Adams State Counselor Ed Faculty Staff-Fall 2023
Asterisk signifies Core Faculty.

Cheri Meder*

Chair

School Counselor Education Director

Cheri Meder

cmeder@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Regent University
  • M.A., Counseling: School Counseling, Adams State University
  • B.A., Sociology and Psychology, Western State College of Colorado

Areas of Interest

Professional school counseling, online counselor education and pedagogical practices, play/filial therapy, counseling assessment, legal/ethical issues in professional school counseling, ASCA RAMP certification, counseling adolescents, and sex offender assessment

Certifications

Licensed Professional School Counselor (CO), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (CO), National Certified School Counselor, National Certified Counselor

Maddie Dailey

Counselor Education Academic AdvisorMaddie Dailey

ceadvising@adams.edu (preferred)
daileyml@adams.edu
(719) 587-8418

Please contact with questions regarding

  • Advises and serves students utilizing their plan of study
  • Presents important information to students, faculty, and staff
  • Maintains and ensures accurate student data entry related to enrollment and retention
  • Talk through situations with students to determine the needs of the students

Tamara LomelliTamara Lomeli

Counselor Education Administrative Specialist

ceonline@adams.edu (preferred)
tlomeli@adams.edu
(719) 587-7859

Please contact with questions regarding

  • Clinical Mental Health Admissions questions
  • School Counseling Admissions questions
  • Admissions/Deferments
  • Student Labs

Toni MartinezTony Martinez

Counselor Ed – Budget Analyst/Office Manager

tmartinez@adams.edu
719-587-8138

Please contact with questions regarding

  • Student Labs
  • Ph.D. Admissions
  • Ph.D. Questions
  • Budget
  • Counseling Services Reimbursement

Melissa MoellerMelissa Moeller

Senior Advisor/Operations Director

ceadvising@adams.edu (preferred)
mmoeller@adams.edu

  • Supervises Academic Advisor
  • Oversees and manages cohort plans of study
  • School of Counselor Education liaison of special projects within Adams State and SLV community
  • Operations management of Counselor Education School
  • Supervision, oversight, integration, and delivery of clinical labs
  • Supervise, maintain, and implement enrollment management

Esperanza Orozco

Counselor Education Administrative Specialist

ceonline@adams.edu
eorozco@adams.edu
(719) 587-8376

Please contact with questions regarding

  • Clinical Mental Health Admissions questions
  • School Counseling Admissions questions
  • Admissions/Deferments
  • Student Labs

Shelly Polzin

Clinical Coordinator

counseloredcc@adams.edu
719-587-7607

Please contact with questions regarding

  • Adams State Clinical Manual
  • Practicum/Internship requirements
  • Training for site supervisors
  • Due dates for Practicum and Internship

Bethany Adams*

Interim Professional Practice Director/CoordinatorBethany Adams

badams001@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • M.A., Clinical Mental Health, Denver Seminary
  • B.A., Psychology, University of Colorado

Areas of Interest
Online counselor education and andragogy, Legal/ethical issues in clinical counseling, Counseling student dispositions and skill development, Clinical training program development, Professional Counselor Identity Development, Counseling Supervision

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (CO), National Certified Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor

Courtney Allen*

Courtney Allencourtneyallen@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counseling and Counselor Education, University of Florida
  • Ed.S., School Counseling and Guidance, University of Florida
  • M.Ed., School Counseling and Guidance, University of Florida
  • B.A., Psychology, University of Florida

Areas of Interest
Counselor development, Counseling theories, Research in school counseling, Counseling children and adolescents, Substance abuse counseling, Pedagogical practices, Qualitative research, Counselor supervision

Certifications
National Certified Counseling (NCC)
Registered Mental Health Counseling Intern (Florida)

Olivia Ayers*

hickmanoh@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • B.A. in Psychology, Western Illinois University
  • A.A. in Psychology, John Wood Community College

Areas of Interest
Trauma informed practice, Humanistic approaches, Best practices for the neurodivergent population

Certifications
Trauma Focused -Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Structured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS)

Caroline Brown*

cbrown3@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • PhD, Counselor Education and Counseling, Idaho State University
  • M.Coun, Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling, Idaho State University
  • BS, Psychology, Utah State University

