Five await choice of CAPS leader

Edward Morris, director of the student counseling center at Salisbury University, who interviewed April 10;

Jennie Cassidy, associate director of counseling and psychological services at Appalachian State University, who interviewed April 12;

Allen Hamrick, associate director of counseling and psychological service at UNC-Chapel Hill, who interviewed April 17;

Kathy Hotelling, director of the counseling and student development center at Northern Illinois University, who interviewed April 18;

Christopher Flynn, director of the counseling and career services center at Loyola University at New Orleans, who interviewed April 20. Each of the candidates engaged in a two-day interview process on campus in the past two weeks. The stint included speaking with department heads, touring campus and holding an open forum. The candidates boast similar professional backgrounds in psychological services but expressed distinct visions. Morris, the lone minority candidate, said he was pleased with the level of diversity on campus and emphasized that counselors need to be sensitive to issues that might arise from such an eclectic environment. Cassidy's speech focused on addressing the mental health needs of students while staying within UNC's educational mission. Hamrick, the only in-house candidate, gave a lecture-style presentation that outlined a plan to restructure the department during the next several years. Hotelling said she is pleased with UNC's move to centralize Student Health Services under a single umbrella because she favors a multifaceted service center. Flynn cited several books, statistics and personal analyses in describing his counseling methods and keyed in on social and cultural problems - such as the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina - that manifest into mental health problems. Some candidates brought an administrative approach while others spoke more about their clinical experience. "We have several highly qualified candidates," Eatman said. She added that Jablonski said she will trust the committee's recommendation but still desires to make her own informed choice. Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.