Amney Harper, a faculty member in the professional counseling department at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, has been elected to national office in a division of the American Counseling Center.

Harper, who has been teaching at UW Oshkosh for two years, will assume her duties as president elect of the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC) on July 1.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to make some good change and impact my profession,” Harper said. “It’s an exciting time.”

Harper will spend one year as president elect to learn the job, one year as president and then one year as past president.  Harper said it is during the year as president that she will be able to do the most work on initiatives she puts forth.

Anneliese Singh, the past president of ALGBTIC, nominated Harper for the position.

“Dr. Harper has shown incredible leadership within ALGBTIC,” Singh said. “She brings a strong voice with a commitment to social justice and to strengthening relationships both within and outside our division. Best of all, Dr. Harper has an incredible heart for people and making the world better for all individuals. That is the true sign of a transformative leader.”

Harper’s areas of expertise include LGBTQ issues, gender issues and racial identity.  She said she would like to focus on centering the margins during her term.

“In marginalized groups like the LGBTQ community, only some people’s concerns get pushed to the forefront, like same sex marriage,” she said. “But then other issues don’t get as much attention, like employment discrimination or queer people of color.”

As president, Harper will lead board meetings and do other administrative duties, along with tasks based on what her mission is.

“For me, the place where I find my passion is advocating for underrepresented and marginalized people,” she said. “While I’m on this planet, I think it is my job to help people.”