SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - Western Nebraska Community College Social Sciences Instructor Dr. Carrie Howton
was recently named as a recipient of the Ambassador Award from the Behavioral Health
Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN).
"I am extremely honored to be nominated for the Ambassador Award," Howton said. "It's
really quite humbling to be recognized for my efforts to expand the human service
program here at WNCC and provide this educational opportunity for people interested
in behavioral health."
Howton was honored because of her work implementing six new human services courses
at WNCC, all of which meet the Nebraska education requirements for initial licensure
as a drug and alcohol counselor. She is also instrumental in organizing the virtual
WNCC Human Services Open House and other behavioral health conferences in the past
at WNCC that have allowed students in rural Panhandle communities to explore careers
in Human Services fields.
"I feel strongly that behavioral health and other careers in the human services will
continue to be in high demand well into the future," Howton said. "There is such a
wide array of careers that someone might want to pursue in human services, it's really
important that students have a broad understanding of these different careers and
have early exposure to all the possibilities early in their educational journey."
Howton has been with WNCC for four years. Prior to WNCC, Howton worked in private
practice as a mental health therapist. She also serves on the Community Action Partnership
of Western Nebraska (CAPWN) board, Region 1 Behavioral Health Authority Advisory Board,
and BHECN Panhandle Advisory Board.
The BHECN honored six individuals from across the state, including Howton. The awardees
are as follows:
Hugo Gonzalez Nieto, MD, Distinguished Service Award
Kim Hill, PhD, LP, NCSP, Ambassador Award
Carrie Howton, PhD, LIMHP, Ambassador Award
Marian Perry-Burse and Havalynn Russell, Courage Award
Ann Young, PMHNP, APRN, Champion Award (new award)
Chelsea S. Turner, Champion Award (new award)