University Health Services has hired three new mental health professionals prepared to support underrepresented student groups, including one specifically for students of color, who began their positions Tuesday.
Lisa Imhoff, LeAnna Rice and Simone Collins have all stepped into their new roles, courtesy of funding from UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank that was provided near the end of last semester.
During a previous meeting with the Student Services Finance Committee at which UHS presented their upcoming budget, Executive Director Sarah Van Orman said she heard from students that they wanted to see mental health professionals of color.
UHS has added 12 new people to their mental health support staff in total for this year.
"Thanks to the Chancellor's allocation, we were able to expand our campus-based services and hire two additional mental health providers to meet growing student demand and better serve underrepresented students with increased access to care," Andrea Lawson, UHS interim co-director of mental health services, said in a statement.
