After 29 years of service, Sharon Anderson is retiring from Colorado State University’s School of Education with a legacy of outstanding student support and being a preeminent expert on the ethics of counseling.
Anderson has worked in private practice, supervised hundreds of budding counselors, co-authored foundational texts in the field of counseling ethics, and contributed to dozens of other publications. After leading the Counseling and Career Development program at CSU, Anderson’s impact will continue to ripple through the individuals she has supported and the field of counseling she has shaped.
Student impact
“Dr. Anderson’s greatest gift is her ability to mentor future counselors,” said Bernadine Knittel (’93, ’98, ’12), a student of Anderson’s who worked as a school counselor for over 25 years. “I learned the importance of ethics; I can still remember sitting in her classroom. Her positive attitude and warm presence created a very safe environment for me to practice counseling skills, techniques, and theory.”
After earning her M.Ed. at CSU, Knittel returned for her Ph.D., and recalled a moment of uncertainty that she shared with Anderson. “I remember sitting in her office one day contemplating whether I should continue my Ph.D. journey. She was so inspiring and encouraging that I earned that degree,” Knittel said.
Anderson reflected on her career highlights, including, “Getting to teach, or rather dialogue with, hundreds of students about professional ethics in counseling and seeing their growth in understanding ethics in practice.”
‘Soil of their soul’
“Sharon’s ability to bring counseling ethics to life in and outside of the classroom is beyond comparison,” said Jackie Peila-Shuster, associate professor in the Counseling and Career Development program. “Students and alumni near and far have reached out to me with memories of their impactful learning experiences with her.” Peila Shuster noted Anderson impacted students and professionals with her scholarship and service to, “move along their journey of digging into the very ‘soil of their soul’ to begin integrating who they are with who they are becoming as a person and as a counseling professional.”
Knittel highlighted Anderson’s broad-reaching impact across Colorado and beyond. “There are thousands of practitioners who learned how to be an ethical, passionate, professional counselor from Dr. Anderson. I owe much of my professional success and personal growth to her, my mentor.”
Serving CSU and the field of counseling
Anderson’s service legacy includes longtime membership on CSU’s Faculty Council, the promotion and tenure committee for the School of Education, and on national committees for counseling ethics.
Reflecting on her time as a faculty member, Anderson said one of the most rewarding parts of her time at CSU was “supporting my colleagues on their journey to tenure and promotion.”
Her published work includes Explorations in Diversity: Examining the Complexities of Privilege, Discrimination and Oppression, which Anderson says is intended to “encourage and negotiate conversations around issues regarding privilege and power.” She also co-authored Foundations of Ethical Practice, Research, and Teaching in Psychology and Counseling with Karen Kitchener, which has become a seminal textbook for budding counselors across the country as they learn about counseling ethics.
Peila-Shuster says Anderson has been one of her strongest advocates and mentors. “She has always been my ‘safe space’ for counsel and guidance through pivotal points in my professional and personal development,” Peila-Shuster said. “While I will miss her tremendously, she is also in my head and my heart and I know her voice will continue to provide me comfort and guidance… and laughter.”
The School of Education is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
