In recognition of Dr. Gysbers’ service and impact on the school counseling profession, MSCA has established the Gysbers Foundation.

Dr. Gysbers is one of the most nationally and internationally recognized scholars in both school counseling and career counseling/development. He has published many articles, book chapters and books as well as given numerous presentations in the United States, Europe and Asia. He has also served as president of two major professional counseling associations. His list of awards from both professional societies and the MU campus is extensive.

Of the countless contributions Dr. Gysbers has made to his profession, one that stands out is how his work influenced the development of the National Model for School Counseling Programs. Dr. Gysbers states, “Based on my education background and my work as a school counselor, I decided to focus on seeking ways to improve the work of school counselors and the organizational framework in which they worked. Through a number of federal and state grants in the 1960s through the 1980s, and numerous workshops I conducted across the U.S., a new framework emerged that changed the traditional position approach of school counselors to a comprehensive program approach.”

Dr. Gysbers’ approach was then adopted by the state of Missouri, and subsequently spread to other states and countries and became the foundation of the National Model.

Each year, 1 student from each of the 13 school counselor graduate programs will receive a $100 scholarship to attend the Fall Conference.  Dr. Gysbers was devoted to his students and to the continuation and growth of the Missouri Comprehensive School Counseling Program.  This scholarship honors school counselors-in-training who will carry on this legacy.