Meridith Merchant has been part of the UCSB community since 2013, joining Counseling and Psychological Services in response to student activism as one of two psychologists hired specifically to support Black/African American students. She now serves as the Assistant Director of Mental Health Initiatives, a role she has held since 2019, broadening her advocacy and engagement to a campus-wide level. With a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a Multicultural Community emphasis from the California School of Professional Psychology, Meridith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her work.

Rooted in her parents’ legacy of activism and change, Meridith is a wisdom keeper who provides mentorship, teaching, research, coaching, and thought leadership for individuals, communities, and organizations. She is privileged to have witnessed, from a young age, people of diverse backgrounds working together in solidarity while maintaining pride in their own heritage and identity—an experience that solidified her belief in the power of collective support and inclusion. She draws on the transformation of her personal reproductive trauma as both inspiration and fuel for her unwavering commitment to equity, as well as for championing intentional and healing-centered engagement for and with all.

Her mission is to ensure that all students feel seen, heard, and valued. In recognition of her extraordinary commitment to students and her efforts to enhance campus life, she has received the Margaret T. Getman Service to Students Award and UCSB’s Professional Women’s Association’s Unsung Heroine Award.

As a member of the Student Affairs cabinet, Meridith aims to support administrators, faculty, students, and staff in developing policies, conducting research, and cultivating spaces where students can thrive—both during their time at UCSB and beyond. Her professional expertise, intuitive nature, and deep attunement to the need for affirming and inclusive environments make her work in Student Affairs both meaningful and fulfilling.

To schedule with Meridith, contact her directly.