Documentation and Award Nomination for
Customer Service Excellence Award – Team
Team responsible for these initiatives: Personal Counseling Team
Name (key contact): Rufus Larkin, Ph.D., LCSW, LPC, ACS
Phone number: 770-278-1366
Email address: [email protected]
Institution: Georgia Perimeter College
Personal Counseling Team:
 Yolanda Fountain, Ph.D., LPC, RPT, NCC, ACS
 Ca Trice Glenn, Th.D., LPC, NCC, ACS
 Lonika Crumb, Ph.D., LPC
 Jennifer Smith, M.S., LPC
 Rufus Larkin, Ph.D., LCSW, LPC, ACS
Supervisor’s information:
Name: Coletta Carter, Ph.D.
Phone number: 678-891-2541
Email Address: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
Across multiple GPC campuses, thousands of students embark upon the college experience witnessing
the ups and downs associated with academic performance. A great number of these students are
confronted with issues of stress, anxiety, and distress that may interfere with adequate and successful
functioning. Some problems are ones that students bring with them to college. Others are those that
may emerge during matriculation. Interestingly, various forms of challenges may be grounded in
psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues. Such issues manifest themselves as suicidal thoughts,
disruptive behaviors, alcohol and substance abuse, domestic violence, eating disorders, sexual
misconduct, schizophrenia, bi-polar depression, and acute anxiety. If unaddressed, these problems and
more may lead to serious and dangerous outcomes for both students and the college.
Thus, the Office of Personal Counseling is committed to providing excellent counseling services and
programs to currently enrolled students with a variety of personal issues that may have an adverse
impact on their mental health and academic performance. The following examples illustrate the diverse
types of services, programs, and tools that are available as effective resources for students, faculty, and
staff.
RESPECTFUL
The Personal Counseling Team (PCT)
At present, The PCT consists of only five full-time licensed counselors who provide highly
professional and culturally sensitive counseling support services and educational programs for
GPC’s 22,000+ domestic and international students at its six locations, including GPC’s 7,500+
Online students. The framework for counseling delivery is based on a brief therapy model of
practice that provides students sound, comprehensive, and effective counseling services in a
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shorter time frame. At a ratio of only one counselor per 5,200 students on each campus, the
success of the Personal Counseling Team is even more impressive!
With the creation of the Behavioral Intervention Teams, services for student crisis situations are
handled swiftly and professionally with very favorable outcomes. Through the PCT, students in
crisis are helped to find productive solutions for their problems versus suicide attempts,
disruptive behavior, threats of harm to others, suspensions, expulsions, or arrests.
Across a span of five years, the PCT has made a significant difference for GPC students who may
face or endure personal or life challenges, such as stress and anxiety, domestic violence, sexual
assault, schizophrenia, eating disorders, mood disorders, complicated grief, suicide, and alcohol
and drug abuse that can impede their ability to think critically, react appropriately, make
informed decisions, and decide future career choices. GPC’s Personal Counseling Team’s
outstanding success has been demonstrated by many program improvements and initiatives,
those beyond their initial job description, including the following:
INFORMATIVE
Alcohol and Drug Awareness Education Program
Campuses everywhere within the University System of Georgia must address issues related to
student alcohol and drug use. The PCT established a framework and training protocol for the
Alcohol and Drug Awareness program for GPC college students 18 – 24 years old. Over 1,000
students have participated in this program. Its aim is to help students make better choices
regarding alcohol, drug use, and harmful behavior. This program, customized by the PCT to
address the multi-faceted needs of GPC’s diverse student population, is based on the “Harm
Reduction Model” used nationwide to address college student alcohol use, drug use, and
potential addiction. The programs’ informative and interactive style initially was designed to
engage the numerous student athletes on our multiple campuses.
With the success of this pilot program, we were able to expand it to other GPC students and
student leaders in 2014. The major focus with participants is on discussions regarding health
problems, academic consequences, social difficulties, legal problems and/or other risks related
to alcohol and drug use. In addition, participants are informed on how to access GPC’s Office of
Personal Counseling Services for help and assistance, as well as local and regional programs and
resources for long-term substance and addiction issues.
