ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA – In order to enhance the mental health resources offered to students, North Carolina Wesleyan University recently welcomed two new members to their Counseling Center staff. Fonda Porter joins the College as the new Director of Counseling and Accessibility Services and Lee Tyson as Counselor.
“Positive mental health for college students is critical for success. We are pleased to offer additional resources to our students in the Counseling Center with the addition of Fonda and Lee. They both bring a passion for student service and their combined experience and skillset will be an asset to our students,” stated Dr. Jason Modlin, Dean of Students. “Along with personal counseling services, the Counseling Center will also be able to provide proactive educational programs for students, as well as faculty and staff.”
As Director of Counseling and Accessibility Services, Fonda will proactively engage with the campus community to coordinate services which create accessible and inclusive living and learning environments. She will also provide basic mental health counseling opportunities for students, develop campus policies that promote inclusive physical and intellectual environments, and ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In addition, Sophie, a miniature longhaired Dachshund, will occasionally accompany Fonda on campus to spread joy and comfort as an emotional support dog.
Fonda comes to NC Wesleyan from Louisburg College where she served as the Associate Dean for Health and Wellness. Her experience includes nearly 16 years in higher education counseling and mental health services, with a total of 22 total years in higher education. A certified Mental Health First Aid trainer, she holds certifications from FEMA Emergency Management and the National Behavioral Intervention Team Association. While at Louisburg College, Fonda developed several student education programs, created a substance education initiative, developed and implemented employee training on mental health issues, chaired the Behavioral Intervention Team and served on the Title IX team. She was also an advisor for the Louisburg College chapter of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), which she started, and was recognized as the NC State Advisor of the Year. Fonda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Arts degree in Education with a concentration in Counseling Psychology from Seton Hall University.
Lee, in her role as Counselor, will educate and assist students with mental health management, especially as it relates to the concerns that accompany college life. She will also conduct intake and crisis assessments, provide individual counseling sessions, serve on the Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) and provide educational programs and materials for students, faculty and staff.
Lee most recently worked in the Wilson County School system where she served as School Counselor for the past eight years. She is a certified Resilience Educator and assists trauma survivors in overcoming challenges. She specializes in suicide risk assessment and intervention. Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UNC-Greensboro and a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from East Carolina University.
