Tyson Goings, Bluffton University director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion and campus counselor. Photo by Lou Westcott.
Tyson Goings announced last summer that he would leave his position as director of Residence Life to take on a new role as a counselor for the university’s counseling center.
Goings started meeting with students Sept. 21. Up until then, Goings helped with the residence life director transition. He will continue his work as director of diversity, equity and inclusion.
Goings has high goals and a strong initiative in being a source for students.
“Part of me wants to break the stigma that mental health for years has been looked at as someone who has a weakness,” said Goings. “When in reality, we all have at times in our life gone through something where we need someone to talk to to help us through that difficult time that we are going through. Making sure that people see that not as a weakness but as a strength to have the courage to go talk to someone and get help, through a situation no matter how big or small it is.”
Just like Goings, Mark Bourassa took on a new role this year. Bourassa is now senior director for student development, wellness and prevention, and supervises the counseling center.
Goings and Bourassa want students to know counseling is a resource for them.
“Don’t be afraid to seek out help no matter how big or small it is,” said Goings. “Don’t allow others to persuade you not to seek help because it could be seen as a weakness. It is a strength that you do have the courage to talk to someone when facing situations in life.”
Bluffton University went through a transition early last year when the full-time counselor left their position. To keep the center available for students, part-time counselors were hired, including licensed faculty for one semester and then other part-time counselors the second semester.
This year, there are three contracted counselors and one half-time counselor.
“In our previous model there was one full-time counselor, if you connected with that counselor, great, and if not, then you had to find something off-campus,” said Bourassa. “This way students get a bit more of a choice. Our part-time counselors are really open to when they meet. Some are doing evenings, some have done Saturdays, some have done Sundays. There are more options, I think, for students as a result.”
Bourassa said students have responded well to the flexibility and options available, so the university is happy to provide helpful sources to students.
“We want students to be successful, we want them to be successful academically,” said Bourassa.
He said there are many things unrelated to classroom instruction that can support a student’s success.
Bourassa’s wants to figure out what well-being looks like for Bluffton students and how to best support and improve it.
If students have ideas on how to improve the structure, they may email Bourassa at bourassam [at] bluffton.edu.
Counselors’ profiles are available on the university website for students to get a sense of who may be a good fit for them. Students interested in counseling, which is confidential, may call the Student Life office at 419-358-3247 or email counseling [at] bluffton.edu.