Areas of Interest
Addictions counseling and research, At-RIsk Teens, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Clinical Supervision, Grief and Loss Counseling, Community Advocacy and Outreach

Certifications
Licenced Professional Counselor and Supervisor (ID), National Board Certified Counselor (NCC)

Laura Bruneau*

School Counselor Education Assistant Director – Ph.D.
Program
Laura Bruneau

lbruneau@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Kent State University
  • M.Ed., Community Counseling, Kent State University
  • B.A., Psychology, Miami University

Areas of Interest
Creativity in counseling; therapeutic reading, Animal assisted therapy; Counseling theory; Diagnosis; Women’s issues; Counseling children

Certifications
Licensed Professional School Counselor (CO), Licensed Professional Counselor (CO)

Katrina Caldon-Ruggles*

Katrina Caldon-Rugglescaldonruggleskl@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education & Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.A. in Counseling: Clinical Counseling, School Counseling, Adams State University
  • B.A. in Sociology and Psychology, Adams State University

Areas of Interest
Professional School Counseling, Career Counseling, Trauma and Resiliency, Play Therapy, Counseling children and adolescents, Positive Youth Development

Certifications
Licensed Professional School Counselor (CO), Licensed Professional Counselor (CO)

Madalyn Caldwell*

mcaldwell@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Walden University
  • Ed.S., Community Counseling, Troy University-Montgomery
  • M.S., Counseling and Psychology, Troy University-Montgomery
  • B.A., Psychology, Auburn University

Areas of Interest
Perinatal mental health, Maternal health advocacy, Adolescent counseling, Trauma counseling and recovery

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (AL), Certified Perinatal Mental Health Therapist, Certified Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist

Rebecca Caple*

Rebecca Caple

rebeccacaple@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education & Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.Ed., Master of Education Mental Health Counseling
  • B.S., Psychology, Bridgewater State University

Areas of Interest
At-Risk Youth, Mental Health and Advocacy in Schools, Developing Adolescent Resiliency, School Counseling, Creativity in Counseling

Certifications
Licensed Mental Health Counselor (MA),  Licensed School Counselor (NC)

Carol Cotter*

Curriculum and Testing Coordinator

Carol Cotter

carolcotter@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • Master of Social Work, University of Houston
  • B.A., Psychology, University of Houston – Clear Lake

Areas of Interest
Counselor Development, Counseling Assessment, Relational Cultural Theory, Trauma and Resilience, Social Justice Issues, Mindfulness & Self-Compassion

Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (CO), Certified EMDR practitioner

Abigail “Abby” Crouse*

crouseac@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • Masters, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Westminster College
  • B.A., Psychology & Sociology, University of Pittsburgh

Areas of Interest
Trauma and Resilience, Social Justice Issues, Clinical Supervision, Refugee Populations, Affirmative Counseling with LGBTIA+, Ethical/Legal issues in clinical counseling, Counselor Identity Development

Certifications
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (UT), EMDR Therapist

Sandra Gavin*

Specialty Coordinator

Sandra Gavin

sgavin@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Northern Illinois University
  • M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Northern Iowa
  • B.S., Psychology and Human Services, Upper Iowa University

Areas of Interest
Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical Supervision, Counselor Development, Multicultural Counseling Self-Efficacy and Competencies, Online Counselor Education, Affirmative Counseling with LGBTQIA+

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (Colorado and Illinois), National Certified Counselor

Jessica Gazzola*

jgazzola@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Duquesne University
  • B.S. in Psychology, Robert Morris University

Areas of Interest

Counselor identity, clinical supervision, women’s issues, student-athlete performance, mental health, trauma and attachment, treatment and assessment of sex offenders, neurodiversity

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (PA), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) certification. Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) Sexual Assault Counselor certification

Christina Harrell*

CMH Program Chair

Christina Harrell

charrell@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education & Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Adams State University
  • BA in Business Administration; Minor in Health Care Administration

Areas of Interest
Mindfulness & Psychotherapy, Play Therapy, Child and Adolescent Issues, Grief and Loss, Professional Counselor Identity Development, Multicultural Competencies, Creativity in Counseling

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (CO), National Certified Counselor

Janessa Henninger*

Janessa Henninger

janessahenninger@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Northern Colorado
  • M.A., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Northern Colorado
  • B.S, Psychology, College of Charleston

