Julio Rojas, a doctoral candidate in counseling and psychology, was one of two UGA students recently named 2002 K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders by the American Association of Higher Education (AAHE).
Rojas and Paul Quick, a Ph.D. student in English, were two of seven recipients of this national award, which they received at the annual AAHE meeting in Chicago.
Rojas is a doctoral candidate in counseling and psychology in the counseling and human development services department. He was selected as a 2002 K. Patricia Cross Future Leader for his service to academic counseling, civic responsibility and participation in the Preparing Future Faculty (PPF) program.
Winners are selected for demonstrated leadership ability, particularly in the development of leaders, scholars, and citizens.
Rojas served as an academic counselor at UGA's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He has provided substance and mental health counseling to residents of an Athens-area homeless shelter and has volunteered to help Hispanic clients gain access to psychological services.
“Receiving the K. Patricia Cross Future Leader Award is especially meaningful to me because I had no intentions of becoming a faculty member when I came to UGA to pursue a doctoral degree,” Rojas said. “As a result of my experience in PFF, I have become more interested in pursuing an academic career. Service will be an important aspect of my professional identity.”
This is the second year in a row that a UGA doctoral student has been named to the honor.  Sigrid Kennebrew, a doctoral candidate also in counseling psychology, was selected a 2001 K. Patricia Cross Future Leader.

Tuesday, April 16, 2002
Writer: Michael Childs, 706/542-5889, mchilds@coe.uga.edu
Contact: Rosemary Phelps, 706/542-4221, rphelps@coe.uga.edu