College of Education and Human Development

Department of Educational Psychology

People

Marguerite Ohrtman

  • Teaching associate professor

My research interests focus primarily on the pivotal role of school counselors and their impact on students’ emotional health, academic success, and career planning.

    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

        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. https://www.startribune.com/what-child-survivors-of-the-annunciation-church-shooting-will-need-after-trauma/601462424 

          Ohrtman, M. https://www.startribune.com/screen-time-technology-class-school/601427007 

          Ohrtman, M. https://www.fox9.com/news/osseo-area-schools-cut-5-mental-health-staffers 

          Ohrtman, M. (September 9, 2024). Restricting cell phone use in schools. MPR. Retrieved from https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2024/09/06/restricting-cell-phone-use-in-schools 

          Ohrtman, M. (August 28, 2024). U of M professor offers advice on cellphone policies as students return to class. KARE 11. Retrieved from https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/cellphone-policies-as-students-return-to-class/89-67cb2fc0-45cb-4379-92bd-10abe4682994?fbclid=IwY2xjawE9c1BleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYw80MSDLTuJcdc_TrVSkyotT7XDVEILhzYjBTv5t4M7OQv3HNqavnVYUw_aem_TaqBfNGVLnFSd0VUKYYmHA. 

          Ohrtman, M. (February 6, 2024). Why ‘dumbing down’ your phone may be a smart move. Kare11. Retrieved from https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/kare11-sunrise/why-dumbing-down-your-phone-may-be-a-smart-move-flip-phone-fomo/89-72bb06d7-f3d2-44be-8555-3da24a4de3b5. 

          Ohrtman, M. (October 31, 2023). Minnesota, along with dozens other states, sues Meta. WCCO News. Retrieved from: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesota-along-with-dozens-other-states-is-suing-meta/ 

          Ohrtman, M. (September 4, 2023). Should you get your child a GPS tracking device as they head back to school? Retrieved from: https://www.startribune.com/should-you-get-your-child-gps-tracking-device-head-back-school-tags-smartwatch-airtag-apple-verizon/600301914/ 

          Ohrtman, M. (August 21, 2023). Twin cities schools are cracking down on cell phone use. Axios Twin Cities. Retrieved from: https://www.axios.com/local/twin-cities/2023/08/21/twin-cities-schools-cracking-down-cell-phone-use 

          Ohrtman, M. (November 2, 2022). An Echo Press Editorial: Advice for decreasing bullying. Echo Press. Retrieved from: https://www.echopress.com/opinion/editorials/an-echo-press-editorial-advice-for-decreasing-bullying 

          Ohrtman, M. (October 24, 2022). Bullying: How to Spot and Prevent. Moose Lake Star Gazette. Retrieved from: https://www.mlstargazette.com/news/bullying-how-to-spot-prevent/article_1c4bef44-5165-11ed-96a4-e716c7657bf4.html 

          Ohrtman, M. (October 27, 2022). Talking Bullying in School with U of M. Isanti-Chisago County Star. Retrieved from: https://www.isanti-chisagocountystar.com/news/talking-bullying-in-school-with-u-of-m/article_880013e4-556d-11ed-b274-33a65ad39a54.html 

          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 quandary. 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 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/ 

            PRESENTATIONS

            Peed, T., Berger, C., Maki, L., Keogh, L., & Ohrtman, M. (2025). Leveraging Legislation: A Roadmap to State-Level Training Grant Success. Presentation at the bi-annual Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Philadelphia, PA. 

            Ohrtman, M., Collins, D., Kalmoe-Smith, K., Roney, C., & Richels, K. (2024) ASCA-Aligned Programs: Moving your District Forward. Presentation at the Minnesota School Counselor Association Annual Conference, Duluth, MN. 

            Ohrtman, M., Berger, C., Peed, T., & Roney, C. (2024). Empowering School Counselors: Advocacy Strategies and Tools for Effective School and District-Level Engagement. Presentation at the Minnesota School Counselor Association Annual Conference, Duluth, MN. 

            Ohrtman, M. & Shanks, L. (2024). Bridging Mental Health and School Counseling: A Guide to LPC and LPCC Licensure. Presentation at the Minnesota School Counselor Association Annual Conference, Duluth, MN. 

            Berger, C., Ohrtman, M., & Keogh, L. (2024). Enhancing School Counseling Programs: Fostering Leaders and Social Justice Advocates. Presentation at The Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference, Online. 

            Nelson, A. & Ohrtman, M. (2023). Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: How school counselors can help. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association Conference, Mankato, MN.

            Ohrtman, M., Berger, C., & Keogh, L. (2023). Supervising school counseling interns in 2023 and beyond. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association Conference, Mankato, MN. 

            Ohrtman, M., Zamora, A., Eckrose, A., & Viscarra, K. (2023). Social media and technology supports students with anxiety. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association Conference, Mankato, MN. 

            Ohrtman, M. & Berger, C. (2023). Supervision and remediation: Connecting the work into practice. Presentation at the bi-annual conference of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Denver, CO. 

            Ohrtman, M., Mehr, D., Cliff, T., Paige, J., & Hensgen, A. (2023). Student Personnel Panel. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Psychology Association, Plymouth, MN. 

            Ohrtman, M. & Berger, C. (2022). Best Practice in Supervision. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Mankato, MN.

            Ohrtman, M., King, E., Mills, T., & Steedman, A. (2022). Don’t Scroll Past: School Counselors as Social Media Influencers. Presentation at the annual conference of the Minnesota School Counselor Association, Mankato, MN. 

            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.  

            Marguerite Ohrtman