Executive Director Of Counseling & Access Services

Executive Director Of Counseling & Access Services

The Executive Director of Counseling & Access Services provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and institutional coordination for the University's integrated Center for Counseling & Access Services. This role advances student well-being, equitable access, retention, and success by ensuring high-quality counseling services and comprehensive access support within the mission and values of Saint Leo University. In addition to executive leadership responsibilities, the Executive Director may maintain a limited clinical caseload consistent with licensure, institutional needs, and capacity. The Executive Director provides clinical and ethical oversight of counseling operations and ensures that direct services, supervision, and consultation are delivered in accordance with professional standards.

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provide executive leadership for the Center for Counseling & Access Services, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities related to student success, wellness, equity, and belonging.
• Develop and implement a unified strategic vision integrating counseling and access services while preserving professional standards and specialized expertise.
• Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs on student mental health trends, access needs, crisis response, and institutional risk.

Counseling Services Oversight

• Provide administrative and clinical oversight of counseling services to ensure ethical practice, licensure compliance, and adherence to professional standards.
• Establish and maintain appropriate clinical supervision and consultation structures, including internal licensed supervision and/or external consultation as needed.
• Oversee crisis response protocols, referral processes, and coordination with campus partners including Residence Life, Campus Safety, Health Services, and Threat Assessment teams.
• Support prevention, outreach, and educational programming related to mental health, substance use, and student well-being.
• Monitor counseling service utilization, outcomes, and capacity to inform staffing, resource allocation, and service delivery decisions.

Access Services Oversight

• Provide executive oversight of Access Services while preserving the Director of Access Services' authority related to eligibility determinations and accommodation decisions.
• Ensure institutional compliance with federal, state, and local laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related regulations.
• Promote campus-wide education, training, and best practices related to access, inclusion, and universal design.

Clinical Practice & Direct Service (As Assigned)

• Provide individual counseling services to students within the scope of professional licensure and institutional protocols.
• Maintain a limited clinical caseload as determined by student need, staffing capacity, and executive responsibilities.
• Participate in crisis response, consultation, and on-call rotation as appropriate.
• Maintain timely documentation, case management, and ethical practice in accordance with University policy and professional standards.
• Model best practices in culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and student-centered counseling.

Compliance, Policy & Risk Management

• Lead development, implementation, and review of policies related to counseling services, access services, and student support practices.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legal, ethical, and professional standards including FERPA and counseling ethics codes.
• Collaborate with Legal Affairs, Risk Management, Academic Affairs, and other stakeholders on complex, high-risk, or sensitive cases.

Budget, Staffing & Assessment

• Oversee budgets for counseling and access services, including staffing models, contracts, and professional development.
• Supervise the Director of Access Services and counseling staff.
• Lead assessment efforts to evaluate effectiveness, student outcomes, and institutional impact.
• Use data and assessment results to guide continuous improvement and strategic planning.
• Monitor the impact of executive clinical involvement on staffing capacity and service delivery.

Campus Collaboration & Representation

• Serve on institutional committees related to student care, wellness, crisis response, equity, and retention.
• Partner with faculty, staff, and administrators to identify and address systemic barriers to student success.
• Represent the University in professional organizations, networks, and external partnerships related to counseling and access services.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Higher Education Administration, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Current licensure as a mental health professional (required).
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in counseling, access/disability services, or student support services within higher education.
• Demonstrated experience with supervision, compliance, budget management, and institutional leadership.
• In-depth knowledge of college student mental health issues, access and disability law, and ethical practice standards.

The work environment characteristics described here are a representation of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of this position.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email and other electronic means, move about the office and University, handle various type of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds unless otherwise specified in the job description.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Saint Leo University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success.

Why Work at Saint Leo?

Ask our employees and the one word they'd use to describe working at Saint Leo University is "Community." Our team members all share the Saint Leo core values, positive attitudes, and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to provide excellent student centered service. Our mission is educating and preparing students for life and leadership in a challenging world. Thank you for your interest in joining the Saint Leo PRIDE!

We are committed to providing our employees with the support they need. At Saint Leo, we offer an array of medical, dental, and vision packages as well as several add-on perks to make your benefits package truly customizable to you and your family needs. Available benefits based on employment status (Full Time vs Part Time).

• FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents*
• Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees*
• Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
• Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
• Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
• 100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
• 100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
• 100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
• Nationwide Pet Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 403b Retirement Plan
• Wellness Center

*Eligibility based on meeting required service period