From being inspired to inspiring others, clinical counselor Allison Hall treasures each experience she has had, which has helped to make her the woman she is today

As part of Women’s History Month, we are profiling remarkable women within the Division of Student Affairs who contribute immensely to the fabric of our campus community and inspire others to push for gender equality and progress at URI and beyond.

KINGSTON, R.I. – March 14, 2026 – Allison Hall, LICSW, CED-S, is a clinical counselor for the University of Rhode Island’s Health Services department, a role she’s held since 2025. 

Prior to her current role, she worked at the URI Counseling Center from 2018 to 2023. She has spent a lot of her career working with those who struggle with eating disorders through direct practice, research, publication, and invited presentations. 

In her role, she provides mental health assessments, therapeutic support, crisis intervention, and care management. She has five publications, a published pilot study, and has participated in more than 20 invited presentations throughout the country, all of which have enhanced her knowledge and expertise, which she has brought to this new role. Given her role as a clinical counselor is new to Health Services, part of her position is working alongside leadership to develop this role.

Growing up, her family instilled a strong work ethic as part of its culture, and she often leans on it. She used this work ethic to create new opportunities for herself, including becoming the first Stonehill College student to study abroad in Africa. Hall spent a semester abroad in Kenya studying women’s issues and HIV, an experience she recalls as extremely enriching and inspiring. For her graduate studies, she attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Master of Social Welfare (MSW) degree with a focus on delivering social work in integrated health settings. 

Whether working one-on-one or as a trailblazer for a second time, she grounds herself in her hope to inspire others. She emphasizes that when we are our true selves, the right people will find us. 

Hall reflects: “I hope to inspire people to find the confidence to be vulnerable and let the world see their true self. We spend a lot of time worrying about what other people think about us, but there is tremendous power in the connection that comes from being your genuine self and feeling accepted and valued for who you are.”

Working in higher education has been a very full-circle experience for Hall. She appreciates the opportunities for growth and learning during her undergraduate and graduate years, as well as during her time at URI. Being constantly surrounded by new thoughts and ideas is a special energy to her, an energy that she believes is best felt on college campuses, which she values being a part of. 

What do you consider the best part of your job?

“Hands down the best part of my job is the time I spend with students.  It is such an honor to be a part of our students’ college journey and I really enjoy the therapeutic work I get to do everyday.

“Access to care is at the core of my personal and professional value system, and I love helping to ensure the students at URI have access to mental health care at various points on campus.  The team I work with at URI Health Services is definitely a close second; they are a committed, kind, compassionate and enthusiastic group and I find so much joy in the camaraderie shared in our building.”

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, is there anyone that has helped to make you the woman you are today?

“I have been, and continue to be, surrounded by the most amazing community of women, both in my personal and my professional life.  There are dozens of women who have helped to make me the woman I am today, but in thinking of my younger years I would say my high school English teacher Diane Wolf.  She was wise and opinionated and outspoken in the best way, and she treated me like I had a lot to offer and she expected me to deliver.  She really helped to build my confidence.”

What is your number one piece of advice you give to others?

“Persist. Life can be really hard. Lean on your people and find your way forward. Make mistakes, forgive yourself, learn from them. Be kind to yourself and be kind to others. Life was not meant to be perfect.”

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Lyla Kiloski, intern for the URI Division of Student Affairs, wrote this news release.