Let’s Stop Losing Them

About the Book

“Veteran (Purple Heart) & higher ed survivor, I applaud this book! Finally acknowledging the ‘distance traveled’, this book exposes hidden student traumas and offers solutions. It tackles retention with a student-centered approach. A gamechanger for veterans navigating college.” Dr. Andrew Kelly, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC), US Army (Ret.), Purple Heart recipient “As a physician-scientist and medical school administrator dedicated to diversifying medical school applicants and motivating traditionally underrepresented students to embrace STEM pathways, I find Dr. David Lee Mount’s ‘Let’s Stop Losing Them’ to be a vital resource. We must start asking how medical school retention is being affected by the wounds of educational and academic engagement trauma. Dr. Mount’s work provides crucial insights into these upstream issues, highlighting the essential connection between college retention and the future diversity of our medical workforce. Examining student performance threat through the lens of the neuropsychosocial root causes paradigm, this book is an indispensable guide for educators, policymakers, and medical school administrators committed to fostering resilience and success in our future healthcare professionals.” John H. Stewart, IV, MD, MBA, FACS; Professor and Chair of Surgery, Associate Dean for Oncology Programs, Morehouse School of Medicine “Dr. Mount’s book brilliantly addresses the complexities impacting student success. He exposes hidden factors behind disengagement, offering innovative solutions for colleges to foster resilience. By acknowledging neurodiversity, ‘Let’s Stop Losing Them’ calls for personalized learning and a more inclusive educational landscape.” Pastor Debra Terry Stephens, MA; Cornerstone of Faith Ministries Wife/Mother/Comedian/Actor/Writer/Mental Health Assistant Higher education’s dropout cycle has lacked a solution. Dr. Mount’s ‘Let’s Stop Losing Them’ breaks ground with ‘educational and academic engagement trauma’ – a powerful concept for student retention. Practical strategies illuminate the path to success. A must-read for anyone invested in student outcomes and a stronger academic environment. Dr. Tom Coaxum, Former Director, Associate VP, VP in Higher Education (Ret.) “Dr. Mount, renowned for his expertise in neuropsychosocial root causes and retention strategies, has crafted a comprehensive guide that goes beyond conventional approaches. His insights, drawn from years of research and practical experience, shed light on the nuanced interplay of academic anxieties, social isolation, and neuropsychosocial factors that shape students’ educational journeys.” TanYa M. Gwathmey, MS, PHD, Tenured Associate Professor; Director of Research in Health Equity Education and Training, Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity Wake Forest University School of Medicine “Dr. Mount’s groundbreaking book confronts hidden trauma in community colleges, the true cost of disengagement, and the power of personalized support. It’s a must-read for educators who want to nurture the whole student, not just graduation rates.” Shelton M. Charles, Ph.D. Associate Dean of Sciences and Engineering, Forsyth Technical Community College; Father/Role Model/Leader/Mentor/Community Ambassador/ Health Advocate/ Innovator “Dr. Mount’s innovative book ignites hope, and reverse engineers the pressing issue of college disengagement head-on revealing the hidden wounds causing attrition. Powerful narratives and actionable strategies empower students and institutions to build resilience and foster success.” Nayeka Uitenham, Psy.D. NeuroEducational Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow, Mind Body Institute Beyond; Educator-Centered Professional Coaching; Former Elementary School Educato

About the Author

Dr. Mount is a multifaceted professional, blending his expertise as a clinical neuropsychologist with a passion for college retention, workforce development, chronic disease management, health disparities research, and a commitment to community engagement reinvestment strategies. Dr. Mount is not only a proud husband, father, and congregational member but also a dedicated entrepreneur, influencer, philanthropist, and former student-athlete. As the founder of the Global Mental Health Prosperity Network and the president and CEO of the Mind Body Institute Beyond, he has been recognized for his impactful contributions to mental health advocacy and health disparities research. Dr. Mount’s extensive resume includes being a TEDx speaker, an NIH-designated health disparities scholar, and a recipient of the North Carolina Forty Leaders under Forty Award. Author of Chronic Pain Nation: The Domino Effect, The Truth Ain’t Popular: Impediments to Hope, and Waking Up in College: Have an Inspired Higher Education Experience in partnership with Mind Body Institute Beyond, PLLC; Global Mental Health Prosperity Network (501[c][3]); and Chocolate City Studios. Dr. David Mount is a distinguished figure in the field of neuropsychology, renowned for his innovative contributions as the founder and developer of Neuropsychosocial Root Causes Research, Practice, Consultation, and Coaching Services. With a profound commitment to advancing mental health and well-being on a global scale, Dr. Mount’s expertise lies at the intersection of neuropsychology, social sciences, and holistic health and healthcare practices. 156 As an academic retention and performance coach, he has witnessed and continues to observe preventable, collateral emotional trauma negatively affecting purpose-driven belonging, inclusion, and selfacceptance. He could not bear it any further without doing more. Dr. Mount started writing this book for a couple of his students and quickly learned that thousands upon thousands of students were in a similar place. Since the 1990s, Dr. Mount has spoken around the country about the critical need for a new strategy, focusing on emotional talent management. Such a strategy naturally incorporates and helps students develop emotional coping strategies to ensure their college success and life beyond college. Another goal of this book is to build a network and give a voice to those suffering in silence. Dr. Mount frequently highlights in his lectures that knowledge is not just power; knowledge is opportunity giving birth to thrivers, and that thriving places a high demand on decision-making and personal attitude. Dr. Mount wrote this book to demonstrate that he is listening and responding to give students a competitive mental health advantage. This advantage could put them one step closer to their dream! In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Mount is the founder of the Dr. David L. Mount Center for Tomorrow’s Work Service Learning, Talent Management, and Volunteerism Programs. Through this center, he has initiated programs like the North Carolina Network for Human Services Integration to Prosperity and the North Carolina Network eScholar-in-Residence (eSIR) programs, demonstrating his commitment to fostering community well-being. As an awardwinning mentor and speaker, Dr. Mount is sought after for national meetings, reflecting his ability to communicate effectively and inspire diverse audiences. Dr. Mount’s enrichment and rejuvenation hobbies and activities are highly diverse. When he’s not helping athletes reach their peak performance, you might find him: 157 • Behind the Camera: Dr. Mount isn’t afraid to explore his creative side. He enjoys planning and producing video documentaries, perhaps showcasing the journeys of his students or diving into topics that pique his curiosity. • Living in the Future: A true sci-fi enthusiast, Dr. Mount keeps a pulse on the latest science fiction series. These fantastical worlds might inspire new training techniques or simply provide a welcome escape after a long day. • Grounded in Nature: Dr. Mount finds solace in tending to his vegetable garden. Whether it’s the satisfaction of a homegrown harvest or the therapeutic practice of nurturing life, his green thumb brings balance to his busy schedule. • Championing the Buzz: Dr. Mount is an enthusiastic beekeeper! This unexpected hobby not only provides delicious honey but also allows him to contribute to the vital role bees play in our ecosystem. Dr. Mount’s diverse interests paint a picture of a well-rounded individual with a zest for life. His thirst for knowledge and exploration fuels his creativity, ultimately enriching the lives of those he coaches and inspires. Until our next session together. Take care!