A mental health counselor at SUNY Fredonia has earned statewide recognition for her work with students and the campus community. Ivory Brooks-Seay of Fredonia's Counseling Center is the 2026 recipient of the SUNY Council of Senior Student Affairs Officers Mental Health Champion Award. This award recognizes faculty and staff who "go above and beyond their job responsibilities to demonstrate exceptional dedication and advocacy for mental health awareness and support within the campus community."
Brooks-Seay has been at Fredonia since 2017. Director of Health and Counseling Services Jeffrey Janicki said her work has been distinguished by her commitment to "fostering access, belonging, and mental health equity for students from historically underserved and marginalized populations."
Janicki added, "Through her clinical practice, campus outreach efforts, and leadership within diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging initiatives, Ivory has helped create affirming spaces where students of diverse identities feel seen, supported, and connected to care. Her clinical caseload reflects engagement with a broad cross-section of the student population, including first-generation college students, students from racial and ethnic minority groups, and students identifying across diverse gender identities and sexual orientations. By intentionally reducing barriers to support and promoting culturally responsive care, she has contributed meaningfully to a campus environment where all students have greater opportunity to thrive and succeed."
Janicki said among Brooks-Seay's most meaningful contributions has been her weekly facilitation of the "Let's Talk" consultation program, which provides informal access to mental health support and helps students connect with resources before concerns escalate. He also noted that the Fredonia Counseling Center served 566 unique students during the 2025-2026 academic year, representing approximately 18% of the student body.
Photo by SUNY Fredonia
