Roberts named director of Counseling Center

Amber Roberts has been named the director of the Counseling and Career Development Center.

Roberts previously served as interim director of the center, following the retirement of Barbara Palombi in February 2012.

H Bart Merkle, vice provost for Student Affairs and dean of students, made the announcement January 15. “I am confident Amber will provide strong leadership for the center and I look forward to working with her in this important role,” said Merkle. “We are fortunate to have someone with her clinical and leadership capabilities to oversee the fine work of the Counseling Center.”

Roberts, who began working at Grand Valley in 2002, will serve as the chief psychologist for the center and will oversee the delivery and future planning of comprehensive prevention and intervention services.

Roberts said a primary challenge for university counseling centers nationwide is to meet the demand for services, so she will focus on service delivery mechanisms that will allow for quick access to services for all students, while keeping the wait time for an appointment to a minimum.

“Is it essential for the center to continue efforts in outreach prevention, education and consultation because we estimate that we have contact with about 50 percent of the student body per year though these efforts,” Roberts said.

Roberts earned a doctoral degree from Purdue University.