The Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center is a building nestled halfway between Thomas Commons and the Tri-Hall area on the southeast side of the Hilltop. It’s here that the students can come for all their health and counseling needs.
That includes general health assessments, management of immunization records, injury assessment, reproductive health support and care, and mental health counseling. And they’re always adding new programs for students. The newest addition to the student health center offerings is office hours with Dr. Monica Meeker from MercyCare Mount Vernon. Meeker will hold weekly appointments at the Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center during the regular academic calendar. In the upcoming weeks and months, Ebersole is also looking to expand their mental health options with the addition of mental health counseling interns.
What makes it special, though, aren’t the services offered within its walls. No, the standout element is the staff.
“We have an amazing team of people,” said Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center Counselor Karla Steffens. “They’re kind, supportive, loving, and smart. They are social justice warriors, all of them. They’re willing to fight for students, and fight hard, for what they need.”
Marcia Sisk, Director of Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center:
Marcia Sisk has been with Cornell College since she was hired to develop the Health Promotions Office in 2018. She is now the director of the Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center. Sisk has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa, as well as experience as a crisis counselor. Her primary duties are to expand the services of the student health center, increase collaboration with community partners, and coordinate the peer educator mentor program. Sisk also teaches a Zumba group fitness class.
“I want students to know that they can come here for mental and medical reasons, but we are also the hub for connecting them to all the other resources on campus,” Sisk said. “All of these folks here are a wealth of knowledge; if we don’t know it, we will find someone who does.”
Miriam McConnell, Counselor:
Miriam McConnell first came to Cornell through an internship and has been here as a counselor for three years now. The majority of her interactions with students are as a mental health counselor, but she also works with Intercultural Life, other staff departments, athletic directors, and Sisk for training and health promotions outreach. McConnell gives psychoeducational presentations to student groups and faculty as requested and facilitates mental health discussion forums.
She is big on self-compassion, feeling that it’s important that the students not be too hard on themselves. She said having compassion for oneself goes a long way to being able to show compassion to others, benefitting both the students and the communities they are a part of. McConnell wants the students to know that Ebersole is a judgment-free zone where the entire staff is adamant “that every student is unique and whatever issues they are carrying, it’s not a one-size-fits-all. When they walk in the door we are going to be thinking about their unique experiences.”
Karen Mohwinkle, Clinic Manager:
Karen Mohwinkle has been at Cornell since October of 2020. She says Cornell has been the perfect fit since day one.
“I was just trying to find myself, to be honest, and fell in love with the student population and the diversity here. I felt like I was answering a call to help others.”
She has since added “social work intern” to her role. She uses that training to help students with insurance or applying for Medicaid, walking them through different situations such as phone calls, and starting an autism support group. Her most critical role is to provide a space of comfort and nonjudgement while assessing students’ needs. She likes to give them that “mom support,” aiming to lower the anxiety and stress so they can “focus on what they’re here for, which is their studies.”
Stephanie Hoklotubbe, Registered Nurse:
Stephanie Hoklotubbe started at Cornell in August of 2024. Hoklotubbe says she has a soft spot for the student health center team and feels blessed to be here. Her primary duties as a nurse are to meet one-on-one with students who have illnesses or injuries. She works closely with the MercyCare clinic and refers students there when needed. Hoklotubbe also provides general health education on campus and guidance with travel health for students preparing to study abroad.
“I want the students to know that everybody here really cares about them,” Hoklotubbe said. “We want to give them tools, we want to help them, and if there’s something we can’t do here, we’re going to help them figure out how to get what they need.”
Karla Steffens, Counselor:
Karla Steffens started at Cornell in late 2020. Knowing that the second biggest period of growth for the human brain was in college-age students, she jumped at the chance to take an open position. The majority of her interactions with students are in the capacity of a mental health counselor. Her days also consist of training Residence Life RA’s, offering conflict resolution counseling for couples and roommates, facilitating team conversations, leading mental health first aid workshops and presentations, and working cooperatively with other Student Life staff and faculty as needed. Steffens hosts pet therapy as well.
Steffens hopes students realize that there are no yearly limits on the number of counseling sessions they can have, whether they want to meet once a year or multiple times a week. “Take advantage of the fact that it’s free and it’s there–and not just for people in crisis,” Steffens said. “It’s for people who
want to develop the other part of themselves beyond academics. You’re leaving with a degree, but you’re also leaving with a sense of who you are and what you want out of life.”
Ebersole is your home-away-from-home
By helping develop skills needed throughout life, the staff at Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center hope to help set students up for success in the many ups and downs of life. If you need help, and you don’t know where to go, head to Ebersole. With a passionate team leading the way, this piece of home-away-from-home can make a difference in your success in college and beyond. Next time you visit Ebersole, don't forget to say "Hi!" to Karla's dog, the resident emotional support animal and "security guard", Bailey.
