Associate Professor Demonstrates Mentorship in Action

James S. Bethea, Ph.D., LMHC, CRC, Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education in The School of Education, has been selected as a mentor for the inaugural NYC Men Heal Fall 2026 Pilot Program, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to empowering and supporting men on their journey toward healing and personal development.

Known for his commitment to service, leadership, and uplifting others, Dr. Bethea brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for helping individuals to realize their full potential. As a member of this inaugural mentor cohort, he will play an important role in guiding participants, building meaningful connections, and helping shape the future of this transformative program, designed to attract more men of color to the social work/mental health counseling professions.

“Dr. Bethea’s service reflects the mission and impact of the Counselor Education program, which prepares counseling professionals to serve individuals, families, and communities with compassion, cultural responsiveness, and a commitment to social justice,” said Heather C. Robertson, Ph.D., LMHC, CASAC, CRC, Professor and Chair, Counselor Education Department. “Through the dedication of its faculty, students, alumni, and partners, leaders like Dr. Bethea make a difference every day, helping others overcome challenges, discover their strengths, and thrive as individuals, proving that when we invest in people, we strengthen entire communities.”

The School of Education recently caught up with Dr. Bethea to learn more about his appointment, his passion, and the impact he hopes to make.

What drew you to the NYC Men Heal program, and why does serving as a mentor appeal to you?

I was drawn to the NYC Men Heal Initiative because it addresses a critical need in the mental health counseling and social work professions. As an African American counselor educator for over 20 years, I have firsthand knowledge of the low percentage of minority males entering the profession(s), and I was excited to learn about this project and be invited to participate. I have benefited greatly from being both a mentor and a mentee, so continuing this work is appealing because, simply put, it works!

What does effective mentorship mean to you, particularly when working with men who may have different life experiences from your own?

Effective mentorship means being reliable, trustworthy, accessible within limits, resourceful, spontaneous, accountable, and maintaining open communication.

How would you establish trust with a mentee who may initially be hesitant to open up or engage?

I would build on the things the individual feels comfortable sharing, which typically involve career aspirations, interests, values, hobbies, etc., while remaining patient, nonjudgmental, and refraining from asking personal questions that may cause discomfort.

Mentors are supportive partners, but they are not therapists. How would you recognize and manage that boundary?

I would address this with the mentee on the first day of the relationship-building process by clearly explaining my role as a mentor and differentiating mentoring from therapy. If at any point in the relationship the mentee discloses personal issues/concerns that require intervention beyond the scope of mentoring, I would help them access the necessary support while preserving their dignity.

How have your experiences prepared you to mentor individuals across differences in age, background, culture, identity, or socioeconomic circumstances?

I am a first-generation college student-athlete and was blessed with the opportunity to attend and earn degrees from three separate Predominantly White Institutions. Throughout my journey, I’ve interacted and built lasting relationships with many people who were different than me in a variety of ways (e.g., age, identity, race, culture, socioeconomic status, etc.) and settings (e.g., educationally, professionally, and athletically). That said, I feel confident in my preparation to provide effective mentorship to anyone I have the privilege of serving.

At the end of the program, what would make you feel that your mentoring relationship had been successful?

As I respond to this question, I reflect on the relationship I still have with my mentor, James K. Gripper III, Ph.D., which began 38 years ago (1988). If our relationship extends beyond the completion of the program, that is a solid indicator that the relationship was successful.