Gerard Lawson

Gerard Lawson is the Dorosin Memorial Lecturer at ACHA’s 2025 Annual Meeting.

Each year at the ACHA Annual Meeting, the Dorosin Memorial Lecture brings a leading expert in campus mental health to the stage for a thought-provoking and impactful discussion. These sessions dive into pressing mental health issues, groundbreaking research, and innovative solutions, sparking meaningful conversations that inspire action and change.

This year’s speaker is Gerard Lawson, PhD, LPC, LSATP, NCC, professor of counselor education in the School of Education at Virginia Tech.

He has been a disaster mental health volunteer with the American Red Cross since 2002, and has supported numerous national, state, and local disasters.

He was instrumental in helping to coordinate the counseling response to the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech in 2007, and he is the author of Virginia Tech’s Disaster Behavioral Health Plan.

He has helped many institutions prepare for crisis response, and works frequently with counselors who have responded, providing debriefing and supportive services. His focus is on building resilience in the individuals (including counselors) and communities that are affected by disasters.

Dr. Lawson’s Dorosin presentation, Caring for our Communities, Colleagues, and Selves Following Tragic Events Impacting College Campuses, explores the prevalence and impact of trauma-causing events, best practices for response and recovery, and strategies for clinician self-care to support campuses effectively in the wake of crises.

About the ACHA Annual Meeting

The ACHA 2025 Annual Meeting is the premier gathering for college health professionals, offering a dynamic program of innovative strategies, best practices, and expert insights to advance campus health and well-being, while providing opportunities to earn continuing education (CE) credits across multiple disciplines.

Register by April 16th for early-bird savings!

Topic
Mental Health

Post Type
Annual Meeting, News & Announcements