In partnership with the Division of Student Affairs and Counseling & Psychological Services, the College of Engineering has introduced the university's first embedded mental health clinician, who is stationed directly within the college to provide specialized support for engineering students' unique mental health needs.

Sidney Bowman has joined the college as the inaugural embedded mental health clinician, bringing specialized expertise to address the mental health challenges that engineering students face. This new position will reside as a part of Engineering One-Stop, a comprehensive support program designed to help engineering students excel academically while fostering personal growth and mental wellness. 

"Engineering students face unique pressures, and having mental health support right here in their college community shows that their well-being is just as important as their academic success," said Bowman, embedded mental health clinician for Engineering One-Stop. "I look forward to walking alongside students as they navigate challenges, prioritize growth and to be an accessible resource whenever they need support."

Bowman's accessibility has already proven valuable. Since the program launched this fall, students have been able to address issues with someone who understands the unique pressures of engineering programs.

"The embedded mental health clinician has been a significant addition to the college, and it has been exciting to see the role take shape," said Rafael Gutierrez, assistant director of coaching for Engineering One-Stop. "We worked closely with CAPS to integrate the embedded clinician into Engineering One-Stop and make the counseling resource more accessible to students. Sidney is a seasoned clinician that cares deeply about students' success and well-being and has already seen numerous students for initial consultations and ongoing appointments this fall semester."

"In establishing an embedded mental health clinician in the College of Engineering, we hope that mental health support is not only more visible and accessible, but responsive to and shaped by the emerging needs of our students," said Katie Pope, director of Engineering One-Stop. "Having this collaboration with CAPS also offers our faculty and staff an additional trusted partner for consultation and conversation, enhances the opportunities to advance mental health literacy in our college and reinforces our shared commitment to student well-being. We are grateful to be able to offer this service for our students and our college and appreciate CAPS for being phenomenal partners in this innovation."

The embedded clinician model represents a significant step forward in making mental health support more accessible, relevant and effective for students in specialized academic programs.