Richard A. Rodriguez, director of Counseling and Psychological Services: A Multicultural Center. (Photo/Casey A. Cass)

Richard A. Rodriguez, the new director of Counseling and Psychological Services: A Multicultural Center, brings a wealth of experience — and enthusiasm — to the campus community.

"I love working with young people who have a thirst for knowledge," he said.

"I especially enjoy helping students with establishing their identity."

Rodriguez started his new job at the counseling center in July. He moved to Colorado from California, where he was director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Sonoma State University.

His clinical expertise includes Chicano/Latino mental health, lesbian/gay identity development, HIV and adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. He earned doctoral and master's degrees in educational psychology from the University of Utah.

Rodriguez said the counseling staff is enhancing outreach efforts to the campus community this year, including new faculty/staff educational sessions on student mental health needs.

According to research conducted by student health and counseling organizations, depression is the number one problem among college students, followed by anxiety and stress management.

Rodriguez cites freshmen and non-traditional students as those who could especially benefit from counseling consultations. First-time students are faced with several important decisions related to becoming independent, establishing their own identity and making healthy behavior choices, particularly in regard to substance use and sexual behavior.

Non-traditional students also contend with difficult issues, including mixed thoughts and emotions on completing their education, identity adjustments between the workplace and the classroom, age differences among fellow students and financial concerns.

To schedule a departmental session, or for more information on counseling services, call 303-492-6766 or visit the Web site at www.colorado.edu/sacs/counseling/. To learn more about Rodriguez's professional and educational experience, read the News Center press release www.colorado.edu/news/releases/2004/256.html.