ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University associate professor of counseling and program coordinator Dr. Shalini Mathew has been honored with the Mary W. Lark Humanitarian Award from the South Dakota Counseling Association, recognizing her extraordinary service and commitment to the well-being of others.

Mathew was nominated for the award by her counseling graduate students, who cited her advocacy for student mental health, her accessibility as a mentor and her commitment to creating inclusive, trauma-informed learning environments. In addition to teaching and supervising emerging counselors, she has led initiatives in school-based mental health, animal-assisted interventions and non-suicidal self-injury prevention, and collaborates with K-12 schools and community partners to expand access to mental health support.

"This recognition from the South Dakota Counseling Association is a tremendous honor, and it is especially meaningful that the nomination came from my students," Mathew said. "Mary Lark's example reminds us that counseling is first and foremost about caring deeply, listening well and showing up consistently for people. I am grateful to be able to do that work alongside our students and community partners."

As part of this recognition, Mathew will be considered by the American Counseling Association for the Gilbert and Kathleen Wrenn Award for a Humanitarian and Caring Person, a national honor recognizing counselors whose careers exemplify humanitarian service and sustained care for others.

"Dr. Mathew embodies the heart of counseling, meeting people and her students with compassion and creating spaces where individuals feel seen, supported and empowered," said Dr. Heather Scott, chair of the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Northern State University.

The Mary W. Lark Humanitarian Award was established in 1982 to recognize counselors who are true humanitarians — those who go above and beyond the ordinary. Mary Lark came to Rapid City in 1941 as dean of girls at Rapid City High School and spent decades as a counselor known for her kindness, accessibility and extraordinary capacity to listen. Long after students graduated, they would return to visit her. The award was created to honor counselors who carry on that legacy.

The South Dakota Counseling Association is the state branch of the American Counseling Association, representing professional counselors working in schools, colleges, agencies and private practice. For more information, visit sdcounseling.org.