Doctoral Student Frances M.W. Cloud, LCSW, serves as the Director of Counseling Services at Spelman College,where she leads the institution’s mental health initiatives with compassion, innovation, and adeep commitment to student well-being. A licensed clinical social worker with over a decade ofexperience, she supports individuals and communities through trauma-informed care,culturally responsive programming, and mental health advocacy. Her professional journeyspans K–12 education, behavioral health services for foster family agencies, and highereducation, where she has reimagined care models and expanded access to support. Beforetransitioning into Counseling Services, Frances worked in the Student Access Center,coordinating academic and medical accommodations and strengthening processes that ensureaccessibility and ADA compliance across campus.Frances earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College and a Master of SocialWork from the University of Southern California. In her leadership role, she collaborates withfaculty, staff, and community providers to strengthen crisis response and align support acrossthe campus. Her work is guided by thoughtful listening and a commitment to care that is bothresponsive and sustainable.Colleagues describe Frances as steady, thoughtful, and someone who leads with calmconfidence, creating space for others to feel seen, heard, and supported. She is known forbringing people together, translating complex challenges into actionable solutions, and fosteringenvironments where wellness and community care can thrive. Outside of her professional role,she enjoys hiking, photography, and creating space for joy and restoration through everydaypractices.
