Longtime school counselor lauds value of BGSU Online Transition-to-Work endorsement

Dana Matunas ’23 credits the University’s online program for expanding her abilities in preparing students with disabilities for adult life

Bowling Green State University alumna Dana Matunas ‘23 starts her work each day equipped with a unique set of skills and tools, but she’s not creating fine furniture or building houses.

As the resident GPS for the academic and personal journeys of hundreds of secondary students, she is changing lives.

Matunas, a counselor with Columbus City Schools, is laying out potential roadmaps, reviewing pathways and helping students chart a course for success and a productive, rewarding future.

“You know the kids, you know the classes they are taking, and you can really help them as they discover the opportunities out there and what they want to do in the years ahead,” Matunas said. “You want to utilize everything you can to assist them in that process.”

After she learned about the innovative BGSU Online Transition-to-Work program for educational professionals, Matunas saw the opportunity to expand the breadth of her abilities. She enrolled in the 100% online program that offers educators advanced knowledge and skills to best prepare students with disabilities for adult life.

The Transition-to-Work program equips educators with relevant skills to assess students’ strengths, interests and readiness as they prepare for post-secondary life. The endorsement focuses on empowering students to take a prominent role in mapping out their futures and also introduces teachers and counselors to implement effective practices in transition education and services.

Matunas, an educator for nearly three decades who has worked as a counselor since 2007, sees the Transition-to-Work endorsement from BGSU as a valuable asset for any school counselor.

“While I was involved in the program, certain students would pop into my mind. I would think this is how I can help them, or how I can utilize a specific method to get the student in the best possible place for their future,” said Matunas, who finished the Transition-to-Work program in December 2023.

“Right away, I noticed a big difference in how I was able to network with the teachers and really zero in on a student and determine what gives them that extra push and in what areas we can help other students.”

Matunas added that BGSU Online’s Transition-to-Work program also stressed the value of utilizing community partners and other agencies that can support young adults as they transition from high school.

“It is amazing to be able to network with other agencies and people from across the state and outside of Ohio to share knowledge and access,” she said.

Dr. Jeanne Novak, a BGSU professor and secondary transition program coordinator, said that was intentionally designed into the program’s curriculum.

“The program brings together a diverse group of school and adult services professionals who support transitioning students, fostering a vibrant community of practice where they learn with and from one another, sharing perspectives, insights and resources,” Novak said. “This collaboration is key for preparing students with disabilities to achieve inclusive and successful adult lives.”

A study of 225 Ohio school counselors released in early 2024 indicated that a clear need exists “for better preparation of school counselors to support the college and career readiness of students with disabilities.”

Several BGSU faculty members, including Novak, Dr. J.P. Oehrtman, an assistant education professor, and Dr. Meg Vostal, an assistant teaching professor and intervention specialist coordinator, took lead roles in that study.

In Matunas’s experience, the Transition-to-Work endorsement addresses the documented shortfall and serves additional needs she has encountered while working with a diverse student body.

“This program is geared toward students with disabilities, but we also have a high number of English as a second language students and there are a lot of benefits as we work to get those students the instruction they need,” Matunas said. “I hope to see more school counselors involved in transition planning for students with disabilities and any others we can assist.”