As the pandemic raged on throughout 2020, a plan was already in the works to better serve students' mental health.
It was executed at the right time.
After recognizing the need to continue focusing on mental health efforts as a university and stepping up its services, the thought process shifted to thinking critically about how best to offer support services and resources to the student population. Another priority became educating faculty, staff, and the entire campus community on how students can access those resources.
In 2019, Vice President for Student Affairs Lamar Hylton charged a university-wide steering committee led by Julie Volcheck, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs and Director of University Health Services, and Manfred Van Dulmen, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Division of Graduate Studies. They took a deep look at enhancing and expanding mental health services, seeing what was currently offered, and finding ways to fill any gaps.
A closer look unveiled some real issues. Read the full story.