CSUN Dedicates Family Counseling Clinic on Honor of Faculty Members who Created Endowment to Support It

Cal State Northridge officials have dedicated a family counseling clinic in the Michael D. Eisner College of Education in honor of two faculty members and their son, who have created an endowment to support the facility.

The Mitchell Family Counseling Clinic, which houses the college of education's family counseling services for communities in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, was named for faculty members Rie and Rex Mitchell and their son, Scott.

"It is the generosity of people, of family, of faculty like Rie and Rex and their son, Scott, that makes it possible for Cal State Northridge to maintain the margin of excellence that distinguishes this university," said CSUN President Jolene Koester.

Rie and Rex Mitchell, chairs of CSUN's Educational Psychology and Counseling Department and its Management Department, respectively, have joined with son Scott to establish the Mitchell Family Endowment Fund. The income from the $50,000 endowment will fund in perpetuity the operating costs of the counseling services and the clinical training opportunities provided by the Eisner College of Education.

Rie Mitchell, a nationally recognized expert in therapy, is a leader in the use of sand play as a therapeutic tool for work with young children. Rex Mitchell is an influential figure in the arenas of strategic management, organization development, conflict management, team building and other management areas. Their combined service to the university totals more than 59 years.

Rie Mitchell stressed that all of their contributions have enabled CSUN to offer "an outstanding training organization as well as a community resource for clinical health."

In addition to the CSUN location, the Eisner College's community counseling programs also are located at Gault Street Elementary School, Soledad Charter School and the Samaritan Center in Simi Valley.

Contact: Carmen Ramos Chandler, (818) 677-2130, carmen.chandler@csun.edu