Aarti Khullar, ProtoCall Services

Aarti Khullar, PsyD, Director of Provider Network Services at ProtoCall Services (She/Her)Dr. Aarti Khullar is a licensed clinical psychologist and previously worked in university mental health. In 2020, Aarti joined ProtoCall following the acquisition of The Shrink Space, where she was co-founder. Aarti continues to develop The Shrink Space software service and support the needs of its global provider network. 

Amanda Adamakis, Craven Community College

Amanda graduated from East Carolina University in May of 2021 with a Master of Science in Counselor Education, with a specialization in Student Affairs and College Counseling. She simultaneously obtained the Student Affairs in Higher Education Graduate Certificate. Upon graduation, Amanda became a National Certified Counselor as well. Throughout her graduate program, Amanda worked in Career Services at ECU as well as in the College of Business Advising Center at ECU. Amanda accepted her current position as an Academic Advisor within Student Services at Craven Community College in July of 2021. Through her education and experience, she understands the importance of and is passionate about the need for a variety of counseling services and resources on a community college campus. Amanda enjoys continuing her education, attending workshops and webinars whenever possible. Outside of her work and learning, Amanda enjoys caring for her cats, taking walks on nature trails, and reading a good book.

Akia Smith, Fayetteville State University 

Akia Smith is a graduating senior and seeks to complete a master’s degree in Social Work and Divinity. She is Certified Peer Educator with FSU’s Bronco Whole CRC program, a member of Nu Phi Honors Society and a Spring 2021 McNair Scholar. Ms. Smith aspires to be a Community Organizer.

Alesia Dodson, UNC-Chapel Hill

Alesia Dodson is a graduating senior and a Spring 2020 McNair Scholar Cohort. She plans to continue her education with a focus in Social Psychology. She wants to pursue a career in academia as a professor to inspire future generations of counselors. Her plans for research revolve around human perception and cognitive processes.

Allencia Hinnant, North Carolina Central University

Allencia Hinnant is a senior nursing student at North Carolina Central University who believes that health is a human right. She is currently working to become a community health nurse whose goal is to serve marginalized communities individualized and culturally competent care. She is passionate about helping to bring about true health equity. She is a Talk Space Peer Mentor.

Andrea Straughter, UNC Wilmington

Andrea provides counseling and consultation services to individual students. Andrea works primarily from the models of strengths-based solution focused therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. She loves to incorporate art activities and relaxation strategies into treatment. Her interests include empowering her clients, relationships, anxiety, and managing life’s everyday stressors. Andrea received her Master’s degree in clinical social work from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Ashley Sherman, North Carolina Central University

Ashley Sherman is a senior nursing student at North Carolina Central University, graduating in May 22. She is president of the Student Nurses Association, as well as President of Talk Space. She is a strong advocate for mental health and wants everyone to be heard. She has assisted in webinars and peer support programs. Ashley is actively involved in the community from a student, nursing, and aspiring leader aspect. After graduation, Ashley will be working in Labor and Delivery and will continue advocating for those around her.

Ben Estorge, Appalachian State University

Ben Estorge is a current Master’s student in Nutrition Science and Dietetics and Graduate Assistant with the Wellness and Prevention Services at Appalachian State University. He has previously conducted research in Intensive lifestyle interventions” in the low-income populations of Newbern and Goldsboro N.C. where he created nutrition education video content and coached groups of participants through positive lifestyle changes. He is very excited to be a mental health advocate with the Wellness and Prevention Center, working on projects to promote the mental wellbeing of Appalachian State students. On streams, he goes by Bentendo.”

Bill Bondurant, Craven Community College

Bill’s vocational journey in NC began in August of 2001.  He started as a School Counselor at Bridgeton Elementary School, then moved into a Lead Counselor Position at New Bern High School.  From there, he accepted a Lead Advising Position with Craven Community College, which then evolved into the Director of Advising and Counseling.  Prior to 2001, Bill was a Licensed Professional Counselor in WV, providing psychotherapy for a group of Psychiatric Private Practitioners.  Bill saw patients in HCA River Park Hospital located in Huntington, WV, as well as outpatient clients for over 10 years.  Specialty populations included individual, group, marital, family and child therapies.  Mix all of these ingredients together, and Bill is doing exactly what he is supposed to be doing in the cozy town of New Bern in Craven County. 

When not on campus or doing domestic engineering assignments at home, you will find Bill and Diane taking hikes and paddles anywhere from ENC, over to the winding trails and flowing waters in the Blue Ridge Mountains…looking for nature’s gifts of smell, sight and sound.  For it is in these things that their soul is renewed and reminded of how important and wonderful are the simple things in life.

Candice Powell, UNC-Chapel Hill

Candice Powell’s professional and scholarly experiences are focused on promoting academic thriving and graduation equity for undergraduate students. She brings over 10 years of professional experience leading university programs and partnerships for college student success, including the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students and academic interventions for students experiencing challenges on their path to graduation. Candice brings expertise leading campus-wide discussions around student success issues and frequently presents at workshops, trainings, meetings, and conferences regarding strengths-based and culturally appreciative approaches to support marginalized student groups. Her scholarship focuses on the intersections of race, gender, class, power, identity, affirmation, agency, and institutional responsibility in the context of student success and degree attainment.

Candice was raised in Fayetteville North Carolina. She earned a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Education degree from North Carolina State University in Higher Education Administration, and a Ph.D. in Education from the UNC School of Education. She is the Director of the Carolina Covenant Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – a nationally recognized model for low-income college student success.

