He is a former college, elementary, and middle school counselor and was recognized in 2004 as the American School Counselor Association’s Counselor Educator of the Year. Dr. Akos’s research focuses on the transition into and out of middle school and Strengths-Based School Counseling (Galassi & Akos, 2006). Currently, his research continues on how school personnel can promote successful transitions and how school counselors can intervene and advocate for optimal development of early adolescents. Visit http: //soe.unc.edu/fac_research/profile/akos.php for more information about Professor Akos.