Campus Advocacy Response & Empowerment (CARE)

Who We Are: The CARE Team is a group of trained professionals dedicated to connecting students with support, resources, and care to help promote their well-being, success, and a safe, supportive campus environment.  

What We Do: The CARE Team helps identify and support students who may benefit from resources like Pete’s Closet by providing guidance, encouragement, and connections to services that promote stability, resilience, and student success.  

Mission Statement: The CARE Team uses a proactive and coordinated approach to assess student concerns, provide early intervention and support, and connect individuals with appropriate resources while helping maintain a safe and supportive campus environment. 

What the CARE Team is not.

While the CARE Team can be a great resource and tool for helping students, it can't do everything. There are some services that CARE Team is not equipped to offer.

Emergency Services

If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing an active crisis, please call 911 for emergency assistance.

Counseling Services

We partner to help connect students with counseling resources, though the CARE Team itself does not provide counseling services.

Get Out of Jail Free Card

We are happy to assist students who face obstacles in wellness or academics, but we expect students to make an effort.

Pete’s Closet

Pete’s Closet is a confidential and anonymous student support fund that helps remove barriers to student success by providing essential resources and assistance during times of personal, academic, financial, or medical hardship.

The university mascot posing with a student.

Common Questions

Some of the need-to-knows regarding the campus CARE Team. 

* Please note that emergencies should be reported to Campus Safety Dispatch immediately at 606-539-4444 or call 911 directly 

Our CARE Team

Just a few of our CARE Team members

Matthew Plementosh

Matthew Plementosh

Associate Campus Minister | Student Crisis & Support Services Coordinator
Campus Ministries

Matthew Plementosh

Contact Information

matthew.plementosh [at] ucumberlands.edu
Edna Taylor House
Christopher O'Dell

Christopher O'Dell

Director of Student Development | Adjunct Professor
Student Affairs
Health, Exercise and Sport Science

Christopher O'Dell

Contact Information

chris.odell [at] ucumberlands.edu
Boswell Campus Center
Brad Pearce

Brad Pearce

Campus Minister
Campus Ministries

Brad Pearce

Contact Information

brad.pearce [at] ucumberlands.edu
Edna Taylor House