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Meet Our Celebrated Faculty Leaders
The preeminent faculty who direct our on-ground education programs are the same as those who instruct and mentor students in our online graduate and certificate programs. These experienced professionals, many of whom are best-selling education authors, have demonstrated unfailing excellence in their fields, which include marriage and family counseling, spirituality and meditation, literacy, bilingual education and more. In the last decade, they have collectively garnered more than $44 million in grants and private funding for professional research, and they have jointly developed a gifted-learning curriculum that is now in use across 35 states.
LaToya Chambers
Clinical Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
Dr. Toya Chambers is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (Georgia). She has over 15 years of experience in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders with diverse populations including Active Duty Military and Veterans. She has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient community clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospital, private practice, and the Department of Defense. In addition to her clinical roles, Dr. Chambers has experience in professional consultation within the military system and has also served in roles related to prevention and public health developing training and interventions to mitigate high-risk behaviors within Soldier populations. She has taught full-time in online Counselor Education programs since 2017.
Dr. Toya Chambers is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (Georgia). She has over 15 years of experience in the fields of mental health and substance use disorders with diverse populations including Active Duty Military and Veterans. She has worked in a variety of settings including outpatient community clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospital, private practice, and the Department of Defense. In addition to her clinical roles, Dr. Chambers has experience in professional consultation within the military system and has also served in roles related to prevention and public health developing training and interventions to mitigate high-risk behaviors within Soldier populations. She has taught full-time in online Counselor Education programs since 2017.
Pamela Harris
Clinical Assistant Professor
Ph.D., William & Mary
Dr. Pamela N. Harris is National Board Certified Counselor, a Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She spent seven years working as a professional middle school counselor in a small county in Virginia, and also has several years of experience providing family counseling services and working with at-risk high school students in a student assistance program.
Dr. Harris is involved in several professional organizations, such as the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. She has conducted research that involves school-family partnerships with families of color, college and career readiness for African American females and culturally responsive counselor preparation. She has presented her findings at both national and international conferences, and reviews other scholarly work as an editorial board member for Teaching and Supervision in Counseling journal.
In addition to her love of counseling, Dr. Harris has both a bachelor’s and MFA in creative writing and writes young adult fiction.
Ph.D., William & Mary
Dr. Pamela N. Harris is National Board Certified Counselor, a Virginia Licensed Professional Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. She spent seven years working as a professional middle school counselor in a small county in Virginia, and also has several years of experience providing family counseling services and working with at-risk high school students in a student assistance program.
Dr. Harris is involved in several professional organizations, such as the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. She has conducted research that involves school-family partnerships with families of color, college and career readiness for African American females and culturally responsive counselor preparation. She has presented her findings at both national and international conferences, and reviews other scholarly work as an editorial board member for Teaching and Supervision in Counseling journal.
In addition to her love of counseling, Dr. Harris has both a bachelor’s and MFA in creative writing and writes young adult fiction.
Denita N. Hudson
Clinical Assistant Professor and Acting Chair, School Psychology & Counselor Education
Ph.D., Ohio University
Dr. Denita N. Hudson has over 14 years of experience as a counselor educator in both online and hybrid educational settings, serving as the clinical mental health program coordinator, clinical director, and diversity and inclusion officer. Dr. Hudson is licensed as a professional counselor in Ohio and a licensed mental health counselor in Indiana. She is also certified as a National Board-Certified Counselor, a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
As a clinical mental health counselor, she has held positions in community mental health, university and college counseling centers, and in-state vocational and rehabilitation programs. Her current research interests are in the areas of best practice in online pedagogy, neuro-counseling focused on anxiety, generational trauma in African American families, Global Counseling, Advocacy and Leadership for Diversity Equality and Inclusion in Higher Education.
Ph.D., Ohio University
Dr. Denita N. Hudson has over 14 years of experience as a counselor educator in both online and hybrid educational settings, serving as the clinical mental health program coordinator, clinical director, and diversity and inclusion officer. Dr. Hudson is licensed as a professional counselor in Ohio and a licensed mental health counselor in Indiana. She is also certified as a National Board-Certified Counselor, a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.
As a clinical mental health counselor, she has held positions in community mental health, university and college counseling centers, and in-state vocational and rehabilitation programs. Her current research interests are in the areas of best practice in online pedagogy, neuro-counseling focused on anxiety, generational trauma in African American families, Global Counseling, Advocacy and Leadership for Diversity Equality and Inclusion in Higher Education.