Areas of Interest
Play Therapy and play therapy supervision, Crisis and trauma education, program evaluation, Research and statistics

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (CO), Registered play therapist- Supervisor, Registered Play therapist

Karli Iceman*

Ph.D. Program Coordinator

kiceman@adams.edu

Karlie Iceman

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, Oakland University
  • M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Oakland University
  • B.A.s in English, History, and Psychology, Oakland University

Areas of Interest
Online Counselor Education, Experiential Learning, Ethical Issues in Counseling Counseling Theories, Professional Counselor Identity Development, Supervision in Counseling

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (MI), National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Alyson Leatherman*

aleatherman@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Oregon State University
  • M.Ed., Counselor Education, School Counseling, The College of William & Mary
  • B.A., Communication and Spanish, Saint Mary’s College

Areas of Interest
Professional school counseling, postsecondary planning, school counselor identity development, school counselor leadership, and qualitative research.

Certifications
Licensed Professional School Counselor (OR), National Certified Counselor

Luke Lee*

leel001@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education & Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.A., Psychology: Couple & Family Therapy, Antioch University
  • B.A., American Ethnic Studies, University of Washington

Areas of Interest
Counselor education, religious exit, counseling ethics, cultural competency, counseling victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, childhood trauma, internalized oppression.

Certifications
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (WA)

Mark Manzanares*

Mark Manzanares

markmanzanares@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Education and Human Resources Studies, Colorado State University
  • M.A., Community Counseling, Adams State University
  • B.A., Psychology, Adams State University

Areas of Interest
Parenting Training, generation issues, Adult Learning Theory and Technology in Counselor Education

Certifications
Becoming a Love and Logic, Instructor Training

Steve Moody*Steve Moody

smoody@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • PhD, Counselor Education and Counseling, Idaho State University
  • M.Coun, Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling, Idaho State University
  • BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wyoming

Areas of Interest
Research methodology, Clinical Supervision, Adventure-based counseling and education, Marital and Couples counseling

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (ID)

Lay-nah Blue Morris-Howe*

lmorrishowe@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Wyoming
  • M.S., Counseling, Student Affairs in Higher Education, University of Wyoming
  • B.S., Health Sciences

Areas of Interest
Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Multicultural Counseling Competencies; Social Justice and Advocacy; Ethnic Identity Development; Counseling Couples, Families, and Adolescents.

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (WY), Designated Qualified Clinical Supervisor (WY)

Melissa O’Neill*

Melissa ONeill

moneill@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.A. Counseling, Eastern New Mexico University
  • B.A. Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Areas of Interest
Eating Disorders and Related Issues, Diet Culture, Weight Stigma and Body Acceptance, Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT), Counselor Identity Development, Counseling and Supervision Theory, Cultural Humility and Social Justice Issues

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (AK), Certified Eating Disorders Specialist-Supervisor, Clinical Military Counseling Certificate

Johnsa Phares*

johnsaphares@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.A., Counseling, Adams State University
  • B.A., Psychology, Ouachita Baptist University

Areas of Interests
First Responder Mental Health, International School Counseling

Amanda Pruit*

pruitag@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Memphis
  • B.A., Psychology, University of Memphis

Areas of Interest
Students, Faculty, and Culture in Higher Education and Counselor Education, Counseling Student Development, Counseling Supervision, Student Wellness, and Clinical Trauma and Resiliency

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (TX), Approved Clinical Supervisor (TX)

Neil Rigsbee*

Curriculum & Assessment Program Chair

Neil Rigsbee

neilrigsbee@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education, University of New Mexico
  • M.A., Counseling, Webster University
  • B.A., Psychology, College of Santa Fe

Areas of Interest
Quantitative research methods in counseling, Online suicide assessment training, Veterans issues, Community mental health

Certifications
Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (NM)

Katie Sacco*

ksacco@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Counseling, Idaho State University
  • M.Coun., Student Affairs and College Counseling, Idaho State University
  • B.A., Linguistics, University of Maryland- College Park

Areas of Interest
Adventure-based counseling and education, Clinical supervision, Animal-assisted interventions in counseling, Counseling children and adolescents

Certifications
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (ID), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (NM), Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS), Board-Certified TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH).

