Understanding and Fostering College-Age Students’ Mental Well-Being: Strategies for Faculty, Staff & Parents


Join us for this reward-eligible webinar, which is part of the monthly series of emotional well-being webinars offered by FEAP and Hoos Well, UVA's award-winning employee well-being program.

With the complex challenges that college students face, our roles as faculty, staff, and parents may feel overwhelming. Join this webinar to find out about what you can do to support college students while renewing your own passion for why you chose to work with this creative, intelligent, and passionate group of young persons. You’ll learn about the young adult brain and how you can show up for young adults during this critical time.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain and define adolescence and emerging adulthood in college students and what occurs during these growth life stages.
  2. Describe the parts of the brain that are under development and why it is important to know about the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system.
  3. Become familiar with resources available for supporting faculty, staff, and students.
  4. Learn and practice how to encourage student well-being and mental health.

About your presenters

Katie Fowler, LPC (she/her) is an Embedded Staff Psychotherapist at the School of Engineering and Applied Science.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a MA in Mental Health Counseling and a MA in Adult and Higher Education. Katie sees people with a wide variety of concerns and has additional training in relationship dynamics (family systems and couples) and eating disorders. Katie strives to provide culturally responsive counseling where students feel seen and heard. She also values a collaborative relationship in treatment where students feel empowered to utilize their strengths and become their own advocates. While not counseling, Katie enjoys spending time with family and friends and relaxing outdoors.

Karen Painter, LPC (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Auricular Acupuncture Specialist. She holds a M.A. and Ed.S. degree from JMU’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program since 2001. With over 20+ years of clinical experience from a variety of community mental health settings including inpatient and outpatient, private in-home and foster care, private practice, and peer and community recovery networks, she collaborates with students (and allied supports), to offer hope, empowerment, connection, and practical clinical support to help overcome trauma and other barriers in their lives. Her clinical interests include cultural and identity development, family dynamics, healing practices integrating the mind and body, LGBTQ+ visibility, and creating change and equity with regards to systemic barriers to healthcare. For self-care she enjoys listening to inspiring podcasts, sharing good food with family and friends, and being outdoors.


This event will be recorded by audio and video means. By participating, you grant the University of Virginia the right to use your voice/likeness in any depiction of this event. Video is not required to participate in this event.

The University of Virginia is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please contact us at EmotionalWellbeing@virginia.edu, at least seven days prior to the start of this event, to request disability-related accommodations.

Register for webinar, August 9 at 3:30pm