2018-2019 Annual Report – Counseling Services

1) Enhance recruitment and retention efforts to increase enrollment

• Counseling Services (CS) was front and center in its efforts to assist in the many varieties of student orientations including:
  • Freshman
  • Transfer
  • Resident Assistants
  • Bowen School of Law
  • Clinton School of Public Service
  • Chancellor’s Leadership Corps
  • Athletics
  • Social Work (BSW)
  • International Students

• Workshops – Topic-specific orientation workshops were presented by CS to parents, students, faculty, and staff on “Letting Go,” “Health and Safety,” and “Keeping Your Trojan Healthy.”
• New Faculty Orientation – CS was involved in new faculty orientation, August 14, 2018.
• Discover Days and Experience UA Little Rock – CS staff volunteered for numerous activities including registrations, greeter, transit driving, and tabling during the 2018 – 2019 academic year.
• Charles W. Donaldson Summer Bridge  Academy – Aresh Assadi taught College and Career Readiness to 65 potential UA Little Rock students, June 2019.
• Student Advocate Awards – Awards were presented to the Department of Counseling Services and its Clinical Internship Program. Additionally, Tara Kittrell and Dr. Mike Kirk won individual advocate awards, May 2, 2019.

2) Strengthen student-friendly operations and customer service

• During Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 peak registration periods, CS staff assisted at the Ask UA Little Rock Help Desk.
• CS staff provided phone answering service to facilitate student access to the Financial Aid Department staff, January 2019.
• Student labor training has been revamped and is in the process of being transferred to Blackboard with an embedded test.

3) Improve diversity and inclusion efforts to provide a safe and inclusive environment for students

• Trojan Wars – In conjunction with Student Experience, CS hosted Trojan Wars for approximately 180 students as part of the annual Trojan Daze lineup of events. The program provided sex education in an engaging, non-judgemental, and inclusive style/manner/format on topics such as safer sex and abstinence, consent and communication, and maintaining healthy intimate relationships. August, 2018.
• Self Care Fair – After five years of hosting events every September for National Suicide Prevention Month, Counseling Services decided to take a more positive approach by rebranding it the “Self Care Fair” in an effort to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues. Based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the fair was designed to increase self-awareness, build resilience, self-confidence, and belief in one’s ability to cope with life’s uncertainties. Events focused on healthy eating and exercise, mindfulness and relaxation, and personal safety.
• Out of Darkness Campus Walk – Counseling Services collaborated with the Arkansas chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) to host the second annual walk on April 13, 2019.  The intent was to encourage conversation about the serious issue of suicide and promote help-seeking from a mental health professional when appropriate. On that rainy, windy day, we had 215 walkers and raised $3500 for AFSP.
• Diversity Council – The mission of the council is to improve diversity, inclusion, equality, and global understanding within the campus community by promoting dialogue, providing information, and fostering respect for all students, faculty, and staff. Hyginus Ukadike represents CS on the council lending his voice and expertise to the inclusive message and focus of the council.

It’s Real presentations – CS presented the AFSP-produced documentary It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health to students in CLC, the Donaghey Scholars Honors Program, and PEAW classes during the fall semester. The film and follow up discussions provided education on mental health issues and help-seeking behaviors.

4) Align financial and human resources to operate more effectively and efficiently

• Fundraising – Counseling Services continued its fundraising with approximately $6,000.00 given in cash and in-kind donations for the UA Little Rock Food Pantry and CS programming such as the Self Care Fair, Trojan Wars, and Out of the Darkness Campus Walk.
• Alumni and Development – 100% of CS staff donated to the Campus Campaign, scholarships, or both.
• Clinical Internship Placement Site – During the academic year, CS provided clinical training and opportunities to six intern students from the School of Social Work and Rehabilitation Counseling programs. These interns provided 375 counseling sessions for our students.  To date, CS has hosted 33 clinical interns since fall 2009. There was a 20.6% increase in individual clinical appointments this year (n=2,775, an increase of 475 counseling sessions over last year.
• Psychiatric Nurse Preceptor Site – Tara Kittrell, APRN, LPC, served as the clinical preceptor for six Master of Science in Nursing students specializing in psychiatric nursing.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – EAP was provided office space and staff support two days per month to facilitate counseling appointments for faculty and staff.
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Provided – Counseling Services purchased and hosted two live webinars for UA Little Rock professional personnel from Health Services and CS.  The webinars provided cost effective educational value, professional development, and CEUs.
  • Dr. Joe Kort presented on LGBTQ: Clinical Issues and Treatment Strategies, May 20, 2019
  • Dr. Margaret Wehrebberg  presented on The New Face of Anxiety: Treating Anxiety in the Age of Texting and Social Media, June 13, 2019

• Donation Proposal – CS, in collaboration with the Office of Alumni and Development, completed a donation proposal in March 2019 to renovate and equip spaces for group therapy, mindfulness, and to add an additional intern office.

5) Promote student development, engagement, and leadership

• Student Success Workshops
  • “Getting Myself Together”
  • “Mind Games”
  • “Mindfulness During Midterm Stress”
  • “Career Readiness and Professional Development”

Healthy Relationships Workshop – In conjunction with the Panhellenic Council, CS provided a workshop on relationship issues and principles that help strengthen relationships in families, sororities, roommates, and with significant others.  Topics included self-esteem, creating and maintaining positive healthy relationships, and recognizing and dealing with abusive situations in assertive, confident ways. March 5, 2019

6) Other

Committees:

• Arkansas Collegiate Drug Education Committee (ACDEC)
• Title IX Training Team
• Diversity Council
• Campus Campaign Steering Committee
• Admissions Director Search Committee
• Health Services Director Search Committee
• TRIO Director Search Committee
• AFSP Fundraising Committee
• Psychology Club’s Mental Health Week Planning Committee