Carley Niland, High Point University

Carley Niland is a North Carolina Board Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Nationally Certified Counselor. Carley is currently a clinical counselor in The Office of Counseling Services at High Point University. Carley has extensive experience in higher education including mental health counseling, academic advising, and student services. She views counseling as collaborative relationship that focuses on the student and emphasizes strengths. Carley’s areas of professional interest include anxiety, depression, identity development, self-compassion, mindfulness, interpersonal relationships, and disordered eating.

Caroline Carpenter, UNC-Chapel hill

Caroline Carpenter is a 2021-2022 Chancellor’s Fellow with the Office of the Chancellor at UNC-Chapel Hill. Caroline works with the UNC Peer Support Core and Carolina Peer Support Collaborative on communications strategy, student recruitment, and project management. Her research interests are focused on the intersections of mental health and higher education.

Carolyn Ebeling, UNC-Chapel Hill

Carolyn Ebeling, MSW, LCSW-A is a Post-MSW Fellow at UNC Counseling and Psychological Services. Carolyn received a Bachelor of Arts in English from UNC Chapel Hill and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from UNC’s School of Social Work. Carolyn’s professional interests include substance use, family of origin challenges, LGBTQ+ community, trauma and survivorship, relationships and transitions. Their work is informed by a variety of therapeutic modalities, and they are continuing to learn and grow.

Charla Suggs, UNC Pembroke

Charla Suggs currently serves as Interim Director for The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Counseling and Psychological Services (UNCP CAPS). Charla holds credentials as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), Level 1 iRest Trainer, and Mental Health First Aid Instructor. Having worked with the college population for nine years, Charla also has more than 20 years of specialized group experience and is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Integrative Restoration, and Subtle Yoga TM. Areas of focus include trauma recovery, stress inoculation, and serving special populations like nursing students, student athletes, ROTC cadets, and veterans. Charla conducts individual and group counseling at UNCP CAPS and presents a variety psychoeducation and training on campus and in the community.

Dr. Chelsey Couch, UNC Wilmington

Dr. Chelsey Couch is a staff clinician at the UNCW Counseling Center. She completed her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Tennessee Student Counseling Center.

Cheryl Harris, UNC Pembroke

Cheryl Harris, Counselor and Outreach Coordinator at Counseling and Psychological Services has been active in the field of behavioral health for the past 15 years. Eliminating the stigma of seeking help for behavioral health concerns is a goal of Cheryl’s and she has been active throughout the years with service on various community stakeholder committees focusing on mental health advocacy and outreach. She has worked with Southeastern Family Violence Center as a Domestic Violence Victims Advocate which afforded her the opportunity to provide crisis counseling to survivors and their children. She also received a wonderful clinical foundation while working at Baptist Children’s Homes of NC as an Emergency Care Clinician. Cheryl became a NC Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2011. She graduated from East Carolina University in May 2006 with her Masters of Social Work and from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with her Bachelors of Social Work in 2005. She is currently a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid Trainer and a Child and Family Team Trainer/Facilitator.

Chris Stark, Western Washington University

Chris Stark, M.S., has been in higher education since 2000, originally holding a position in health and wellness before moving to institutional research at Western Washington University. Chris has over 20 years of experience conducting survey research at WWU and other institutions. Additionally, Chris has been involved in developing technology for the health and wellness field since creating the first web-based case management platform used to administer BASICS in 2002. Since then Chris has worked with developers to create several applications including BASICS Feedback and IMPACT Feedback.

Dr. Cynthia Demetriou, UNC Wilmington

Cynthia Demetriou, PhD, oversees multifaceted programs, supports, and policies for engagement, enrollment and retention at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With numerous publications and presentations, she is a leader for student success research and practice. A recipient of a $3.3M ‘First in The World’ grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Demetriou oversaw The Finish Line Project including direct student service and empirical investigations focused on degree completion for first-generation college students. Dr. Demetriou holds multiple degrees including a PhD in Education, with a focus on Educational Psychology, Measurement and Evaluation, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an EdM from Harvard University, and a BA from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She started her career as a classroom teacher and believes in the power of education to transform lives.

Dr. Daniel Marlowe, Campbell University

Dr. Daniel Marlowe is the Assistant Dean of Academic Success and Founding Chair / Associate Professor for the Department of Behavioral Health at Campbell University’s Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine located in Lillington, NC. In this role, Dr. Marlowe oversees a thriving clinical practice that provides high-quality care to medical and other health professional students as well as one of the largest behavioral science programs for graduate medical education that spans 19 residency programs across 8 different medical specialities and two states. Prior to Campbell, he worked as a program developer, director and clinician in a wide range of settings from rural federally qualified and community health centers to major university medical centers like the Duke Cancer Institute in Durham, NC. In these arenas, Dr. Marlowe helped to develop, implement, and expand several collaborative care programs- mainly encompassing the integration of behavioral health services in primary and specialty care settings. In regards to research, as a theorist, he has published several manuscripts and book chapters on both the underlying epistemology in the field of Medical Family Therapy and its practical application in integrated care settings that includes seminal articles in both areas. Dr. Marlowe has also presented on these topics at both the state level and nationally for behavioral health as well as medical providers. Currently, his main areas of interest are in mind/body practices, internal cultivation as well as the cybernetics of consciousness and their application to resilience and overall wellness, which he lectures on regularly both within the medical school, surrounding hospital systems and state organizations.

