Northwestern State University of Louisiana has appointed a new director of Counseling and Career Services, marking a significant transition following the retirement of former director Rebecca Boone.
Boone retired earlier this year after nearly three decades with NSU. During her 29 years, she oversaw both the clinical and administrative aspects of Counseling and Career Services. Boone will be remembered by many for the service she has provided to NSU students.
“She is one of the kindest individuals, she is always thinking of others,” Yonna Pasch, director of student affairs, said. “She left behind very big shoes to fill.”
Those shoes now belong to Zachary Veuleman, NSU’s new director of Counseling and Career Service, who stepped into the role after serving as a counselor at NSU for the last two years. Before joining the university, he worked in community counseling, nonprofit services and private practice. This new position is a career goal for Veuleman.
Veuleman received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Louisiana College, now Louisiana Christian University, and a Master of Arts in Counseling and Guidance with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration from Louisiana Tech University before entering the workforce.
“I always wanted to work in higher education counseling,” Veuleman said. “It took about 10 years after I got licensed, but I’m finally here doing what I hoped to do all along.”
One of Veuleman’s priorities is to modernize the center’s paperwork system. Currently, much of the paperwork remains physical, and he hopes to make the whole process digital in the near future. He discussed that he would like to offer students the opportunity to do everything from the comfort of their own home, instead of having to go to the center to fill out paperwork.
Veuleman’s vision includes expanding outreach and making Counseling and Career Services more visible to students.
“I am still surprised how many students do not even know we are here,” Veuleman said. “We want to collaborate with student groups, host engaging events and show students that mental health is just as important as physical health.”
This semester, Counseling and Career Services hosted a social event in collaboration with the University Programming Council. Glow Goat Yoga was a program aimed at encouraging students to engage in activities that promote both their mental and physical well-being.
They also have a partnership with Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and Shalom Clinic for Children, where a psychiatrist visits NSU monthly to help students in need of psychiatric services.
Maggie Bossier, assistant director of Counseling and Career Services, has worked for the university for fourteen years and has always been under Boone’s leadership. She believes the transition will go smoothly despite the big change.
“Boone was very hands-on, cared deeply for everyone she worked with and always wanted things done just right,” Bossier said. “Veuleman is bringing a new energy, and I believe that this transition will go smoothly.”
For the new director, the priority is clear: building a culture where students feel comfortable reaching out. His peers also say that his youth may bring a fresh perspective.
“I think this transition is going to be great for our campus community,” Pasch said. “He’s relatable to students and eager to step into the classrooms and programs, not just staying behind closed doors.”
Counseling and Career Services, located on the third floor of the Friedman Student Union, provides free and confidential services to students. Appointments can be scheduled through the NSU Counseling Services website.
