Nicole Parham is the newest addition to the Ouachita community as the university counselor. Parham is a graduate of Henderson State University where she earned a master of science degree in community counseling. She also received graduate hours in humans relations from the Unviersity of Oklahoma. She was announced as the new counselor on Nov. 12.
According to Dr. Keldon Henley, vice president of student services and dean of students, the university has gone six weeks since the departure of Neill Hunter, the former university counselor, and the arrival of Parham.
“We’re fortunate to have Nicole join our Student Services staff,” Henley said.
Parham’s husband, Lee, is a percussion instructor at Ouachita. After searching the nation for a percussion position, the Parhams found that there were only six positions available in his musical field, one of which was at Ouachita. After deliberating on future schooling and a job possibility, the Parhams decided on returning to Arkadelphia.
“You have to be open and not make your own plans,” Nicole Parham said.
Since moving from Norman, Okla., Parham has been working on her transition. In Oklahoma, she worked at a youth rehabilitation center with adolescents in the juvenile system and was the coordinator of group services. Children there ranged in age from 12 to 17 and were those whom were either on their way to juvenile detention or had been released and were living in homes.
Like Hunter, Parham is the University Counselor and ADA/504 Coordinator. In this position she assists in the personal, emotional and physical needs of the university. In addition to working with students, Parham also wants to work with young and adult women.
“I want to help empower young ladies,” Parham said.
Since coming to the campus, Parham has not experienced any resistance to being a female counselor. In fact, she believes having a female is advantageous.
Parham believes that it is “good” to have a female counselor because of personality as well as approachability. She also mentioned that males and females who have a strong relationship with their mothers or female guardians feel a connection with female counselors.
Since she has come so close to the end of the semester, Parham is taking the remainder of the semester to concentrate on the needs of students.
“I want to take a few weeks to get a feel for the campus environment and what the needs are before setting goals,” she said.
Parham has high hopes for the future. She plans on introducing more group and seminar work for those individuals who do not feel comfortable in a one-on-one counseling session.
“The counseling relationship is a relationship,” she said. “Some people will wonder ‘is this next person someone I’m going to feel comfortable with?’”
In addition to implementing new counseling services, Parham also wants to bring in a new kind of counseling: experimental/outdoor adventure therapy. This kind of therapy allows the counselor and the individual or individuals to experience nature at its best.
“God speaks to us through his creation,” Parham said.
This new therapy is still in the developmental stages, but Parham hopes that when it does come out that it will make an impact in students’ lives.
“I want to make sure the counseling services have a presence on campus,” Parham said.
Parham’s office is located in Evans Student Center 136. To set up an appointment, you may contact her via e-mail at parhamn@obu.edu or 245-5591.
