Dr. Eric Johnson, Director of Colby Counseling Services
Greetings from Counseling Services…we couldn’t be more excited to welcome you to our amazing Colby community!
One of the many joys of my position as Director of Counseling Services is that I have the month of July away from the office to recharge and reflect, spend more time with friends and family, and take on new adventures. It has become a tradition during my month away to head out on a week-long, bikepacking trip through rural New England.
Other than packing what we need to survive the elements, we keep our trip planning to a minimum. This is my preferred approach to travel, when at all possible. It heightens my sense of discovery, provides unexpected challenges, requires creativity, and always connects me with people I would have otherwise never encountered.
With this approach to travel, I’ve experienced an abundance of kindness, curiosity, and help from the locals I meet. This kindness, curiosity, and desire to offer a helping hand are always inspiring. I’ve also noticed that when I engage these same people in conversation, how often they express pride in their communities, in their work, and in the goods and services they provide. They also consistently demonstrate a deep and abiding respect for the environment that surrounds and helps to sustain them. It’s always heartening to experience this energy and witness these community values in action.
I chose to share these few reflections on my summer adventures because they make me think of the one that is ahead for you during your first year at Colby, as well as the core values that will help guide you throughout your four years on campus and beyond. Whether cycling through the wilds of New England, or navigating your first year of college, adhering to the values of discovery, difference, dialogue, care, and community always guarantees a richer, more enjoyable, and more growthful experience.
As a representative of Counseling Services, I should also remind you that you have a tremendous amount of support here at Colby if you find yourself in need. From the classroom to the counseling room and everywhere in between, there are staff members eager to help. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with our office, as well as to the variety of other resources to which you will be introduced in the coming weeks.
In conclusion, I encourage you to fully engage with all that Colby’s First-Year Experience program has on offer, as this engagement in and of itself is an act of wellness. It will not only enrich your Colby experience, but also help you build a solid base of knowledge, skills and resiliency as you meet the challenges of college life.
I wish you well as you travel down your trail of discovery and look forward to meeting you on that trail at some point.
Take good care,
Eric
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