Student Counseling Director - Health and Wellness
POSITION DETAILS
Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students.
Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce. LaGuardia ranked fifth among U.S. community colleges in economic mobility – moving low-income students into the middle class and beyond – in studies by Stanford University (2017) and the Brookings Institution (2020). Please visit www.laguardia.edu to learn more.
LaGuardia Community college is seeking a Student Counseling Director to provide leadership and supervision for the Health and Wellness Center addressing student wellness, including physical and mental health intervention as well as prevention, support services, advocacy, and education. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Student Counseling Director will facilitate the development and implementation of direct clinical services, support services, and educational programs to meet and respond to the medical and psychological needs of LaGuardia students. In addition to the CUNY Title Overview, additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Lead an inter-divisional advisory group to create the center's vision, mission, and operational plan;
Oversee all operations for the Wellness Center, and work in collaboration with divisional leadership to ensure coordination of services with the Office of Student Affairs, Health Services, and Office of Accessibility as needed.
Assess program needs and develop appropriate responses in collaboration with academic departments, other college offices, and student groups;
Develop strategies to ensure the Center receives all referrals for personal wellness, crisis intervention, support services, advocacy, and coordinate with the College's Student Behavioral Intervention Team;
Provide opportunities for service, education, and work experience for students in relevant majors in collaboration with academic departments;
Create and maintain an assessment plan for the Centers following national best practices;
Develop and strategize effective responses to personal and crisis situations in conjunction with the College's Student Concern Assessment and Response (CARe) Team ;
Provide training and support to faculty and staff on managing distressed students including verbal, behavioral, and situational clues;
Raise awareness of student behavior, providing intervention, and connecting all parties with the appropriate resources and referral information;
Oversee the delivery of seamless, synergetic, and coherent services;
Support key partners to develop awareness of negative stereotypes and misconceptions about mental distress, illness, and disabilities;
Lead the development and facilitation of all mental health/wellness trainings sponsored by the Center, and consult with faculty and staff accordingly.
Provide leadership around the referral process for counseling and social services for students;
Review cases and evaluates implications for policy and programs;
Serve as a spokesperson for the college in matters related to student health and wellness.
Oversee office budgets.
Participate in college committees as appropriate;
Write annual reports and assist with grant development;
Consult with faculty, staff, administration, trustees, parents and other community health providers;
Participate in inter-divisional programs to increase student success and retention.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Advanced degree strongly preferred.
Eight to ten years' experience required with a demonstrated level of increased responsibility, preferably in higher education or a comparable environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW
Directs a college counseling center, integrating counseling services into a comprehensive student development experience.
Manages a counseling center providing a variety of services such as individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, workshops, classroom instruction, and academic intervention
Supervises and develops counseling faculty and staff
Develops department budget and manages fiscal affairs
Directs planning, evaluation, assessment and marketing of counseling services
Interfaces with academic departments, other College offices, and student groups to assess program needs and develop appropriate responses
Participates in inter-divisional programs to increase student success and retention
Performs related duties as assigned.
Job Title Name: Student Counseling Director
CUNY TITLE
Higher Education Officer
FLSA
Exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
$91,878 - $136,546
Salary commensurate with education and experience.
CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.
HOW TO APPLY
Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information.
Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.
CLOSING DATE
September 3rd, 2026
JOB SEARCH CATEGORY
CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
Job ID: 32579
Location: LaGuardia Community College
Job Type: Full-Time
