SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE — OFFICE OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
The Student Affairs team supports students' holistic growth from the time they consider applying through walking the Lawn at graduation. We foster an environment that prepares students to become innovative leaders who contribute to more just, sustainable, and healthy communities.
Our work aligns with UVA’s Great and Good Plan and the School of Architecture’s strategic priorities.
We value the unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of every student, and we are committed to supporting their academic, personal, and professional development through:
- ADVOCACY: We address non-academic challenges to student success to create a safe and supportive learning environment for students.
- BELONGING: We lead programming and support activities to help students acclimate and thrive as members of the A-School community.
- CO-CURRICULAR ENHANCEMENT: We coordinate and oversee all activities that complement the academic curriculum including externships, internships, professional shadowing, workshops, etc.
- EDUCATION: We counsel prospective and current students on academic options, co-curricular opportunities, student outcomes, and support resources available in the school, university, and community.
- EMPOWERMENT: We connect students with support services that enable their success.
- ENGAGEMENT: We support students’ pursuit of personal and professional interests through extra-curricular activities designed to enhance learning, build skills, and encourage active participation.
- GUIDANCE: We provide individualized support to help students navigate decisions and achieve their personal and professional goals.
Meet our Team
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| Cindy Kiefer Associate Dean of Student Affairs Profile Executive Team |
Holly Middaugh Director of Admission Profile Admission |
Carolyn Buchanan Director of Financial Aid Profile Scholarships + Fellowships |
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| Lindsay Schiller Director of Career Development Profile Career Development |
Varinia Anderson Embedded Counselor + Psychotherapist Profile UVA Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) |
Well-Being + Belonging
Students are complex individuals and no two have the same needs. As such, we consider the well-being of our students holistically. Simply put, well-being is an “optimal and dynamic state that allows people to achieve their full potential”.* Broadly applied, well-being addresses personal satisfaction with one’s life, considers that one’s basic needs are met, and that the individual contributes to the well-being of the community.
We believe that every individual shares a responsibility for contributing to the health and culture of our community. Respect, collaboration, and strong relationships help foster a positive experience for students, faculty, and staff.
The School of Architecture offers a comprehensive approach to student engagement and support, designed to help students successfully transition, connect, lead, and thrive throughout their academic journey.
Orientation
Each student arrives with unique experiences, perspectives, and goals, and our orientation programs are designed to create a welcoming and supportive environment. Through UVA and A-School orientation, we help students build a sense of connection and belonging within the community while introducing the resources and relationships that support their success.
Our orientation program is designed to help students feel welcome and make a smooth transition into the A-School. Through these experiences, students build connections, gain confidence, and find the support they need to thrive in our community.
Peer Mentorship
Peer mentorship programs connect new students with experienced student leaders who provide guidance, support, and insight into navigating the A-School experience.
Mentors play a key role in orientation, transition, and ongoing student engagement, helping to build a strong and supportive community.
Wahoo Welcome
During the first weeks of the fall semester, we focus on helping students build connections and feel a sense of belonging within the A-School and the broader UVA community. A-School programming during Wahoo Welcome complements university-wide events and creates opportunities for students to meet peers, faculty, and staff while learning how to navigate their academic environment.
Family Weekend
Families and supporters play an important role in students’ success. Family Weekend provides opportunities to engage with the A-School community, learn about the student experience, and participate in events designed to strengthen these important partnerships.
Feedback Forums
We are committed to a culture of transparency, shared governance, and continuous improvement. Students are invited to participate in conversations with school leaders, discuss their experiences, and help shape the A-School community.
Student input informs decision-making, programming, and policy development, ensuring that the student voice remains central to our work.
Student Organizations & Leadership
Student leadership is a cornerstone of the A-School experience. Through student organizations and governance structures, students actively contribute to the life and direction of the school.
Student Affairs supports student organizations by providing:
- Funding and fiscal guidance
- Leadership development and training
- Event planning and organizational support
Visit our Student Organizations webpage to learn more.
