The Student Development Center recently changed its name to better reflect the services they offer so that students may find the offices easily.

“I think that students did have difficulty identifying what we did in the past, and that the new name clarifies that significantly” said Lisa Adams, PhD, LPC Interim Director Counseling & Career Development.

Students had difficulty locating the counseling center due to the old name.

“[Students had a hard time locating us,] particularly if they are in crisis” said Adams.

The name change became official on Jan. 5 and the offices are located in Row Hall. The newly renamed Counseling & Career Development Center provides personal, academic, career counseling and disability support services. There is no charge for the services and everything is strictly confidential.  Each of these three services provides specific services to help meet each student’s need.

The counseling services provide assessment and intervention for many of the disorders that stress from college life may induce, such as adjustment to college, relationship difficulties, depression, stress and anxiety, and other general personal concerns. The office offers personal counseling, group counseling and psychotherapy and gives support, tools and resources for relieving stress.

Counselors work in partnership with students to build confidence, help students solve problems, and allow students to become their best selves according to their office website. To get more information on counseling services call 678-839-6428, or click www.westga.edu/counseling.

The Career Development program is designed to help students meet where they are in their process. The office offers career counseling and coaching, online career testing and study skills. Educational counseling includes reading, note-taking, test anxiety and time-management. Career counseling provides students with opportunities to understand themselves, strengths, and values as they relate to the workforce. Career Services helps student put those values into action by assisting students in finding research opportunities, internships and jobs. For information on Career Development services call 678-839-5222, or click www.westga.edu/careerdev.

The disability support services offer the coordination of services and accommodations for physical, psychological and learning disorders. Students with documented disabilities may receive support services and accommodations through this office. Disabilities may be temporary or permanent and are categorized into three areas: physical, psychological and learning disorders. Please contact the Counseling & Career Development Center for more information at 678-839-6428 or click www.westga.edu/disabilities.

“I think the name change is an excellent step forward in the growth of the center and of the University. I like the new name. In the past Student Development housed all kinds of services including counseling, testing, even tutoring. Over the years many services broke off into their own centers, but the name remained the same. As the university grew our services became focused on counseling; personal counseling, disability advocacy and career development and these are described in the title so that students and faculty will know that if a student needs counseling of any kind they come to the Counseling & Career Development Center. We are truly a university counseling center and we want the name to reflect that. Also, all departments in student affairs are involved in the development of students; we want our name to specifically describe how we help students develop in our center” said Adams.