Robert C. Knoeppel
Dean of the William & Mary School of Education
Ph.D., University of Virginia
Robert C. Knoeppel is a longtime educator and noted scholar on educational finance innovation, school finance, accountability policy and leadership. He began his career in Virginia working as a school counselor, administrator and coach for the public school system. Knoeppel started in higher education full time in 2004 at the University of Kentucky. Over the course of his career, he has authored more than 100 refereed journal publications, book chapters, technical reports and conference papers and co-authored the textbook “Financing education in a climate of change.” He has served with multiple professional associations, including the National Education Finance Academy, where he was recently installed as president. That organization honored him with its Scholarly Paper of the Year Award for three consecutive years. Prior to joining William & Mary in 2020, Knoeppel served as dean of the University of South Florida’s College of Education. He holds both a master’s and doctorate from the University of Virginia.
Ph.D., University of Virginia
Robert C. Knoeppel is a longtime educator and noted scholar on educational finance innovation, school finance, accountability policy and leadership. He began his career in Virginia working as a school counselor, administrator and coach for the public school system. Knoeppel started in higher education full time in 2004 at the University of Kentucky. Over the course of his career, he has authored more than 100 refereed journal publications, book chapters, technical reports and conference papers and co-authored the textbook “Financing education in a climate of change.” He has served with multiple professional associations, including the National Education Finance Academy, where he was recently installed as president. That organization honored him with its Scholarly Paper of the Year Award for three consecutive years. Prior to joining William & Mary in 2020, Knoeppel served as dean of the University of South Florida’s College of Education. He holds both a master’s and doctorate from the University of Virginia.
Jessica Martin
Assistant Professor
Clinical Associate Professor, Online Counseling Program Director
Jessica L. Martin, Ph.D., CRC, is a clinical associate professor and director of the online counseling program at William & Mary. Dr. Martin is a certified rehabilitation counselor and has a clinical background in disability and clinical mental health counseling. Her research, activism and clinical work focuses on health disparities among marginalized populations in the United States, the impact of race/ethnicity in the counseling process and counselor identity development, preparation, and training.
Clinical Associate Professor, Online Counseling Program Director
Jessica L. Martin, Ph.D., CRC, is a clinical associate professor and director of the online counseling program at William & Mary. Dr. Martin is a certified rehabilitation counselor and has a clinical background in disability and clinical mental health counseling. Her research, activism and clinical work focuses on health disparities among marginalized populations in the United States, the impact of race/ethnicity in the counseling process and counselor identity development, preparation, and training.
Coralis Solomon
Online Clinical Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Dr. Coralis Solomon is a clinical assistant professor in the online Mental Health Counseling program at William & Mary. She earned her doctorate in counselor education from the University of Central Florida. Her dissertation research explored self-compassion and emotional resilience of minority teachers working in elementary schools. Dr. Solomon is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida, a National Certified Counselor, a Qualified Supervisor in Mental Health Counseling, a Gottman Seven Principles Program Educator and a Mindful Self-Compassion Trainer. She has served as a Board of Governors member for the European Branch of the American Counseling Association and for the Mental Health Counselors Association of Central Florida. Working as a consultant to prevent burnout in teachers, she developed and facilitated a curriculum on Self-Compassion for Educators in Seminole County Public Schools.
In her private practice, Dr. Solomon implements mind and body contemplative approaches including restorative yoga, laughter yoga, trauma-sensitive yoga and mindful self-compassion training. She also specializes in trauma-focused interventions including advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Dr. Solomon’s commitment to mental health counseling goes beyond private practice as a nationally and internationally recognized speaker, with over 70 presentations including keynote speaker for the 2021 American Mental Health Counselor Association conference and featured wellness presenter for the 2016 American Counseling Association conference.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Solomon is a passionate fitness instructor. She holds a certification with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America and teaches spinning, Pilates, and yoga for the YMCA. She lives in Orlando, FL with her partner Antonio and their incredible fluffy Goldendoodle Sofia.
