Greetings CCAPS,

I was humbled and honored to be nominated for Chair-Elect of the Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCAPS) during the 2006 Convention. Thank you for your vote of confidence during the 2007 election. As promised in my election statement, I will continue to serve the Commission with enthusiasm and passion, encourage CCAPS membership to take active leadership roles, and to aid us in continuing to make progress as a Commission. I commit to working with our directorate and committees to address recommendations presented in the CCAPS Strategic Plan Taskforce’s report. Recommendations suggested by you, our membership, have been adopted as goals to focus our Commission to address during my tenure. The goals are the following: 1) Provide appropriate programs for our membership at various levels of their career, particularly for mid/senior-level professionals, 2) Value our seasoned professionals by extending specific invitations and opportunities for them to contribute, 3) Contribute to the field through research, 4) Solidify relationships with other organizations addressing college student mental health, and 5) Include a role for every member in CCAPS’ goals and vision.

Collaborations with Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD) and the American College Health Association (ACHA) are developing to strengthen our relationships with these organizations, and provide more opportunities for research and professional development. Partnerships with the American Psychological Association’s Division 17 Section on College and University Counseling Centers are also being developed. Building on these relationships, and others in the field of college student mental health, will help us all work more effectively and efficiently with our resources, and strengthen our voice in the field.

I believe we desire CCAPS to provide valuable resources to mental health practitioners serving on university and college campuses and to be recognized as a spokesperson for college student mental health. We are on the frontline and working in many capacities with college students, and we are “the experts” in the field. I encourage you to be open to the upcoming initiatives and to contribute your expertise.

The elected directorate members are the leadership of the Commission for Counseling and Psychological Services. However, it is my desire for every CCAPS member to serve the commission in some capacity. We can all contribute where we can and will all benefit from the diverse skills and expertise of our membership. You will be hearing from me and our directorate members via the listserv and our web-site about ways you can serve. Email me at cccorbett@loyola.edu with your ideas of how you would like to contribute to help us achieve these goals. Again, thank you for your vote of confidence and your support. I look forward to serving and working with you. We have an exciting future ahead of us. Addressing the aforementioned goals will yield very tangible benefits for our Commission and the profession. Our goals are achievable and our vision is clear.

~ Your Chair,
   Chanda C. Corbett, PhD  (CCAPS Chair, 2008-2010)