Deborah Clarke, UNC-Chapel Hill

Dr. Clarke has worked at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 2000 and in the Office of the Provost since 2013. She currently serves as Associate Provost for Academic Operations where she plans and executes projects and initiatives related to a wide variety of academic and administrative issues with university-wide impact, including related to student mental health and well-being. She has more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education strategy and administration, academic management, and student personnel services. She is former director of the full-time Master of Business Administration Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and also worked at the University of Pennsylvania in various leadership roles at the School of Nursing and College Houses and Academic Services. Prior to graduate school, she worked in the financial services industry. Clarke has an EdD in higher education administration from the University of Pennsylvania, an MEd in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University, and a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University.

In 2019, Clarke co-authored a book about higher education with James W. Dean, president of the University of New Hampshire. Published by The University of North Carolina Press. The Insider’s Guide to Universities: Practical Insights for Board Members, Businesspeople, Entrepreneurs, Philanthropists, Alumni, Parents, and Administrators explains the unique mission of American universities and provides advice to businesspeople and others who want to work effectively in higher education.

She and her husband, Walt Clarke, live in Raleigh with their almost grown children, Emma Kate (18) and Redding (16).

Desirée Rieckenberg, UNC-Chapel Hill

Desirée Rieckenberg is the Dean of Students at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  In this role she provides leadership for a broad portfolio of functions including student care and support/case management, the Carolina Veterans Resources, crisis management, student threat assessment, and the University Approved Absence Office.  She represents Student Affairs with students, faculty, staff, families, and the community in collaborations centered around holistic student success, wellness, safety, and support.  Prior to her 2012 arrival at UNC-Chapel Hill, Desirée held professional roles with increasing responsibilities at Texas A&M University, Northeastern State University, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  She completed her graduate education at Texas A&M University in the field of educational administration and her undergraduate degree in psychology and community health education from Eastern Illinois University.

Dionne Hall, Fayetteville State University

Ms. Dionne Hall serves as the Director of the Counseling and Personal Development Center at Fayetteville State University. Ms. Hall earned her B.A. in Psychology from Hampton University and a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling from Gallaudet University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, a National Certified Counselor and has been in the counseling field for over 24 years.

Dr. Edwin B. Fisher, UNC-Chapel Hill

Edwin B. Fisher, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Health Behavior in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A clinical psychologist, he was on the UNC-Chapel Hill Mental Health Task Force and has continued to work with groups on campus to advance its recommendations for expanding peer support across campus. This benefits from his experience as Global Director of Peers for Progress that promotes evidence, resources, and advocacy for peer support in health, health care and prevention around the world. His research has also addressed health challenges in asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, smoking cessation, and weight management and has included self management, social support, and community based health promotion. Among other honors, he is a past-president of the Society of Behavioral Medicine and principal editor of Principles of Behavioral Medicine: A Global Handbook (Springer, 2018).

Elisabeth Cavallaro, Appalachian State University

Elisabeth Cavallaro has been promoting Mental Wellbeing for over 12 years, with over 8 of those years being at Appalachian State University, where she currently serves as an Assistant Director and Coordinator for Student Mental Wellbeing. She earned her Master’s of Public Health from University of North Florida and her Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Florida State University. Her work with educational social media content began in graduate school, where she created a mental health blog that gained over 18,000 followers. She’s been playing videogames since she was a kid, and is known as Elisabeast on stream.

Erika McCullough-Simpson, UNC Wilmington

Erika McCullough-Simpson is a Licensed Psychological Associate. She earned her Master’s degree from UNC Charlotte. Her interests include trauma, anxiety and stress, depression, self-esteem, and multicultural concerns. Ron Galloway is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor-Associate. He earned his Master’s degree from UNC Pembroke. Some of his specific interests include assisting students with issues concerning anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, multicultural issues, problem-solving skills, and career guidance. Andrea Straughter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She obtained her Master’s degree from UNC Wilmington. She loves to incorporate art activities and relaxation strategies into treatment. Her interests include empowering her clients, relationships, anxiety, and managing life’s everyday stressors. They are all Staff Counselors at the UNC Wilmington Counseling Center.

Gery Boucher, Craven Community College

Gery Boucher joined Craven Community College in 1998. With more than 21 years in higher education, he has held multiple roles within the college including counselor, history instructor, and Dean of Havelock campus. In 2011, Gery worked as the Education Branch Manager for Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune before returning to Craven CC in 2014 as the Associate Vice President for Workforce Solutions. In 2016, he was promoted to, and currently holds the position of, Vice President for Students. This position includes Student Services, Workforce Development, The Volt Center, and Marketing. Gery served as Swansboro Town Commissioner from 2011-2015. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Counseling from ECU. In October 2021, he earned is Doctor of Education with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership. Gery is also a National Certified Counselor.

Gloria Wells, Fayetteville State University

Ms. Gloria Wells is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor and a National Certified Counselor. Ms. Wells is a two-time graduate of FSU, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Master’s of Arts in Psychology, Specializing in Counseling. Ms. Wells has a passion for working with the collegiate community as evidenced by having over 12 years of clinical experience in the University setting.

Heather Wenz, ProtoCall Services

Heather Wenz,M.S., Manager of Customer Success at Protocall Services (She/Her). Heather Wenz is an alumni of Michigan State University and Purdue University.  Her background is in Marriage and Family Therapy, and recently has worked as a Crisis Counselor and Relationship Manager at Protocall Services before moving into her current role.  Her personal interests include supporting the local arts, cruising in her Jeep, and running after her four children.

Jami Rodis, Craven Community College

Jami serves as the Recruitment & Retention Coordinator for the College and Career Readiness department at Craven Community College.  With a Bachelor’s in English and Communications from Marymount University in Arlington, VA, Jami has spent the better part of her adult life in some form of education and dealing directly with learners.  Jami’s passion is building relationships with students and providing support and encouragement.  Jami has taught in both public and private school settings in primary through post-secondary education.  

