THE Counsellor is excited to announce the third edition of the Global Counsellor Awards, taking place at the BMI/THE Global Counsellor Workshop in Sesimbra, Portugal, on Monday 11 May 2026. The awards have been created to recognise the counsellors who have excelled in their role of providing students with the tools and support to make life-changing decisions about their future studies and careers.
Nominations are now closed. We will be announcing the finalists shortly and inviting you to vote for the winners.
If you work for a company that supports the counselling community and would like to show your appreciation, contact us to discuss sponsorship opportunities by emailing Spencer@bmiglobaled.com
If you have any questions about the process you can contact us at counsellor@timeshighereducation.com
Categories:
1. Global Counsellor of the Year
This award recognises outstanding college counsellors who have demonstrated exemplary dedication, leadership and impact in the field of international college counselling. Finalists will have a proven record of guiding students to successful and well-matched college placements, fostering a positive and supportive counselling environment, and making significant contributions to the overall success and reputation of the school's college counselling programme. These counsellors exemplify a commitment to the professional development of their peers, innovation in counselling practices, and a genuine passion for helping students achieve their academic and career goals on a global scale.
2. Counsellor Community Support and Collaboration
Finalists have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering a supportive and collaborative community among fellow counsellors. These counsellors will be actively engaged in mentorship, knowledge sharing, and professional development initiatives within the counsellor community. They will have contributed to creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere, sharing resources, best practices, and providing support to colleagues to enhance the overall effectiveness of a college counselling team in an international high school setting. Their efforts reflect a commitment to building a strong professional network and a sense of unity among counsellors.
3. Rising Star of the Year
Finalists will be early in their counselling career but have already demonstrated exceptional commitment to the profession, embracing learning opportunities, and developing new solutions that can better support students and the wider counselling profession.
4. Lifetime Achievement in Counselling
Finalists have made significant contributions of outstanding significance to the counselling community and their students throughout their career. This includes showing exemplary leadership, significant efforts to make the profession more inclusive, and had a positive impact on people, organisations or communities. These counsellors will have demonstrated exceptional practice over a significant period of time including impact outside their primary job role. This award is for lifetime achievement, rather than a single contribution.