John Curtis Nance, PhD, LCMHC-S, NCC

Candidate Statement:

It is an honor to share my journey as a counselor, educator, and leader, and to seek your vote for the office of President-Elect of the American Counseling Association. My identity as a professional counselor spans over two decades, encompassing private practice, hospital settings, and includes roles as practitioner, supervisor, educator, and consultant. These opportunities highlight my unwavering commitment to our work -- providing the highest-quality mental health, wellness, education, and career development, while supporting counselors and expanding access to services. Diversity, inclusion, and fostering growth for all people are core principles that continue to inspire my life, practice, and mentorship. My leadership experience across local, state, regional, and national levels, particularly within ACA, has prepared me to guide our organization during the current governance transition and challenges impacting our society. Our profession must lead by fostering connection, understanding, and community. I will continue working to strengthen connectedness and cultivate future practitioners and leaders. My style is sincere: listening first; seeking to understand, engage, and then collaborating to create meaningful, shared progress. My vision centers on three core priorities. First, I will strengthen connection and engagement by fostering inclusivity, shared purpose, and the continued growth of ethical, competent counselors. Second, I will support strong legislative advocacy by helping counselors clearly communicate the value and impact of our work. Third, I will guide growth through ACA governance transition by honoring our history, understanding future needs, and building bridges that support lasting progress. My experiences inform opportunities on ways to align governance, legislative advocacy, and member needs while navigating rising mental health demands, workforce challenges, and access disparities facing our profession. It will be an honor to serve you and our profession.

Candidate Biography:

John C. Nance is an Associate Clinical Professor and Director of Clinical Field Placements in Counselor Education & Supervision at University of North Carolina at Charlotte. A Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor–Supervisor (LCMHC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), John brings more than 20 years of experience in clinical practice, supervision, and counselor education. John maintains an active private practice focused on trauma-informed care, dissociative disorders, and counselor development. His professional career reflects a deep commitment to integrating clinical excellence, supervision, and organizational leadership to strengthen the counseling profession. A long-standing leader within the American Counseling Association (ACA), John currently serves on the ACA Governing Council as the Association for Adult Development and Aging (AADA) Representative and as liaison to the ACA Human Rights Committee, which he previously chaired. His leadership spans multiple levels of the profession, including service as AADA Chair, ACA Southern Region Chair, and President of both the North Carolina Counseling Association and the South Carolina Counseling Association. John is a nationally recognized scholar and presenter, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and over 35 refereed presentations addressing trauma, social justice, LGBTQIA+ development, addictions, and lifespan considerations. He has received numerous honors, including the NCCA Devoted Service Award, the AADA Catherine Roland Presidential Mentor Award, and the CSI Outstanding Practitioner-Supervisor awards. His work reflects a strong commitment to advocacy, equity, and the advancement of inclusive counseling practices. John is especially dedicated to mentorship, professional service, and community engagement. His leadership is grounded in collaboration, transparency, and a vision for a more accessible, equitable, and unified counseling profession. As a candidate for ACA President, John is committed to amplifying member voices, strengthening professional identity, and advancing advocacy efforts that support counselors and the diverse communities they serve.