Aug. 30, 2004 — The University of Utah has named Lauren Weitzman the new director of the U’s Counseling Center following the retirement of Richard Weigel. Weitzman’s appointment follows the completion of a national search for the position.

Weitzman, who recently received the American Psychological Association Division 17 Section for the Advancement of Women Woman of the Year Award, will oversee U programs that are administered through the Counseling Center-the Drug and Alcohol Education Center (ADEC), the Testing and Tutoring Centers and the Learning Enhancement Program. Weitzman has worked as a staff psychologist at the U’s Counseling Center for seven years. There she most recently coordinated the center’s outreach, consultation and public relations areas.

“Lauren’s expertise, leadership skills and professionalism will continue to benefit the University through the wonderful services the Counseling Center offers,” notes Kari Ellingson, University assistant vice president for student affairs at the University.

Weitzman is committed to strengthening existing and establishing new campus partnerships. “I plan to increase the accessibility of the Counseling Center’s services, which entails ongoing needs assessment and open communication with the various elements of the University,” she says.

Weitzman received her B.S. from the University; her M.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara; and her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At the University she has taught in the Department of Educational Psychology and has served as a consultant to the Feminist Therapy Practicum at the U’s Women’s Resource Center. Prior to her work at the University, Weitzman was an assistant professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Her research interests include sexual harassment, multiple role planning, career development of women and consultation and outreach in university counseling centers.

The University Counseling Center works to facilitate and support the educational mission of the University by offering services to students, faculty and staff in eight primary areas: counseling, personal development, career development, learning enhancement, testing, training, outreach/consultation and alcohol and drug education. In addition to offering a variety of mental health-related workshops on campus, the Counseling Center provides courses on personal development, career and multicultural issues. The Center administers a faculty liaison program to provide direct assistance to faculty in dealing with students in distress and to departments that are faced with unexpected losses or traumatic events.

Committed to diversity, the U’s Counseling Center respects cultural, individual and role differences and works toward creating a safe and affirming climate for individuals of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, languages, mental and physical abilities, national origins, races, religions, sexual orientations, sizes and socioeconomic statuses. For more information on the University of Utah Counseling Center and its services, call 801-581-6826 or visit www.sa.utah.edu/counsel.