Delta State University announces the 44th Annual F. E. Woodall Conference for the Helping Professions

Cleveland, MS (03/19/2026) — Contact: Nathan Duff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4678

Email: nduff@deltastate.edu

Delta State University announces the 44th Annual F. E. Woodall Conference for the Helping Professions

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The Division of Counselor Education at Delta State University will host the 44th Annual F. E. Woodall Spring Conference for the Helping Professions on Friday, March 27, continuing a long-standing tradition that brings together professionals from across disciplines to share knowledge, explore emerging practices and strengthen collaboration.

The Woodall Conference, named in honor of Dr. Fred E. Woodall, remains one of the university's signature events focused on advancing the helping professions. The annual gathering reflects Woodall's legacy by emphasizing innovation, professional growth and a continued commitment to serving individuals and communities.

This year's conference will feature Dr. Jinnelle V. Powell, a former Delta State counselor education faculty member, as keynote speaker.

Powell is a counselor educator, trauma specialist and EMDR trainer with nearly two decades of experience working with child welfare systems, community mental health agencies and trauma-impacted families. Her work integrates neuroscience and Relational Cultural Theory, with a focus on healing through connection, cultural humility and growth-fostering relationships.

She is the founder and CEO of Distinctive Counseling and Consulting, where she leads a multidisciplinary team providing trauma-informed services across the lifespan. She has secured grant funding from Heart Galleries of Texas to expand access to free EMDR and play therapy for kinship and adoptive families. Through her nonprofit, Distinctive Collective, Inc., she also works to expand access to mental health care, professional training and advocacy.

In addition to the keynote address, the conference will offer opportunities for participants to engage with colleagues across a range of helping professions, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that has defined the event for more than four decades.

"I am honored to return to DSU as this year's Woodall Keynote Speaker," said Powell. "This keynote invites you to explore the power of connection, not just in our work but in our personal lives. I invite you to join me to discuss how connection, cultural responsiveness and relational presence shape healing and strengthen resilience. Together, we will center connection as essential to resilience and trauma-informed healing."

The Division of Counselor Education at Delta State University prepares students for careers in counseling and related fields through rigorous academic programs and hands-on training, developing skilled professionals committed to supporting individuals, families and communities. For more information and Powell's full biography, visit the conference website at deltastate.edu/woodall.

Cutline: Former Delta State counselor education faculty member Dr. Jinnelle V. Powell will be the keynote speaker at the 44th Woodall Conference.

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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,800 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 15 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.

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