This year, Saint Mary’s College welcomed three new counselors to the Health and Counseling Center (HCC) on campus, which provides health services, referrals, general health education and counseling services. The three counselors are I'Vory Woods, Lauren Cooper and Isela Garcilazo. The HCC is located in the Angela Athletic and Wellness Complex across from Murphy's Cafe.
I'Vory Woods
Woods, a graduate of Indiana University South Bend, shared her journey to becoming a counselor.
“I got my bachelor's in 2023 in social work, and I got my masters this year in social work, with the concentration [in] mental health and addictions,” she explained.
Woods emphasized she has always been drawn to the profession of counseling.
“I wanted to be a counselor because I've always had a heart for people. Ever since I was younger, my family always called me the therapist of the family,” Woods said. “I think mental health is such a taboo topic, especially for people of color, and so I wanted to kind of like break that negative stigma surrounding it. I love people and I love talking about mental health.”
Woods shared that part of her motivation to become a counselor was influenced by personal mental health struggles.
“In the winter of 2022, I was in a really fatal car accident. I broke my back and a lot of stuff was broken on my body … that situation really had a toll on my own mental health,“ she said. “It was hard and was also the reason why I wanted to be in mental health as well.”
Woods learned about Saint Mary’s from Alexa Zapata, the Bells Against Violence office (BAVO) coordinator. She was planning on moving to Florida but instead decided to stay in South Bend.
“I can't think of anyone else like, more fitting for the job,” Woods said of herself. “I sense a good sense of community here.”
Woods stressed the importance of the role of counselors in the community.
“Whether it's personal issues that they're going through, or academic issues, we are just a listening ear for students. We create a safe space for them to come and talk about their problems,” she said.
Lauren Cooper
Originally from Ohio, Cooper went to the University of Central Florida for her bachelor of science in psychology and Kapala University for her graduate studies in clinical mental health counseling.
Cooper noted how she has been able to find her passion in her career.
“I realized how big of a role counselors play in advocacy, you know, being a voice for the voiceless, and that's something that I'm really passionate about, especially for the LGBTQ community,” she said.
Cooper expanded more on what drives her work.
“I just love being there for people and … help them hold their pain and process things,” she said.
Since being on campus, Cooper has dove right in at Saint Mary’s.
“I enjoy being able to be in different places and like to take my expertise and not only be a counselor, but to also be on the wellness committee, to be part of helping plan different events and being allowed to run the Instagram account,” she said.
Cooper urged students not to hesitate to visit the HCC if they are dealing with any problem.
“We're here for you, whether it's a pimple that's bothering you or you want to help dealing with trauma,” Cooper said.
Isela Garcilazo
Garcilazo has been familiar with Saint Mary's College for most of her life, having grown up in South Bend and attending the school for her undergraduate degree before earning her masters of social work at Indiana University South Bend.
“Saint Mary's has always been a special place for me, my time at Saint Mary's as a student contributed to the person I am today,” Garcilazo shared.
She emphasized her desire to become a counselor “to be that safe person anyone can go to, to feel empowered and supported.”
So far her favorite part of working at Saint Mary’s College is the sense of community in the department.
“Everyone is so welcoming and easy to talk to,” she said. “I hope to absorb as much as I can and grow as a counselor.”
Garcilazo urged students “to enjoy every day they are at Saint Mary's because it goes by faster than you realize.”
“We are here to talk whenever needed throughout the school year, do not hesitate to reach out. These services are voluntary so even if we meet once that is okay,” she emphasized.
