Suzanne Gavenus joined NCSSM in August 2022 as Director of Counseling and Wellness on our Morganton campus. She earned her associate degree in mental health technologies at Virginia Western Community College before earning her bachelor’s degree in social work at Christopher Newport University and earning her master’s of clinical social work at the University of New England. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW and since 1989 she’s worked in therapeutic and hospital settings, community outpatient clinics, wilderness programs, and in university and public high school settings. She is a certified trainer in School Mental Health, C.A.L.M. Suicide Prevention, and Check and Connect Mentoring programs. She has additional training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for School Based Clinicians, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Restorative Practices, and Resources for Resilience. After working 15 years as a senior counselor at a local high school, she was hired by Buncombe County Schools in 2019 to create college and career readiness programs, oversee Section 504 Compliance, and supervise their Naviance implementation. As a facilitator for NCDPI she taught College and Career Readiness courses through GoAlliance Academy to school counselors, career development coordinators, and college access professionals. She is passionate about building relationships, empowering others, and supporting the academic and wellness goals of students. Suzanne and her husband have three adult children, two of whom graduated from NCSSM-Durham. She enjoys walking, yoga, hiking, concerts, traveling, and playing with their menagerie of animals.