Director for the Counseling and Mental Health Center

The University of Idaho, the leading public flagship institution for the state of Idaho, is seeking an accomplished, visionary, and exceptional leader to serve as the Director for the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC).

U of I is a residential university with its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, located in northern Idaho, just 10 minutes away from Pullman, Washington and an hour and half from Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. The University of Idaho is at the heart of the community, and Moscow benefits from a diverse workforce and community commitment to education. The town’s nickname is the “Heart of the Arts,” and for good reason. The University serves students statewide with centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, and Idaho Falls. Recognized as a Carnegie Foundation “higher research activity” university, U of I’s research trajectory, includes expenditures of $115.5 million in 2022. In 2025 we expect to be the first university in Idaho to achieve the highest level of classification for research activity (R1) as determined by the Carnegie Classification. 2023 marked the fourth year in a row that the U of I was ranked as the Best Value Public University in the West by U.S. News and World Report, and second nationally behind the University of North Carolina.

The Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) is the primary provider of mental health services for the University of Idaho student population. The CMHC offers individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric services, psychological testing, alcohol and other drug programming, outreach, campus liaisons and consultative services. The CMHC utilizes a developmental model, focusing on personal development, coping skills, treatment, and wellness within a brief therapy framework. The CMHC is deeply committed to building a welcoming, affirming, and supportive environment for all students that reduces stigma and increases access to mental health services. The CMHC also has an APA accredited doctoral internship in professional psychology.

The new Director for the Counseling and Mental Health Center (CMHC) will be responsible for the overall direction, management, and clinical leadership of a multi-disciplinary and talented team that is charged with expanding and strengthening the range of mental health services provided to the students of the U of I (both on the main campus located in Moscow and at the various distance/remote learning sites throughout the state). The successful candidate will serve as the chief psychologist for the university and provide administrative supervision to a multidisciplinary staff of mental health practitioners, including psychologists and masters level clinicians. The position will have administrative responsibility for university mental health services, including psychiatry, case management, and oversight of 24-hour crisis intervention contracted service. The Director is responsible for the CMHC’s by-laws and promotion process, in conjunction with the Vice Provost for Student Affairs’ office. The Director will join a multidisciplinary team and spend the majority of their time providing oversight for the programs within the CMHC which includes clinical services to students entailing initial appointments, crisis intervention, individual counseling and case management activities within the CMHC’s established clinical model. The Director will also be expected to engage in scholarship and creative activities which may include professional presentations, program development and/or research and publications. 

Candidates are encouraged to review the search profile, with additional information about the University of Idaho and the opportunities for the next Director, located above.

Nominations and Applications

Applicants are requested to submit the following materials:

1. A curriculum vitae or resume.
2. A letter of interest that addresses your interest in the position, your professional experience and your alignment with the required and desired qualifications and attributes.
3. Three professional references with email addresses, telephone numbers and an explanation of your professional relationship. (References will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant.)

All application materials should be submitted through the AGB Search portal system accessible via this link. Review of applications will be made on a rolling basis, and the search will remain open until an appointment is made. Please direct any questions regarding the application process to CMHCDIR@agbsearch.com.

Nominations and expressions of interest are encouraged and should be directed to CMHCDIR@agbsearch.com or to the AGB search consultants listed below. All candidate names will remain confidential until finalists are identified during the latter stages of the search.

Frank Newton, Ed.D., Executive Search Consultant 
frank.newton@agbsearch.com / 302-943-1605

Laura Woodworth-Ney, Ph.D., Principal 
laura.woodworth-ney@agbsearch.com / 208-589-8896

To enrich education through diversity, the University of Idaho (U of I) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, U of I does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, genetic information or status as any protected veteran or military status in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions and educational programs.