CARE Team
Campus Assessment, Response and Evaluation Team
CARE Team
Coker University denotes itself with a living-learning environment that holistically develops students for their futures. The CARE Team provides a systematic but caring response to students in crisis or whose emotional, mental, physical or psychological health condition may threaten their wellbeing or the safety of the surrounding campus community. Comprised of a dedicated cohort of professionals, the CARE Team extends a compassionate and confidential procedure for identification, intervention, and response in efforts supporting the students’ success as well as the University community’s protection.
Team Membership
The CARE Team is a group of qualified and committed professionals who are likely to become involved with a student when a Student/Behavior of Concern Report is submitted. Membership is based upon the position and not the individual. The members selected here have regular contact with campus community members in some manner, which will aid in the assessment of individuals, and/or the authority to take the appropriate action, as needed. A collaborative process to assess concerning behavior will be used. Depending on the situation, additional personnel with specific areas of responsibility or specialization may be called upon to assist the team. The team may also consult others as needed, such as faculty, roommates, family members, local law enforcement, and/or an employer who has information regarding the concerned person. The CARE Team Chair will apprise senior university officials of situations as needed and as appropriate.
Core Team members include:
- Cole Heatherly – Senior Director of Student Experience, Chair
- Cameron O’Neill – Coordinator of First Year Experience
- Darlene Small – Director, Center for Diversity, Interfaith, and Inclusion Education
- Michael Williamson – Director of Campus Safety and Security
- Antoriya Campbell – Mental Health & Accommodations Counselor
- Lynn Griffin – Vice President for Athletics and Athletic Facilities
Extended Team members include:
- McKenzie Hite – Director of Student Engagement
- Susan Henderson – Provost & CAO
- Katie Flaherty – Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance
- Human Resources Representative
- Institutional Attorney
When to register a CARE Team referral?
For this program to be effective, it is important for the university community to be aware of the CARE Team, the kinds of behaviors encompassed within the Team’s mandate, the importance of reporting such behaviors, and how to contact members of the CARE Team with concerns or comments. The CARE Team will provide campus-wide informational meetings that will be incorporated into faculty and staff professional development workshops, new employee and student orientation sessions, among other venues.