Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Jake Protivnak

The Patton College is proud to feature Dr. Jake J. Protivnak as February’s Alum of the Month. Dr. Protivnak is one of the founding board members of State of Mind: Hudson, an advocacy group of individuals from different professions working together to increase mental health awareness and reduce stigma of seeking treatment. In addition to receiving several awards for his academic accomplishments, Dr. Protivnak most recently received the Don Dinkmeyer Social Interest Award from the American Counseling Association for his work with mental health advocacy in his community.

Dr. Protivnak lives in Hudson, OH, and is a professor and the counseling program director in the Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling at Youngstown State University (YSU). He earned his doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University in 2005 and his master's degree in Community Counseling from Kent State University in 2002. 

We asked Dr. Protivnak a few questions about his time at Ohio University.

Why did you choose Ohio University’s Patton College for your program?

Ohio University has a nationally awarded CACREP-Accredited Counseling Program with outstanding Counselor Education faculty. I was encouraged to apply to Ohio University from a faculty advisor in my Counseling master’s program at Kent State University.  She connected me with [at that time] the chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education, Dr. Tom Davis. I traveled to campus and met with him along with other Counseling faculty and doctoral students to learn more about the program. I was convinced that the Ohio University would be great fit for my interests and that the program would challenge me to grow personally and professionally.  

Provide a brief summary of your career/opportunities since graduation:

In addition to being a professor and the program director of the CACREP-Accredited Counseling Program in the Department of Psychological Sciences and Counseling at YSU in Youngstown, I am also a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor – Supervising (LPCC-S), Licensed Professional School Counselor (LPSC), and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). I enjoy my work as a Counseling professor and the opportunities to mentor students, teach in the classroom, collaborate with colleagues, and work on research. I’ve published journal articles, presented research at national conferences, and served in a number of leadership positions (including as President of the Ohio Counseling Association).

How did OHIO and The Patton College prepare you for your career/next steps in your education?

The mentorship from faculty who supported and challenged me to grow in personal and professional areas prepared me for my career. I had graduate assistantships working in the counseling center, in the community, as well as classroom teaching responsibilities and project-based work in the department. My work with faculty outside the classroom led to opportunities to travel and present at professional conferences, publish research, serve in leadership positions in professional associations. I gained a variety of experiences and skills that I was able to utilize in my career. For example, I taught the EDCE 201 Career & Life Planning course as a graduate assistant at Ohio University. When I was hired at YSU, I developed the same course in my new department for YSU students who have now benefited from a course to explore career options and improve their life skills.

What inspired you most during your time at OHIO?

Learning from faculty who were passionate about the profession of counseling was inspiring.   The classroom lectures, projects, and professional conferences increased my interest in my field of study. Most importantly, the mentorship from faculty and the connections with other students helped me stay energized and motivated as a doctoral student. I am thankful for the long-lasting friendships made in Athens that continue today. 

What’s your favorite/most memorable memory of your time as a Patton College student?

I have many enjoyable memories working, studying, or socializing with friends and faculty at Ohio University. One of my favorite memories was attending graduation at the Convocation Center with my dissertation chair and several other classmates who were graduating. He suggested that we should all sign the cover of each other’s commencement program with personal messages. I still have the commencement program with all of the signatures in my current office as a memory of my time at Ohio University.

What is your favorite place on or off campus?

Although it may not be as exciting as Court Street, the Counseling and Higher Education Department faculty office area was my truly favorite place on campus. It was a place to connect and talk with friends and faculty. Outside of Patton Hall (McCracken Hall – at that time), I commuted back and forth to campus as I lived in Lancaster. I enjoyed the picturesque drive to campus early in the morning and then back home late at night on Rt. 33 through Nelsonville and Hocking Hills areas. While on campus, Bagel Street and Brenen’s were my places to go for a snack.

What tips/advice would you give to people who are considering studying your program at OHIO?

I encourage you to apply and enroll! Ohio University was one of the first Counselor Education programs in Ohio, and it has a long history of faculty and alumni who are leaders and advocates for the professional of counseling. It is a great place to learn from talented faculty, study with students from diverse backgrounds, and develop the skills to become an excellent counselor educator.

Describe Ohio University in 5 words:

You’re someone’s reason to smile.