University’s Counseling Center Gets IACS Accreditation
Texas A&M International University’s Student Counseling and Disability Services for Students has been accredited by the International Association for University and College Counseling Services (IACS).
Dr. Jesus Aros, TAMIU’s director of Student Counseling and Disability Services, was notified of the approval by IACS executive officer Nancy E. Roncketti.
In her notification, Roncketti said accreditation indicates adherence to professionally approved counseling practices. Accreditation is only open to University and four-year College Counseling Services.
“IACS commends your center for maintaining the high standards that qualify it for Full Accreditation and anticipates continued excellence of performance,” Roncketti writes.
TAMIU’s Office of Student Counseling and Disability Services for Students provides counseling, testing, and psychoeducational services. It also provides advocacy and support services toward obtaining reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities and quality training for graduate students in psychology.
In addition to active networking with departments, faculty, staff, and community agencies, it works to promote a supportive learning community and to empower students with disabilities to accomplish their academic goals.
Disablility Services for Students (DSS) is also focused on enhancing the awareness of issues related to disability and fostering respect for persons with disabilities within the University community.
Dr. Aros directs the Office and is assisted by Laura Hinojosa, counselor; Mary Chavez M.D., counselor and Ruby Smith-Gonzalez, DSS coordinator.
The IACS, headquartered in Alexandria, VA., encourages and aids counseling services throughout the United States and internationally to meet high professional standards, to inform the public about those which are competent and reliable, and to foster communication among counseling services operating in a variety of settings.
It is committed to furthering the visibility and improving the quality of the counseling profession. IACS has evolved standards that define professional quality and its established criteria for accreditation reflect these standards.
IACS accreditation is considered a stimulus to counseling centers to upgrade their professional services to meet accreditation standards. It also provides the profession and the public with information about those services which it has accredited.
For additional information on the University’s Student Counseling and Disabilities Services, call 326-2230 or click on tamiu.edu/counseling
Offices are located in the Student Center, room 124. Summer center hours are from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 8 a.m. – 12 noon. Crisis counseling assistance is available 24 hours upon request.
For more information on the IACS, click on iacsinc.org
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu