Bridging the gap between counseling and spiritual care at Coe
Kohawks have one of campus’s best kept secrets right under their beaks. For many of life’s biggest questions, people oftentimes turn to counselors or clergy members for answers. At Coe, students find both in the Rev. Melea White. Melea serves as Coe’s college chaplain and counselor. A role that is more unique than most realize.
As an ordained minister with graduate degrees in social work and divinity, Melea dove into the opportunity to combine two professions that traditionally are kept apart. Before joining the staff at Coe in 2017, she was a therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital with years of mental health experience seeing Coe students.
“I’m in my dream job and am in the exact place I am meant to be. I was already using my counseling and social work background, and adding the ministry piece was the perfect combination of my degrees,” Melea says. “It’s a beautiful partnership. Whatever is happening to students, my role is to be with them. I get to walk alongside them as they find their way.”
Her role as chaplain is to provide an open space for students to be vulnerable. A chaplain doesn’t impose their own beliefs onto others, but instead provides students with encouragement to discover their own voice.
“Students can bring their grief, loneliness, questions and uncertainties. Some students ask big questions during college about things like the meaning of life, finding their purpose, identity and religious beliefs. That’s where counseling and spiritual care go hand in hand. I try to see things holistically,” Melea says.
This holistic approach to body, mind and spirit wellness stems from her background as a counselor. Melea believes the body, mind, heart and spirit are woven together and cannot be separated. She has witnessed how mental health conditions can lead to physical manifestations such as fatigue, headaches or an elevated heart rate.
Melea meets with Coe students for both counseling and spiritual care. She also oversees and develops programming for the Religious and Spiritual Life Office and serves the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. One of the most influential groups Melea leads is Peer Ministry, an inclusive interfaith student leadership program where she trains student peer ministers to be empathetic listeners to further support students.
“I’ve grown and have done a lot of reflection about what kind of spiritual care students need and what they will respond to,” she says.
Melea keeps herself energized with yoga, meditation and translating Greek as her primary spiritual practices. She credits virtual talks with her girlfriends as a saving grace during challenging times.
“I’m lucky to do what I get to do, and I love getting to work in a religiously diverse setting,” she says.
To connect with Melea, students can call 319.399.8843 or email meleawhite@coe.edu.