This fall, Whitman has instated a new Associate Vice President (AVP) for Wellness, Aimee Milne. The creation of the AVP for Wellness role is intended to oversee a cluster of offices that address student wellness needs. By consolidating these offices under one leader, Whitman hopes to offer a more integrated and holistic care plan for students.
Milne talked about her observations of the campus culture after arriving at Whitman just recently.
“Although I’ve only been on campus for two weeks, I’ve already observed the deep care and commitment that students, faculty and staff have for one another,” Milne said.
Milne aspires to build on the foundation that has already been established at Whitman College, with a focus on furthering a campus culture that prioritizes all aspects of student wellness. She aims to enhance the current wellness programs by integrating additional resources and strategies that support students holistically, ensuring that resources are accessible and visible. Her goal is to ensure that Whitman College, not only supports students through individual challenges, but also fosters a vibrant and resilient community where everyone feels valued and supported.
“The thread connecting my career has always been a dedication to fostering comprehensive wellness. Now, I am thrilled to bring this commitment to Whitman College as I return to a role that integrates counseling with broader health services. This position offers the perfect opportunity to implement an integrated model of care, which aligns seamlessly with my holistic approach to wellness,” Milne said.
Milne completed her graduate studies in Counseling Psychology at Lewis & Clark College, graduating in 2002. Her early career was rooted in community mental health and she later specialized as a family therapist at a pediatric/young adult eating disorder clinic, where she developed a particular passion for working with college students. This interest led her back to higher education 11 years ago, when she joined Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, as a staff therapist and case manager. Over time, her role evolved from practitioner to senior administrator. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President of Health and Accessibility, overseeing the Student Accessibility Office, Student Health Center, and wellness programs.
“In my role as an administrator within Student Affairs, I enjoy the dynamic and collaborative environment. It allows me to work closely with students and other professionals to create comprehensive support systems, enabling me to make a significant impact on students’ lives beyond just individual therapy,” Milne said.
As a counselor, Milne shares how she keeps motivated when times get a little tougher. In her narration, she recounts how throughout her 52 years, she has learned that staying connected with community and family is crucial during difficult times. A couple of years ago, she took a course called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, which profoundly changed how she approaches stress.
“One piece of advice I frequently share with the students I work with is to embrace failure. Fear of failing can often hold us back from taking risks, and without taking risks, we remain stagnant and miss out on valuable opportunities for growth. From my own experiences, I’ve found that some of my greatest insights and personal growth have come from facing and reflecting on my failures,” Milne said. “Embracing failure means approaching setbacks with curiosity rather than self-judgment. Instead of focusing on what went wrong or criticizing yourself, ask yourself why you didn’t meet your goal and what you can learn from the experience. This mindset shift allows you to explore the lessons embedded in failure, paving the way for future successes and personal development.”
Milne shares her excitement for this opportunity and looks forward to joining the Whitman community this year.
