Dr. Seegobin to Leave Messiah College

Dr. Winston Seegobin has been a part of Messiah College's community for thirteen years. He works as a professor of psychology and a counselor for students of color, international students, and third culture kids (TCKs).Seegobin's career at Messiah is coming to a close, however. At the end of the semester he will be moving to Oregon with his wife, Karen, and their sons, John, 11, and Matthew, 10, to teach at George Fox University.

A native of the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, Seegobin immigrated to this country to pursue his interest in psychology.

"I was initially interested in youth ministry," explained Seegobin, who received a Bachelor of Theology at Jamaica Theological Seminary. "I was involved in Youth for Christ and started doing a lot of counseling."

Seegobin says that it was the experience of counseling that led him to be interested in clinical psychology. Because no university in Trinidad offered a degree in that area, he decided to come to the United States.

Seegobin went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology at Bethel College in Indiana.

After graduating, Seegobin returned to Trinidad, where he taught at two Bible colleges and a university. He then came back to the U.S. in 1991 and taught at Central Michigan University while working on his doctorate. He later came to Messiah College.

"I wanted to teach at a Christian college," he said, explaining why he chose to come to Messiah College. He also says that he enjoys the members of the community. "I felt they would be great colleagues;" he said, "people I could work with as a team."

According to Seegobin, one of the most fulfilling parts of his job is being a counselor and mentor to students. "One of the joys of being here was mentoring students and seeing them go on to get their doctorates and jobs they are excited about," he said.

Seegobin has mentored many students, including Hierald Kane-Osorto, Messiah College's Associate Director of Multicultural Programs, and Dr. Heather Hostler, who is teaching here on a one-year stint.

"He helped to point me to grad school and my vocation in clinical psychology," Hostler said. "He's a dear friend."

In addition to teaching and counseling, Seegobin says that he is involved in several initiatives to make Messiah College a more multicultural and diverse community. He believes that the initiatives have been successful.

"I taught a course on racial healing, and I've seen students' lives transform through it," he explained.

George Fox, where Seegobin will teach next year, is a Christian university. Seegobin says that it is similar to Messiah College, though it originated from a Quaker background rather than Brethren in Christ.

Seegobin says that while he will miss being a part of Messiah College's community, he is looking forward to doing more mentoring work at George Fox. He will also be taking on the regular responsibilities of a professor.

"I will be teaching in a doctoral program in clinical psychology," he said. He added that his responsibilities are going to include leading a research team and supervising students in their clinical studies.

Seegobin says the close relationships he has developed with his colleagues will make it hard to leave. He especially appreciates the friendship that he has with President Kim Phipps. "We have been really close and it means a lot to me," he said.

"I have really appreciated my time at Messiah," Seegobin said. "I have had the opportunity to do the things that I like best: teaching, research, and counseling. I consider it a privilege to be here and serve the community and will definitely miss it.