CAPS Community Liaisons

About our Community Liaison program

Community Liaisons are Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) staff members who serve as bridge builders with student communities on campus that face additional barriers and stigma about accessing mental health care.

In their role, the Community Liaisons serve as a conduit with their designated campus community. They assist in bringing information about mental health and related services to the community and listen to the needs of the community so that information can be shared back with CAPS and with Cornell Health more broadly.

Meet our Community Liaisons (below)

While all Community Liaisons are CAPS therapists, they are not the “designated therapist” for members of that student community. Rather, they can help students within the community by answering questions about mental health services and support, provide educational presentations, meet with student groups, and generally be a resource for the community.

How to connect with a Community Liaison:

• Students with questions or concerns about their own mental health can stop by during a Community Liaison's Let's Talk drop-in consultations.
• Students who are interested in an educational presentation or program for a student group can submit their request through our Program Request Form.
• Students who are interested in contacting a specific Community Liaison can send a message through our Contact Form, or call Cornell Health during business hours [607-255-5155] and leave a message for a liaison.

Meet our CAPS Community Liaisons:

	Community Liaison for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Students Shinong Ji, MHC-LP Counselor/Therapist
	Community Liaison for Indigenous Students Wahieñhawi “Hawi” Hall, LCSW Assistant Director of Counseling & Psychological Services – Equity & Inclusion Counselor/Therapist Get to know Hawi [video] (see Hawi's video transcript)
	Community Liaison for International Students Elizabeth Jonas, LMSW-LP Counselor/Therapist
	Community Liaison for Latinx Students Juliana Garcia, LMSW Counselor/Therapist
	Community Liaison for Low Income and First Generation Students,  and Interim Liaison for Black Students Qiana Watson, MA, LCSW Counselor/Therapist
	Community Liaison for LGBTQ+ Students Kim VanNorman, LMSW Counselor/Therapist

In the news:

• "Putting Services Where the Students Are—In DEI Offices" (Inside Higher Ed, April 24, 2024)
• “New Community Liaison Expands Mental Health Access for Indigenous Students” (Cornell Daily Sun, Feb. 3, 2022)