Student Support Services
Students in the School of Engineering have access to an expansive student support team, including an embedded UVA assistant dean of students, counselors from UVA's Counseling and Psychological Services team, and a counselor from UVA's Student Disability Access Center. Learn more about these positions below.
Assistant Dean of Students
The School of Engineering hosts an embedded assistant dean of students from the UVA Care and Support Services team. The assistant dean specializes in providing crisis triage and response, Engineering and University resource referrals, information about University conduct policies and generalist support for students in distress. The assistant dean also works closely with support services and resources in other offices or areas of the Engineering School and the University to connect students with the most helpful and relevant support available for their specific needs or concerns.
Kelly Garrett
Kelly provides crisis triage and response, works closely with support services in the the E-school to provide Engineering and University resource referrals, information about University conduct policies, and generalist support for students in distress.
While we search for a new assistant dean, students who wish to make an appointment to speak with anyone from the Office of the Care and Support Services can call the office at 434-924-7133. Students may also contact the office via email at CASS@virginia.edu, or walk in any time during business hours to Peabody Hall (second floor). Staff on the team will meet with students, listen to their concerns, and work to determine what additional meetings or referrals will be appropriate and helpful.
Embedded Counseling and Psychological Services
Liz Ramirez-Weaver and Katie Fowler are the School of Engineer's embedded counselors from the UVA Counseling and Psychological Services team. Liz and Katie specialize in helping students find effective ways to cope with:
- Personal concerns: Stress, anxiety, depression
- Academic concerns: Perfectionism, lack of motivation, performance anxiety
- Developmental concerns: Adjustment to college life, identity (personal, cultural, sexual orientation, gender identity)
- Trauma-Sexual assault, abuse and other traumatic events
- Substance Use concerns: Alcohol and other drugs
- Other concerns: Career direction, body image concerns, personal values, spiritual concerns etc.
Confidentiality
Liz and Katie are UVA confidential employees: HTTPS://EOCR.VIRGINIA.EDU/CHART-CONFIDENTIAL-RESOURCES
Liz Ramirez-Weaver, LCSW
Liz provides mental health counseling for stress and anxiety related to personal, academic, and developmental concerns.
Katie Fowler, MA, LPC
Katie provides mental health counseling to students at the School of Engineering, with a focus on culturally responsive, evidenced-based counseling. Katie desires for students to feel seen and heard, and seeks to connect students to helpful resources.
You may schedule an initial phone assessment online using the HealthyHoos patient portal (login using your Netbadge ID) or by calling the CAPS main number (434-243-5150) and notifying the receptionist that you are enrolled in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
For more information, please see Getting Started at CAPS | Student Health and Wellness, U.Va. (virginia.edu).
Liz and Katie are available for virtual presentations on mental health and wellness. Please email Liz at ER2TN@VIRGINIA.EDU or Katie at RFK2XJ@VIRGINIA.EDU and submit the CAPS OUTREACH REQUEST FORM
TimelyCare and TalkNow
UVA CAPS, in partnership with TimelyCare, offers 12 FREE scheduled telehealth counseling visits with a licensed mental health provider to all students who have paid comprehensive health fees with their tuition (no insurance needed). TalkNow, which is an additional service through TimelyCare, allows students to connect with a mental health professional any time of day, either by phone or video.
Student Disability Access Specialist
Courtney MacMasters is the accessibility specialist for the School of Engineering from the UVA Student Disability Access Center. Students are encouraged to submit an application (please indicate you are in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, so you will be assigned to Courtney as your advisor). After submitting an application, students can also email Courtney directly (cmacmasters@virginia.edu) or stop by her office on the first floor of the Thornton Hall A wing, across from the Dean's Office.
Courtney MacMasters
Courtney works to provide reasonable accommodations and support to students with disabilities at the School of Engineering; working with students on an individualized basis to ensure support in a holistic manner.
Financial Support for Students
Currently enrolled engineering undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for a number of student support opportunities.