Metcalfe Steps Up As Director Of Counseling
Center
Dr. William Metcalfe has recently taken over
as new director of the SHSU Counseling Center. The University
of Michigan alumnus comes to Sam Houston State with many
years of experience under his belt and a strong desire to
help university students.
"
The university counseling center setting was what I really
liked," Metcalfe said, when asked why he chose this
specific line of work. "That age group, for the most
part, those kind of developmental issues...figuring about
who they are, what's important to them, what they really
want to do with their lives, I think its just such an important
part of human development."
Metcalfe feels that his work helps to guide students who
are wary of their direction in life during what he feels
is the most influential time in their lives.
"
One could argue that any aspect is important, certainly,
but in terms of shaping your future adult life, there are
so many important things that can occur between the ages
of 17 and 25 in terms of lots of different directions that
a person can go," he said. "Those are very important,
life-shaping decisions."
Prior to taking over as director, Metcalfe had spent the
past 10 years at Michigan State University, three-and-a-half
of which were spent as assistant director for clinical services
where he "got some administrative experience." The
position at SHSU caught his eye, as he desired to move to
Texas in order to be with his wife, who was working in Houston
.
"
The university counseling has always been my passion," he
said. "I've done some other kinds of things, such as
private practices, but it hasn't been as satisfying to me.
It's something I do on a part-time basis. But what I really
enjoy the most is being on a college campus and meeting with
students and consulting with faculty and staff."
Dr. Thelma Douglass, vice president for Student Services,
expressed her satisfaction with Metcalfe’s arrival
at SHSU.
"
Dr. Metcalfe has several years experience in student-centered
counseling. His expertise will take the University to another
level and further bridge the academic and student services
components. He
is professional while at the same time personable in his
approach to counseling,” she said.
As director, Metcalfe has numerous ambitions for the Counseling
Center.
"
What I would like to do is try to reach as many students
as possible and to provide short-term counseling to as many
students as possible, and I believe that most students can
be helped," he said. "I would also like to be able
to not only just have students come in here individually
with counselors, but to also go out to classrooms and do
[work with students there]." The number of small group
work offered has increased, offering students with similar
problems to be able to associate with each other and work
out their issues together, Metcalfe added.
Finally, Metcalfe said that he hopes students will take advantage
of the Counseling Center
for any problems or issues they might have.
–END–
SHSU Media Contact:Stewart
Smith
October 3, 2004
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