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No matter what the problem, if it is interfering with your success
at College, we invite you to make an appointment to talk about it.
The first meeting with a counselor is for the purpose of exploring your concerns. If, after this first meeting, you both agree that counseling in our center is appropriate, you will be referred to one of the counselors for future appointments. Depending on the nature of your situation, it may be the same person who saw you initially or one of the other counselors. Counseling sessions ordinarily occur once a week for 50 minutes, and will be planned around your class and extra-curricular schedule. If your treatment needs deserve more intensive or long-term therapy, or require resources beyond what we can provide, we will assist with referral to an appropriate off-campus mental health provider. All personal counseling is strictly confidential.
The problems you are experiencing may be the result of religious or spiritual questions. All of our counselors are comfortable talking to you about your religious journey. Chaplain Tom Ribar is also available to counsel students about religious matters, and can be reached at 724-852-3302.
If you are experiencing physical problems, such as headache, nausea,
abnormal fatigue, dizziness, or any other unusual physical symptom, contact
the Health Center.
Even if you are fairly sure that the physical symptom is related to an
emotional problem, you should get it checked out.
What is your vocation? Who are you and what are you called to do?
Counseling can help you with the complicated process of deciding about
a career and a major, involving
Students are also encouraged to use Discover, a computer based career guidance and information system. You will be able to use this program to learn more about yourself, about occupations, and about major courses of study. Any one of the counselors will provide you with a password for the Internet version of Discover, and will also guide you in its use.
If you have already chosen a major, and want help in locating an internship,
applying for graduate school, or identifying employment opportunities,
contact the Career Services
and Placement Office.
It doesn’t take long for most college students to realize that the
academic demands here are much different than they were in high school.
No matter what your academic background, and how well you did previously,
you may be surprised by the challenges of higher education. Some of the
academic problems that are discussed in counseling are:
The counselor will give you tips and strategies to help you meet
your academic goals.
In addition, tutoring is available in the Knox
Learning Center.
If you have a disability, which is interfering in your ability to be
successful academically, call Tom Helmick, 724-852-3210. Tom will make
an appointment for you to talk to him confidentially about your situation.
Anything you say in a personal counseling session is considered
strictly confidential. Not only do we keep what you say confidential, but
even the fact that you are attending counseling is confidential. The only
way anyone – including your parents – will find out that you are in counseling
is if you tell them. Confidentiality is not only a rule of the Counseling
Center, but it is required by the staffs’ professional ethical standards.
There are, however, legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality
which require that the counselor take responsible action:
When there is a clear and present danger of harm to you or another
person. If we have reason to believe or suspect that a client under the
age of 18 is being exposed to abuse or neglect. If there is a court subpoena,
court order, or other mandatory legal process.
Counseling files are locked in the Counseling Center. They are not part of the academic record. No one has access to them except the members of the Counseling Center staff. Trust is a very important part of the counseling process, and you can trust that what you say will be kept confidential.
E-mail is not a confidential way to communicate. We do not recommend
that you e-mail us to make appointments or to talk about a concern. Please
use the telephone or write us a note.
The Pennsylvania legislature established the Higher Education Equal
Opportunity Program (Act 101) in 1971. The program provides support
services for undergraduate students whose cultural, economic and educational
disadvantages might impede their ability to pursue higher education opportunities
successfully. Through a program of tutoring, counseling, curricular
innovation, and cultural enrichment activities, students develop as campus
leaders and graduate with marketable skills. At Waynesburg College the
Educational Enrichment Program is funded by Act 101 funds. If you are a
resident of Pennsylvania and think you may be eligible for this program,
contact Jane
Owen, the program's Assistant Director.
Coming to the United States to study is very exciting and at the
same time very challenging. All college students go through a period of
adjustment. For international students the adjustment may be more difficult
because you may have difficulty communicating or you may not be familiar
with our culture. In addition, many international students experience loneliness,
are not sure how to make friends with people from different cultures (especially
people of the opposite sex), and are confused about how to interact with
people in authority. There is so much to get used to – even the food may
be a challenge!
If you are feeling confused, overwhelmed or fearful, you can talk to
one of the counselors about what you are experiencing. Or, if you had a
problem in your home country, and that problem is now interfering with
your ability to succeed at Waynesburg College, talking to a counselor will
be helpful. We work hard to educate ourselves about other cultures and
about the problems international students face. Students come to us because
they trust that we will listen and understand, because they know
that we can help, and because what they say to us will be confidential.
Peer educators are students who role model, educate, and assist
their peers in making responsible, healthy lifestyle choices. Many
students are “natural” peer educators: by their example and encouragement,
they “teach” others to make similar choices. Waynesburg College recognizes
the value of peers learning from one another. We offer a certification
program to students who are interested in more formally sharing their knowledge
and skills with others. Certified peer educators perform many important
functions on campus. They present information to student groups about
numerous health-related topics such as alcohol and drug awareness, healthy
relationships, sexual assault issues, eating disorders, and other topics
relevant to student life. Peer educators are also trained to listen
and make appropriate referrals for students who may be experiencing these
or other concerns.
Our Peer Educators tend to be active students, well involved in campus life. If you are interested in becoming a Peer Educator, or would like more information about the program, contact Mary Hamilla in the Counseling Center at (724) 852-3344 or mhamilla@waynesburg.edu.
The counselors are ordinarily available during work hours, from
8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. For psychological emergencies
during these hours, call the counseling center (724-852-3317) or go directly
to 320 Stover.
In the event of a psychological emergency that occurs after hours and
cannot wait until the next business day, call Public Safety at 724-852-3303
or talk to the Resident Director on duty. You may also call 911 or go directly
to the Greene County Memorial Hospital Emergency Room.
The Don't
Cancel that Class program offers a selection of one-hour workshops
presented by the Counseling Center staff, and other faculty and staff,
in a classroom setting. The presentations are based on a wellness
model, incorporating intellectual, physical, emotional, social, occupational,
and spiritual components.
We are available to give presentations to classes when faculty must be away from the classroom, and also when faculty are present. Whenever possible, we will tailor the presentation to your discipline. For example, if we do a program on conflict resolution, we would use different scenarios for education majors than we would for business majors.