Students in the èAV’s College of Education now have easier access to mental health support, with a USF Counseling Center provider offering services directly from the college several days each week.
Through the Counseling Center’s embedded counselor program, Deja Thompson will provide both undergraduate and graduate students access to counseling services in a familiar and convenient location within the college, EDU158Q inside the School Mental Health Collaborative Center.
“The new resource adds another layer of support within the College of Education, giving students an opportunity to prioritize their mental health in the same environment where they attend classes, meet with faculty and engage with their academic community,” said Dean Jenifer Jasinski Schneider. “Our students will also have the opportunity to attend workshops and learn strategies to support the mental health and wellness of their future students.”
The College of Education is one of three colleges at USF participating in the embedded counselor program, which launched in 2024 and brings counseling professionals directly into academic units across campus.
Thompson is on site at the College of Education Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Tuesdays and Fridays, she works from the main USF Counseling Center and continues to serve students across the university. She also welcomes walk-in services on Mondays and Wednesdays between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on a first come, first serve basis inside the college.
The goal is to meet students where they are and provide accessible mental health services as students navigate personal, emotional and academic challenges they may be experiencing.
Students can schedule appointments . When appointments are made for Thompson’s embedded hours, Counseling Center staff verify students’ majors to prioritize the on-site service for College of Education students. Students from other colleges remain able to access Counseling Center services through Thompson or another provider at the main center.
"Students in the College of Education are preparing for careers dedicated to supporting and empowering others. It is equally important that they have access to resources that support their own mental health and well-being," Thompson said. "The embedded counseling services help reduce barriers to care, strengthen resilience and personal growth, and provide support and connection as students work toward their academic and professional goals."