Keisha Rogers Named Mental Health Educator of the Year
The Black Mental Health Symposium recognized the Winston-Salem State University professor for her commitment to counselor training.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Mental Health
The Black Mental Health Symposium named Keisha Rogers the 2026 Black Mental Health Educator of the Year. The award honors her professional contributions to mentorship, advocacy, and counselor education.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the essential role of specialized academic leadership in training counselors to address the unique needs of the Black community. It underscores the importance of ongoing advocacy within the field of mental health education.
The award selection is based on a professional body of work including a Ph.D. in rehabilitation counseling and administration from Southern Illinois University. The honor recognizes scholars who demonstrate a commitment to advancing Black mental health education.
The players
Keisha Rogers
She is a professor of rehabilitation counseling and the faculty senate chair at Winston-Salem State University.
Winston-Salem State University
This is a public historically Black university located in North Carolina that serves as the employer for the award recipient.
The Black Mental Health Symposium
This organization facilitates industry recognition and advocacy for mental health education within the Black community.
The details
Keisha Rogers serves as a professor in the department of rehabilitation counseling and as chair of the faculty senate at Winston-Salem State University. Her academic background includes a bachelor degree from Columbia College and a master degree in rehabilitation counseling from North Carolina A&T State University.
Timeline
Keisha Rogers received the award in 2026.
The Big Picture
The recognition of Keisha Rogers extends the influence of the Winston-Salem State University department of rehabilitation counseling by elevating its faculty profile on a national stage.
The recognition of local educators ensures that future counselors are better equipped to provide culturally competent care to area residents. This development highlights the growing quality of professional training available at local institutions for those seeking mental health support.
The takeaway
The award serves as a benchmark for excellence in the field of rehabilitation counseling. Students and prospective patients can look to these recognized educators as indicators of high-quality mental health advocacy in the region.
Further reading
For more on local academic advocacy, explore our Mental Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.
