Hello!! On behalf of the counseling office, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all new freshman to the University of Maine at Presque Isle. I would also like to welcome back all returning students. I trust you had a restful, yet productive summer.
This is a great time to make new friends and get reconnected with friends you have made here at the university. The fall semester is an exciting time with new adventures just on the horizon. If you are a freshman, thank you for choosing this special university to pursue your academic goals. This is a special university where we take pride in fostering positive relationships.
The counseling office is located in the Emerson Annex. For you returning students, we made some changes over the summer and wanted to align the counseling office with student health. I will still work very closely with student support services and other university departments to meet your social and emotional needs.
The counseling office is a confidential place where students can come and access social and emotional support. Students, at times, can feel overwhelmed with the college experience. Students can be dealing with a whole host of adjustments when they first arrive. For many of you, it’s your first time being away from home and family. The adjustment from high school to college can also be stressful. I find that students can struggle with time management, study habits and just plain homesickness. We also help students deal with much bigger issues such as depression and anxiety. Whatever the issue, we are here to assist you with whatever you may be dealing with.
Some exciting news this year. For the first time, I will have a graduate student from Husson University completing a field placement. She is completing her master’s degree in the counseling program and will be able to service students under my supervision.
I hope you will come and visit us at the counseling office. All services are free and confidential. I will have office hours listed, but we service students mostly in the afternoon and early evening. We may have more flexibility this year, given we have a graduate student. I can also make special appointments with students to accommodate your class schedule.
You can make an appointment by calling Flo Soucie at 768-9597 or you can call me direct at 768-9791. You may also reach me at ralph.mcpherson@maine.edu.
I hope you have a happy and healthy semester!!
