College of Education and Human Development

Department of Educational Psychology

People

Marguerite Ohrtman

  • Counselor education program coordinator, director of school counseling, director of MA clinical training, teaching associate professor

As the Program Coordinator and Director of Clinical Training, I oversee our counselor education (CE) program, working closely with our master’s students to ensure a comprehensive and enriching educational experience.

    DEGREES

    EdD, Minnesota State University, Mankato
    MS, Minnesota State University, Mankato
    BS, Iowa State University

      AREAS OF INTEREST
      • Social media and anxiety with students
      • Working with at-risk students and their families
      • Training of school counselors
      • Resiliency and impact of school counselors
      • Leadership in school counseling
      • School-based mental health
      • University and school collaborations and partnerships
        BIOGRAPHY

        As the Program Coordinator and Director of Clinical Training, I oversee our counselor education (CE) program, working closely with our master’s students to ensure a comprehensive and enriching educational experience. My role includes assisting students in securing practicum and internship sites across the metro area, advising them on licensure in both mental health and school counseling, and ensuring program accreditation. I also collaborate with various programs across the state through my participation on multiple committees.

        My research interests focus primarily on the pivotal role of school counselors and their impact on students’ emotional health, academic success, and career planning. I have shared my research through several media outlets, including USA Today, The Hechinger Report, MPR's and WCCO, among others. In 2019, I published a case studies text designed for training school counselors, which allowed me to collaborate with professionals across Minnesota and the United States. My publications address topics such as the role of school counselors in supporting TRIO students, at-risk populations, the use of technology in counseling, and fostering School-Family-Community Partnerships. I particularly enjoy presenting research with students at state and national conferences, such as the annual American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Conference and the annual Minnesota School Counselor Association (MSCA) Conference.

        Before transitioning to higher education, I gained valuable experience in education as a classroom teacher and school counselor. Now, I teach counseling courses in our CE program and cherish the opportunity to guide the next generation of counselors. In recognition of my work, I was honored with the College of Education and Human Development New Career Excellence Award in 2016 and with the NCACES Outstanding Teaching Award in 2024. I also am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and work with clients at my group therapy practice, Next Adventure Counseling and Consulting.

        My leadership experience has further enhanced my connection to the counseling field. I am a past President of MSCA Board (2019–2020), where I served for seven years, and I currently serve as the MSCA Advocacy Co-Chair. I have also held roles as President and Treasurer of the Lakes Area Counseling Association. I am also an ASCA RAMP reviewer, where I evaluate school counseling programs nationwide applying for Recognized ASCA Model Program status. Additionally, I remain an active member of ASCA, ACA, ACES, and NCACES.

          PUBLICATIONS

          Ohrtman, M., & Heltner, E. (Eds.). (2019). Contemporary Case Studies in School Counseling. New York, NY, Rowman and Littlefield.

          Cronin, S., Ohrtman, M., Colton, E., Crouse, B., Depuydt, J., Merwin, C., & Rinn, M. (2018). School counselor technology use and school-family-community partnerships. Journal of School Counseling.16(6).

          Ohrtman, M., Cronin, S., Torgerson, E., Thuen, M., & Colton, E. (2016). Perceptions of effectiveness of school counselors with former graduates in a TRIO College Program. Journal of Applied Research on Children.7(1).

          Ohrtman, M., & Preston, J. (2015). An investigation of the relationship between school failure and at- risk students’ general self-efficacy, academic self-efficacy, and motivation. Journal of At-Risk Youth, 18(2).

          Media

          Ohrtman, M. (December 23, 2021). More students want to skip college. Are schools prepared to help them? USA Today. Retrieved from: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2021/12/23/jobs-without-college-degree-high- school-counselors/8985369002/?gnt-cfr=1

          Ohrtman, M. (December 23, 2021). More students question college, putting counselors in a fresh quandry. Hechinger Report. Retrieved from: https://hechingerreport.org/more-students-question- college-putting-counselors-in-a-fresh-quandary/

          Ohrtman, M. (May 10, 2021). AGs against Instagram Kids: 44 states oppose 13-and-under version. Fox 9. Retrieved from: https://www.fox9.com/news/instagram-kids-attorneys-general- letter

          Ohrtman, M. (October 10, 2021). Experts Encourage Parents to Talk with Kids about Social Media’s Impacts on Mental Health. CBS Minnesota; WCCO. Retrieved from: https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2021/10/10/experts-encourage-parents-to-talk-with-kids-about- social-medias-impacts-on-mental-health/