Ph.D., University of Central Florida
Dr. Coralis Solomon is a clinical assistant professor in the online Mental Health Counseling program at William & Mary. She earned her doctorate in counselor education from the University of Central Florida. Her dissertation research explored self-compassion and emotional resilience of minority teachers working in elementary schools. Dr. Solomon is a licensed mental health counselor in the state of Florida, a National Certified Counselor, a Qualified Supervisor in Mental Health Counseling, a Gottman Seven Principles Program Educator and a Mindful Self-Compassion Trainer. She has served as a Board of Governors member for the European Branch of the American Counseling Association and for the Mental Health Counselors Association of Central Florida. Working as a consultant to prevent burnout in teachers, she developed and facilitated a curriculum on Self-Compassion for Educators in Seminole County Public Schools.
In her private practice, Dr. Solomon implements mind and body contemplative approaches including restorative yoga, laughter yoga, trauma-sensitive yoga and mindful self-compassion training. She also specializes in trauma-focused interventions including advanced training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Dr. Solomon’s commitment to mental health counseling goes beyond private practice as a nationally and internationally recognized speaker, with over 70 presentations including keynote speaker for the 2021 American Mental Health Counselor Association conference and featured wellness presenter for the 2016 American Counseling Association conference.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Solomon is a passionate fitness instructor. She holds a certification with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America and teaches spinning, Pilates, and yoga for the YMCA. She lives in Orlando, FL with her partner Antonio and their incredible fluffy Goldendoodle Sofia.
Noelle St. Germain-Sehr
Clinical Associate Professor and Counseling Clinical Experience Director (online programs)
Ph.D., St. Mary's University, San Antonio, 2003
Dr. St. Germain-Sehr is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Texas, a National Certified Counselor, and an ACISTE Certified Mental Health Professional (ACMHP) trained to assist individuals with the integration of spiritually transformative experiences. She serves as Secretary for the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES), served five years as Co-Chair of the SACES Women's Interest Network (SACES WIN), and is the Executive Director of The Center for Traumatic Grief and Loss and The International Induced After-Death Communication (IADC®) Therapy Board overseeing training in IADC® therapy. She is on the Editorial Board for Counselor Education and Supervision and is an active presenter at professional conferences.
Dr. St. Germain-Sehr maintains a part-time psychotherapy practice and is completing a five-year training program in Bioenergetic Analysis, a relational mind/body psychotherapy developed by Dr. Alexander Lowen. Her research focuses on expanding education, research, and training related to traditionally marginalized topics and populations, and reducing associated pathologizing, stigmatization, oppression, and discrimination. Specific topics/populations of interest include transpersonal experiences, LGBTQ+ counseling, and neurodiversity. Current research projects include LGBTQ+-affirmative counseling training, the relationship between after-death communication (ADC) and grief, and mental health providers’ knowledge and attitudes related to after-death communication.
Ph.D., St. Mary's University, San Antonio, 2003
Dr. St. Germain-Sehr is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Texas, a National Certified Counselor, and an ACISTE Certified Mental Health Professional (ACMHP) trained to assist individuals with the integration of spiritually transformative experiences. She serves as Secretary for the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES), served five years as Co-Chair of the SACES Women's Interest Network (SACES WIN), and is the Executive Director of The Center for Traumatic Grief and Loss and The International Induced After-Death Communication (IADC®) Therapy Board overseeing training in IADC® therapy. She is on the Editorial Board for Counselor Education and Supervision and is an active presenter at professional conferences.
Dr. St. Germain-Sehr maintains a part-time psychotherapy practice and is completing a five-year training program in Bioenergetic Analysis, a relational mind/body psychotherapy developed by Dr. Alexander Lowen. Her research focuses on expanding education, research, and training related to traditionally marginalized topics and populations, and reducing associated pathologizing, stigmatization, oppression, and discrimination. Specific topics/populations of interest include transpersonal experiences, LGBTQ+ counseling, and neurodiversity. Current research projects include LGBTQ+-affirmative counseling training, the relationship between after-death communication (ADC) and grief, and mental health providers’ knowledge and attitudes related to after-death communication.
Jaimie Stickl Haugen
Dr. Jaimie Stickl Haugen is a clinical assistant professor in the Counselor Education program at William & Mary. She is a licensed professional school counselor in New York and Colorado, a licensed professional counselor (Colorado), a national certified counselor, and an approved clinical supervisor.
Dr. Stickl Haugen is passionate about bridging the research-to-practice gap through community-engaged research and intentional research dissemination. Her research interests connect with the common thread of school counselor development as it relates to (a) anti-racism and equity in education, (b) cultural considerations in student belonging, and (c) youth suicide. Dr. Stickl Haugen also focuses on integrating best practices in instrument development to support the creation and refinement of high-quality, culturally responsive assessments and counseling outcome research. She has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Professional School Counselor, Journal of Counseling & Development, Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation.
