SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE — OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
The Student Affairs team contributes to an environment of inclusive excellence which prepares students to be innovative leaders who create more just, sustainable, and healthy societies. Our objectives align with UVA’s Great and Good Plan and the School of Architecture’s strategic priorities and JEDI initiatives.
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and characteristics of the students we serve, and we support their academic, personal, and professional development through:
- ADVOCACY: We address non-academic challenges to student success and to create a safe and supportive learning environment for students.
- BELONGING: We lead programming and support activities to help students acclimate and thrive as members of the A-School community.
- CO-CURRICULAR ENHANCEMENT: We coordinate and oversee all activities that complement the academic curriculum including externships, internships, professional shadowing, workshops, etc.
- EDUCATION: We counsel prospective and current students on academic options, co-curricular opportunities, student outcomes, and support resources available in the school, university, and community.
- EMPOWERMENT: We identify and coordinate support services for students including those from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
- ENGAGEMENT: We support students’ pursuit of personal and professional interests through extra-curricular activities such as student organizations and community outreach efforts.
- GUIDANCE: We offer personal, financial, and professional development support to help students meet their personal and professional goals.
Meet our Team
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| Cindy Kiefer Associate Dean of Student Affairs Profile Executive Team |
Eric Callaway Director of Admission Profile Admission |
Carolyn Buchanan Director of Financial Aid Profile Scholarships + Fellowships |
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| Lindsay Schiller Director of Career Development Profile Career Development |
Varinia Anderson Embedded Counselor + Psychotherapist Profile UVA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) |
Well-Being + Belonging
Students are complex individuals and no two have the same needs. As such, we consider the well-being of our students holistically. Simply put, well-being is an “optimal and dynamic state that allows people to achieve their full potential”.* Broadly applied, well-being addresses personal satisfaction with one’s life, considers that one’s basic needs are met, and that the individual contributes to the well-being of the community.
We believe that every individual shares a responsibility for contributing to the health and culture of our community. Respect, collaboration, and strong relationships help foster a positive experience for students, faculty, and staff.
- Orientation: Each new student joins us with different lived experiences which may affect their acclimation to the A-School. Our goal is to address these different approaches to their A-School experience through UVA summer and A-School fall orientation programs.
- Wahoo Welcome: We strive to create a welcoming environment for all students and we focus the first several weeks of each fall semester on helping students feel a part of the A-School community. Visit the Wahoo Welcome webpage to learn how our activities integrate into the larger UVA community.
- Family Weekend: Families can be important partners to students’ success, and we invite families to join us for activities created especially for them. Visit the Family Weekend webpage to learn more.
- Coffee + Community: Students, faculty, and staff come together weekly over coffee during the regular academic year to build relationships and enhance community.
- First-Generation Student Initiatives: 15% of A-School students are first-generation (neither parent/guardian graduated from a four-year college or university). We aim to support, empower, and give voice to our first-generation students and to break down barriers and feelings of imposter syndrome that often exists for first-generation students.
- Listening Sessions: We believe in the power of student self-governance and giving students agency in their A-School experience. Students are invited to participate in listening sessions with the Deans to share their experiences and to contribute to the culture of the A-School community.
- What You Need (WYN) Wednesdays: Each week, we gather in community to focus on one or more areas of well-being (personal, emotional, intellectual, social, and financial) to proactively build and maintain individual and community well-being.
- Student Organizations: Our students are actively engaged in the shared governance of the A-School, providing valuable leadership and positive contributions to our community. Participation in student groups allows students to pursue their individual interests and to contribute to the advancement of their academic disciplines leading to the vitality of the A-School and the positive student experience. Student Affairs supports our student groups through funding, leadership development, and organizational guidance. Visit our Student Organizations webpage to learn more.
- Embedded Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): The School of Architecture is committed to creating an environment where our students thrive, and we believe that access to dedicated and timely mental health care professionals supports our students’ psychological well-being. Refer to the Crisis + Mental Health Support Services section below to learn more.
- Food Pantry: We recognize that students who face financial challenges may find accessing healthy food choices challenging. The A-School’s food pantry operates as a satellite and formal partner of UVA’s Community Food Pantry and offers easy access to shelf-stable healthy food options for students experiencing food insecurity. Visit our Food Pantry webpage to learn more.
- Admission: The Office of Student Affairs manages admission and recruitment for Graduate Programs and the Doctor of Philosophy in the Constructed Environment. We also support undergraduate transfer admissions and general recruitment. Current and prospective School of Architecture students are encouraged to use Eric Callaway, Director of Admission, as a resource to help them meet their educational goals.
- Care and Support Services – Free support to help students meet unmet basic, safety, financial, and wellness needs through services offered at UVA and in the community.
- Contemplative Sciences Center – Holistic well-being student resources.
- Counseling and Psychological Services – UVA’s primary mental health clinic on Grounds.
- Food Insecurity – On-Grounds and community resources to assist students experiencing food insecurity.
- Health Promotion – Preventative and well-being resources.
- Honor at UVA – Honor system that is entirely student-run.
- Hoos First – Resources for first-generation and limited income students.
- Hoos Involved – List of all UVA student organizations.
- Hoo Needs Help – Emergency student support resources, including funding, accommodations, food, mental care, transportation, legal assistance, health insurance, textbook access, and summer storage for international students.
- Housing + Residence Life – Resources to support students’ housing needs.
- Medical Services – UVA’s primary health care clinic on Grounds.
- Orientation + Transition Programs – Resources for new undergraduate students.
- Student Disability and Access Center – Resources for students with disabilities.
- Student Safety – Safety resources for the UVA community.
- Students @ UVA – Interactive site designed to help you find resources, get involved, connect with others, and optimize your UVA experience.
DEAN ON CALL
The UVA Office of the Dean of Students provides 24-hour crisis management and incident response/follow-up services to UVA students.
Contact them at 434-924-7133, Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm
For after-hours needs, contact the University Police Department at 434-924-7166 and ask them to refer the issue to the Dean on Call. In addition, if you live in a residence hall, you can contact a Resident Staff member after hours.
UVA COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS)
UVA's primary mental health clinic on Grounds
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE EMBEDDED CAPS COUNSELOR
The School of Architecture's embedded CAPS Counselor and Psychotherapist is Varinia Anderson, LPC (she/her). She conducts all appointments at her office in Campbell Hall, room 409.
APPOINTMENTS IN CAMPBELL HALL
- You may schedule an initial 45-minute initial phone consultation with Varinia in one of two ways:
- Via Healthy Hoos
- By calling CAPS at (434) 243-5150 and notifying the receptionist that you are enrolled in the School of Architecture
- Appointments will appear on Healthy Hoos as an Initial Brief Assessment Telehealth appointment.
- Contact Varinia at vg2c@virginia.edu with questions or to schedule an appointment if a desired timeslot is not available.
TIMELY CARE
Students may access 24/7 virtual mental health services through a CAPS and TimelyCare partnership. This service can be accessed by downloading the app.
CAPS SERVICES AT STUDENT HEALTH
- Walk-in Appointments: Student may access a walk-in appointment at CAPS during business hours and select times during breaks. Walk-in appointment times and building location details are found on the CAPS website.
- Phone Appointments: Students may call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday and ask to speak with the on-call clinician.
CRISIS SERVICES
If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, please call 434-243-5150 or go directly to CAPS in the Student Health and Wellness building during business hours. For immediate support, call 911.