Welcome to Counseling Services !

2020-2021

Calendar of Events

Residential Profile 2020 FINAL compressed.pdf
Residential Family Day Counseling Zoom Session V2.mp4

Residential Family Day Presentation

NCSSM Counselors introduce themselves and answer questions regarding the services provided by Counseling.

From left to right: Gina Burger, Personal Counselor. Lori Newnam, Dean of Counseling. Kristen Glees, Counseling Intern. Scott Schwartz, CAP Counselor. Angela Teachey, Director of Academic Programs. Janice Webster, CAP Counselor. Katie O'Connor, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs. Carissa Trotta, Personal Counselor. Justine Davey, CAP Counselor. Lamia Younes, CAP Counselor.

Counseling Financial Aid Family Day Session V2.mp4

Family Day Financial Aid Presentation

After 40 years as a college and university financial aid administrator, 38 at the director level, David Gelinas retired in July of 2020. During his career, he worked at both public and private colleges in Michigan, Montana, Tennessee and North Carolina.

He was active in the aid profession throughout his career, having served as president of state, regional, and national associations of aid administrators. He served as a trainer for the U.S. Department of Education, and was a presenter and speaker at numerous conferences. He also received distinguished service awards for service to higher education and the aid profession at the state, regional and national levels. Upon his retirement, he was awarded both the Lifetime Achievement Award and Lifetime Membership by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

David and his wife of 44 years, Monica, are the parents of two adult sons, and David serves as the public address announcer for Davidson College men’s basketball. He received his BA from Westfield State College (now University) in Massachusetts, and his MA from Western Michigan University.

Meet Your Counselors!

CAP (College, Academic, & Personal) Counselors - All NCSSM students are assigned to a CAP Counselor before they begin their junior year. Families and students can locate the name of their assigned counselor in Blackbaud. Counselors host introductory, small group meetings with their students at the beginning of every academic school year to introduce themselves and Counseling Services. CAP Counselors provide college and career planning, academic counseling, and personal counseling through individual, small and large group sessions.

Personal Counselors - If a counselor or student believes that a student needs additional mental health support, the counselor and the student can discuss the possibility of additional support. If they agree that additional support would be beneficial, the student’s counselor can refer them to a NCSSM Personal Counselor. Personal Counselors provide support for chronic and more acute mental health needs. They also assist in coordinating referrals to outside mental health services. However, CAP Counselors can also make these referrals.

Counseling Services' Framework for Fall 2020

Student Counseling and Community Mental Health Support

Students: The NCSSM counseling team is devoted to helping students. The counseling department will continue to provide college, academic, and personal counseling, as well as accessibility services regardless of whether a student is living on campus or at home. Counseling will also provide students and families with a variety of resources, tools, and applications through correspondences and via the counseling services website to support the needs of our NCSSM community.

Delivery of Counseling Services to Students

All individual and group sessions will be virtual unless a physically distant, in-person meeting is deemed best practice by the counselor and the student.

Student Appointments

Appointments can be scheduled via counselors’ individual Google calendars. Students will receive an email at the beginning of the academic year with a link to their assigned counselor’s calendar. Students who are seeing a personal counselor will receive further information about scheduling via email.

A Google sign-in system will be available for students to notify counseling of their need for an appointment in instances when a student has a time-sensitive need and/or is unable to find a time to meet with their counselor. Students can sign into the system remotely and be notified via email, text, or a phone call when a counselor is available to meet with them. This process will replace students waiting to be seen in the counseling lobby since the lobby will not be used at this time.

Mental Health Appointments

Counselors are available to assist students in the coordination of their teletherapy appointments with their mental health providers. Students may choose to meet with their providers in their rooms or they can work with their counselor to identify a confidential space on campus.

College and Career Planning

Counseling Services is in communication with colleges and universities to schedule vIrtual visits for online and residential students. Counseling will host sessions Monday through Thursday afternoons after classes so that students and families can learn more about colleges of interest and colleges not previously considered. Visits will be posted on the counseling calendar in August and updates will be made to the calendar on a regular basis.

Counseling Services will continue to share important information with colleges and universities, including the impact of COVID-19 on our community, as well as the school’s academic and residential support response.Students and families should check their NCSSM email, counseling website, counseling Instagram page, and upcoming counseling newsletters for important counseling updates, including college information and reminders.

Meet Your 2020-2021 PCCs!

PCCs help orient students to the services provided by counselors, assist students with information related to the college process, scholarships, financial aid, and enrichment opportunities, and coordinate initiatives related to diversity, equity and inclusion and mental health.

  • College Process - PCCs who are focused on college planning, college representative visits, scholarships, financial aid, and enrichment opportunities in order to provide this information to the student body.

  • Cultural Connections - PCCs who work to disseminate cultural information to the NCSSM community, serving as a liaison between the counseling office and 3CDC. They also serve as a liaison with campus groups that focus on appreciation for all cultures and create opportunities for cultural conversations to occur in an impactful and productive manner.

