Spire Magazine 2021

ALUMNA EMI LY COOK HELPS STUDENTS GO FURTHER AS DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER OF COUNSEL ING AND WELLNESS

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alking across the Bluefield University campus, you are always greeted by friendly faces, one of them being Emily Cook ’12, Director of The Center of Counseling and Wellness. Cook embodies the mission of Bluefield University daily in helping develop servant leaders to transform the world through her care, counseling, and promotion of wellness. A native of Hinton, WV, Cook graduated from Summers County High School in 2008. Her admissions counselor, Kathy Shott, helped her apply for the Presidential Scholarship, in which she received. “When I came to campus to interview for the Presidential Scholarship, it really felt like home and I was in awe of the beautiful campus,” shared Cook. “I felt welcomed and excited to be around other learners who wanted to grow in knowledge and in their faith.” During her time at Bluefield, Cook was a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and president of the Student Government Association. She loved organizing events and communicating student concerns with the institution’s administration. She helped collect Christmas presents for children with incarcerated parents as part of Bluefield Union Mission’s Angel Tree program. Cook “had some of the best times” while completing her undergraduate degree. She traveled to Ireland and Scotland and helped paint a mural in Romania. She cherishes memories of Bible studies in the parlor of Rish Hall, Homecoming dances and spring formals, and conversations in which friends provided or received emotional support.

“The friends I made at Bluefield are my family, and I am forever grateful that Bluefield is the reason I found my people,” shared Cook. “My favorite people in my life are still my Bluefield friends.” Cook graduated from Bluefield University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in English with Teacher Licensure. “I learned how to fulfill the role of a teacher, how to be a reflective practitioner, and how to navigate the educational system," shared Cook. "I also learned how to show my love of Christ to my students even if we couldn't talk about our faith openly while working at a public school. Dr. Donna Watson (former dean and professor of the School of Education and Social Sciences) consistently encouraged us to spread goodness and light, and her positive spirit was contagious. I saw how she created high expectations for her students while also building positive relationships with them. You wanted to do well because you knew she cared. She modeled how to be a caring, compassionate, and professional instructor.” After graduating from Bluefield University, Cook taught English at Graham High School. In 2015, she earned a Master of Education in School Counseling from Liberty University and served as Graham High School’s school counselor. “The biggest influence on me becoming a counselor was my desire to help others,” said Cook. “I went into the field of education because I wanted to make a difference, and I saw such a need for more school counselors who can serve students in a different role than teachers do.”

Cook’s love for Bluefield University, her eagerness to learn from the counseling center’s former directors, and shared passions with the university’s leadership inspired her to return as the Director of Counseling and Wellness. “I thought about what it would have looked like if there had been a counselor when we were students and how it could have helped us,” said Cook. “I thought about how I could make a difference with the opportunity to be that support to the BU students.” Established in 2019, The Center for Counseling and Wellness enhances Bluefield University’s holistic approach to educating the mind, heart, and spirit of students by supporting the mental health needs. The Center offers individual and group counseling provided by professional counselors and supervised graduate student interns. Students can seek assistance for a variety of concerns, including career, crisis, and substance abuse counseling. Connie Elkins and Brandy Smith ’01 served as the inaugural directors. Connie Elkins is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and a nationally certified counselor through the National Board of Certified Counselors. Additionally, Elkins serves as the current president for the Southwest Virginia Chapter of the Virginia Counselors Association. She holds a Master of Science degree in counseling and human development from Radford University in Radford, Virginia and holds a doctoral degree in counselor education and Supervision at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky.

Cook and Brittany Garton ('11) painting a mural in Romania during a mission trip

Cook with former classmate, Lacie Helms '13. Cook desires to spread the message of wellness in honor of Helms who passed away in 2016.

Donating presents to the Bluefield Union Mission's Christmas Angel Tree

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