#21 Dr. Amanda DeDiego - Interim Dean at the University of Wyoming at Casper and an Associate Professor of Counseling at the University of Wyoming

Dr. DeDiego is an interim dean at the University of Wyoming at Casper and an associate professor of counseling at the University of Wyoming. She has a PhD in counselor education from the University of Tennessee and a master's in community counseling from the University of North Georgia. She's a licensed professional counselor and licensed auricular accomplished. As a researcher, she's committed to exploring contributions to health disparities in mental health care at various systemic levels and understanding issues of health equity for marginalized and underserved communities. She was featured as the mental health expert in Wyoming PBS series titled, A State of Mind: Confronting Our Mental Health Crisis, and has testified as a licensed professional counselor for the Wyoming legislature of issues of mental health needs and access in the state. She has also met with federal legislators and staff to address mental health access and workforce needs nationwide. Leadership has consistently been an important aspect of her career. In 2019, she was recognized by the American Counseling Association with the Robert H. Rankin Emerging Professional Leader Award. She has served in leadership positions for the American Counseling Association, Kai Sigma Iota International Honor Society, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Association for Creativity and Counseling, and Wyoming Counseling Association. She currently sits on the board for the Natrona Collective Health Trust, a non-profit organization with the largest private endowment in the state of Wyoming, dedicated to healthcare equity and access in Natrona country. She also sits on the board for the American Counseling Association, an international organization with over 60,000 members.