Alumni / Milestones in Diversity / Carla Sutton Moore ’97
Carla Sutton Moore ‘97
CofC alumna Carla Sutton Moore ‘97, PhD, LPC of Austell, GA, is the Clinical Services Director for the City of Atlanta Psychological Service and Employee Assistance Program. She provides counseling and support to City employees, including police officers and firefighters. She has previously served in a juvenile court mental health clinic, residential treatment facility, managed care, private practice, local church settings, and city government. Her interests and specialties include multicultural issues, child and adult trauma, issues in Women of Color, public safety, and supervising and mentoring students.
Dr. Moore is originally from Gaston, SC, and considered attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Clemson University in Clemson, SC, Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC, and Hampton University in Hampton, VA. She chose the College because of its “ welcoming environment, academic reputation, beautiful campus and City, embraced cultural diversity.” Dr. Moore continued, “During the time I was interested in attending, CofC was putting forth a ‘true’ initiative in the recruitment of minority students. My parents liked the idea of the SPECTRA program and other initiatives led by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services.”
1997 NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Dr. Moore is second from the right.
Due to a mix up in housing when she was a freshman, Dr. Moore was assigned to live in an historic house at 70 Coming St. She loved it, so she stayed there until she moved off campus her senior year.
While at the College, Dr. Moore sang in the Gospel Choir, was a member of the Black Student Union, and was a varsity cheerleader. Her favorite memory of her time at the College was attending the NCAA March Madness Tournament in Memphis, saying “those were the best years of my life!”
After crossing the Cistern, Dr. Moore worked in the Admissions office to help recruit minority students to attend the College. She participated in research at the Medical University of South Carolina, volunteering as an advocate for women who had been victims of sexual assault crimes.
In 1998, she moved to Atlanta to attend Clark Atlanta University and earned her master’s degree in counseling psychology. A life-long learner, she earned an EdS at Georgia State University with a specialty in professional counseling, and her PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Georgia. While she was completing her post-graduate studies, she was a professional cheerleader for the AFL’s Georgia Force and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
Dr. Moore learned invaluable lessons while at the College. “The College of Charleston taught me a lot about the importance of being true to yourself, developing lasting friendships, the importance of a village and support system,” she said. “The rich history and culture in the City of Charleston also caused me to further explore my heritage and embrace my identity as a strong Black woman, being both sad and proud of the struggle, strength, courage, and accomplishments of Black people in America and from the African diaspora.”
She has this advice for students at the College: “Live the CofC experience to the fullest! Engage in student activities and get involved in the community. In the process, stay focused and appreciate the highest standard of education and academic training that are being provided to you.”