The staff of the University of South Florida's Counseling Center strive to maintain an environment in which all individuals receive the respect, acceptance, positive regard, and safety conducive to maximum growth. The Counseling Center fully supports the USF Diversity Statement. We affirm our dedication to diversity by acknowledging diverse world views and the implications these have on daily interactions.

We seek continually to increase our understanding and appreciation of the pluralistic nature of self and others within our environment. It is the Counseling Center's mission to enhance the intellectual, social, and emotional functioning of the individual regardless of gender, ethnicity, race, age, religious beliefs, sexual/affectional orientation, veteran status, or socio-economic status.

Our commitment to diversity is reflected in the multi-level services we offer to University students and staff of all backgrounds. The Committee on Diversity seeks to enhance the quality of services by acting as a channel for the promotion of awareness and appreciation of diversity. Professional staff and trainees are provided with ongoing opportunities to engage in a process of self-exploration and to increase awareness of diversity issues. This process is accomplished by participation as committee members and/or by engaging in direct service provisions such as individual and group personal counseling, career development, academic skills development, outreach programming, training and supervision, consultation, and research efforts.

Members of the Counseling Center staff are sensitive to the impact of oppression, prejudice and discrimination and how these factors can influence an individual’s self-concept. We acknowledge and strive to eliminate prejudice and/or insensitivity toward individuals of diverse backgrounds. We continue to challenge ourselves to reach out to groups that under-utilize our services. Finally, we expect staff to support each other in the process of self-exploration and professional development and continue to identify and provide the necessary resources to achieve multi-cultural competence.