Sexual Misconduct Education & Training
As a member of the Task Force Committee for Sexual Misconduct, the PCT provides educational
and informational materials and training initiatives to GPC students, student leaders, and
student athletes college-wide that focus on communication and ongoing awareness regarding
issues of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct.
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In 2014, the PCT presented a training “Sexual Misconduct: What You Should Know and Do”
during the Student Leadership Conference hosted at GPC’s Decatur campus. Emphasis was
placed on effective prevention strategies and protocols for reporting incidents of sexual
misconduct. As a follow-up, in 2015 the PCT presented two forums at the Decatur and
Clarkston campuses on “Human Sex Trafficking.” Both forums were well attended (65+), and
received rave reviews. Overall, the PCT serves students daily through prescribed activities and
programs, and it now serves as an identifiable resource for students who need to report
incidents of sexual misconduct or sex trafficking, or for students who need help finding and
accessing information relevant to understanding “what to do” in the face of sexual misconduct
and sex trafficking. Students look for informational and educational opportunities that enhance
their awareness and knowledge base on these subjects, often silently and discreetly. The PCT
plays a critical role in providing a structured and consistent informational and educational
imperative for students, faculty, and staff.
Suicide Awareness Program
In the spirit of building a safer college environment at GPC, the Personal Counseling Team
actively collaborates with “Active Minds” to host Suicide Awareness programs. During spring
semester 2015, the suicide programs were held at the Decatur and Dunwoody campuses and
we expanded the number of community partners to 39 who were invited to participate and
share their expertise. There was tremendous participation and support from students,
survivors, faculty, administrators, judges, lawyers, psychiatrists, local mental health providers,
coordinators, law enforcement, and community agency partners. Students were educated on
the different types of symptoms (i.e., psychological, physical, emotional, or any combination);
the warning signs; and the various community resources that are available to offer help to
anyone (women and men) who recognize they need help and outreach. Most importantly,
students learned how to seek professional help and assistance on how to cope, prevent, and
intervene effectively with strategies committed to end the use of suicide as a viable choice or
option. The successful expanded program will continue to be offered.
Virtual Resources Guide
Students may know how to access Twitter of Facebook sites, but not know where to turn for
addressing their ongoing psychological or emotional issues. To meet this vital need for
information, the PCT created a “Virtual Resources Guide” listing more than 140 available
resources that is conveniently located on the Personal Counseling website
http://personalcounseling.gpc.edu/virtualresources.htm. (See attached information.) Moreover,
it can be easily accessed by students and everyone during after hours, holidays, and vacation
breaks.
In 2015, we updated the links to include new mental health resources, and in particular, we
added a military mental health blog for veteran students on campus. Students are easily
connected to available mental health providers, human service agencies, and hospitals in their
communities that can address long-term issues beyond the services provided by GPC’s Personal
Counseling Team.
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ACCESSIBLE
Personal Counseling Access Hotline
In addition to calling, emailing, or visiting the counseling offices, students can now make direct
calls to the GPC Personal Counseling Access Hotline, which was implemented in February 2011.
It is estimated that thousands of calls (and growing) have been dispatched to members of the
PCT via the Access Hotline.
In 2015, to improve service response time to students, phone calls and voice messages are now
routed automatically so that they can be answered by any member of the PCT from any GPC
campus site.
