Dr. Chris Brownson

Biography

Chris Brownson is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the position of Associate Vice President for Health and Well-Being. With a focus on mental health and student safety, he has played a vital role in various initiatives impacting over 250,000 students across 14 academic health institutions within the UT System. Brownson has contributed to the field by examining the intersection of mental health and academic success, leading a research team that explores distress and suicide in college populations. His extensive experience includes appointments to national committees on mental health in higher education, and he has served as a past president of the Texas University Counseling Center Directors Association. He earned both his Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Counseling Psychology and Program Evaluation, respectively. His research interests emphasize mental health public policy, suicide prevention, and collaborative care models within behavioral health. Brownson's commitment to improving mental health care access is reflected in his leadership of programs aimed at addressing the workforce shortage in mental health services. He is currently involved in innovative projects to create certification pathways within the mental health workforce.

Research Interests

Awards