Dr. Stickl Haugen is actively involved and holds leadership roles in a number of state and national professional counseling organizations including the American School Counselor Association, the Colorado School Counselor Association, and the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling. She has also served on the editorial board for the Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation journal and the official journal of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Dr. Stickl Haugen is passionate about bridging the research-to-practice gap through community-engaged research and intentional research dissemination. Her research interests connect with the common thread of school counselor development as it relates to (a) anti-racism and equity in education, (b) cultural considerations in student belonging, and (c) youth suicide. Dr. Stickl Haugen also focuses on integrating best practices in instrument development to support the creation and refinement of high-quality, culturally responsive assessments and counseling outcome research. She has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Professional School Counselor, Journal of Counseling & Development, Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation.
Dr. Stickl Haugen is actively involved and holds leadership roles in a number of state and national professional counseling organizations including the American School Counselor Association, the Colorado School Counselor Association, and the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling. She has also served on the editorial board for the Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation journal and the official journal of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Sarah Tucker
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Sarah Tucker is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Online Counseling Program at William & Mary. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas, a National Certified Counselor, a Registered Play Therapist, and a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapy Supervisor. Dr. Tucker has experience providing clinical services in a wide variety of settings, including community agencies, in-patient hospitals, public schools, and private practice.Dr. Tucker is passionate about advancing neurodiversity affirming approaches through her roles as an educator and researcher. In her own clinical practice, Dr. Tucker specializes in providing neurodiversity affirming counseling, play therapy, and assessment services for ADHD and Autistic individuals across the lifespan.
Dr. Sarah Tucker is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Online Counseling Program at William & Mary. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas, a National Certified Counselor, a Registered Play Therapist, and a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapy Supervisor. Dr. Tucker has experience providing clinical services in a wide variety of settings, including community agencies, in-patient hospitals, public schools, and private practice.Dr. Tucker is passionate about advancing neurodiversity affirming approaches through her roles as an educator and researcher. In her own clinical practice, Dr. Tucker specializes in providing neurodiversity affirming counseling, play therapy, and assessment services for ADHD and Autistic individuals across the lifespan.
Olivia Uwamahoro
Clinical Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
Olivia Uwamahoro (Williams), Ph.D., NCC, LPC, CPCS has been a professional counselor for 12 years and a counselor educator and supervisor for 8 years. Dr. Uwamahoro received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Memphis and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Central Florida. She is a Board Certified National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) in the State of Georgia. Her clinical expertise includes working with children, adolescents, couples, and families. In addition, she has worked in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and private practice settings.
Dr. Olivia Uwamahoro (Williams)’s scholarship activities centers around the areas of using virtual simulation and virtual reality to teach microskills, client outcome, counseling student development, and clinical supervision. She is currently serving as a Co-Principal Investigator on a 5-year $2.2 million grant funded by the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administrations Innovative Training program. The project is designed to deliver training to vocational rehabilitation counselors who are hired to work with youth with disabilities (age 14 to 16) in Pre-Employment Training Services. The remote delivery includes online modules, podcasts, skill training using UWGLive Simulation Lab and virtual reality 360 videos.
Olivia Uwamahoro (Williams), Ph.D., NCC, LPC, CPCS has been a professional counselor for 12 years and a counselor educator and supervisor for 8 years. Dr. Uwamahoro received her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Memphis and her Doctor of Philosophy degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Central Florida. She is a Board Certified National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Georgia, and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS) in the State of Georgia. Her clinical expertise includes working with children, adolescents, couples, and families. In addition, she has worked in inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and private practice settings.
Dr. Olivia Uwamahoro (Williams)’s scholarship activities centers around the areas of using virtual simulation and virtual reality to teach microskills, client outcome, counseling student development, and clinical supervision. She is currently serving as a Co-Principal Investigator on a 5-year $2.2 million grant funded by the U.S. Rehabilitation Services Administrations Innovative Training program. The project is designed to deliver training to vocational rehabilitation counselors who are hired to work with youth with disabilities (age 14 to 16) in Pre-Employment Training Services. The remote delivery includes online modules, podcasts, skill training using UWGLive Simulation Lab and virtual reality 360 videos.
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