Kristina Colleluori

Kristina is the Associate Director of Campus Engagement at Counseling and Psychological Services. In this role she promotes a campus-wide approach to student mental health through strategic oversight of CaPS’ embedded counseling services and mental health outreach education and training to the campus.

Kristina is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 15 years of experience providing mental health services across a variety of settings and populations.

1. HOW DO YOU TEACH OR EXEMPLIFY APPLIED CRITICAL THINKING?

In my work as a therapist, supervisor, leader, and campus partner I find myself teaching or exemplifying critical thinking through practicing or fostering in others self-awareness, self-reflection, authenticity, vulnerability, questioning and curiosity, and seeking the deepening of ones understanding of self and others. Vulnerability stands out in this list as applied critical thinking requires a depth of connection and openness that can often be raw and uncomfortable. It is the place where growth happens when we can be vulnerable enough to consider alternative perspectives and challenge what we might understand within ourselves, about others, or about systems.  

2. WHY DO YOU THINK APPLIED CRITICAL THINKING IS IMPORTANT IN YOUR DOMAIN OR ROLE?

Applied critical thinking allows for understanding and challenging unconscious biases and fosters more authentic connection with others especially those with different lived experiences. I find this to be crucial in each and every one of my various roles at RIT - therapist to students, supervision of therapist staff, leadership of teams, training and consultation with staff and faculty from a variety of backgrounds, and in meetings and presentations with higher leadership. Critical thinking allows for challenging assumptions (my own and others), exploring communication styles, and anticipating the needs of others. I have found it useful in developing strategic missions and visions for the work that we do while trying to navigate meeting the variety of needs of others, as well as informing  when and where to set clear boundaries and when to practice flexibility and adaptability.

3. CAN YOU SHARE A STORY WHERE QUALITY APPLIED CRITICAL THINKING WAS KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS?

Finding one example is a challenge. It is essential in all aspects of my roles and every day of my work. I found that as I transitioned to working within higher education after working in community mental health settings, it became crucial to think critically about the new environment I was learning while maintaining my foundational skills and training in the mental health field. It has allowed me to transition the skills I had already honed of responding to individual mental health needs to more broadly think about how we as a campus can meet the mental health needs of our community in a more holistic way.

4. HOW DO YOU USE CRITICAL THINKING IN OTHER AREAS OF YOUR LIFE OUTSIDE OF RIT?

I am a parent to a spunky 2.5 year old. Thinking about how to raise him to be a good human in a changing world requires critical thinking beyond what I ever imagined. I also strongly believe in lifelong personal growth and development. Engaging critical thinking related to systems in which I was raised within and education that I previously internalized as truth has allowed for expanded awareness, understanding, and connection with myself and others.

5. ANY LAST CRITICAL THOUGHTS YOU WISH TO SHARE?                           

Engaging actively and intentionally in critical thinking has the potential to create conflict or confrontation. This could be internal conflict between held beliefs and new emerging understanding. Or it could be interpersonal conflicts as your critical thinking allows you to grow beyond others. As with many good things, there may come challenges. The discomfort of vulnerability or conflict should not stop us from the growth and potential that blossoms as a result.