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A student seated in a classroom looks onward toward a monitor displaying a remote view of a guest speaker.

Students in Auburn University’s College of Education learned from one of the nation’s leading voices in school counseling ethics on Wednesday as Franciene Sabens, an award-winning school counselor and member of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Ethics Committee, joined a first-year school counseling class as a guest speaker via Zoom.

Hosted by the college’s School Counseling Program, the session focused on ethical decision-making and professional responsibility in school counseling, providing students with practical guidance as they prepare to enter the profession. Sabens shared insights drawn from more than 17 years of experience as a rural school counselor and her extensive service on state and national committees dedicated to ethics, counselor education and student success.

“I view ethics as the foundation of effective school counseling and the compass that guides school counselors through complex decisions,” Sabens said. “At the heart of my philosophy is the belief that school counselors have an ethical responsibility to prioritize students’ well-being, honor their individual voices and empower them to make informed decisions about their own lives.”

Students and a professor sit at a table inside a classroom.

Malti Tuttle, professor and school counseling program coordinator in Auburn’s College of Education, said it was an honor to have Sabens speak to her students about such an important topic.

“School counselors make ethical decisions every day to ensure they provide the best care for all students,” Tuttle said. "It is their ethical responsibility to serve all students while demonstrating respect, integrity and professionalism. We are excited to have Franciene Sabens join our first-year school counseling classes to share her expertise in school counseling ethics to further support their development and preparation for their future careers.”

Sabens is a two-time Illinois High School Counselor of the Year and recipient of a 2025 Impact Award recognizing her contributions to the counseling profession at both the state and national levels. In 2016, she was honored by ASCA at the White House as Illinois' representative for the School Counselor of the Year program.

Her leadership experience includes service on the ASCA Ethics Committee, the National Council for the Advancement of Educator Ethics and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. She has helped shape counseling practice through her work on Illinois' developmental counseling models, statewide college and career readiness initiatives and national curriculum development efforts. Sabens is also the co-author of A Survival Guide for Rural School Counselors and Solo Practitioners, a resource designed to support counselors working in rural communities.

Experiences such as Sabens' guest lecture are a key part of Auburn's preparation of future school counselors, connecting students with nationally recognized practitioners whose real-world expertise complements classroom learning. Through interactions with leaders in the field, Auburn students gain valuable perspectives on the ethical leadership, advocacy and professional judgment required to serve students effectively in meeting the evolving needs of schools and communities.