Wellness Counselor & School Counselor

Our goal at Rice is to provide comprehensive services that support each student’s personal academic, social/emotional, and spiritual growth. In addition, we hope to aid students in becoming responsible, culturally aware, productive and dynamic members of a changing society. Mr. Farrell carries a half-time caseload of students as their school counselor and spends the other half of his time promoting wellness for all students in the Rice community. Mr. Farrell is also the father of four children and understands the challenges parents face as well as the pressures teens experience in today’s culture. We’re glad to be able to offer more support for emotional health and managing stress and anxiety, so that students at Rice are better able to focus on learning and growing. 
 

Background:

• B.A. Communications - Mount Vernon Nazarene College
• Masters of Divinity - Nazarene Theological Seminary
• Masters of Counseling - Johnson State College
• Student Assistance Counselor - 2011-2018, School Counselor [aka Guidance Counselor] 2018-2023
• Wellness Counselor - 2023 - present
• Volunteers Board of Directors - Azimuth Counseling and Therapeutic Services, Essex, VT
• He has served in churches working with teenagers, taught a number of college classes focusing on psychology, substance abuse and counseling. Furthermore, Mr. Farrell has worked in both a private practice as a psychotherapist for adults and in a community clinic for teens dealing with substance abuse and mental health challenges.  

Get to Know Him:

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I enjoy being a counselor because:  I have a passion for helping people. I think it is incredible that I get paid to do what I get to do. I think standing beside people as they walk through challenges and trying times is a privilege. I believe people can change for the better and I love how open to positive change teenagers are. I love helping students discover which direction they want to head in their future and to enjoy the adventure along the way.

I choose to work at Rice because: It allows me to do what I love. I am a person of faith and I believe faith influences who we are and how we make big decisions in life. I love that Rice is a place that is open to discussing a person’s faith. I also love the team that I get to be a part of, especially in Guidance. I also enjoy the commitment to service that Rice has. Servicing others is one of the greatest joys in life.

What is your favorite thing about your job? Seeing students triumph over adversity.

If you had an unexpected afternoon off, what would you do with your time? Paddleboard, play sand volleyball, or ride a roller coaster.

Best vacation/trip you’ve ever been on: Ohio Stadium - I’m a Buckeye for life! I also enjoyed leading a team that built a house for a homeless family in Mexico in just one week. The team had zero building experience. The feeling of helping that family change their lives was euphoric.

Favorite tradition, fieldtrip, or project in your department: I interview each senior before writing their letter of recommendation. I love those interviews. I get to learn about what the students are all about and all of the amazing things they have done over the course of four years both inside the walls of the school and outside.

Favorite Rice tradition or event: Stunt Nite is easy.  Seeing students come out of their shell and do such goofy stuff on stage and display talents you had no idea they possessed. Honorable mention- Chester’s Ice Cream Sandwiches.  I had never had one before I came to Rice. I am so sad they are gone now.  

Favorite Rice Sports Team to watch: Boys and Girls basketball

Favorite Professional Sports Team or Athlete: First of all, how could you not ask about College Sports? College is WAYYYY better than pro.

THE Ohio State Buckeyes Football team and marching band [TBDBITL].  They go together.
Pittsburgh Steelers 
Any team that LeBron is on.  I am just a kid from Akron too!

For the record March Madness is better than any sporting event in any other sport.  

If a prospective family asked you “why should I send my student to Rice,” what would you say? Challenging academics, commitment to service, Stunt Nite and inspiring people.

Anything else you'd like to say? We should retire Benny Shungu’s jersey!