05/14/2009
Billie Jean Goff, a senior counselor at SUNY Cortland, will receive a Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service during the 2009 Undergraduate Commencement on Saturday, May 16, in the Park Center.
She is among five SUNY Cortland faculty and staff members to be honored this year with a prestigious State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence.
The Chancellor's Award process begins at each of the 64 SUNY campuses with nominations submitted by the respective presidents. The SUNY Committee on Awards then reviews the nominations and makes its recommendations.
A senior counselor in the College Counseling Center at SUNY Cortland since 1990, Goff of Cortland, N.Y., becomes the 21st SUNY Cortland staff member to receive the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service.
Goff's 30-year professional career has given her significant experience in various aspects of counseling. She is described by her colleagues as a highly skilled professional with superb clinical skills, an outstanding counselor and a quiet leader. Goff possesses a special sensitivity to her clients and their needs, a gift that is appreciated and respected across campus.
"Billie Jean's work in this area has been instrumental in assisting hundreds of students over the years who have struggled with these issues," said Michael Holland, assistant to the vice president for student affairs, referring to Goff's work with eating disorders.
In 2005, Goff was recognized with the College's Excellence in Professional Services Award for Service to Students.
At Cortland, she counsels both individual students and groups. A certified specialist in the field of eating disorders, Goff has designed and implemented many outreach programs for college students. Of particular note is her development and implementation of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, an informational program now in its 11th year at the College. She has served as the facilitator for a campus Eating Disorders Support Group, organized a mini-conference on eating disorders and conducted presentations and training at local, regional and state conferences.
Goff provides presentations on campus and in the greater Cortland community and has served as the supervisor for the National Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Examination. As an advocate for students, Goff has served on numerous campus committees including: the Cortland Against All Rape Committee, the Rape and Sexual Assault Task Force, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Committee, the Wellness Center Program Committee and the Student Affairs Professional Development Committee. She is also active on community boards.
Goff regularly supervises graduate student interns from Syracuse University's counseling and human services program. She is an active member of the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals, National Eating Disorders Association and American Counseling Association.
The Plattsburgh, N.Y., native received her Bachelor of Arts in English and her Master of Science in Education in Counseling from SUNY Plattsburgh. She earned additional social work credits from the Adelphi/Vermont School of Social Work. She is a licensed New York state mental health counselor and is certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors and the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals.