Michael Kiener, PhD, CRC
Michael Kiener is a professor at Maryville University of St. Louis in their Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. He has developed numerous trainings for community rehabilitation providers, vocational rehabilitation counselors, and for supervisors of state agencies. Michael has a Ph.D. in counselor education and is currently a certified rehabilitation counselor. He is a member of the National Rehabilitation Association, is a board member of the Missouri Rehabilitation Association, Eastern Chapter, and immediate past president of the Missouri Rehabilitation Association. In 2012 and 2024 he received the Outstanding Faculty Award for faculty who best demonstrate excellence in the integration of teaching, scholarship and/or service. Also in 2012 he received the President’s Award for Strategic Excellence: Civic Engagement, given to individuals who bring the University’s core values to life. From the Missouri Rehabilitation Association, he received the Lifetime Service Award in 2022 and in 2023 received the Impact Award given to an exemplary Missouri Leader in the disability sector who has had a profound impact on changing the lives and championing the rights of people with disabilities. He has over thirty publications including a co-authored book on strength-based counseling and journal articles on career decision making, action research, counseling pedagogy, and active and dynamic learning strategies.
Maryville University
Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
mkiener@maryville.edu
Jessica Doebber
Jessica Doebber is a recent graduate of Maryville University's Rehabilitation Counseling program. She is currently working at the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) as an adjunct faculty member within the Office of Inclusive Post-Secondary Education. She educates students on planning, obtaining, and advancing their careers. Jessica is a member of MRA’s conference planning committee and received the 2025 Megan Piontek Award which recognizes a graduate student or a recent graduate in the field of Rehabilitation who has demonstrated exemplary initiative, service in the field, and leadership potential.
Adjunct Faculty with OIPE at UMSL
jessicabdoebber@gmail.com
Rachael Rehagen, MA, PLPC
Osage Valley Counseling
dynamictherapystl@gmail.com
About
Professional engagement is a cornerstone of building a strong professional identity and sustaining professions over time. This session highlights the connection between professional engagement, ethical standards, and well-being while introducing the Revised Professional Engagement Questionnaire (PEQ) as a tool for self-assessment and growth. Attendees will participate in interactive exercises and create a plan for increasing their involvement in their profession. Through reflection and group discussion, participants will explore how professional engagement mitigates burnout, enhances commitment, and fosters ethical responsibility. This session equips attendees with tools to take actionable steps toward advancing their engagement and strengthening their professional identity.
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will evaluate how professional engagement aligns with ethical responsibilities and contributes to individual well-being and professional sustainability.
2. Participants will create a personalized professional engagement action plan to enhance their involvement in professional organizations and activities.