  • Mental Health and Wellness - PCCs who focus on mental health initiatives. They collaborate with the NCSSM Mental Health Committee and Counseling Services in an effort to promote well being, reduce stigma and share resources related to mental health, self-care, and awareness

Hi! My name is Ezukubebe Cairns, and I am a Cultural Connections PCC this year! For this school year, I am going to be living on 2nd West and I am from Bullock, North Carolina in Granville County. One fun fact about me is that I live on a farm in the middle of the woods.

I'm Abby Cornett. This year I will be on 2nd Bryan. I am a College Process PCC. I am from Davidson in Mecklenburg County. A fun fact about me is that I love playing guitar and being out in nature.

Hi! My name is Kenna Dixon, and I am a College Process PCC this year! I’m from Wake Forest, and I am on the swimming and cross country teams at NCSSM. I lived on Reynolds 1C2C1D last year (on the 1D subhall), and I’ll be living there again this year.

Hey! I’m Ashlyn Joshy, and I am a College Process PCC. I am excited to be living on third Bryan this year. I am from Concord, North Carolina in Cabarrus County. A fun fact is that I love to read!

Hello! My name is Jaden and I’ll be living on Second Beall this year. I am from Catawba, North Carolina and I am a College Process PCC so I’ll be able to help with any questions concerning applications, scholarships, and enrichment opportunities! One fun fact about me is that I am currently learning German.

Hello, my name is Sid Sivaram and I will be living on 3rd West this year. I am from Waxhaw in Union County, and I will be a College Process PCC this year. One fun fact about me is that I lived in Toulouse, France for 1.5 years.

Hi! My name is Shravya Sompalli and I will be the PCC for Mental Wellness this year. I am from Cary in Wake County, and I love reading. I will be living on 4th Bryan this year. I will also be serving in student government as Director of Campus Climate, working with the Mental Health and 3CDC committees.

Hi! My name is Talyn Steinmann, and I am a Cultural Connections PCC for the upcoming year. I am from Charlotte, and I am on the cross country and track teams at NCSSM. I will be living on 1E2E2D, and I will be the PCC Liaison in student government, serving on the Mental Health and 3CDC committees.

COVID-19 Resources

Counseling Services is happy to connect with our students and families by sharing a variety of resources, tools, and apps to support the emotional and physical wellness of our NCSSM Community. Whether you are searching for ways to stay socially connected, learn a new skill, discover recent changes to the college process, or how to support those you love, then these resources are for you! We will update regularly as we learn about more opportunities.

The college application process was confusing before COVID-19, and now with test dates being cancelled/extended/rescheduled, it may seem more confusing as ever. But just like before the “Stay at Home” directives, your Counselors remain available to help guide you through this ever changing landscape. Don't hesitate to reach out to your CAP Counselor with specific questions.

You’re working from home, parenting from home, teaching from home, cleaning at home, trying to comfort your children and answer their questions all the while attempting to manage your own fears and anxieties. You want to help but are unsure how. Helper, be sure to help thyself so you can help others. Check out the list of articles and resources that might help.

If you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed by it all, that is a very normal response. During this time it is more important than ever that you make time for yourself. We have put together a list of fun and interesting things you can do from home.

Resources on Race in America

I am determined for our school and our campus community to continue to embrace our belief that diversity, equity, and inclusion enrich and strengthen lives and our community and to ensure that we are a place that is safe and secure for all, where we value one another as human beings and can together do the hard, painful, intentional work of living into a more just reality — and help inspire generational leaders who can help our country do the same. -Chancellor Roberts

Counseling Services, in conjunction with the Campus Climate, Culture, and Diversity Committee (3CDC), has compiled a list of resources, including links to reading and viewing material, below to help educate and support the well-being of our entire campus community.

Interested in learning more about the service academies? Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Robert Gotwals (USNR-Ret.), a retired Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy and current Science Department faculty member, held a Zoom information session for any Class of 2021 student who is interested in applying to one of the United States Military Academies (USMA, USNA, USAFA, USCGA).


During the 2017-18 school year, NCSSM Counseling Services partnered with faculty and staff to create the Resiliency Project. This initiative showcases the tremendous growth and strength that can come from moments of difficulty throughout our lives, whether academic or personal in nature.

A heartfelt thank you to Carrie Alter, Christine Belledin, Jon Bennett, Michelle Brenner, Laura Baker Campbell, Bob Gotwals, Kyle Hudson, Alina Hunt, Terry Lynch, Adam Sampieri, and Todd Roberts for sharing their stories with us. It takes strength, vulnerability and a desire to make a difference in the world to share your most challenging times with others. Also, a big thank you to Joyce Ventimiglia and Sam Borkovic who graciously spent time recording and editing the recordings to create the final product. We are deeply grateful to all of you!