A Campus That Cares
At the University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA Wise), students are not just earning degrees. They are learning how to navigate relationships, face challenges, adapt to change and build resilience. UVA Wise strives to be a campus that truly cares, where education and well-being go hand in hand.
Meeting Students Where They Are
For Zachary Harmon, resident in counseling, the heart of the work is simple and begins with presence.
Harmon began at UVA Wise in the summer of 2022 and has worked in the mental health field since 2016. From starting as a mental health aide in Pennsylvania to serving as a substance use counselor in an inpatient rehabilitation setting, his path has been shaped by service, and he currently sees between 25–30 students weekly.
“The most pressing need I see in our students is love and belonging,” Harmon shares. “In a world that prides itself on technological connectivity, our students seem to be lonely in ways we never dreamed possible.”
Many students tell him that their counseling session is the most direct, meaningful interaction they have all week. In a culture of texts and online discussions, face-to-face connection has become rare and deeply needed.
“Our world is ever-changing. College is a pivotal period of change and students may want change to achieve their goals, though they may find it difficult or uncomfortable. It is our job to help them adapt and be present,” says Harmon.
A Safe Space to Be Heard
Licensed Professional Counselor Makayla Owens has served students at UVA Wise for four years and has worked in mental health for eight. Before joining the college, she provided intensive in-home counseling to youth at risk of out-of-home placement, an experience that shaped her commitment to meeting people where they are.
Owens sees around 25 students per week and notes a growing need for access to mental health resources, particularly psychiatry services and psychological assessments.
“We are fortunate to have access to a psychiatrist through the UVA Health Clinic and a referral resource for psychological evaluation,” adds Owens.
Owens believes the Counseling Center provides a safe, comfortable environment where students can discuss difficult topics without judgment, which is essential.
“Our services help students access support and unconditional positive regard, explore their strengths, and develop healthy coping strategies for a variety of problems and situations.”
Leading With Experience and Vision
Leading the Counseling Center is Sara Schill, Licensed Professional Counselor and Director of Counseling. Schill has served at UVA Wise for more than 13 years and has been in the counseling profession for 19 years. Prior to joining the College, she worked as a child and adolescent therapist for Frontier Health.
Schill provides clinical supervision to both Owens and Harmon and chairs the College’s Care Team, which connects students with campus resources and support systems.
She notes that she has observed a concerning shift in recent years.
“Since COVID and the period of social distancing and online learning, I’ve noticed young people have more difficulty confronting problems face-to-face,” Schill says. “So much communication has become electronic, which can lead to more aggressive or hurtful interactions, neither of which promote growth or resolution.”
She believes that the Counseling Center can offer a corrective space, built on relationship.
“My hope is that students find a safe and supportive environment where they can explore their experiences, beliefs, and emotions, and gain insights that promote growth.”
An Invitation to Care
If there is one message the Counseling Center team wants students and families to hear, it is that counseling is not only for crisis.
“I would encourage any student or parent reading this to come to our office at least once,” Harmon says. “Try out our sensory room. Schedule an appointment. The counseling process can benefit anyone, sometimes in ways you’d never imagine.”
Schill echoes the sentiment simply saying, “I love my job. The work I do with clients is incredibly rewarding, and the team I get to work with is the best.”
At UVA Wise, classroom education is only part of the story. Found within campus is a place where students are known not by their majors, but by their stories. The Counseling Center at UVA Wise is more than an office; it is a lifeline for many students navigating one of the most transitional seasons of their lives.