Her mantra in life that she shares with students is from Maya Angelou: “Nothing will work unless you do.” 

Dr. Jason Lynch, Appalachian State University

Dr. Jason Lynch serves as an Assistant Professor of Higher Education in the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State, as well as the founding executive editor of the Journal of Trauma Studies in Education and Chair of the Stress, Coping, & Resilience Special Interest Group for the American Educational Research Association. His teaching, research, and service seek to explore the nature and impact of traumatic stress on education stakeholders, as well as ways to promote a more trauma-informed postsecondary education system.

Dr. Jeff Krepps, Campbell University

Jeff Krepps, PhD, is the Director of Behavioral Health Education & Research and Associate Professor of Behavioral Health at Campbell University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine. He is a North Carolina licensed marriage and family therapist, and a clinical fellow and approved supervisor of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Krepps received his PhD in Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University where he also completed a specialization in Medical Family Therapy. He received his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from Appalachian State University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has also completed training in hypnosis, mindfulness, brief therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Dr. Krepps has more than 26 years of clinical experience working with individuals and families experiencing a variety of difficulties, and, in his current role, he provides therapy/counseling services to medical students and medical residents, as well students in the pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapy, and other health professions graduate programs at Campbell University. His clinical experience includes work in multiple settings, including Campbell’s medical school, private practice, family medicine clinic, university counseling/therapy clinics, sexual assault treatment center, community mental health, community substance abuse treatment center, and home-based therapy.

In addition to his clinical experience, Dr. Krepps currently provides behavioral health education to medical students and medical residents. He is the former Site-director and Assistant Professor of Pfeiffer University’s marriage and family therapy (MFT) graduate program (Raleigh/Durham campus). He is a former Assistant Professor with the MFT graduate program at East Carolina University (ECU), and a former adjunct assistant professor of psychiatry in the Department of Psychiatry within ECU’s Brody School of Medicine. He was President of the North Carolina Association for Marriage and Family Therapy from 2013-2014 and served on their board for 12 years.

Dr. Jennifer Lee, Johnson C. Smith University

Dr. Jennifer Lee is the Director of the Health Plex. All staff have high degrees in health and human service fields, as well as a wealth of immersive experience that speaks to their caring, creative, and integrated approach to serving with the campus community’s well-being in mind.

Dr. Jennifer Whitney, UNC Greensboro

Jennifer M. Whitney, Ph.D., LCMHCS, Director of The Counseling Center at UNC Greensboro (She/Her). Dr. Jennifer Whitney earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Counseling/Counselor Education from The Ohio State University. Her clinical areas of interest include multiculturalism and diversity, eating disorders and disordered eating, as well as gender and sexuality. 

Dr. Jeremy B. Tuchmayer, East Carolina University

Jeremy B. Tuchmayer, Ph.D. is senior associate director of Student Affairs Assessment, Research, and Planning at East Carolina University. Before joining the assessment and research office, Dr. Tuchmayer held previous positions in residence life, student conduct, admissions, and the dean of students’ offices at several institutions. Currently, Dr. Tuchmayer manages all large-scale survey and research projects for the Division of Student Affairs, the annual outcomes assessment process for all 27 divisional units, provides leadership in evidence-based assessment and evaluation practices, and assists with the program review process.

In his professional capacity, Dr. Tuchmayer primarily studies student characteristics and institutional factors that predict student success, including retention, persistence, grade-point average, and degree attainment. His broader research agenda examines the ways in which state and institutional policies and structures facilitate student success, as well as labor market effects, graduate school aspirations, and commitment to civic and community engagement of recent college graduates. Dr. Tuchmayer has published in a variety of peer-reviewed outlets including Journal of Higher Education, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, Journal of College Student Retention, and eJournal of Public Affairs.

Dr. Tuchmayer earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University, and his PhD in Educational Research and Policy Analysis from North Carolina State University. 

Jessica Lambert Ward, UNC-Chapel Hill

Jessica Lambert Ward, MSW is Director of the Carolina Collaborative for Resilience, a citizen of the Lumbee Tribe of NC, and a proud “double Tar Heel.” Jessica she has spent her career at the intersection of higher ed and social work practice and is dedicated to student success and graduation equity. Jessica pulls from her personal experiences as an Indigenous woman and as a low-income first-generation scholar with rural NC roots in her support of students. 

Jian (Lily) Chen, North Carolina Central University

Jian (Lily) Chen is a lecturer and Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) by the National League of Nursing. She currently teaches community health nursing at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). She practiced nursing in a variety of acute care and community settings including Naperville School District 203 and senior care settings. She previously taught nursing at University of Iowa and University of Illinois in Chicago among others.

Lily is a long-time volunteer serving in her local communities and was part of the core team instrumental in helping elect the first Illinois Chinese American State representative. Lily helped organize two Chinese American conventions in 2016 and 2018 and served as the United Chinese Americans UCA executive director. She also successfully coordinated multiple national and local programs including the UCA Youth Mental Health Collaborative WAVES (Wellness, Advocacy, Voices, Education, Support) since 2016. She serves as the project director for Robert Woods Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Clinical Scholar leadership development program and Nursing Student Peer Mentoring Program Talk Space at NCCU. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid MHFA instructor.

Lily was recently appointed as the Wake County Human Service Board, 2022-2026 by the Wake County Board of County Commissioners. She was selected as the Senior Advisory Board Member for the town of Cary 2021-2023.

