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MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� Eliza Kho, a second-year clinical mental health counseling graduate student at Murray State University, has been named the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Student Award recipient by the Kentucky Counseling Association (KCA). 

The KCA, a professional organization affiliated with the American Counseling Association, has been a prominent force in providing professional development, networking and advocacy for counselors across Kentucky for more than 50 years.

Kho, an international student from Malaysia, initially arrived at Murray State in 2019 as a scholarship recipient for the women鈥檚 golf team. 

Over the past few years, she has managed the demanding combination of being a student-athlete while pursuing a graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling.

When Kho received the news about the award, she was taken by surprise. 

鈥淚 was really happy because being a student-athlete and a graduate student at the same time, going into mental health counseling 鈥� it鈥檚 not an easy thing to do,鈥� said Kho. 鈥淓specially, as an international student, there鈥檚 so much to adjust to, from cultural differences to language barriers. It was kind of a relief and reassuring, like I鈥檓 going in the right direction here.鈥�

Kho鈥檚 passion for mental health stems from her upbringing, where she developed a deep appreciation for the importance of understanding mental health challenges. 

鈥淚 want to help people,鈥� Kho said. 鈥淟earning how to be someone鈥檚 support system is very rewarding to me and healing in a way. Being able to know that you鈥檝e helped someone reach their fullest potential or help them out of a dark place鈥攖hat鈥檚 just so rewarding.鈥� 

Currently, Kho is gaining hands-on experience in her practicum at the Murray State Counseling Center, where she works directly with clients facing real-life challenges. 

鈥淏eing able to put my skills into practice and then see it actually help鈥攍ike a light bulb turning on鈥攖hat鈥檚 very rewarding,鈥� Kho said.

Dr. Samir Patel, Kho鈥檚 academic adviser, praised her achievements both in academics and athletics.  In his recommendation letter, Patel highlighted her ability to develop strong therapeutic alliances with clients, noting that even early in the semester, her clients were making measurable progress toward their goals.

鈥淓liza鈥檚 ultimate goal is to serve as an advocate for students, especially student-athletes, showing them that success has no limits and no barriers that can鈥檛 be overcome,鈥� Patel wrote. 鈥淕iven her academic and athletic achievements, cross-cultural leadership experiences, and ability to maintain balance and wellness despite the obstacles she faces, I have no doubt that Eliza Mae Kho will be a successful counselor and is truly deserving of this prestigious award.鈥�

Kho, who is set to graduate in August 2025, plans to pursue licensure as a counselor or therapist and hopes to practice in the United States.

For more information about Murray State's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, visit .