Counseling Center Staff

Ali Alpaugh earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2011 and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Ball State University in 2015. Ali has previous experience with adults in a community mental health setting as well as adult residential treatment. Ali uses an integrated approach to counseling that focuses on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution Focused Therapy. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to, anxiety/depression, interpersonal relationships, and identity development.

Carnessca Butler earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Northern Illinois University in 2009 and is licensed in the State of Ohio. Following graduation she worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, schools and jails. Carnessca is excited to help individuals recognize their strengths and areas for growth to improve their overall quality of life. She is passionate about providing therapy to culturally and ethnically diverse populations. Her areas of interest include but are not limited to depression, interpersonal relationships, life transitions, cultural integration and identity development.

Ms. Cramer received her Master of Social Work from the Ohio State University in 2003.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in Social Work with a minor in Psychology from the University of Toledo in 1997.  Stephanie has previous experience working with children, families and adults in the mental health, foster care and disability arenas.  She has several years of case management experience and is excited to be working with a diverse student population.   Her job is to help students identify needs and supports, navigate university procedures, and coordinate support services both on and off campus.   

Lindsey Dollar earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Ball State University in 2008 and is currently completing her Doctoral Degree from Western Michigan University. Lindsey’s previous experience has been primarily on college campuses – in training clinics and university counseling centers – working with diverse groups of students with a variety of presenting concerns. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to, LGBTQ+ issues, gender issues, eating and body image concerns, identity development, and interpersonal relationships.

Joel is a graduate trainee in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Bowling Green State University. Originally from New York City, he received his BA in psychology at The City College of New York. His clinical interests include, but are not limited to, working with individuals from diverse and often-stigmatized groups, culture change and acculturation, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Joel’s main research interests are within the psychology of religion and the psychology of religious disaffiliation.

Jaime Furda earned her B.A. in Psychology and in Music at Heidelberg University in 2013.  She went on to earn her M.Ed. in Counselor Education with a focus on Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Ohio University in 2016.  In addition to clinical work at the Counseling Center, Jaime serves as a liaison to the College of Arts and Sciences.  Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to, interpersonal relationships, depression, anxiety, intersectionality and identity development. She enjoys working with individuals of all cultural backgrounds.

Sam Gauvin received her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Wright State University, where she is
currently pursuing a doctoral degree. She completed her bachelor’s degree studying Psychology at
Ursuline College. She has previous experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in
individual and group therapy in the school and college counseling settings, as well as private practice.
Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to anxiety disorders, depression, LGBTQ+ issues,
multicultural issues, relationships, trauma, and identity development.

Dr. Gilmer received his doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University in 2006. He is a licensed psychologist in the State of Ohio and is responsible for the overall operations of the Counseling Center.  Throughout his career, Garrett has provided counseling services to students at four different university settings across the country. His areas of special interest include depression, interpersonal relationships, identity issues, childhood abuse, group therapy, clinical supervision and outreach. Garrett enjoys working with a diverse student body, is actively involved in the Counseling Center’s Diversity Committee, and is a member of the Student Affairs LGBTQ+ Advisory Board.

Shieka Glenn earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at South Carolina State University in 2011. She went on to earn a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Adler University, where she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology with a Military Psychology emphasis. Shieka has previous experience working with clients of all ages in a community mental health setting, and working with college students at a college counseling center. She enjoys working with clients from all walks of life. Shieka approaches therapy through a cognitive-behavioral lens. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, dual-diagnosis, and outreach.

Dr. Hathaway earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2005, and joined the BGSU Counseling Center that year. She is a licensed psychologist in the State of Ohio and has worked in counseling centers in Missouri and Tennessee during her graduate training. She coordinates educational programming that the Center offers on campus, and is also in charge of the Center's GA training.  She works with students with a wide variety of presenting problems, and she is especially interested in women's issues, relational issues, and trauma.  She enjoys working with diverse students and has been involved with the National Coalition-Building Institute, a diversity education organization.

Phil Hughes earned his Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Bowling Green State University in 2013 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2009 from the University of Cincinnati. Before joining the Counseling Center, Phil worked in community mental health settings providing services to children, adolescents, and adults. He currently serves on several state counseling divisions that focus specifically on LGBTQ+ issues in counseling, counseling in college counseling centers, and spiritual/religious issues in counseling. Some of his areas of interest are affirmative therapy, anxiety, depression, and LGBT issues.