Lily came to the US in 1988 from Guangzhou, China. She received her master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa. She is married and a mother of five wonderful children, ages 18-29, and she currently lives in Cary with her family.

Jill Hanson, High Point University 

Jill Hanson is a North Carolina Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who has over 25 years of experience in the mental health field. Jill currently is a clinical counselor in The Office of Counseling Services at High Point University. Jill has served a wide variety of people and populations during her work in community mental health settings. She has experience in providing assessments as well as individual and group therapies. Jill enjoys motivating others to make positive changes that will assist them in building a meaningful life She works to provide a safe and non-judgmental space for personal growth and discovery. Jill’s personal interest include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, grief, life transitions, interpersonal relationships, mindfulness, self-compassion and in general, enhancing skills to build a purposeful values-based life.

Joanna Reed, Elizabeth City State University

Joanna Reed, LCMHCA, holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is a member of the American Counseling Association. As a counselor, she supports clients using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy to help clients explore how beliefs influence behavior. In addition to using cognitive-behavioral methods, she integrates a variety of therapeutic methods into her counseling work with clients, including Polyvagal Theory and integrating Expressive Arts Therapy methods to serve each client’s individual needs.

Joseph Flesch, UNC-Chapel Hill

Joseph Flesch is a Sophomore at UNC Chapel Hill majoring in Psychology (B.S.) and minoring in Neuroscience and Spanish for the Medical Professions. Aside from being an Executive Board member for UNC Peer2Peer and an LSN Volunteer, Joseph also is a member of Carolina’s Social Health and Neuroscience Research Lab, and a Supervisor for UNC Campus Recreation. Joseph is interested in mental health care and wants to continue education to become a child psychologist.

Justin Sharpe, Duke University

Justin Sharpe, MPH, CHES, serves as the Associate Director of DuWell in the Duke Student Wellness Center and has over eight years of experience as collaborative public health leader in higher education and community non-profit settings on topics related to substance misuse prevention and wellness promotion.

Dr. Krista Wojdak, Appalachian State University

Dr. Krista Wojdak serves as a Professor of Instructional Technology in the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State, as well as the Program Director for the Education Specialist in Higher Education and Certificate in College & University Teaching programs. She also serves as a Faculty Fellow for online teaching and learning through the Center for Academic Excellence and is a former Faculty Fellow in the University of North Carolina System Office. Krista is a Distinguished Fellow and past president of the International Society of Exploring Teaching and Learning (ISETL), and an Associate Editor of the International Journal for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (IJTLHE). Her teaching and scholarly work is focused on a broad range of issues related to teaching and learning in higher education, including designing engaging and effective online courses, identifying evidence based instructional strategies, and developing effective professional development initiatives.

Dr. Latonia Johnson, Elizabeth City State University

Latonia S. Johnson, Ph.D., LCSW, has over 24 years of experience and currently serves as a Clinical Counselor at Elizabeth City State University. She has served as a school social worker, mental health therapist, field supervisor, mobile crisis worker, and adjunct instructor. Dr. Johnson’s work has also been presented in an online social work publication.

Lauren Thorn, East Carolina University

Lauren Thorn (she/her/hers) is an Associate Dean of Students at East Carolina University. With a background in mental health and counseling, she focuses on programming and initiatives around student well-being, resilience, and basic needs insecurity.

Leigh Norwood, UNC Charlotte

Leigh Norwood, MSW, LCSW, Associate Director for Access and Equity at UNC Charlotte (She/Her). Leigh Norwood is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina. Her professional interests include the relationship between physical & mental wellness, family of origin issues, crisis intervention, issues related to trauma, and clinical supervision & training.  

Lenny Romano, Craven Community College

My name is Lenny Romano, and I am proud to be a Health and Physical Educator at Craven Community College. I am originally from Pennsylvania, and moved to North Carolina in Fall 2018. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Penn State University, Masters in Education from Wilkes University, and finishing my Doctoral Degree from North Carolina University in Educational Leadership. I am also Nationally Board Certified in Health, Physical Education, Early Childhood, and Special Education. 

I spent 18 years teaching Health and Physical Education in grades Kindergarten through 12th grades, as well as Kinesiology, Health, and Physical Education at Penn State University and Wilkes University.

I am a life-long learner myself and I am passionate about teaching and promoting health and wellness in the lives of students. Helping each student progress in all areas of their development—academic, social, language, and motor—is a challenge that I am honored to accept daily.  I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures this growth in a positive, fun environment. 

When Nelson Mandela passed away, the tribute statement that I remember most was, “The world is a much better place because he lived.”  While our reach may not be as global, we cannot underestimate the impact of making a difference in someone’s life. Teachers and leaders need to embrace the responsibility of being forces for good.  Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Dr. Linda Beeber, UNC-Chapel Hill

Linda S. Beeber, PhD, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN – an advanced-practice psychiatric mental health clinical Nurse Specialist – is an Emerita Professor and the former Francis Hill Fox Distinguished Tern Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing and the Associate Dean, PhD Division and PhD Program. Dr. Beeber has taught and practiced psychiatric nursing for over 50 years (!) and conducted NIH and federally funded clinical trial research in the area of depression in women, specifically low-income mothers of young children. Dr. Beeber is nationally recognized for her development of interpersonal psychiatric nursing theory and research to test in-home interventions for women in whose ethnicity, history and life circumstances create inequitable mental health care. Her interest is in bringing effective, culturally congruent mental health care to parents and children who are living with limited resources and in challenging conditions.

