Derick Bugg
Learning Specialist (Junior/Senior)
352-787-6306 Ext. 306dbugg@beaconcollege.eduEducation
- M.A. from Argosy University: Mental Health Counseling
- B.A. from Warner Southern College: Organizational Management
About Derick Bugg
Rick Bugg is a learning specialist, academic advisor, and adjunct professor at Beacon College. After serving 20 years in the United States Air Force, Bugg worked briefly as a child investigator for the state of Florida. It was this position that motivated him to become a mental health counselor and behavior analyst. For many years, he worked with children and adults with intellectual disabilities and on the Autism Spectrum. During that time, he also worked as a substance abuse counselor and became certified to use horses for learning and therapy. In 2017, Bugg was accepted and completed the Veterans Florida Entrepreneurship Program at the UCF Business Incubation Program. He was the runner up in the Concept/Idea category of the pitch competition. Soon afterwards, he started a business using his horses to help others learn. When he began working at Beacon, he became one of the advisors for the Beacon Equestrian Club.
Honors and Awards
- Northern Arizona University: Positive Behavior Support Certification
- Rio Salado College: Professional Addictions Counselor
- Cornell University: Diversity and Inclusion Certificate
- Florida Entrepreneurship Program at the UCF Business Incubation Program: runner up in the Concept/Idea category of the pitch competition