We are committed to supporting students' well-being, basic needs, and overall success through accessible, student-centered resources.
Embedded Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
The A-School partners with an embedded CAPS clinician to provide timely, accessible mental health support tailored to the unique demands of studio-based learning.
In addition to individual support, CAPS offers workshops and programming that promote well-being, stress management, and a culture of help-seeking across the school.
For more information, refer to the Crisis + Mental Health Support Services section.
Food Pantry
The A-School’s Food Pantry is a satellite partner of UVA’s Cavalier Food Pantry and provides convenient access to healthy, shelf-stable food for students experiencing food insecurity.
This resource is part of our broader commitment to student well-being and ensures students have access to basic needs so they can focus on their academic success.
Visit the Food Pantry webpage to learn more.
Additional Student Support
Student Affairs works collaboratively across the school and university to ensure students have access to:
- Advising and success resources
- Career development and experiential learning opportunities
- Financial resources and support for affordability
- Coordinated care and crisis response when needed
Our goal is to provide seamless support throughout the student lifecycle, from enrollment through graduation, so every student is positioned to succeed and thrive.
- Care and Support Services – Free support to help students meet unmet basic, safety, financial, and wellness needs through services offered at UVA and in the community.
- Contemplative Sciences Center – Holistic well-being student resources.
- Counseling and Psychological Services – UVA’s primary mental health clinic on Grounds.
- Emergency Funding (Hoo Needs Help) – Emergency student support resources, including funding, accommodations, food, mental care, transportation, legal assistance, health insurance, and textbook access.
- Honor at UVA – Honor system that is entirely student-run.
- Hoos First – Resources for first-generation and limited income students.
- Hoos Involved – List of all UVA student organizations.
- Housing + Residence Life – Resources to support students’ housing needs.
- Medical Services – UVA’s primary health care clinic on Grounds.
- Orientation + Transition Programs – Resources for new undergraduate students.
- Student Disability and Access Center – Resources for students with disabilities.
- Student Safety – Safety resources for the UVA community.
- Students @ UVA – Interactive site designed to help you find resources, get involved, connect with others, and optimize your UVA experience.
- Well-Being – Preventative and well-being resources.
CASS ON CALL
The UVA Care and Support Services provides 24-hour crisis management and incident response/follow-up services to UVA students.
Contact them at 434-924-7133, Monday – Friday from 8am to 5pm
For after-hours needs, contact the University Police Department at 434-924-7166 and ask them to refer the issue to the CASS on Call. In addition, if you live in a residence hall, you can contact a Resident Staff member after hours.
UVA COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (CAPS)
UVA's primary mental health clinic on Grounds
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE EMBEDDED CAPS COUNSELOR
The School of Architecture's embedded CAPS Counselor and Psychotherapist is Varinia Anderson, LPC (she/her). She conducts all appointments at her office in Campbell Hall, room 409.
APPOINTMENTS IN CAMPBELL HALL
- You may schedule an initial 45-minute initial phone consultation with Varinia in one of two ways:
- Via Healthy Hoos
- By calling CAPS at (434) 243-5150 and notifying the receptionist that you are enrolled in the School of Architecture
- Appointments will appear on Healthy Hoos as an Initial Brief Assessment Telehealth appointment.
- Contact Varinia at vg2c@virginia.edu with questions or to schedule an appointment if a desired timeslot is not available.
TIMELY CARE
Students may access 24/7 virtual mental health services through a CAPS and TimelyCare partnership. This service can be accessed by downloading the app.
CAPS SERVICES AT STUDENT HEALTH
- Walk-in Appointments: Student may access a walk-in appointment at CAPS during business hours and select times during breaks. Walk-in appointment times and building location details are found on the CAPS website.
- Phone Appointments: Students may call CAPS at (434) 243-5150 between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday and ask to speak with the on-call clinician.
CRISIS SERVICES
If you are in crisis or experiencing an emergency, please call 434-243-5150 or go directly to CAPS in the Student Health and Wellness building during business hours. For life-threatening emergencies, call 911.