNU Theatre | Theatre Cabaret
Bell Cultural Events Center - Mabee Performing Arts Hall
7:30 pm

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20
Performing Arts Preview
Bell Cultural Events Center
3:00 pm

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Feb
28
MNU Improv 2/28
Bell Cultural Events Center - Sunderland Black Box Theatre
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Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.