Vanderbilt University, a private research university committed to fostering an innovative and affordable education, invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the University Counseling Center (UCC). This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced clinician excited to lead an integrated and holistic approach to mental health care with an ambitious and diverse student body. The community seeks a director who encourages strategic thinking, can balance accountability with compassion, and will foster an equity-minded and inclusive team with the goal of developing innovative solutions and sustainable models to meet the challenges of these times. This role will benefit from an established, strong foundation, including a committed student affairs division, multidisciplinary clinical team, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and opportunities for regional and community partnerships.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Community Standards and Support, the Director serves as the lead mental health administrator for approximately 14,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students.  The successful candidate will have significant clinical experience, demonstrated commitment to culturally responsive services and supervision, expertise in collegiate mental health trends and best practices, and a significant and visible record of effective leadership.


Position Summary

The Director of the University Counseling Center (UCC) will provide direct oversight for 6 UCC Associate Directors, and overall leadership for over 50 therapists, psychiatrists, and administrative support staff.

In addition to the above job duties, the Director:

  • Facilitates the institution’s clinical referral partnership with VUMC and other community partners.
  • Manages the UCC’s program design and assessment, policies and procedures, the UCC’s budget, and staff professional development, training, and performance.
  • Develops and maintains strong, integrated relationships with the Student Care Network (UCC, Center for Student Wellbeing, Student Care Coordination, and Student Health Center) and campus wellness partners to promote mental health throughout a culturally rich and diverse student population.
  • Maintains a small clinical caseload, particularly of high acuity cases, providing exceptional therapeutic services to Vanderbilt students. Serves on the university’s CARE team and participates in Welfare Panels.
  • Serves on university committees as an institutional mental health expert and participate in crisis intervention and response, serving on Vanderbilt’s CARE Team.


About the University Counseling Center (UCC)

The University Counseling Center (UCC) supports the mental health needs of Vanderbilt students, encouraging their work toward their academic and personal goals. The UCC is committed to understanding the role of diverse experiences and backgrounds to best promote mental health and wellbeing in the lives of individuals and in the Vanderbilt community.


Required Education and Certifications

  • Master’s degree in a clinical mental health discipline, or a related degree is required.
  • Licensed, or eligible for licensure, as a mental health care provider by the State of Tennessee is required. If not currently licensed in Tennessee, must obtain license within one year of appointment.
  • Minimum of seven years of post-master’s degree experience as a licensed clinician.


Required Experience and Skills

  • Demonstrated knowledge of the developmental counseling model and crisis response leadership.
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Five years of progressively responsible administrative experience, including supervisory and budgetary experience, in a leadership capacity.
  • Demonstrated experience designing assessment methods to evaluate ongoing programs and services, including outreach efforts, training, and other functions of the counseling center.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with patients/ clients from diverse backgrounds.
  • Effective interpersonal skills to form and maintain meaningful relationships with students, colleagues, and all stakeholders are necessary.
  • Ability to function in an acute care model for assessment and management of clinical emergencies.


Preferred Experience and Skills

  • A Doctorate in Clinical, Counseling, Educational Psychology, Psychiatry or related field is preferred.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of the mental health concerns of university students, student development theory, and university or college counseling best practices on a residential college campus is preferred.
  • Five years of post-master’s experience in a university or college counseling environment is preferred.
  • Seven to ten years of progressively responsible administrative experience, including supervisory and budgetary experience, in a leadership capacity preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience working with a multidisciplinary team andcollaborating with other professionals (for example, in this context, Student Affairs, Residential Life, health care providers, campus religious leaders) to supportclients.
  • Understanding of the culture of a Research Institution, and the challenges faced by graduate students in that environment is preferred.
  • Understanding of the culture of a largely residential college or university through work or other experience is preferred.
  • Demonstrated skill in written and oral communication, including policy development, public speaking, group meeting facilitation is preferred.


Application Procedure and Timeline

Vanderbilt University has partnered with Keeling & Associates in this search process. Application materials should include a resume and a cover letter, preferably as PDFs, and must be sent to recruiting@keelingassociates.com. The subject line of the email should read “Vanderbilt – Director, University Counseling Center.” The review of application materials will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled; interested candidates are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible.

Those interested in submitting nominations or in having a confidential discussion before applying should contact K&A Consultant LeAnna Rice at lrice@keelingassociates.com.

Vanderbilt University has made the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University may require employees to comply with any testing or health and safety measures which the University may require.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.


Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.