          Ohrtman, M. (September 21, 2021). Schools respond to ‘devious licks’ social media challenge on in Minnesota. ABC News Channel 5; KSTP. Retrieved from: https://kstp.com/news/schools- respond-to-devious-licks-social-media-challenge-catching-on-in-minnesota/6245176/

          Ohrtman, M. (May 2, 2020). Minnesota high schools reimagine graduation ceremonies to honor students during a pandemic. Star Tribune. Retrieved from: https://m.startribune.com/minnesota- high-schools-reimagine-graduation-ceremonies-to-honor-students-during-pandemic/570147691/

          Ohrtman, M. (August 21, 2019). Is social media all bad? Fairbault Daily News: Fairbault.com. Retrieved from https://www.southernminn.com/faribault_daily_news/opinion/article_7a7dd126-ae2a-54da-b2a3- 71ba764ca859.html

          Ohrtman, M. (August 22, 2019). Talking with the experts: Is all social media use bad for preteens? Isanti-Chisago Country Star. Retrieved from http://www.isanti-chisagocountystar.com/news/talking-with-the-experts-is-all-social-media-use- bad/article_f311b224-c523-11e9-9849-2f9972640571.html

          Ohrtman, M. (August 26, 2019). Kids and social media do mix (in a positive way). Kanabec County Times. Retrieved from http://www.moraminn.com/news/kids-and-social-media-do-mix- in-a-positive-way/article_ec15100c-c423-11e9-929f-034a52fa397c.html

          Ohrtman, M. (August 28, 2019). Echo press editorial: Lessons on how young kids use social media. Alexandria Echo Press. Retrieved from https://www.echopress.com/opinion/editorials/4626099-Echo-Press-Editorial-Lessons-on-how- young-kids-use-social-media

          Ohrtman, M. (October 24, 2019). Talking kids and media with U of M. Pine City Pioneer. Retrieved from http://www.pinecitymn.com/news/talking-kids-and-social-media-with-u-of- m/article_1d45f914-f5bd-11e9-abb0-476d04299a17.html

          Ohrtman, M. (November 18, 2019). Kids today and social media. Intellispark. Retrieved from https://intellispark.com/blog/kids-today-social-media/

            PRESENTATIONS

            Ohrtman, M., Lund, R., Willis, C., Steinback, K. & Larson, L. (2021). School Counseling Side Hustles: Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Virtual Conference.

            Ohrtman, M. & Arvidson, S. (2021). RAMP Camp 101. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Virtual Conference.

            Ohrtman, M. & Shanks, L. (2020). Bridging Mental Health and School Counseling: A Guide to LPC and LPCC Licensure. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Virtual Conference.

            Ohrtman, M. (2019). Effects of Social Media on Students. Presentation at the Minneapolis Metro School Counselor Association Fall Conference, Minneapolis, MN.

            Ohrtman, M., Fabry, B., Maxfield, A., & Arvidson, S. (2019). Social Media Impact on Elementary Students. Presentation at the annual conference of the American School Counselor Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA.

            Ohrtman, M., Fabry, B., Maxfield, A., & Arvidson, S. (2019). Impact of Social Media on Elementary Students. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, St. Paul, MN.

            Cigrand, D., Berger, C., & Ohrtman, M. (2019). Collaborating with School-Based Mental Health Services. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, St. Paul, MN.

            Berger, C., Galuska, B., Ohrtman, M., & Arvidson, S. (2018). Building Research-Informed School Counseling Programs: A School District-University Collaboration. Presentation at The Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference, Columbus, OH.

            Ohrtman, M., Berger, C., Schmitz, B., & Galuska, B. (2018). RAMP and Your Counseling Program. Presentation at the Osseo School Counselors Fall Retreat, Maple Grove, MN.

            Ohrtman, M., Berger, C., Schmitz, B., & Galuska, B. (2018). ASCA 101. Presentation at the fall conference of the Lakes Area Counseling Association, Edina, MN.

            Berger, C. & Ohrtman, M. (2018, July). Revitalize your elementary college and career readiness program. Presentation at the annual conference of the American School Counselor Association, Los Angeles, CA.

            Cranberg, E., Ohrtman, M., Lyu, Y., Anders, C., & Wandschneder, D. (2018, May). Row your boat: Self-care and resiliency for school counselors. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Brainerd, MN.

            Ohrtman, M. & Berger, C. (2018, May). Ethical issues in counseling supervision. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Brainerd, MN.

            Hansen, M., Vogel, M., Zhu, J., & Ohrtman, M. (2018, May). Weathering the storm: Helping students and families benefit from the Minnesota family investment program. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Brainerd, MN.