COM employee spotlight – meet Dave Carver, Ph.D.

Name:  Dave Carver, PhD

Title:  Executive director, Counseling & Student Development Center

Hometown:  Born in Pullman, Wash. Grew up in Iowa (elementary school), Minnesota (junior high), and Illinois (high school). I've also lived in Kansas, Colorado, and for the past 31 years here in Omaha.

Talk about your job and what you like best about it:

In my job, I get the wonderful opportunity each day to provide a wide variety of psychological counseling, advising, behavioral coaching, and ombudsperson services. I love helping UNMC students, faculty, and staff to overcome various challenges and achieve their life goals. I am very fortunate to have an extremely talented, dedicated staff, and great colleagues throughout our unique campus community. 

In addition to my work on campus, I am active at the state and national levels in both the psychology and ombudsperson professions. I currently serve on the American Psychological Association Council of Representatives and the International Ombudsman Association Board of Directors. In Nebraska, I have chaired the psychology licensing board and I am the immediate past president of the Nebraska Psychological Association. 

List three things people may not know about you:

1) My nickname in high school was “Coach.”

2) I am a big fan of Motown, classic soul, rhythm & blues, and jazz. I enjoy making customized recorded music mixes for friends and family.

3) My wife, Nancy, was Volunteer of the Year at the Nebraska Humane Society, where she teaches canine obedience classes, trains volunteers, assists in the surgical unit, and serves as an adoption counselor.