GCU TODAY • 5
L
isa Harman and her husband, Greg, GCU’s
executive director of strategic educational
alliances, helped their four kids get through
college life. Now, as the new case manager for Residence
Life, Lisa will be shepherding about 16,000 students
through any mental health issues they might encounter.
GCU Today talked with her about her role and
its significance.
1
What is the bird’s-eye viewof what you’ll be
doing?
I’m not a counselor, and I won’t be
counseling them. I’m the connector on campus to
get them the resources they need. If we get reports
that they’re at a crisis level, then I’ll meet with them
and, if appropriate, set up meetings for them with
Student Disability Services and with Counseling for an
assessment. We can’t require continual counseling, but
we can require an assessment.
2
What are thewarning signs of depression or
mental illness?
They feel like they can’t get to
classes, they can’t do their homework, they don’t want
to go out with friends. Our greatest concern, of course,
is making sure that students considering suicide get
the resources they need, but depression can result from
something as simple as being severely homesick. Resident
advisers, resident directors and life leaders are able to
help and support, but they can’t reach all the students.
3
Howgreat is the need for crisis counseling?
According to the American College Health
Association, at any given time 32 percent of college and
university students are dealing with mental illness. We’re
not seeing that high of a statistic, that we’re aware of, but
even if you cut that in half it’s still 16 percent — that’s a lot.
4
What experiences have prepared you to do this
work?
I was a lay counselor in my church for a
number of years and have worked in student conduct here
for two years. This summer, I’ve done gateway training
for suicide prevention and certification training for
behavioral intervention teams and for case management
with the National Behavioral Intervention Team
Association, which deals with these issues on campus.
You learn best practices, how to be in compliance, how
best to care for these students, how to follow through,
things of that nature.
5
Howdidmotherhood prepare you for this role?
It’s funny — you back away from saying that is one
of my qualifications, but it’s a huge one. I love watching
how God prepares you. I feel that I’m at a place where all
the pieces have come together.
5 ON 5 WITH
Lisa Harman, Residence Life
The Havocs, GCU’s
raucous student
section, havemade
the Arena a tough
venue for the
competition. This year, look for these Canyon
Crazies to generate evenmore sound and antics
at home games as the oldMonsoon section
is swept away by an expanded groupwith as
many as 1,000members. The Havocs alsowill
bemotoring in the newGame Day golf cart, a
mobile pep rally with loudmusic and Lopes gear.
“We’ll drive around campus to create a buzz
before games,” said senior Brandon Kaiser,
Havocs president. “When students see us
they’ll say, ‘That’s the Havocs. It’s crazy time.’”
Oh,
Yeah?
Lisa Harman will use
her considerable
experience as a mom
to help students work
through mental health
issues. “Motherhood is
the greatest opportunity
to love someone through
their life, to believe in
them, encourage them and
help them see their value
and the unique gifts that
God has given them.”
photo by darryl webb
Got Your
Number
The newGrand Canyon
University Hotel, at 27th
Avenue and Camelback Road
near Interstate 17, opened on
Aug. 1. It serves two valuable
purposes— it provides a
clean, secure and convenient
place to stay for GCU visitors
and anyone else whowants a
reasonably priced room, and
it creates an excellent learning
environment for students in the
newhospitality program in the
Colangelo College of Business.
Some things to know about it:
$69
$74
10
117
152
Cost of regular room,
including breakfast
Cost of suites
Number
of suites
Rooms
available at
opening
Total
rooms
