Garden Grove, California, U.S. – From October 11 to 15, 2025, Ms. Yelena Sardaryan, the Director of the Office of Student Affairs (OSA), represented the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) at the 76th Annual Conference of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD), held under the theme “A Public Health Framework for Addressing Student Mental Health.”
Presenting alongside Ms. Sarah Joe Chamate from the American University of Beirut, Ms. Sardaryan shared insights into AUK’s comprehensive, public health–oriented approach to student mental health and well-being. Representing AUK at a conference held for more than seven decades underscores AUK’s growing recognition as a regional leader in mental health advocacy and student support.
The Conference offered an opportunity to engage with directors of university counseling centers and mental health professionals from across the United States. Discussions reinforced AUK’s integrated model, which focuses on building both demand for mental health support—by educating students and reducing stigma— through the establishment of accessible services. These include residence life initiatives, peer mentoring, peer health advocacy, student government programming, and student clubs.
International colleagues expressed particular interest in AUK’s ecosystem-based approach, especially given regional challenges such as limited accessibility to professional mental health services and prevailing cultural taboos. The experience reaffirmed AUK’s commitment to continuous learning, innovation, and collaboration, while ensuring the implementation of student support services that advance the holistic development of students.
