Rindi Guldner, student well-being coordinator, with MC students.
A new position in Student Affairs dedicated to the well-being of McPherson College students was added this fall. Rindi Guldner, the new student well-being coordinator, says her first priority is caring for the people who care for students. It’s among the many initiatives she hopes to develop as the new position takes shape.
“I’m excited that the college wants to surround the RAs and others who directly interact with students with support,” Guldner said. “Eventually, I hope we will all be using a common language and increase our conversations about wellness.”
Guldner works closely with Student Affairs staff and is responsible for coordinating mental health and well-being programs for students, while also supporting and collaborating with faculty and staff. She will serve as a campus liaison for local and regional mental health and wellness resources as well.
According to Aaron Meis, executive vice president of McPherson College, the position is designed less as a traditional “campus counselor” and more as a campus trainer.
“Rindi’s primary responsibility is to scale programmatic training around student mental health for RAs, staff, faculty, and students,” Meis said. “On a day-to-day basis, students do come to her for support and guidance, and she works closely with our residence life team to train them as our first line of defense.”
Guldner’s unique background as both a clinician and an organizational leader makes her well-suited for this role. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and organizational leadership, and a master’s degree in community-based clinical mental health counseling. Her experience includes a year of service in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and seven years in private practice.
The resources available to students through a variety of partners demonstrate the value McPherson College places on wellness, says Guldner. For example, students have 10 free counseling sessions with Prairie View, a community mental health center in McPherson, that can be coordinated through her office. A new partnership with SafeHope offers advocacy, support, and a 24-hour crisis line for victims of sexual violence.
“My office will serve as a liaison with these resources and fill any gaps to improve and increase communication,” she said. “Students will benefit from that continuity of care.”
Guldner is also excited about the new partnership with the McPherson YMCA, which provides membership for all full-time students and will offer additional programming. She is working on compiling a comprehensive list of health and wellness resources in McPherson and the region as another resource for students.
To nurture a deeper sense of belonging and well-being, her office will host monthly wellness activities for students. Additionally, she will gather input from faculty and staff regarding their needs to develop programs designed for them.
“As a clinician, the best way to care for people is based on what they need,” she said. “This new position gives Student Affairs an opportunity to be proactive and creative in how we develop programming. I hope the office can be a safe place for students to land if they need resources and know they have a person to go to for ongoing support.”
Guldner can be found in her office in Student Affairs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, or contacted by email, [email protected].