Director of the Counseling Center Sarah Hastings will be leaving Baker University at the end of the academic year to take a position at Radford University in Radford, Va.
“When I saw the posting, I wasn’t planning to leave. I had no intentions of moving on for at least a couple of years,” she said.
She said the position will still be in the field of counseling, but she will be faculty instead of staff.
“It’s very different than what I’m doing now. I’ll be training grad students who are going into counseling psychology,” she said. “One part of my job (at Baker) is acting as the supervisor for the doctorate students at KU while they’re doing their practicum. I like watching them grow and help them with their career paths.”
Hastings said since it is a new program at Radford, she will be able to be a part of the growth and development of the department.
“I’ll be developing a curriculum and the program will need to be accredited by the American Psychology Association, which is a huge thing. It’s exciting,” she said.
Hastings has been at Baker for six years, two years as part-time and four years full-time.
“That’s longer than I’ve ever been at a job,” she said.
Ruth Sarna, director of student health services, said she views Hastings as not only a colleague, but a friend as well.
“I have the greatest respect for Sarah,” Sarna said. “I have no qualms of issues of confidentiality with Sarah. She is very professional and has always been that way.”
Sarna said she was disappointed to hear the news of Hastings’ departure.
“It’s been a real joy (to work with her),” she said. “It’s a very big loss to the university and community. She’s just a great asset to both.”
Hastings said her time at Baker has been special to her.
“I’ve had a wonderful time. I love working with college students,” Hastings said. “The small, community feel of this place and getting to know the faculty and staff in a real and personal way (is something I will miss).”
Senior Jana Collins, Irwin Hall director, said she has worked with Hastings through her job on hall staff.
“Dr. Hastings has always been very concerned with the welfare of the students,” she said. “She’s always willing to go out of her way of offer her services both personally and through programming.”
Collins said Hastings has presented such programs in Irwin as an adjusting to college program that focused on homesickness and general concerns of making the transitions to college, an information program about rape and a nutrition program where she discussed eating habits, eating disorders and basic nutrition.
“From a hall staff perspective, she is always very respectful and understanding with situations we’ve had to deal with,” Collins said. “She’s very helpful and always makes sure to follow-up.”
Hastings said the personal connections and relationships formed during her six years will be hard to leave.
“This is a lovely and serene place. I will miss the very personal work with students and the relationships I’ve had with them,” she said. “As a faculty member, it will be different.”
As a search committee forms to fill Hastings’ position, Sarna said it will be a difficult task.
“Someone has big shoes to fill,” she said. “The main thing (the new director) will need is to be a good listener, obviously, and be available to listen to students.”
Hastings said she has confidence that her replacement will be capable.
“They’re obviously searching for another person for this position and I know the university is committed to the counseling center,” Hastings said. “Students don’t need to worry. They will find somebody qualified to fill that role.”