IMPACT Grant Candidate Spotlight

Read about a new candidate for this grant each month. Discover what motivates them to enter this field and the passion they bring to become a licensed school counselor.

Shelley Armstrong currently serves as the Supervisor of Student Support Services at Lebanon Special School District. She holds a Doctor of Education degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and has extensive educational leadership experience. She is now pursuing school counseling to support students more comprehensively.

Shelley believes deeply in the transformative power of education and the importance of supporting the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally. Having experienced firsthand how caring adults in schools can make a difference in students' lives, she wanted to become one of those impactful people. Shelley emphasized how school counseling combines her passion for education with mental wellness.

The IMPACT grant program has provided exceptional opportunities for Shelley to build technical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to better serve students and families. Faculty, coursework, and internship experiences have challenged her to grow, reflect, and maintain commitment to continuous improvement. Her background in educational leadership, combined with diverse school experiences, brings understanding of daily challenges facing both students and teachers. 

Through Lipscomb University's School Counseling program, Shelley is learning to build and implement comprehensive school counseling programming that supports all students and creates environments where every student can thrive. 

Outside of professional work, Shelley enjoys reading to give her perspective, running to clear her mind, and traveling to maintain curiosity about the world. She is also actively engaged in nonprofit work through Run4Water and 84 Days, focusing on clean water access and women's health.