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Director of Student Counseling

Employer
Washington and Lee University
Location
Lexington, Virginia

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Administrative Jobs
Student Affairs, Counseling, Other Student Affairs Jobs
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Washington and Lee University (W&L) seeks nominations and applications for the position of Director of Student Counseling (Director). This is a transformational opportunity for a collaborative clinical leader that enjoys working with young adults and contributing to an intellectual community. The Director will work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure that students have access to high-quality counseling, consultation, outreach, and urgent mental health care. The University Counseling Center serves nearly 2,000 undergraduates and 400 law school students. Nestled in the mountains of Lexington, Virginia, this nationally ranked liberal arts college and law school is committed to developing students’ capacity to think freely, critically, and humanely as engaged citizens in a global and diverse society.

Reporting directly to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, the Director is a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team and works as a strategic partner and advisor, helping to provide outstanding programs, services, and initiatives that promote the well-being of the student community. The Director also provides vision and strategic leadership to a team of clinicians and administrative professionals and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Center, overseeing staffing, budget, policies, and procedures. The successful candidate will have a strong record of clinical practice with an acute awareness of the importance of culture, race, gender identity, religion, and disability status and how they and other dimensions of diversity intersect to impact mental health. The next Director will also have demonstrable experience inspiring, developing, and managing staff. Candidates must have outstanding clinical judgment, compassion, administrative acumen, and the ability to hold a broad institutional perspective and work collaboratively with campus partners, students, and their families.


About W&L

W&L is the ninth oldest institution of higher education in America and the historic campus, situated in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, is home to a vibrant, welcoming community distinguished by an entirely student-run Honor System that pushes students to take responsibility and realize their potential as citizens, peers, and leaders.

The small size of the community enables students to find mentors and develop personal relationships across campus. W&L offers incredible opportunity for those with incredible potential. Your voice matters at W&L because the core values of honor, integrity, and civility are fundamental to the culture, and they influence the thoughtful ways students and faculty approach every conversation.


Position Summary

The Director of Student Counseling manages the staff and operations of the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Director spends approximately 50% of their time providing direct clinical services, including evaluation and crisis response, and approximately 50% of their time in case-management, supervision, and other professional activities. The Director shares on-call responsibilities with other professionals for emergency coverage throughout the academic year. This leader ensures that clinical services adhere to professional, legal and ethical standards and meet the needs of a diverse college-aged student population.


Essential Functions:

  • Manages operations of the University Counseling Center. Provides leadership for mission, assessment, budget, strategic planning and goal setting, program evaluation, direct clinical services, outreach programming, and training.
  • Ensures effective policies, procedures, and practices related to triage, intake, scheduling and documentation of individual clinical encounters, therapy, and support groups.
  • Supervises and manages a team of behavioral health and administrative professionals. Actively engages in performance review and feedback.
    • Encourages appropriate continuing education and professional development and training activities for all UCC staff to maintain licensure and to meet the psychological and mental health needs of students.
  • Establishes on-call schedule and shares on-call responsibility with other UCC clinicians for 24/7 counselor availability for urgent emergency needs.
    • Consults with students, faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and off-campus professionals regarding the needs of individual students. Facilitates timely response to urgent requests for psychological intervention during regular office hours, after-hours and for phone consultation.
  • Provides direct clinical services to students for assessment and treatment as appropriate to clinical training and licensure.
  • Provides case management consultation and support for UCC clinicians working with high-needs students and/or through care transitions.
  • Facilitates regular peer consultation among UCC providers, and with Student Health Center medical providers.
  • Serves a member of the Student Affairs Senior Leadership Team and works as a strategic collaborator and advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students to help provide programs, services, and initiatives that promote student mental health and wellness.
  • Attends meetings of the multidisciplinary Assessment and Care Team (ACT).
    • Collaborates as needed with university officials in situations requiring emergency management and/or behavioral threat assessment and intervention.
    • Provides UCC review and recommendations for student withdrawal, leaves of absence, reinstatements and/or short-term academic adjustments. Coordinates UCC review and recommendations for student disability accommodations requests for mental health conditions.
  • Works closely with the University Physician /Director of Student Health and the Director of Health Promotion to formulate shared programmatic goals and outcomes.
  • Collects and analyzes data related to student mental health.
    • Ensures timely and comprehensive population assessment, analytics, and reporting to inform initiatives.
  • Manages advising and support for student organizations related to student mental health including programs such as the Peer Counselor program, Active Minds, and the Campus Recovery Program.
  • Promotes and participates in activities, committees, events, programs, and other efforts that serve to improve the health and well-being of W&L students.


Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Clinical or Counseling psychology or related terminal degrees
  • Professional licensure by the Virginia Board of Health Professions, or license eligible in Virginia with completion of licensure within 12 months
  • At least 7 years of clinical experience
  • At least 3 years of management experience in a clinical setting
  • Knowledge and experience in the psychological and developmental needs of young adults from a variety of cultures and backgrounds
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Proven ability to effectively collaborate with others and foster a strong team culture
  • Strong interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills


Application Process

Washington and Lee University has partnered with Keeling & Associates, LLC for this search. Applications should include a resume/curriculum vitae and a cover letter addressing your interest in and qualifications for the position. Application materials must be sent, preferably as PDFs, to recruiting@keelingassociates.com with the subject heading “W&L Student Counseling” Candidates are encouraged to submit materials by June 5, 2023, to receive full consideration. The search will continue until an appointment is made.

Confidential inquiries and nominations should be addressed to the K&A senior consultant leading this search, Dr. Lili Rodriguez, at lrodriguez@keelingassociates.com.

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Washington and Lee University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment. Inquiries may be directed to Lauren E. Kozak, Title IX Coordinator, Elrod Commons 237, (540) 458-4055, kozakl@wlu.edu, who is designated by the University to coordinate compliance efforts and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX, as well as those under Section 504 and other applicable non-discrimination laws.

Organization

About W&L
Washington and Lee University is a nationally ranked, private liberal arts institution located in
Lexington, Virginia. W&L integrates the rigorous inquiry and critical thinking of a liberal arts
curriculum with nationally accredited undergraduate programs in business and journalism, and
a graduate School of Law. Our academic units are strengthened by meaningful collaborations,
all in the service of the university’s mission.
With an undergraduate enrollment of approximately 1,860, our small size enables students to
find mentors and develop personal relationships across campus. W&L is committed to
institutional citizenship. We regard liberal arts education as an important public good, of value
not only to our students and alumni, but also to the larger communities in which we live.
Our Mission
W&L provides a liberal arts education that develops students’ capacity to think freely, critically,
and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity, and civility. Graduates will be
prepared for lifelong learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others,
and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society.
Our Community
W&L is the ninth-oldest institution of higher education in the U.S. and is located in the scenic
Shenandoah Valley. We are a modern university located on a beautiful and historically
significant campus.
Our most valuable asset is the quality of our vibrant and welcoming community. Our faculty are
devoted teachers and scholars who uphold the highest academic standards and take a personal
interest in the lives of their students. Our staff takes pride in knowing that each individual
makes important contributions to the success of the university. Our alumni are extraordinarily
loyal and generous to their alma mater.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion affirms that diverse perspectives and
backgrounds enhance our community. The university is committed to the recruitment,
enrichment, and retention of faculty and staff who embody many experiences, cultures, points
of view, interests, and identities.

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