University of Phoenix Appoints New Associate Dean
The University of Phoenix has appointed Yurandol Thompson as the Associate Dean for its counseling program. Dr. Thompson brings experience in operations and programmatic development to the role.
- Dr. Yurandol Thompson brings over 15 years of clinical experience to her new role, having previously served as the Clinical Program Chair for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Phoenix. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Georgia and Virginia and has a background working in various settings, including community mental health clinics and schools. - The University of Phoenix's Master of Science in Counseling/Clinical Mental Health Counseling online program recently achieved a full eight-year accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in March 2025. This accreditation is a significant quality indicator in the counseling profession, and Thompson's prior role involved focusing on achieving this milestone. - The appointment comes as online counselor education programs are seeing significant growth, with over 40% of graduate students now enrolled in some form of online education. This trend is driven by the flexibility it offers to working adults and those with family commitments. - A key challenge in online counselor education is fostering a sense of connection to the university for remote students, a top concern reported by 62% of online counselor educators in one survey. Dr. Thompson's leadership will be crucial in addressing this and other challenges, such as providing quality practicum and internship experiences for students at a distance. - The demand for mental health services on college campuses is high, with over 60% of students reporting overwhelming anxiety. This creates a significant need for well-trained counseling professionals, a demand that accredited online programs like the one at the University of Phoenix aim to meet. - Higher education institutions are facing a nationwide shortage of mental health providers, making it difficult to meet student needs. By preparing and graduating qualified counselors, the University of Phoenix's program directly addresses this critical workforce gap. - Prior to her work in academia, Dr. Thompson was a counselor with the Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) program, providing non-medical counseling to service members and their families. - Employers are increasingly viewing online degrees from accredited institutions as equivalent to traditional on-campus programs, with over 70% reporting positive perceptions. The focus is shifting towards demonstrated skills and licensure, which benefits graduates of accredited online counseling programs.
