The International Accreditation of Counseling Services designation is a milestone that recognizes the center’s transformative work in student mental health and well-being.
Photo: Tierra Major Kearney, MS, senior referral and prevention specialist, Student Counseling Center, engages with students during an outreach event.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) Student Counseling Center (SCC) achieved a significant milestone, securing accreditation from the International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS). Renowned as the premier leader in setting the benchmark for professional counseling services on university campuses, IACS accreditation underscores the center’s high standards for providing counseling services to UMB students.
While the SCC initiated the accreditation process in 2020, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the center laid the framework for successful accreditation in the preceding years. To better align with IACS standards, the center established a Prevention/Outreach and Referral Assistance Specialist role, launched an after-hours crisis support service, and partnered with the Healthy Minds Network to participate in the Healthy Minds Student Survey. These and other initiatives enhanced the supports available to students and facilitated the collection of feedback from students and campus partners, contributing to the continuous improvement of the SCC’s services.
“Receiving IACS accreditation recognizes the SCC team for their expertise and excellence in providing quality mental health services to students and the University community as well as the investments made by the University to support students and their success,” said Patty Alvarez, PhD, chief student affairs officer and associate vice president of student affairs. “The IACS standards provide benchmarks that will continue to guide our work to ensure that we are offering mental health services that are comprehensive and of the highest quality to support our diverse student population.”
The center’s dedication to excellence was evident as it voluntarily entered and navigated IACS’ rigorous accreditation process, which involved detailed documentation and multiple peer reviews in five areas: relationships within the college/university community, counseling and clinical services, ethical standards, personnel, and resources/infrastructure.
In October 2023, the SCC successfully completed the final step — a comprehensive site visit evaluation. The evaluation affirmed the SCC’s provision of competent and reliable services for students, including individual counseling, medication evaluation and management, workshops, and trainings. Additionally, the site visitor noted that the SCC provides a variety of comprehensive, high-quality services, employs a well-trained, professional staff, and is respected and appreciated by the University’s administration, campus constituents, and students.
“An important aspect of the IACS accreditation report was how the Counseling Center and student mental health are viewed as an essential support for students’ well-being and academic success at UMB,” said Jenna Silverman, PhD, executive director of the SCC. “The report highlighted how multiple campus partners recognize the importance of supporting students in this area through collaborative efforts across UMB schools and departments.”
As it celebrates this achievement, the center is looking forward to upcoming initiatives that will further support the mental health needs of students. These efforts include more training opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to assist students in distress, collaboration with the Intercultural Center on identity-based support groups, and continued collaborations with URecFit & Wellness.
The IACS accreditation stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Student Counseling Center to supporting the continued well-being and academic success of all students at UMB.