MEET karen (cudworth) fischer '06

• Assistant Professor and Program Director, Master of Science in Professional Counseling Program since July 2024

• Also served from 2006-2016 in various roles including orientation and student health
  

What do you enjoy most about your role at WLC?

Right now, it’s the dreaming and designing that are so fun – building a program from scratch, gaining input from constituents, thinking through the ways that being a counseling student at WLC will be such a unique and excellent experience – it’s all very inspirational. However, I cannot wait for August and to really dig in with these students who are ready to serve others in this very special way and to watch them grow in their counselor identity.

Who has had the greatest influence on you during your time at WLC?

Dean Joel Mischke had such influence over me in so many ways. He had a gift for getting students to see the realities of who they were and what they were doing. That steered me personally as a student and, later, when I returned as a staff member. He was a mentor to me in advising and seeing students as a whole person, uniquely gifted and situated. I always say that I hope his room is on my wing in the mansions of heaven.

How can alumni and the college’s supporters impact what you do for WLC?

WLC’s Master of Science in Professional Counseling program provides a unique opportunity. Pray for servant-minded students with hearts for service to join us as we bring excellent clinical mental health counselors with a Christian worldview into the profession. The program also continues to expand partnerships for mentorship, field experiences, and experiential learning which benefit from time and treasures. Alumni who can play a role in any or all of those ways are definitely needed.

What is one thing you’d tell an incoming student that they need to experience during their time at WLC?

A new student in the Master of Science in Professional Counseling program will want to take every opportunity for mentorship and growth. This is a challenging field with a wide array of opportunities. Also, having balance in all aspects of themselves and their lives is crucial, so being flexible and mindful are important.

Name one area where WLC has seen the most growth since you were a student.

There are so many ways that WLC students serve now – so many interactions they can have with various students, professors, and alumni. The college’s identity has really grown into something global and all-encompassing.

What hasn’t changed at WLC since you were a student?

The servant leadership emphasis has never wavered. While this applies to all students, the Master of Science in Professional Counseling students’ alignment is unique as we build individuals who focus on listening, empathy, healing, awareness, advocacy, community, stewardship, and the growth of individuals – all grounded in the Christian concept of vocation as our meaning in life.

Share one fun fact about yourself that others may not know.

My 17-year-old self had a list of goals – one was to own a classic MGB. In a strange twist, I got to purchase a 1978 MGB during COVID and love driving it on summer weekends. It’s a simple little joy to drive it and beep at people as I zoom by.