Elgin Community College’s Wellness Services Office has hired two new Wellness professionals, who started on Nov. 11, 2023. They are joining the two Wellness professionals who currently work at ECC.
According to Associate Dean of Student Success Peggy Gundrum, the newly hired Wellness professionals should be ready to meet with students right away if needed, but they likely will not be taking appointments for the first few days while they are training on procedures and systems used at ECC.
The incoming Wellness professionals will be helping to host events for the department. One of the Wellness professionals being hired is also interested in having group sessions for meditation and yoga.
Of the current Wellness professionals, only Corsair Mack meets with students in person. He is also in charge of the presentations that Wellness does in several classes around campus as well as any support groups at ECC.
“Normally, my schedule is completely booked,” Mack said. “I get about thirty minutes to an hour for lunch but if someone is in crisis during my lunch, I have to see them.”
During the 2022 fall semester, ECC had three in-person Wellness professionals. Gundrum stated that three to four has been the average staffing for the position. This went down to two when a Wellness professional left to go back to a private practice.
It dropped again when Wellness professional Jasmine Young was involved in a serious car accident in February of this year. When Young’s condition improved, she was approved to work from home. She started working virtually in June of this year.
“I miss my students,” Young said. “I miss the connection that is given by being in person with someone when they are crying or excited or anxious.”
Young is hopeful that she will be able to be back on campus for the upcoming spring semester.
“It’s okay to come before the tears start falling,” Young said. “The moment the sadness hits or the moment the angst gets too high, it’s okay to reach out then.”
To schedule an appointment with a Wellness professional, call 847-214-7390 or visit B-120.
The new Wellness professionals will likely be participating in upcoming events. Slay The Stress Away and the Stress-Free Zone events are part of the Wellness office’s programming to help students through the stress of finals.