Katherine Hutson earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Ohio Northern University in 2009 and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Heidelberg University in 2014. Katherine has previous experience working with adolescents and adults in a community mental health setting. Katherine uses an integrated approach to counseling that centers on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Mindfulness. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to, substance use and addiction, trauma, and anxiety/depression. 

Adam Jackson is a psychology trainee at the Counseling Center. He is currently working on his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Bowling Green State University. He earned his B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati in 2017. Adam is passionate about providing therapy to culturally and ethnically diverse populations, and continues to further his experience as a both a psychology trainee and graduate student. His areas of interest include cultural integration issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, mindfulness, substance use and addiction, and interpersonal relationships.

Mrs. Johnson enjoys meeting new people and welcoming students with a friendly smile. She moved to Toledo area from metro Detroit with her family 12 years ago. She is a National Park enthusiast and has hiked in over 27 US National Parks with plans to visit them all.

Ms. LaPolt is a graduate of BGSU.  She has lived in Bowling Green for over 35 years.  She enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family.

Kamille La Rosa is a doctoral intern at the counseling center. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Counseling Psychology program at Western Michigan University, where she also completed her master’s degree. She completed her bachelor’s degree with a double major in Psychology and Chemistry at Kalamazoo College. Kamille has experience working with diverse groups of students in a college setting and providing affirming care for people with intersecting, marginalized identity variables. She has worked in the following settings: College counseling center, elementary school, and outpatient therapy. Kamille’s clinical interests include: Identity development, family-of-origin concerns, interpersonal relationship concerns, depression, anxiety, life transitions and academic concerns.

Dr. Litterer received her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Iowa State University in 2001 and is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio.  Denise has provided counseling services to students at Iowa State University, Southern Illinois University, and the University of Arkansas.  She also worked as a psychologist for several years in a clinic specializing in the treatment of individuals with eating disorders.  At BGSU she serves as a liaison between the Counseling Center and the College of Arts and Sciences, providing training, consultation, and programming for Arts and Sciences faculty, staff, and students.  Her areas of interest include eating disorders, body image, LGBTQ issues, abuse and trauma, grief and loss, women's issues, and spirituality.  Denise enjoys working with a diverse student body and is a co-facilitator for the LGBT Resource Center Coming Out Support Group. 

Mrs. Perez enjoys working and interacting with the diverse student body of BGSU. She is a lifelong resident of Wood County and has worked at the university for 28 years. She enjoys her family life and gardening.

Sarah Russin received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Northwestern University. She is currently in her third year of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Bowling Green State University. Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to, trauma and stressor related disorders, anxiety, women's issues, and relational issues. For her research, Sarah studies the interplay between socioeconomic status, family interactions, and well-being among emerging adults. She also studies the experiences of family members of individuals coping with posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses.

Dr. Schaad earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Wright State University, School of Professional Psychology in 2016 and is a licensed psychologist in the state of Ohio.  Amanda also serves as the Residential Life Liaison where she assists with training, consultation and outreach for Res Life staff and students. Her areas of interests include LGBTQ issues, intersectionality of various marginalized identity variables, interpersonal relationships and working with disabled students. 

Ms. Sherife-Kekulah earned her Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling from The University of Toledo in 2010 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Ohio.  She also earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater from the University of Toledo. Mandisa sits on the Toledo Pride committee, as well as volunteers her time at PRIDE Center 419.  Mandisa has previous experience working in elementary and high school settings as well as community mental health, with adolescents and adults.  Her areas of interest include but are not limited to anxiety, grief, trauma, interpersonal relationships and empowerment.

Mr. Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Ohio State University in 2001, and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Bowling Green State University in 2016. After starting at the BGSU Counseling Center as an intern in August of 2015, he now works as a Licensed Professional Counselor at the Center, having worked with a diverse group of students and clinical concerns over his time here. He is passionate about helping all students from the wide array of diversity that represents the BGSU student body to navigate through the challenges presented by this exciting, challenging, and developmental time in their lives. His areas of interest include, but are not limited to, identity issues/development, trauma, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, and existential concerns.