Suzanne Gavenus

Director of Counseling and Wellness (Morganton)

Morganton

Joined NCSSM in August 2022

Suzanne Gavenus joined NCSSM in August 2022 as Director of Counseling and Wellness for the Morganton campus. She provides strategic leadership for student wellness and counseling services, college and career readiness initiatives, and partnerships that support student success. Suzanne led the implementation of Naviance at the Morganton campus and now oversees the NCSSM implementation of SchooLinks. She co-facilitated the 2023 Strategic Plan Action Team #3 and serves on the Communications Council and other school, regional, and statewide leadership teams.

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Suzanne brings more than 30 years of experience in mental health and education, including leadership roles in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practice, wilderness programs, and public schools. Before joining NCSSM, she served as Student Support and Transition Specialist for Buncombe County Schools, leading districtwide college and career readiness initiatives, Section 504 training and compliance, and Naviance implementation.

Outside of work, Suzanne enjoys building strong teams, mentoring others, and nurturing relationships with family and friends. She and her husband have three adult children, two of whom are NCSSM alumni. In her free time, she enjoys hiking Western North Carolina’s trails and attending live music, theater, and other arts events.

AAS, Mental Health Technologies, Virginia Western Community College
BA, Social Work, Christopher Newport University
MSW, Clinical Social Work, University of New England

Counseling

Gina Burger

Whitt Daniel

Michele Ferry

Terri Ingle-Krause

Dasni Lakpriya

Lori Hackney Newnam

Lacey O’Rourke

Scott Schwartz ’06

Damon Toone

Carissa Trotta

Janice Webster

Lamia Younes