Richard Mason, Jr, PhD, LPC, LSATP, CCMHC, NCC, ACS, CCTP

For the past thirty years, Dr. Richard Mason, Jr., has been working to improve the lives of young people and their families in several settings. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of Georgia with experience in mental health and education. Dr. Mason is currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and the Dean’s Office Liaison in the School of Liberal Arts and Education. In addition, He has previously served as the Interim Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in the School of Liberal Arts and Education, the Assistant Provost for Student Support and the chair of the Department of Counseling. In his service to the University, Dr. Mason has served as the University Grand Marshal, Faculty Trustee to the Trustee Board, a member of the President’s Liaison Committee, Co-Chair for the 40th Annual Conference on the Black Family, Alumni Ambassador for the Hampton University Marching Force, and host of other committees within the School of Liberal Arts and Education.

Dr. Mason is a graduate of Hampton University with a BA in Political Science (’91) and an MA in Agency Counseling (’95). Dr. Mason continued his education and earned an Ed.S. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the College of William & Mary (’96) and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University (’07). Additionally, Dr. Mason holds an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) Certification through the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE) and is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) through the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC). Additionally, Dr. Mason is a Certified Clinical Trauma Practitioner (CCTP).

Dr. Mason’s current research initiatives involve trauma and resilience and how they impact learning and health care. Understanding the use of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Assessment tool and the impact of poverty, Dr. Mason works to find ways to collaboratively connect education and social emotional learning tools to assist classroom teachers and administrators in their daily charge of maximizing the teaching and learning experiences in their classrooms. Further, Dr. Mason works to develop “integrated care models” within schools to better assist with understanding and managing the students and families within their schools. As a member of the Hampton City School Board, Dr. Mason has maintained his promise to the community to develop a comprehensive mental health plan for the division. The division continues to develop mental health initiatives and has embedded social emotional practices into all aspects of the curriculum.