As a seasoned educator, Dr. Beeber launched the first psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program in North Carolina in 2003 using a distance-executive model to increase the numbers of students of ethnic minority origin. The educational model was designed to recruit students from underserved areas of the state and allow them to remain in their own communities for their clinical placements, thus increasing capacity for mental health care in these areas. Prior to her retirement in July, 2021, Dr. Beeber led the PhD program and faculty, and is currently completing a national trial to integrate mental health care into the Nurse-Family Partnership, a nurse home visiting program in 42 US states. She is a former President of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and in 2020, she was recognized as APNA’s Psychiatric Nurse of the Year.

Dr. Lynn M. Roeder, East Carolina University

Lynn M. Roeder, PhD is currently the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at ECU, roles which she has held for more than 15 years. Prior to her current roles, Dr. Roeder served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Director of the Center for Counseling and Student Development at ECU.

Dr. Roeder is originally from Western New York. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Fredonia, her Master’s degree in Counseling and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Marbeth Holmes, Nash Community College

As the Dean of Student Success at Nash Community College, Marbeth supervises student support services including the Student Wellness Center, which provides comprehensive, holistic wellness services to students including direct practice clinical services, the NCC Collegiate Recovery Program, Victim’s Advocate services, emergency Blue Love Fund, and the Single Stop program, which screens for federal and state programs, provides access to free tax preparation, legal referrals, and financial counseling. Holmes also supervises the Minority Male Success Initiative (MALE), the new Success Coach initiative, ADA services, Student Engagement (SGA, clubs, food pantry and success closet), Library Services, and the Career and College Promise program, which allows high school students to earn college credits tuition free.

Holmes serves as a professor of Humanities and Social Sciences and has developed curriculum and taught social work and substance abuse certificate courses.  Marbeth earned her Master of Social Work with the Substance Abuse Certificate at UNC-CH, a Master of Arts in English at Abilene Christian University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Meredith College. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.  Marbeth is an Affirmative Practitioner, facilitates Safe Zone and Green Zone trainings, and provides trauma-informed professional development on the local, state, and national level. In March 2021, Holmes received the NASW-NC Myrna Miller Wellons Social Work Advocacy Award.

Dr. Marian Jones, Johnson C. Smith University

Dr. Marian Jones is the Director of the Health Center. All staff have high degrees in health and human service fields, as well as a wealth of immersive experience that speaks to their caring, creative, and integrated approach to serving with the campus community’s well-being in mind.

Matthew Miles, UNC Pembroke

Matthew Miles is a full-time clinician and consultant with The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Counseling and Psychological Services (UNCP CAPS). Experienced in substance abuse and case management, Miles has expertise in the area of resiliency with a clinical focus on bridging the gap between childhood trauma and adult affect regulation. Around campus Miles presents psychoeducation centered on social justice, bystander intervention, suicide prevention, and student success. Special populations include students with disabilities and first generation college students. Miles also currently serves as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer and works with aspiring teachers and other educational professionals seeking to increase their knowledge to become effective advocates for mental health.

Michelle Moran, Craven Community College

Michelle’s passion for serving others began at the young age of 5, when an African American boy on a park bench was taken into her home, and then adopted. As Michelle fell in love with learning and serving, she was later placed in positions where she could truly make a difference. In the last 20 years, Michelle was an Assistant Teacher & Substitute for a Christian School, Primary Pre-School Teacher, After-School Care Coordinator/Tutor/Mentor, Parent Liaison for the 504 students of an elementary school district, and an Embedded Tutor for the English Faculty at New Mexico State University where Michelle earned her degree. Amazing growth opportunities sprung from these positions that led Michelle to become an active participant within her community as part of the team for event planning for Take Back the Night, Breast Cancer Awareness, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome Fundraisers, and Hearts for True Justice. Michelle moved to North Carolina in 2018 for medical care needed for her daughter, which led her to the position of a lifetime as an Academic Success Coach at Craven Community College. Michelle has found that being a veteran’s widow since 2007 and having a child with severe medical complications has been a vital part in providing necessary tools along with her background to assist students in need.

Michelle’s free time is spent mostly in hospitals with her daughter. Michelle loves spending time with her fiancé and 2 daughters enjoying life together, helping where she can in her community, and living each day with a purpose driven life attitude.

Moinique Tuset, UNC-Chapel Hill

Monique Tuset currently serves as the Coordinator of Student Affairs at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. In this role, she provides professional development and academic advising to graduate students, as well as is a member of the Wellness Committee, Faculty and Staff Awards Committee, and Admissions and Recruitment Committee. Monique works tirelessly to support graduate students in their well-being both inside the classroom, as well as outside the classroom. Prior to this role, Monique served as a College Liaison with Durham Technical Community and as a College Advisor with the Carolina College Advising Corps. Monique has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Monique is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Fayetteville State University in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Nancy Blackwell, UNC Wilmington

Dr. Nancy Blackwell is a licensed staff psychologist at the UNCW Counseling Center. She completed her doctorate in Counseling Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington ad her pre-doctoral internship at UNC-Chapel Hill Counseling & Psychological Services.

Nathaniel Stout, Craven Community College

Nathaniel Stout (Nathan) currently serves as an Academic Advisor with Craven Community College. He has been with the college since 2014, and before that, Nathan served in the United States Marine Corps, where he retired after 21 years of service.  Nathan graduated from Liberty University with a Master of Arts in Human Service Counseling: Crisis Response and Trauma and a Master of Education: Higher Education Leadership. During Nathan’s time in the Marines, he served with the Naval Chaplaincy Department and as a Uniformed Victim Advocate. While at Craven CC, Nathan has assisted the Advising Department with counseling services and referrals for students and staff members. 

