Evergreen counselor receives regional award

Jason Kilmer, an addictive behaviors specialist at The Evergreen State College, has been named the “mid-level student affairs professional of the year” at a regional conference, and will represent Evergreen at a national student affairs conference as a nominee for the national award.

Kilmer was honored October 29th in Boise, Id. at the regional conference of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

The association cited Kilmer’s unique ability to connect with students on a personal level and effectively provide them with information they need to make informed decisions. “It is Jason’s incredible combination of research skills, presentation ability, personal traits, and commitment that make him such an effective educator and an outstanding mid-level professional,” says Elizabeth McHugh, director of Evergreen’s Health and Counseling Services, in a letter to the association.

Kilmer says receiving the award is a real honor, and he’s excited to represent Evergreen as a nominee for the national award. “I work with a great group of people, and appreciate all the support I have received from my colleagues,” he said.

Mike Segawa, associate dean for student development at the University of Puget Sound, and former Evergreen housing director, also praised Kilmer’s work.

He “is passionate about students, student learning, and harm reduction…he is an incredibly talented researcher but he is not condescending, and he is a gifted public presenter, but he never lets that overshadow the message he brings,” Segawa said.

Kilmer has been employed at The Evergreen State College since 1999, and graduated from the University of Washington with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. In addition to being a member of the counseling center staff, he also teaches in the part-time studies program as an adjunct member of the faculty at Evergreen.

Kilmer has numerous publications in print and is chairperson of the Thurston and Mason County Dependency Advisory Board.