Albion College students learned in an email from the Office of Student Development on Jan. 6 that El’Verson Mitchell, alumnus ‘20, was “killed by a driver charged with being under the influence while (Mitchell’s) vehicle was stopped at an intersection in Clinton Township on December 29th.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Albion and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, Mitchell returned to Albion as a counselor and clinical therapist in the Office of Integrated Wellness.
As a Brother, Student, Mentor
Canton senior Charlie Tams, who knew Mitchell by way of being in the same fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, said he was “a really caring and thoughtful person.”
“He was always someone willing to listen and help others. Helping people was something he really cared about,” Tams said.
Tams added that, from what he’s heard in stories, including from former Albion weightlifting coach Aaron Mehl, Mitchell “was always there for other people” and “genuinely wanted to see people be happy.”
That selflessness stood out to faculty members as well. Professor of psychological science Tammy Jechura, who taught Mitchell during his time as a psychological science major, said he was “very outgoing” and “everyone’s friend.”
“He had a smile that really got you,” Jechura said. “When he talked with you, he was actually listening, and he cared what people had to say. Besides being a good student, he was just a good person.”
Jechura added that Mitchell’s “insight into people’s behavior was really special” and that he’d often “sit down and actually have a conversation with somebody.”
Mitchell, according to Jechura, embodied the kind of relationships Albion College strives to foster.
“We talk about relationships all the time at Albion, between students and faculty and within the community,” Jechura said. “He did it all. He took advantage of everything Albion offers, and he built real connections with people.”
Assistant professor of psychological science Shanti Brown said Mitchell remained engaged with Albion even after graduating, returning as a guest speaker for her class and collaborating on research projects with faculty members.
“He always told me, ‘Anytime a student has a question about social work, send them my way. I want to talk with them,’” Brown said.
Brown added that Mitchell consistently went beyond expectations when collaborating on projects, producing “incredibly thoughtful work that he had clearly spent a lot of time on.”
As an Advocate, Counselor
Southgate senior Kayli Renaud said they knew Mitchell as their counselor during their first year at Albion.
“He approached his work in a way that made me feel safe and comfortable, like I had someone in my corner,” Renaud said.
Most recently, Mitchell worked as a counseling and psychological services mental health clinician at University of Michigan-Dearborn. His supervisor, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Director of Counseling and Psychological Services Sara Byczek, said Mitchell went “above and beyond” to support student-athletes, working intentionally to build trust and reduce stigma around mental health.
“He really wanted to focus on bringing mental health awareness to student-athletes,” Byczek said. “He would attend practices and games, forge relationships and take genuine joy in their success.”
Byczek said Mitchell showed up for colleagues with that same presence and care.
“He was always aware of what other people were going through and figured out how he could support them,” Byczek said. “He really believed in giving people his full presence.”
At Albion, Dean of Students Leroy Wright said as a student and later counselor, Mitchell was deeply invested in mental health work and hoped to make a meaningful difference.
“He wanted to go into counseling and therapeutic work, navigating substance use and substance abuse,” Wright said. “He wanted to be that clinician that saved the world and made a big difference – and helped everybody.”
Wright added that Mitchell was an “active listener” who “always exuded positive energy, no matter what he was going through.”
“He had a lot of care and concern for the human condition, and a humble spirit that believed people could change, evolve and grow,” Wright said.
For Wright, Mitchell was a “lighthouse.”
“When the weather’s bad and things are rough, you look for that light, a safe harbor. He was that lighthouse for a lot of people,” Wright said.
According to prosecutors, the driver, Torrance Irby, was taken into custody shortly after leaving the crash on foot. Arraigned on Jan. 1, Irby faces a $250,000 bond as well as 20 years in prison.
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