People, Passion and Purpose
University of Central Arkansas counselor Reesa Ramsahai didn’t always want to be a counselor. “My dad said, ‘Reesa, do something that makes money, and when you make money, go ahead and do something you love to do.’ And I did exactly that,” Ramsahai said, grinning. Originally, Ramsahai wanted to go into the fashion industry, and she was accepted to the Fashion Institute of New York, but she lived in New Jersey and knew that mechanical engineering would truly follow the plan her dad had set out for her. She earned a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
“I listened to my dad and did what he said, but I didn’t love it,” Ramsahai said. “I like people. Working with people in a helping way was what I truly wanted to do.” UCA had the degree and the atmosphere Ramsahai was looking for, so she came to Arkansas and earned her master’s in counseling psychology. As a UCA alumna and a UCA staff member, Ramsahai has a great vantage point of the advances and improvements in student health being made here on campus during the past 10 years.
“We’re focusing on health not only on the physical aspect but also on the mental aspect,” Ramsahai said. “It’s not just focused on students in the classroom, but on supporting them and their growth outside the classroom. One of the most positive areas of growth I’ve seen here is pertaining to our Student Government Association. They do a really, really good job. Without them, we wouldn’t have the Student Health Center or the amazing HPER Center that we have now.”
Working in the counseling center provides Ramsahai with the perfect atmosphere to really use her talents and love for helping others, and she is definitely an advocate for her profession. “Part of the growth of our students who come in to the counseling center is to develop an idea of who they are. While academics are going on, life is also going on. It’s challenging, and it’s about finding a balance,” Ramsahai said. “There is growth intellectually, but there is also growth emotionally and personally. No, students don’t get a diploma for the personal maturity they earn, but they sure do a lot of changing and maturing while they are here. We’re here to support that.” Ramsahai is definitely doing something she loves to do now.