Meet Margaret Welch, Dean of Counselling, Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care

Margaret Welch has recently commenced in the role of Dean of Counselling, Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Faculty at Morling College. We asked her some questions about the role, her involvement with the college, her gifts and life outside work.

When did you first come to Morling and what has been your involvement with the college?

I started at Morling College in 2008 as an adjunct lecturer and in 2013 accepted a part time lecturer position in counselling. In 2018 I was appointed to the position of Associate Dean (Counselling) which involved some lecturing and day to day management of the counselling discipline area. In 2019 after some significant changes in the faculty I also took on the role of Acting Dean. My permanent appointment to the position of Dean was effective in July this year.

How would you describe your new role in a sentence?

My role is to provide strategic leadership and management for the Counselling, Chaplaincy & Spiritual Care Faculty, to support staff and to oversee the provision of high quality education in counselling and chaplaincy.

How do you see your God-given gifts play out in your role at Morling?

My role at Morling brings them all together. I am naturally organised and have natural leadership and management skills that I used in positions I held before training as a counsellor. I am also a practicing counsellor and supervisor. I have a passion for educating future generations of counsellors and chaplains and my role at Morling provides me with the opportunity to head up a team of outstanding practitioner educators in both counselling and chaplaincy who are investing into the lives of students and ultimately the lives of those their students will support throughout their ministry or career.

What are 3 things that you can share about yourself outside life at Morling?

I have three adult daughters and a son-in-law, a very special puppy named Zali and walking on the beach helps me wind down and relax

What encouragement would you give to students thinking about future study at Morling College?

If you want to increase your awareness of who you are as a person and in relationship with others, be more equipped to support and journey alongside others who are experiencing the ups and downs of life, if you want to move into chaplaincy or counselling as part of a career change and learn how to integrate your faith with professional practice, if you want to learn from experienced practitioner educators, then take the leap and come study at Morling. You can take one step at a time by starting with the Graduate Certificate or jump right in to the Masters.  Whatever level of study you complete will be transformational and support you in becoming more and more like the person God created you to be.

If you want to increase your awareness of who you are as a person and in relationship with others, be more equipped to support and journey alongside others who are experiencing the ups and downs of life (...) then take the leap and come study at Morling.