Chris Helgestad, M.A., is the School Counseling Program Director and a faculty member at the Adler Graduate School. "I was recommended to AGS by a colleague," says Chris, "and stayed because of the pleasant connection with several of the faculty and staff." He says he's enjoyed his short tenure and adds, "I hope to have a positive impact on the newly-formed program for quite some time."

While he was completing his undergraduate degree in Child Development at the University of Minnesota, Chris completed a field study of the education of adolescents. He served as a research assistant for experimental studies of the early memory of children, the effects of chronic illness on the development of adolescents, and gender classification by preschool children. For his senior project in Child Development, Chris conducted original research entitled, "The Effect of Extracurricular Activities on the Self- Image of High School Students". Chris also served as a peer advisor for other Child Development students, helping them to plan their courses and develop their careers. 

Chris received his Master of Arts in Counseling and Student Personnel Psychology and licensure in School Counseling from the University of Minnesota. His thesis was entitled, "Matching the Temperament Types of Teachers and Alternative Learners".

Then Chris completed a post-masters Principal Licensure Program at the University of Minnesota. As a topic of special interest, Chris wrote "Suspending Suspensions" for the Department of Educational Policy and Administrations' electronic newsletter.

Chris has experience with a variety of special populations. He has worked in a special education day treatment program for violent and aggressive youth. He was employed by the University of Minnesota in that program as an Experiential Learning Coordinator. Chris collaborated with teachers and therapists to develop non-traditional experiences for students to supplement their learning and treatment goals. 

Chris has worked with a local school district to develop a School-Within-a-School alternative program for high school students. He also worked for five years as the program facilitator and administrative intern for a special education program serving some of the most severely emotionally disturbed middle- and high school students in Hennepin County.

Following the completion of his administrative licensing requirements, Chris became the assistant principal of one of the largest alternative high schools in the state of Minnesota. His duties included developing and implementing behavioral systems, consulting with teachers and parents, counseling students as individuals and in groups, helping teachers to successfully implement advisory program activities, and overseeing the program's crisis planning and response. 

At the Adler Graduate School Chris is responsible for the overall leadership of the School Counseling Program. He continues to work with the Minnesota Board of Teaching to develop and refine the program requirements for Adler students. Chris also serves on several committees and works with other Adler staff and faculty to make the Adler Graduate School a world-class institution.

Chris and his wife, Lisa, have a four-year-old son, Nicholas, who brings them lots of joy and keeps them on their toes.

Classes at AGS:
Comparative Theories
Foundations of 21 st Century School Counseling
Integrative Portfolio

Professional Affiliations
American School Counselor Association/ Minnesota School Counseling Association
American Counseling Association
National Association of Secondary School Principals

Workshops
Team Building
Experiential Learning

Research Interests:
School Discipline- Alternatives to Suspension
Transforming School Counseling
Adlerian School Counseling

Populations Served
Specialization in at-risk and special education populations

Strengths as an Instructor
Hands-on, experiential learning
Practical application
Student-directed learning

Contact Information:
Home: (763) 241-5085 (before 8:00 pm)
Work: (612) 861-7554 x108
Fax: (612) 861-7559
Email Address:  chris.helgestad@alfredadler.edu

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