Beverly Chen, assistant dean of student emotional health, joined Harvey Mudd College in the fall of 2003. Her position was created from a recommendation of the HMC’s Ad Hoc Faculty Committee on Student Emotional Health.

The committee took note of the correlation of student academic problems with emotional issues. They found that existing mental health support systems seemed to not be adequate for Mudd students. A campus-based counselor tied to the Office of the Dean of Students office, who could quickly see students, assess their situations and refer them on to other resources seemed to be a good solution. The person they envisioned could essentially serve as a mental health consultant for students. And Beverly seemed to be a perfect match for the job.

1996 graduate of Pitzer College, Beverly spent time at Mudd during her Claremont tenure. She earned a Master of Social Work degree in 1998 from the University of Michigan, then worked as a psychotherapist  as several outpatient clinics. In 2000, Beverly joined Duke University’s Counseling and Psychological Services as a clinical social worker and specialist in working with Asian American students.

Beverly's professional interests include counseling students specifically dealing with anxiety/stress, gender issues, depression and self confidence issues, eating and body image concerns, interpersonal difficulties and cross cultural issues. She is also interested in areas of leadership and spiritual and emotional development in students. Beverly is the advisor to HMC’s Asian American Student Mentoring Program and conducts various workshops on student emotional health issues to faculty, proctors and students. She teaches the seven habits of highly effective college students each year and is an adjunct faculty at Azusa Pacific University.

For an appointment, contact Beverly at beverly_chen@hmc.edu, (909) 607-4101 or (909) 621-8125.