SUPPORTIVE
Internship Training Program
It is very unique and innovative for the Personal Counseling Team to establish a viable
counseling internship training program at a Two-Year Transfer institution, Georgia Perimeter
College. The counseling internship program provides a rich opportunity for master’s level
students within the USG, and other surrounding colleges and universities, to develop sound
practice skills in clinical counseling procedures. Students learn how to effectively apply theory,
diagnosis, evaluation, and appropriate community referral protocols in their practice with
college-level students with varying issues, challenges, and difficulties. Interns come to know
how to practice within the unique, multiple campus setting of GPC. In addition, our Licensed
Professional Counselors at each campus provide superb oversight and supervision for all interns
in their professional counseling development. Through our rigorous training, educational
objectives, and site criteria, interns who train with us receive a very sound and engaging
learning experience. To date, 11 students have completed their clinical training requirements at
GPC’s Internship Training Program. Each has gone on to secure jobs and their licensure in the
state of Georgia!
In 2014, we expanded our internship training program to include two new private partner
institutions, Clark Atlanta University and Mercer University that benefits more students and
more rising practitioners. Kennesaw State University and Clayton State University are our USG
partner institutions who joined and supported us in the initial phase of our program
development.
Overall Collaborative Services that Promote Student Learning and Development
Through its proactive and extensive collaboration with other campus offices, other
educational institutions and universities, the PCT promotes student learning and
development through many activities, such as professional seminars, Health and Wellness
HIV Screenings, and Domestic Violence seminars. They also facilitate classroom discussions
about how to access resources, network, and set professional and educational goals for the
student’s next step in life.
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RESPONSIVE
Crisis Trainings
PCT members also serve a vital role as trainers of Administrators, Deans, Directors, Associate
Directors, and other personnel and staff on how to recognize potential disruptive, crisis
situations in their unit areas, and how to respond effectively with de-escalating techniques to
individual students who may be disrupting the functions of the campus community, or whose
behaviors may be harmful to self or others. In some cases students’ behavior may evoke alarm
or concern among other students in those respective areas, even if there is no actual violation
of the GPC Student Code of Conduct. Particular training focus is given to areas most likely to
serve such a high volume of students at any given time (e.g., Admissions, Financial Aid, Student
Accounts, Testing Services, Learning Support Services, Academic Advising, Counseling, and
Retention Services, Enrollment and Registration Services). In 2015, a journal article highlighting
the crisis prevention efforts, expertise, and recommendations of the PCT was published. (See
attachment or use link below for team publication.)
Link: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Academic-Advising-Today/ViewArticles/Managing-Mental-Health-Situations-in-the-Advising-Office.aspx.
GSU-GPC Managing Stress Workshops
In 2015, the Personal Counseling Team recognized the immense stress created by the news of
and anticipated changes due to Georgia Perimeter College’s consolidation with Georgia State
University (GSU). The team immediately developed a customized program in an effort to
support employees during this period of change.
The Personal Counseling Team (PCT), conducted two significant workshops during Staff
Development Day on May 13, 2015, entitled “Managing the Stress and Change Associated with
Consolidation Efforts: Tips and Strategies”. Two separate sessions were offered at GPC and
were well attended by staff of both Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College!
Based on the results from the feedback of 40+ attendees, these workshops were a very timely
and helpful initiative in providing guidance and support for staff coping with stress and anxiety.
These workshops, open to both GPC and GSU employees, will be offered periodically
throughout the consolidation period.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
GPC’s Personal Counseling Team has more than 57 combined years of experience in the private
sector as well as public and private research and 4-year institutions. Yet, the team members
choose to work at Georgia Perimeter College – a two-year college. The reason is simple. The
team knows that thousands of students enter GPC’s multiple campuses each semester with
urgent needs for psychological, emotional, and behavioral counseling services. The team
understands the importance of meeting the needs of those students in their first two years so
they can be successful as they continue their education (more than 3,000 GPC students transfer
from GPC to other USG institutions each year) or move into their next life chapters.
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Indeed, Georgia Perimeter College’s Personal Counseling Team is making a significant
difference in the lives of GPC students, and for the administration, faculty, and staff who deal
with and respond to problems daily. The team’s outstanding work, resources, initiatives and
services give students the vital support they need to effectively face life’s challenges, while
empowering them to achieve their academic, social, and personal goals. Let the service
numbers speak for themselves:
Participant Attendees Table:
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