On Campus, Off the Record

Behind the Scenes with a Mental Health Professional

Elizabeth Cox, PhD

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 College mental health services are a lifeline for students—but what does it take to lead them? In this episode of On Campus, Off the Record, we sit down with Wanda Collins, PhD, a licensed psychologist who spent over two decades running counseling centers at institutions like Emory, Duke, and American University.

Dr. Collins shares her journey from clinician to administrator, balancing the ever-growing demand for mental health support with the realities of running a campus counseling center. We explore the critical role of housing staff in student well-being, the rise of telehealth, and the challenges of leading in high-pressure academic environments. Plus, she gets real about burnout—what it’s like to carry and why she ultimately stepped away from higher ed to pursue private practice.

If you've ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes of campus mental health—or what it really takes to support student well-being at the highest level—this episode is for you.

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