Betty Talley ’68 (center), who made the generous gift to name the Talley Center over a decade ago, along with Talley Center staff. From left: Chad Sims, Jimmy Nguyen, Rebekah Michael, Glorya Askew, Betty Talley, Krysta Thomas, Melissa Palguta, Debbie Huff and Demi Thompson. Photo by K Pearlman Photography.
On a sunny autumn afternoon, University of Mary Washington students flock to a table on Campus Walk. While snacking on sandwiches and cookies donated by local businesses, they’re learning about UMW’s Talley Center for Counseling Services and contributing to an increasingly prevalent discussion about mental health on college campuses.
“We’re young adults who are on our own for the first time, and that can be a challenging transition,” said senior James Turgeon, an applied physics major who stopped by Talley Treats. Held on Thursdays throughout October – a month dedicated to mental health awareness and education with events across the globe – the initiative promotes student well-being and connection at a point in the semester that can feel overwhelming to students. “I’m glad to know these resources are here at UMW.”
The enthusiasm surrounding the event helps explain why the University earned national recognition, as #15 for Best Student Support and Counseling Services in Princeton Review’s The Best 391 Colleges guide for 2026.
Under new leadership, the Talley Center is building on its strong foundation of providing high-quality clinical care, such as individual consultations, group therapy, crisis intervention and more, at its locations in Lee Hall and Tyler House. Betty Talley ’68, who made a generous naming gift over a decade ago and has continued to support the Talley Center through her philanthropic giving, visited the center earlier this month to meet with its new director, Chad Sims. Together, they discussed his vision for the future of counseling at UMW, bringing a fresh focus on mental health promotion through campus partnerships.
“What drew me to the Talley Center is UMW’s strong commitment to student success and holistic development,” said Sims, who holds a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Ball State University. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling and counselor education from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Read more.