Nathan has been married to his wife Jennifer for 28 years, and they have two children; Nathaniel and Trinity. Some of his hobbies include spending time with his family, volunteering within the community, and enjoying the beach weather. 

Nicholas Pennings, Campbell University

Nicholas Pennings, DO, FOMA is board certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine. He is chair and associate professor of family medicine at Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine. He serves as the medical director of the Campbell University Health Center. He is the executive director of clinical education for the OMA. Dr. Pennings is a champion for advancing the education of health professionals through the development of core competencies in obesity medicine education and incorporation obesity education into the medical curriculum.

Nicola Aguilera, High Point University

Nicola earned a Master of Science degree in Agency Counseling from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a North Carolina Board Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. She has a background in working with adults in inpatient psychiatric hospitals, providing crisis response and emergency services in a community mental health setting, and is currently working in higher education providing individual and group therapy.

Nicola enjoys working alongside young adults as they navigate life’s challenges, discover new insights, and make meaningful changes towards enhancing their overall mental health and well-being. Nicola’s areas of professional interests include depression, anxiety, grief and loss, life transitions and utilizing mindfulness practices in therapy sessions.

Nicole Caswell, East Carolina University

Nicole Caswell (She/Her/Hers) is an Associate Professor of English and Director of the University Writing Center at East Carolina University. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in rhetoric and writing. Her research interests include writing centers, writing assessment, and emotional labor/work.

Octavius Rice, Johnson C. Smith University

Mr. Octavius Rice serves as a Residence Hall Coordinator, also in the Office of Residence Life. All staff have high degrees in health and human service fields, as well as a wealth of immersive experience that speaks to their caring, creative, and integrated approach to serving with the campus community’s well-being in mind.

Patrick Tang, UNC-Chapel Hill

Patrick Yao Tang, M.P.H., is a program manager at Peers for Progress in the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-CH. Patrick manages peer support projects, providing technical assistance to collaborators in the form of resource development, program design and evaluation, and expert training. He is experienced in research and implementation of peer support interventions for chronic diseases, including diabetes and mental health.

Rikki Bullard, fayetteville state university

Mrs. Rikki Bullard is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor who holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and a Masters of Counseling, both from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Ms. Bullard has over 10 years experience providing clinical services to individuals, families and groups and has worked in a variety of settings including community-based counseling, managed care organizations, and school settings.

Robin Sansing, UNC-Chapel Hill

Robin Sansing, MSW, LCSW, is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work. She is an instructor and advisor in the CMPP specialization and oversees CMPP internships for the Field Education Office. Robin was recently appointed the School’s inaugural Director of Wellness and acts as Chair of the Wellness Committee. She is a co-founder of Mindful UNC and Resilience Coach for the Carolina Collaborative for Resilience. Her areas of interest, along with macro social work practice, include contemplative practices in higher education, mindful advocacy, and intraorganizational social justice work. In addition to her faculty responsibilities, Robin is also an organizational development consultant, an executive coach, and a psychotherapist in private practice.

Ron Galloway, UNC Wilmington

Ron provides counseling and consultation services to individual students. Ron uses an eclectic approach to therapy, using solution-focused techniques, as well as cognitive behavioral and dialectical behavioral informed therapeutic approaches. Ron enjoys working with the college population. Some of his specific interests include assisting students with issues concerning anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, multicultural issues, problem-solving skills, and career guidance.

Samantha Luu, UNC-Chapel Hill

Samantha Luu, M.P.H., is the Associate Director of the UNC-CH Peer Support Core, part of Peers for Progress in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Samantha leads the Core’s efforts across campus to promote and enhance opportunities for peer and mutual support for students, staff, and faculty. These efforts address mental health needs, issues of racism and health equity, and culture across the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Sara Stahlman, UNC-Chapel Hill

Sara Stahlman is the Special Projects and Communications Manager for Health and Wellness with UNC-Chapel Hill Student Affairs. She has worked at UNC-CH since being hired as a health educator in 2007, and continues to collaborate across the university as she strives to create a healthier UNC-CH culture. Sara received her Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and her Masters in Student Development in Higher Education from the University of Iowa. 

Sarah Stanfield, UNC-Chapel Hill

Sarah Stanfield, M.Ed is a first-generation scholar who earned her BA in History with a minor in Social and Economic Justice from UNC-Chapel Hill and her MEd in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education from UNC-Greensboro. Sarah has spent her career focused on assisting students with issues concerning access, equity and success, most recently as the Counselor and Coordinator for Academic Interventions with the UNC Academic Advising Program.

Shahnaz Khawaja, UNC-Chapel Hill

Shahnaz earned a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Wake Forest University. She currently serves as the Assistant Director for Resilience and Recovery Strategies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in addition to being an Adjunct Faculty member at Wake Forest University and maintaining a small private practice and consulting firm. Since being hired at Chapel Hill, Shahnaz has successfully launched a number of new initiatives that include the virtual wellness circles; wellness webinar program; the inaugural graduate and professional students resource fair and wellness symposium; and the wellness coaching program. In previous experience, she has served as a Child and Family Therapist at the Crossnore School and Children’s Home in Winston Salem; Senior Program Officer for the National Board for Certified Counselor’s Foundation; Addictions Specialist at Insight Human Services; and as the Director of Counseling Services at Greensboro College. Prior to earning her graduate degree, she served on the board of the American Red Cross High Point/Thomasville Chapter; as a Human Relations Commissioner for the city of High Point NC; freelance writer for the Greensboro News & Record; freelance writer for the High Point Enterprise Daily; and member of the Davidson Diversity Counsel.

