Chi Sigma Iota (ΧΣΙ or CSI) is the international and professional academic honor society for counseling students, counselor educators, and professional counselors.[1] CSI is an active member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS), where members and the society-at-large are protected by the standards set by ACHS. The society is a professional partner of the American Counseling Association (ACA).[2]
History
CSI was established on January 1, 1985 with the chartering of the Alpha Chapter at Ohio University. In 1988, CSI negotiated with Rho Chi Sigma, the National Rehabilitation Counseling and Services Honor Society, to establish a single honor society for professional counselors. All chapters of Rho Chi Sigma were officially merged into CSI in March 1989.[1]
Dr. Thomas J. Sweeney, Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education at Ohio University, was the founding President and the association’s first Executive Director.[3] Dr. Sweeney retired as Executive Director of CSI in May 2012.[4] CSI Headquarters Staff consists of Dr. Holly Hartwig Moorhead as the current Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Stephen D. Kennedy as the Chief Operating Officer.[5][6]
Membership
CSI's membership includes both master's and doctoral level graduate students enrolled in counseling programs, professional counselors, and counselor educators. The association's bylaws state that membership is by invitation to students or graduates of an active chapter’s counselor education program. To be eligible for membership, students must complete at least one semester of full-time graduate coursework in a counselor education degree program, earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 system, and be recommended for membership by the chapter as promising for endorsement as a professional counselor whose ethical judgment and behavior will be exemplary. Faculty and alumni of a chapter may be inducted into CSI if they meet the G.P.A. requirement as graduates of a counselor education program and are endorsed by the chapter.[7]
As of February 2020, Chi Sigma Iota has over 130,000 members who have been initiated into the Society through more than 400 chapters. Chapters are supported at least in part by funding from CSI[8] New chapters of CSI may be established in counselor education training programs accredited by The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) as well as programs that can achieve CACREP or CORE accreditation within the next five years.[9]
Leadership
Each chapter of CSI has a Chapter Faculty Advisor and chapter officers.[9] The Executive Council of CSI includes elected officers (President, President-Elect, Past President, Secretary, and Treasurer), two CSI Leadership Interns, and the Executive Director. Active members of the Society can volunteer to chair or serve on CSI Committees and Review Panels for grants and awards, all of which receive charges from the Executive Council.[10] Members may also volunteer to serve on editorial review boards for the CSI Counselors' Bookshelf.[11]
Presidents
Dr. Amanda La Guardia, 2019-2020
Dr. Nicole Hill, 2018-2019
Dr. Barbara Herlihy, 2017-2018
Dr. Michael Brubaker, 2016-2017
Dr. Spencer Niles, 2015-2016
Dr. Craig Cashwell, 2014-2015
Dr. Andrea Dixon, 2013-2014
Dr. Victoria White Kress, 2012-2013
Dr. Casey A. Barrio Minton, 2011-2012
Dr. JoLynn V. Carney, 2010-2011
Dr. Catharina Y. Chang, 2009-2010
Dr. Donna A. Henderson, 2008-2009
Dr. June M. Williams, 2007-2008
Dr. Cynthia J. Osborn, 2006-2007
Dr. Richard J. Hazler, 2005-2006
Dr. Nancy E. Sherman, 2004-2005
Dr. Jamie S. Carney, 2003-2004
Dr. Geoffrey G. Yager, 2002-2003
Dr. Richard L. Percy, 2001-2002
Dr. Edwin L. Herr, 2000-2001
Dr. Don C. Locke, 1999-2000
Dr. William E. Name, 1998-1999
Dr. Mary Thomas Burke, 1997-1998
Dr. D. L. Warren, 1996-1997
Dr. Courtland C. Lee, 1995-1996
Dr. Judith G. Miranti, 1994-1995
Dr. Nicholas A. Vacc, 1993-1994
Dr. Carol A. Bobby, 1992-1993
Dr. Rose A. Cooper, 1991-1992
Dr. Larry Loesch, 1990-1991
Dr. Samuel T. Gladding, 1989-1990
Dr. Joseph R. Kandor, 1988-1989
Dr. Jane E. Myers, 1987-1988
Dr. Thomas J. Sweeney, 1985-1987
Publications
CSI publishes the Exemplar, a quarterly magazine for members, and the Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy. In addition, selected books are endorsed for publication. Most recently, Professional Counseling Excellence through Leadership and Advocacy was selected for the 2012 Publication in Counselor Education and Supervision Award, given annually by the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.[12]
The Counselors' Bookshelf is an online compendium of reviews of professional books, fiction, movies and television shows, and music with implications for how counselors can use the various media for personal and professional development as well as helping interventions with clients.[13]
Annual meetings
International meetings of CSI are held during the Annual Convention of the American Counseling Association. These events include a Business Meeting for representatives from every CSI chapter, a meeting of CSI’s Executive Council, a workshop on leadership, an awards ceremony, and opportunities for networking.[14]
