Professor, Coordinator of Student Affairs and College Counseling Program

Professional Counseling

Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Counseling | Idaho State University (1998)

Areas of Expertise:

Career Development across the Lifespan Student Affairs in Higher Education

College Student Development in Higher Education Clinical Instruction and Supervision in Counselor Education

Dr. Alan Saginak is Professor in the Department of Professional Counseling. He served as Department Chair and Graduate Program Coordinator for 12 years from 2005-2017, and continues to coordinate the Student Affairs and College Counseling emphasis in the program. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Edinboro University of PA, and his Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Student Personnel from Slippery Rock University of PA. He also earned his Doctor of Education degree in Counselor Education and Counseling from Idaho State University, during which time he served as a training supervisor and part-time instructor for two years. Dr. Saginak has over 30 years of experience in higher education including eight years in Career Services and Student Affairs at Idaho State University and Slippery Rock University of PA. He has been teaching at UW Oshkosh for 24 years since 1998.

Dr. Saginak has presented and published on a range of related topics including career development over the lifespan; career, college, and life transitions; integrating avocation and wellness; balancing family, work, and leisure; and assessment and strategic planning in Student Affairs. He thoroughly enjoys working collaboratively with his department and college colleagues, and other professionals and administrative staff in Student Affairs and Academic Affairs across campus. He is passionate about teaching, training, and mentoring graduate students for careers in the counseling and Student Affairs professions.

His family, trail running, cycling, and gardening and outdoor work are the keys that help him maintain a balanced and healthy approach to living.

Date of First Employment at UW Oshkosh: September 1998

Years of Higher Education Experience: Eight (8) in Career Services & Student Affairs; 26 in teaching and clinical instruction in Counselor Education

Classes Typically Taught:

Career Development

Student Affairs and College Counseling

Student Development and the College Environment

Counseling Process Group Counseling Process

Counseling Practicum

Counseling Internship I & II