Veteran Caregiver and UNM Professor Joins Ranks of 2026 Dole Fellows
Dr. Cortny Stark, Assistant Professor in UNM's Counselor Education Program, has been selected as a 2026 Dole Caregiver Fellow by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, one of the nation's leading organizations dedicated to supporting military and veteran caregivers.
Dr. Stark, a licensed clinical counselor and faculty member in the Department of Individual, Family and Community Education (IFCE) at the University of New Mexico, joins a national class of fellows selected for their commitment to advocating for the estimated 5.5 million Americans who provide care to wounded, ill, or injured veterans and service members.
Dr. Stark's caregiving journey spans more than two decades. She began caring for her father at age 12, following his diagnosis of adult-onset limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, and has spent the last 18 years as the primary caregiver for her husband — a disabled veteran living with PTSD. Throughout that time, she completed her doctorate in Counselor Education and built a career in both behavioral health and academia, all while raising four children and managing the daily realities of caregiving at home.
"I didn't make it to this point in spite of my role as a caregiver, but because of it," Dr. Stark said. "Caregiving gave me grit and the ability to persist even when it feels like I have nothing left to give."
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Caregiver Fellows program elevates the voices of military and veteran caregivers at the local, state, and national level — connecting them with advocacy training, peer community, and direct access to policymakers. Fellows are selected based on their lived caregiving experience, leadership potential, and commitment to driving awareness and systemic change on behalf of caregiver communities across the country.
Next week, Dr. Stark will travel to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Foundation's 11th Annual National Convening, which brings together Dole Fellows, veteran service organizations, policymakers, and advocates from across the nation. As part of Convening Week, Dr. Stark will participate in Hill Day — meeting directly with Congressional representatives to advocate for policies that better support military and veteran caregivers in New Mexico and nationwide.
Dr. Stark holds a PhD in Counselor Education and is credentialed as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in both New Mexico and Colorado, a Licensed Addictions Counselor, and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She is currently under review for promotion to Associate Professor with tenure at UNM — a milestone she credits in part to the resilience she has built through caregiving.
Her advice to fellow caregivers is simple: "No matter how overwhelming or heavy a moment might be, sharing with others can help you carry the load. Pain shared truly is pain divided."
To learn more about the 2026 class of Dole Caregiver Fellows and read Dr. Stark's full profile, visit the Elizabeth Dole Foundation's Fellows announcement page.
