The Cleveland State Department of Athletics has announced the addition of Lena Harris to the staff, in a newly created Athletics Counselor position. In conjunction with the Cleveland State University Counseling Center, Harris will work alongside all 19 Viking programs and 365+ student-athletes in providing mental health support and outreach services. ?
"We are thrilled to be adding the counselor position to the Cleveland State Athletics Department, and we are excited to see how this new role will have a positive impact on our 365+ student-athletes as we work to focus on mental health and wellbeing," interim athletic director Kelsie Gory Harkey said. "Having Lena on staff and working directly with our student-athletes, coaches and teams will be pivotal as we continue to provide a transformational student-athlete experience. Through the Horizon League grant, we hope to continue investing ourselves in the development of our student-athletes as students, athletes and most importantly, people."?
The newly created Athletics Counselor role is part of the Horizon League's Mental Health Grant announced last year, that allowed league institutions to identify mental health resources that would help address issues and concerns on each individual campus. Through a $550,000 investment of league resources, institutions have been able to provide a variety of programming, training and counseling services that are specific to their institution's needs.
"At the Counseling Center, we are committed to promoting access to mental health support for all students, and we know that student-athletes face unique mental health stressors and have complicated schedules which can make accessing care difficult," Brittany Sommers, Director of the Counseling Center said. "So, we are very excited to welcome Lena into this new role of embedded athletics counselor, as an extension of our services for our student-athletes."?
Harris will work closely with the on-campus Counseling Center, while being embedded in the athletics department to help create a transformational student-athlete experience by providing clinical/sport counseling and outreach services, in addition to individual/group therapy, crisis intervention and screening/referrals.
With over 10 years of experience working in counseling roles as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Harris will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role of Athletics Counselor to help change the narrative and address the barriers to seeking mental health services.
"This feels like a dream come true," Harris stated. "As a former high school and collegiate student-athlete myself, I know first-hand of some challenges student-athletes may face, including transitions, academic probation, being homesick, better time management and stress. Having the opportunity to work in an environment where two of my passions can be merged into one makes all the difference. Being a Cleveland native and Cleveland State Alum, makes it that much more special. I'm excited to work as the first Athletic Counselor, supporting the mental health and wellness of CSU Athletics, promoting healthy student-athletes – mentally, physically, and emotionally."
Most recently, Harris was a Mental Health Clinician in the private sector, providing behavioral health therapy and counseling, developing individualized treatment plans and related assessments. In addition, Harris has also worked as an Emergency Response System Clinician, Behavioral Health Community Therapist and Academic Coach, providing a variety of support and counseling services. ?
As a member of a variety of professional organizations such as Alliance of Social Workers in Sports, Association of Applied Sports Psychology, Positive Coaching Alliance, American Mental Health Counselors Association, and more, Harris brings with her numerous connections and a variety of experience that will assist in Cleveland State's transformational student-athlete experience.
Harris, a former Division I track & field student-athlete, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Duquesne in 2003 and earned a Master of Education from Cleveland State University in 2016.
