WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - William & Mary Athletics has appointed Zellessia Ejalonibu, MA, LCPC as the department's Director of Mental Health and Performance. She begins on July 10 and will be responsible for enhancing the mental and emotional well-being and sport performance of the Tribe's 500+ student-athletes. 
 
Most recently Assistant Director of Psychological Resources for Student-Athletes at the University of Oklahoma, Ejalonibu is a licensed counselor with 15 years of experience working in the mental health and education field with student-athletes. 
 
"I am delighted to welcome Zellessia to William & Mary," said Brian D. Mann, Director of W&M Athletics.  "Her experience with Division 1 universities as well as in the private sector, will be of tremendous benefit to our student-athletes.  We pride ourselves on our programs to enhance student-athlete welfare, and Zellessia's vast knowledge of the discipline will help us achieve another level of success."
 
"From my first contact with William & Mary, I knew I wanted to be part of their team,"  said Ejalonibu.  "It was very obvious they had done their homework and thought carefully about what they wanted to accomplish with this position.  I am so grateful for the opportunity and to be a part of a department that has such great vision and is prepared to help their student-athletes thrive and grow."
 
As Director of Mental Health and Performance, Ejalonibu will provide counseling and consultation with individual student-athletes.  She will also work with coaches and student-athletes to provide them with performance and mental skills training, as well as conducting ongoing program evaluations.  A key part of her duties will be to act as a liaison to W&M's Counseling Center.
 
Previously, Ejalonibu worked as Assistant Director Counseling and Sport Psychology at Mississippi State University and before that she was a counselor at North Central College in Illinois.  From 2017-2024, she was the co-founder/therapist for L.E.A.D.O.F.F. Counseling and Consulting in Chicago where she provided individual therapy and group therapy for clinical and performance issues.
 
Over the course of her career, "Miss Z" as she is known to her student-athletes, has provided clinical services to over 900 individuals.  "When I work with student-athletes, I like being part of their complete stories.  It's important for them to be able to talk with me about personal things that may have nothing to do with their sport but are an important part of their past." She has also facilitated over 800 psychotherapy groups on topics such as depression, bipolar and other mood disorders, schizophrenia, substance abuse, living and coping skills. 
 
Ejalonibu and her three sons, Ezekiel 10, Elijah, 8, and Emmanuel, 6, are excited about the opportunities in Williamsburg.  "My boys are just starting to play sports, so that's a lot of fun, and I'm a huge fan of all types of live music, so I'm excited to see what's available in Williamsburg," she said.
 
The Matteson, Ill., native has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Tougaloo College and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Governors State University.