UF Counseling and Wellness Center names Escoto new director

January 28, 2015

Following an extensive nationwide search, the University of Florida Division of Student Affairs is pleased to announce that Ernesto Escoto has been named the new director of the Counseling and Wellness Center.

As the current director of the University of Miami’s Counseling Center, Escoto supervises clinical professionals in areas of psychology, counseling, social work and psychiatry. Before UM, he served as the associate director and director of clinical services at The Ohio State University’s Counseling and Consultation Services.

“Ernesto’s proven leadership and keen interest in supporting diverse populations will allow us to continue providing innovative and holistic support to our students,” said Dave Kratzer, vice president for Student Affairs.

Shari Robinson will continue to serve as the interim director until Escoto arrives on June 1, 2015.

Outside of his current and previous positions, Escoto has held many leadership roles in national and local organizations, including serving on an advisory board for a national organization on domestic violence, acting as a coordinator of a non-residential women’s counseling program, serving as a co-chair of the Organization of Hispanic Faculty and Staff at OSU, and co-founding the Ohio Latino Mental Health Network.

Escoto holds a doctorate in counseling psychology from New Mexico State University, a master’s degree in education in counseling and student services and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Fresno.

UF’s Counseling and Wellness Center facilitates the total development of students by reducing psychological problems and distress and by enhancing mental health, well-being, quality of life, and optimal functioning, through the delivery of high quality, culturally sensitive services. Its primary focus is on providing brief, confidential counseling aimed at helping students succeed academically and interpersonally.

For more information, please contact Mary Kay Carodine at (352) 392-1265 or marykay@ufl.edu.To learn more about the UF Counseling and Wellness Center, please visit http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/.