Ellen Marks

Education

BS, University of Maryland, College Park

MS, University of Maryland, College Park

PhD, University of Maryland, College Park

Biography

Ellen is an East Coast transplant who joined UHS as a doctoral intern in 2016. Since then, she has served in multiple roles providing counseling and behavioral health services.

As a clinician, Ellen takes a collaborative approach that balances space for exploration with supportive structure. She emphasizes the therapeutic relationship, meaning-making, and living in alignment with personal values, while attending to life experiences and cultural identities as central to understanding ourselves.

As a director, Ellen approaches student mental health holistically, considering its intersections with academics, identity development, relationships, culture, and physical wellbeing. She is committed to building a campus-wide community of care and values opportunities to connect with staff and students to strengthen student wellbeing.

As a human, Ellen is a parent of two young children, plays the violin, enjoys reading (mostly audiobooks these days), and has recently taken up pottery and candle-making.