Mobile Crisis Response Team

Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) is a collaboration between TU's Counseling Center and the TU Police Department. The MCRT consists of two social workers who co-respond with TUPD officers to crises on campus. MCRT offers support to crisis callers by working to de-escalate the crisis, connecting the person in crisis to resources and assessing for safety.

What is a crisis?

Crisis is another word for emergency; it can be defined in many ways depending on who’s experiencing and witnessing it. All crises deserve support. The specific crises that MCRT will be sent out for on campus are:

  • suicidal thoughts/actions
  • acts and threats of violence
  • escalated and prolonged distressing behavior or thoughts
  • psychiatric emergencies

If you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing or witnessing is a crisis, call:

  • TU’s Counseling Center at 410-704-2512 or
  • TUPD at 410-704-4444

They can assist you with next steps.

Mobile Crisis Response Team

Listed below are the MCRT members that will respond to crisis calls with TUPD.

Robert Pettis III (he/him) was born and raised in Maryland and has spent several decades working at the intersection of public safety and social work. He became a licensed social worker in the late 1990s and has held clinical and supervisory roles in child welfare, therapeutic foster care, and community mental health.

Robert is also a retired Maryland State Trooper whose background supports his calm, grounded approach to crisis intervention and community care. He is dedicated to supporting the well-being of students and fostering a campus environment where individuals feel heard, supported and safe during moments of stress or uncertainty.

Robert values simple practices that promote well-being and balance. His favorite coping strategy is taking a quiet morning walk to reflect on what is going well, what needs attention and what steps can help restore balance. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family, exercising and developing wellness projects for first responders and the broader community.

Robert’s standard hours are:

  • Sunday through Wednesday: 12 to 8 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Cora McElwain (they/them) hails from New York and has spent the last ten years working in social work settings in St. Louis, MO, Scranton, PA and now in Baltimore, MD. Cora has extra experience and training in providing crisis support services to folks in the LGBTQ+ community and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Cora’s favorite coping skill is to scream sing to a favorite song and then write out what caused the stressful thing and what steps can be taken to address the stressful thing that happened. In their personal life, Cora *loves* to read fantasy novels and spending time with their dog.

Cora’s standard overnight hours are:

  • Tuesday: 7 p.m. - 5 a.m.
  • Wednesday: 7 p.m. - 5 a.m.
  • Thursday: 4 p.m. - 2 a.m
  • Friday: 7 p.m. - 5 a.m.