DEPARTMENT
SPOTLIGHT : THE COUNSELING CENTER |
In
this issue, Counseling Center Director Beth Meier describes
the variety of services offered by her office.
Q. How many people work in the department/program?
We have five core staff members: three full-time counselors,
a part-time evening counselor and an office manager. Additionally,
we have a student worker. This year we also have three cued
speech transliterators, and one reader. During the fall semester
we were fortunate to have two graduate students from NC State
who worked with us part-time as graduate counseling interns.
Moreover, we also received temporary funding from the college
for two part-time disability counselors to work with us this
year.
Q. In general, what does everyone in the department/program
do?
The department contains two major programs: counseling and disability
services. Beth Meier is the department head. LoriAnn Stretch
is an assistant director and coordinator of disability services.
Lynne Kohn is also an assistant director and coordinator of
outreach. Keitha Wright is the office manager. Nephitearya Bailey
has served as our student worker for one and a half years. We
have three part-time counselors who work less than 40 hours
a week: Angel Johnson (evening counselor), Jill Triana (disabilities
counselor), and Betty-Shannon Prevatt, ’99, (disabilities
counselor). We also have two graduate interns from NCSU’s
counselor education program who provide both personal and disabilities
counseling: Lynn Shumaker and Debbie Wilson. Three cued speech
transliterators serve students with hearing impairments: Jessica
Meymandi, ’92; Diane Greene; and Kathy Goodman. Amanda
Benson provides reading services to students with disabilities.
Q. Who does the department/program serve – students,
faculty/staff, both? The Counseling Center provides counseling
and disability services to students and provides support to
faculty and staff working with students.
Q. What do people think your department/program does?
The campus community seems fairly aware of the services provided
by the Counseling Center. We receive referrals from students,
faculty, staff, and parents. The community often seeks out our
assistance when a student is mentally distressed or has a disabling
impairment.
Q. If you were at a dinner party, how would you describe
your department’s/program’s actual responsibilities?
The Counseling Center provides personal counseling and disability
services to students free of charge. Counseling services includes
everything from assisting students in adjusting to college,
to managing long-term mental health issues such as depression.
Disability services assist students with disabilities who qualify
under Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability
services include arranging for appropriate residential and classroom
accommodations as well as helping students become more
self-sufficient.
Q. How has this department/program changed in the last few
years?
The Counseling Center has grown in the last few years, particularly
with the addition of disability services. The Counseling Center
has become very team-oriented and the counselors and other staff
work together to provide students and faculty/staff with the
best support possible.
Q. Any recent news, accomplishments that faculty/staff should
know?
The number of students with documented disability seeking disability
services increased 58 percent since spring 2002. Because of
this dramatic increase, the Counseling Center recently added
two temporary, part-time counselors to assist with disability
services. We are asking faculty and staff to refer students
to the Counseling Center in general and not to a specific person
to ensure that students receive the most expedient service.
We hope to add new permanent positions next year so we can continue
to provide quality disability and counseling services.
On Feb. 25, the Counseling Center will participate in Women’s
Health Issues Week by conducting an eating disorder screening
in Carroll Hall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. We will also sponsor
a program on body image at 7 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. We will
show the video “Is There an Ideal Body Image for the Meredith
Woman?” produced by the Counseling Center.
In the fall semester, we facilitated a successful support group
called “Mid-Life Transitions.” We plan to continue
to offer this and additional groups in the spring semester. |
|
|
|
MEREDITH OFFERS EXCERCISE
CLASSES FOR EMPLOYEES
If
beginning to live a healthier lifestyle was one of your New
Year’s resolutions, Meredith may be just the place to
start a program. Ruth Pearce, director of health services,
invites you to join your colleagues in any of the following
exercise classes:
Aerobics, Mon/Wed., 5-6 p.m., Weatherspoon Movement Lab
Resista-Balls, Mon./Wed., noon-1 p.m., Kresge Auditorium
Yoga (beginning 1-21-03), Tues./Thurs., 5:15-6:15 p.m., Dance
Studio, Weatherspoon Gym.
For more information, contact Ruth Pearce, ext. 8139.
GRAPHIC DESIGN EXHIBIT ON DISPLAY IN GADDY-HAMRICK
Currently on display in the Weems Art Gallery is “Graphic
Design: Leading Perspectives” featuring the work of Michael
Beirut and Paula Scher of Pentagram Design; Alex Isley of
Alexander Isley, Inc., and Smithsonian Magazine Art Director
Brian Noyes. On Feb. 10, Paula Scher will be working with
graphic design classes at Meredith and NC State University.
That evening, she will give a public lecture at 8 p.m. in
Jones Auditorium.
<<page1
page3>>
Nutshell
Archives:
Oct 2002
Sept 2002
July 2002
June 2002
April 2002
March 2002
February
2002
December-January 2001-2002
October-November 2001
|
|