Penny Sanders*

Penny Sanders

pennysanders@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ed.D., Counseling, Texas A&M University-Commerce
  • M.A. in Education/Student Personnel, Northern Arizona University
  • B.S., Radio/TV Communication, Eastern New Mexico University

Areas of Interest
Cultural Humility, LGBTQ+ Issues in Counseling, Social Justice, Grief and Loss, Women’s Issues, Cultural Identity and Othering

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (CO), Certified EMDR practitioner

Kelsey Scanlan*Kelsey Scanlan

wardk@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision- Adams State University
  • MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling- Wright State University
  • BA in Psychology- The Ohio State University

Areas of Interest
LGBTQIA+ issues in counseling, gender affirming care, social justice and equity issues, counselor supervision, clinical mental health counseling

Certifications
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (OH), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC)

Julie Silipo*Julie Silipo

silipoja@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.S. in School Counseling, Syracuse University
  • B.A. Psychology, Whitman College

Areas of Interest
School Counselor training and supervision, Equity Education, School Counselor Professional Identity

Certifications
Licensed Professional School Counselor (CO), Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate (CO), National Certified Counselor

Colleen Stabolepszy*

Colleen Stabolepszy

School Counseling Program Chair

cstabolepszy@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • M.A., Counseling: School Counseling, Adams State University
  • B.A., Biology and Psychology, Adams State University

Areas of Interest
Professional school counseling, Legal/ethical issues in professional school counseling, ASCA, Career and college readiness, Counselor development, Crisis in Schools, Mindfulness

Certifications
Licensed Professional School Counselor (CO), Career Technical Education Endorsement (CO), National Certified Counselor

Madeleine (Maddy) Stevens*

Maddy Stevens

madeleinestevens@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.A. Art Therapy, Southwestern College
  • B.A. Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Studio Arts, University of Colorado Denver

Areas of Interest
Arts and Expressive Arts in Counseling, Client Agency, Interdisciplinary Education in Counselor Education, Qualitative Research, Contemplative Psychotherapy

Certifications
Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC NM), Licensed Professional Art Therapist (LPAT NM), ATR-BC (Art Therapist Registered- Board Certified)

Jesika Stuart*Jesika Stuart

stuartjd@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Adams State University
  • M.Ed., Counselor Education: School Counseling, Georgia Southern University
  • B.S., Psychology, Georgia Southern University

Areas of Interest
Professional school counseling; school counselor burnout; school counselor supervision (both for counselors in training and post-graduate professionals); trauma informed counselor education and supervision; legal/ethical issues in professional school counseling

Certifications
Licensed Professional School Counselor (TN)

Sonja Sutherland*Sonja Sutherland

ssutherland@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Regent University
  • M.S., Professional Counseling, Georgia State University
  • B.S., Psychology, New York University

Areas of Interest
Racial trauma, cultural responsiveness development and training, culturally-responsive clinical intervention and supervision, and social justice advocacy

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (Georgia), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), Board Certified Telemental Health Counselor (BC-TMH)

Jared Thiemann*

School Counselor Education Assistant Director – MA Program

Jared Thiemann

jthiemann@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Counseling, Idaho State University
  • M.Coun, Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling, Idaho State University
  • B.A., General Studies, Idaho State University

Areas of Interest
Marital, Couple, and Family Counseling; Counseling Adolescents, Group Counseling, Treatment of Sexual Offenders, Existential Counseling, Technology and Counseling

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (CO); National Certified Counselor (NCC)

Kirk Thiemann*

Kirk Thiemann

kirkthiemann@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Wyoming
  • M.COUN., Student Affairs Counseling, Idaho State University
  • B.A., General Studies, Idaho State University

Areas of Interest
Career Counseling, Counseling Theories, Grief and Loss, Person-Centered Counseling, Existentialism, Phenomenological Research Methods

Certifications
Licensed Professional Counselor (ID)

Ben Wilson*Ben Wilson

bwilson2@adams.edu

Degrees Awarded

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Capella University
  • M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Capella University
  • B.G.S., (General Studies), Indiana University

Areas of Interest
Co-occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment; Assessment, Evaluation, and Placement; Stigma Reduction, Clinical Supervision, Counselor Development, Harm Reduction, Mapping-Enhanced Counseling, Trauma-Informed Approaches, Advocacy/Outreach

Licenses/Certifications
National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC)-Indiana, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)-Indiana