Health Services: Campus Chaplain

Karen Wallace taught English at West Valley College for 35 years, and when she retired in 2009, joined the Health Services staff as campus chaplain. She holds a Master of Divinity degree from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley with an emphasis in the new theologies--feminist theology, Black theology, womanist theology, mujerista theology, and queer theology--as well as in comparative religions. She cares deeply about our students who have been wounded by religion and other cultural values in this society which might exclude them and their gifts. She also loves doing nature photography and believes in its ability to heal. She donates all proceeds from the sale of her photographs to the Student Emergency Assistance Fund administered by Health Services to help keep challenged West Valley students in school.

The Chaplain's Office provides services for students seeking to improve their spiritual health. These services can take several forms.

• One-on-one spiritual counseling, available Mondays 2-4 and by appointment on Wednesdays
• Specialized help for students marginalized by religion or culture for their differences
• Consultation with faculty and staff who are helping students in distress
• Representation on the Mental Health Services Advisory Committee
• Representation on NAMI on Campus club (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
• Representation on ASO Health and Wellness Committee
• One-time financial help to stay in school through the Student Emergency Assistance Fund
• Writing workshops modeled on NPR’s “This I Believe” series
• Service opportunities such as Habitat for Humanity builds
• Appearances at campus events such as memorial services
• Referrals to on-campus resources such as GLBT club, yoga classes, ongoing counseling
• Referrals to off-campus resources such as domestic violence, veterans, AA, shelters