The George Washington University has selected Jessica Parrillo as the new director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the Colonial Health Center.
As the director of CAPS, Dr. Parrillo will lead and provide oversight of the clinical, educational, fiscal and administrative services of the counseling center at CHC and will supervise more than 20 staff members. She also will be involved in consultations, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, assessments, referrals and providing self-care resources.
She will begin the job June 1.
“The search committee was impressed by Dr. Parrillo’s drive and passion to put students first,” said M.L.Cissy Petty, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “She is guided by the principles of safety and care for our students. She is a strong leader, and I look forward to welcoming Jessica, her family and dog to campus.”
Dr. Parrillo most recently served as the director of clinical operations at the Drexel University Counseling Center. There, she provided oversight for the counseling center’s clinical services: delivering counseling services to students; organizing and integrating the center’s counseling, training, outreach and consulting activities; supervising staff; and evaluating and assessing services and programs.
She also has served as the director of counseling and health services for the Ursinus College Wellness Center in Collegeville, Penn., where she provided oversight and administration of all operations related to the delivery of medical and psychological services to students. Before Ursinus, she worked in counseling centers at Drexel, Columbia University and Princeton University.
Dr. Parrillo earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Washington and Lee University and a master’s degree in psychological counseling from Teacher’s College at Columbia University. Following completion of an American Psychological Association accredited pre-doctoral internship at the counseling center of Johns Hopkins University, she received a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Georgia.
“I am excited to join an already strong team of dedicated professionals who strive every day to provide resources, care and support for students,” said Dr. Parrillo. “I realize I will be joining campus during a time when many of my first introductions will be virtual. I look forward to the time where I will get to meet students and colleagues alike in person, when, of course, it is safe for us to all be together again.”