In mental health leadership experience, Shahnaz has served on the American Counseling Association in several divisions as the Public Relations Committee Chair for the Association of Humanistic Counseling and with the International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors as their Webinar Committee Chair. She also served as a Board Director for SALTWORLD, a non-profit organization providing mental health and social services internationally. Internationally, Shahnaz has initiated several mental health projects in Pakistan, East Africa and the UAE providing mental health training and education and crisis and trauma counseling and continues to work overseas providing workshops and speaking engagements as time allows.

Dr. Sujayalakshmi Devarayasamudram, North Carolina Central University

Dr. Sujayalakshmi Devarayasamudram is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nursing at North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, USA. She has over forty-two years of experience in teaching. She taught students from different levels and at various locations across the globe. In India she worked at college of nursing Hyderabad, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. She also worked at St. John’s College of Nursing, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

She is the recipient of several certificates/certifications, including: Certificate in Effective College instructors (2018), Advanced Certificate in effective College Instruction (2021) from The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and the American Council on Education, and Mental Health First Aid Instructor.

She received many awards and recognitions including: Faculty Mentor for Food Lion feeds NC Campus competition, Outstanding Volunteer award for excellence in service and leadership in International Education, March 20, 2020, Selected as a Great 100 Nurse of North Carolina for 2021, and Daisy award from NAINA 2021.

She has published and presented in the areas of HIV/AIDS, Health Literacy, Delirium Prevention & Management, Emotional Health and Resiliency, Technology and Nursing and Care of Older Adults, COVID-19 self-care management, Post pandemic care model in the local, state, national and international conferences.

She is very passionate about community service projects such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, women empowerment, elder care, mental health, and hunger prevention projects. She loves to work with students. She enjoys sharing food, culture, resources, knowledge & skills.

Dr. Tamara Estes Savage

Dr. Savage is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of North Carolina Pembroke. She earned her PhD from the University of South Carolina. Her primary research interest is social exclusion. She is fundamentally interested in how society isolates some individuals and privileges others with social and cultural capital. She incorporates service-learning into several of her research courses to expose the social injustices prevalent in the local community. This academic year, she was awarded an Outstanding Teaching Award and the UNCP Adolf L. Dial Award for Scholarship/Creative Work am provides mentoring and other services to students experiencing homelessness at UNCP.

Dr. Terrence Harper II, UNC Charlotte

Terrence Harper II serves as a Staff Psychologist at the Price Center for Counseling & Psychological Services at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Harper has a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. He has worked in college counseling since 2013 in a variety of settings including public and private, liberal arts and research, and Midwestern and Southern institutions. As a student affairs professional, Dr. Harper has had the opportunity to facilitate multiple groups, workshops, and outreach presentations with the focus of addressing the mental health and wellbeing of marginalized communities, including people of color, women, and LGBTQ folx. He currently serves as a co-chair of Charlotte’s Black Student Mental Health Task Force and coordinates the Multicultural Mental Health & Equity Initiative, which centers the mental health needs of BIPOC students via provision of non-traditional wellness and outreach services.

Terry McPherson, Johnson C. Smith University

Mr. Terry McPherson is the Director of Residence Life. All staff have high degrees in health and human service fields, as well as a wealth of immersive experience that speaks to their caring, creative, and integrated approach to serving with the campus community’s well-being in mind.

Tierra Parsons, Johnson C. Smith University

Johnson C. Smith University is a private liberal arts university with proud HBCU traditions, and a future aimed at diversity. Situated under the Division of Student Affairs, these presenters understand the power of collaboration while working on a HBCU campus. Ms. Tierra Parsons is the Director of Counseling Services.

Tray Good, UNC-chapel Hill

Tray Good is a Graduate Assistant and Coordinator with Carolina Collaborative for Resilience. He is from Gastonia, NC. Tray earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Carolina and is currently pursuing his Master of Social Work from Carolina. Before pursuing his MSW, Tray worked for five years as a Carolina College Advising Corp. As someone who navigated the undergraduate experience as a low-income, first-generation student, Tray is excited to help students build community and find their niche on campus.

Dr. Yolanda VanRiel, North Carolina Central University

Dr. Yolanda M. VanRiel is the Department Chair of Nursing at North Carolina Central University. She has 26 years of nursing experience; 21 years as a nurse educator. Dr. VanRiel earned an Associate Degree in Nursing and an Associate in Science from Richmond Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also earned an Interdisciplinary Certificate in Healthcare Disparities from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is Fellow in the NLN Academy of Nursing Education. Dr. VanRiel is also a certified nurse educator, oncology nurse certified and board certified medical-surgical nurse.

Dr. VanRiel is a member of several organizations including the American Nurses Association, North Carolina Nurses Association, Oncology Nursing Society, Gamma Zeta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the North Carolina League for Nursing. She was elected to the NLN Board of Governors At-Large position for a three-year term (2020). Dr. VanRiel was a North Carolina Board of Nursing member representing the BSN and Higher Education (2015-2019) and served as Vice Chair of the North Carolina Board of Nursing (2018-2019).

Dr. VanRiel also received the Richmond Community College Outstanding Alumni Award, NCNA Nurse Educator of the Year, Gamma Zeta Chapter Excellence in Nursing Education, Mentorship and Leadership Award, Great 100 Nurses of NC and the UNCG School of Nursing Teaching Excellence Award. Her research areas are nursing education, provider-patient communication, health disparities, and oncology. She has numerous presentations, publications, and grants.