Biography: Dr. Mrs Stella Ugwueze (LSM)
Dr. (Mrs) Stella Ugwueze is a Professional Counselling Psychologist, born on the 22nd day of October 1958 at Ehalumona in Nsukka L.GA. She is married to Sir Charles Ugwueze from Umundu in Udenu L. G. A.; blessed with five children and many grandchildren, a practicing Catholic as a 4th degree Lady of the Order of the Knight of St. Mulumba Nigeria.
Stella’s academic pursuits and career is like an exploration. After her primary education in 1973, she joined Daughter’s of Divine Love Juniorate for her secondary education from 1973 to 1978 at Isienu Nsukka. She attended Women Teacher’s Training College Enugu where she obtained Teacher’s Grade Two Certificate. She attended Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu where she obtained Nigerian Certificate in Education (N.C.E. in Fine Art) in 1990. Between 2001 and 2004 she was an undergraduate of then Rivers State College of Education (Now Ignatius Ajuru University), Port Harcourt affiliate of University of Ibadan where she obtained Bachelor of Education in Psychology Guidance & Counselling. She proceeded to University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria for master’s degree and PhD in Psychology Guidance and Counselling which was completed in 2017.
Being a passionate learner, she obtained diplomas and certifications from different fields of learning for self-development. She obtained Diploma in Theology from Catholic Institute of West Africa Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria between 2009 to 2011. Online Courses from COURSERA on Leading strategic innovation in Organizations, Inspiring leadership through emotional intelligence, international organizations management. Other online courses and trainings include: Mental health awareness level 2, Cyber Security & personal Safety, Autism, Communication, and social Interaction, Caregiver Awareness Training, Public Relations, International Volunteering Level 2, Grant Writing proficiency, Management Consultancy, NGO Management Proficiency, Introduction to International Conflict Resolution, Digital Communication and Team Management, Emergency & Disaster Response, Disaster Risk Reduction Training, Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation Training and Essential Tools for Writers Course (Mendeley, Google Docs, AI Writing Tools, Microsoft Teams).
She is an experienced teacher having taught in all levels of education in Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. She started her teaching career at Udunedem Primary School in Udenu LGA from 1981- 1985. After her NCE she worked for WesternGeco, Schlumberger Nig. Ltd, in Port Harcourt as a Mainframe/P.C Computer Operator from 2001 to 2009. She took a teaching/Counselling job at Unique Star High School, Rumuokoro Port Harcourt from 2009 to 2014. In January 2015, she was appointed a Counsellor/Lecturer in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Renaissance University Ugbawka, Enugu State. In 2016 she was appointed the University Counsellor. She became a member of Governing Council of the University representing the University congregation from 2019 to 2022. She was appointed the Pro-Chancelor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Renaissance University Ugbawka, Enugu State from January 2023.
Dr. Stella Ugwueze is interested in the application of positive psychology in the understanding of emotional wellness and psychological well-being among young adults, couples, and professionals. She has about 20 research publications in peer-reviewed local and international journals. She is a member of the following professional associations: Counselling association of Nigeria (CASSON), Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria (APROCON) where she is the treasurer of the Port Harcourt branch of the association from 2017 till date, Nigerian Council of Education Psychologist (NCEP), Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA), Pro-life Association of Nigeria, Africa Public Speaking Academy (APSA).
She held trusting position among Ladies of St. Mulumba (LSM) and Catholic Women Organisation (CWO). She was the financial secretory of LSM Stella Maris Sub-council Port Harcourt from 2013 to 2016. She continued as the financial secretory at LSM St. Francis sub-council Port Harcourt from 2016 to 2019. She was elected to the position of the president of CWO home and abroad at St. Mary’s Catholic church Umundu from 2010 to 2021. She was also the leader of St. Monica group of CWO at St. Jude’s Catholic church Rumuokoro Port Harcourt, Rivers State from 2019 to 2023.
She is self-motivated and works well autonomously while contributing to group and organizational goals, flexible; able to learn and adapt effectively to changing situations, people-oriented, able to work closely with others in a team environment. She is very empathic, helps people in need, with her talent, time, and treasure. Her hobbies are Reading, adventure for new knowledge, Wellness/Fitness exercise, cooking and dietary experiment, and religious activities.