3rd Year Doctoral Cohort
Adenike Adedapo, Franchesca Anderson, Bella Colson, Adriana Zarate, Monique Woodson, Laura Campbell
Hi! My name is Bella Colson (she/her). I’m a first-year doctoral student on the Meridian campus and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boise State University and my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Idaho State University. I’m excited to continue my educational journey at ISU! Before becoming a counselor, I worked, volunteered, and conducted research within the mental health field; particularly focusing on crisis, suicide, and eating disorders. Clinically, these topics have remained some of my favorites to work with. My professional research interests include best practices for eating disorder treatment/assessment, crisis management, and the use of Dialectical Behavior Therapy in supervision of counselors.
Adriana C. Zarate (she/ella) is a bilingual Clinical Mental Health Counselor with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Idaho State University. She has been practicing in Utah for three years, providing therapeutic services to children, teens, and adults. Academically, Adriana is honored to be pursuing her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision. She considers it an immense responsibility to hold space and pave the way for BIPOC in education. Her research focuses on Latine mental health, aiming to make therapy more inclusive and accessible for the Latine population. Adriana believes that representation matters and hopes to mentor and inspire others as she has been by those who came before her. More than a clinician, Adriana aspires to be a "healer," or as known by her people, "una curandera." This role involves not only addressing mental health issues through clinical methods but also integrating holistic and culturally rooted practices to foster overall well-being and connection. As a healer, Adriana aims to honor the cultural traditions and wisdom of her heritage while providing comprehensive mental health care.
Adenike Ololade Adedapo is a second-year Counselor Education and Counseling doctoral student at Idaho State University. I’m from Nigeria, where I had my Masters degree in Guidance Counseling from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. I’ve been a high school tutor for ten years, and my interactions with students, guardians, and parents were what spurred my interest in
maternal mental health and adolescent mental health. Her research interests focus on maternal and adolescent mental health. She is committed to advancing research, advocacy, and clinical practice that supports the mental and emotional well-being of mothers and young people, and addressing critical gaps in mental health services and education. She strives to integrate culturally responsive practices into counseling, teaching, and research.
Monique Woodson, M.S., LPC is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Counseling program at Idaho State University. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Jackson State University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College. Monique’s professional interests include multicultural counseling, advocacy for Black students in higher education, and the exploration of cultural narratives such as the Strong Black Woman schema. Her work centers on elevating underrepresented voices, and she uses research as a tool for empowerment and systemic change. In addition to her academic and clinical work, Monique has a deep love for music and finds joy in traveling and exploring new cultures. She believes in the power of creativity, connection, and lived experience—both inside and outside the counseling room.
Laura Campbell: As well as a doctoral student, I also serve as the Clinical Director for Center for Change in Boise, ID. As a third culture kid I grew up in Colombia and Mexico and came to the United States for college where I earned a BA in Art and Spanish from Taylor University and Master of Science and Education Specialist degrees in Counseling and Counselor Education from Indiana University. My clinical experience has focused on addiction recovery, dual diagnosis treatment, group processes and more recently, eating disorder recovery and program management. I am passionate about quality supervision and professional counselor development.
2nd Year Doctoral Cohort
Marcus Sappington, Angelina Mensah, Madison Paulsen, Cassandra Bills, Spencer Heindel
My name is Joshua Noe, LPC and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor from the state of Illinois. I grew up in a small town called Henry, IL before moving to Illinois State University where I earned a B.S. in Psychology. After that, I started my masters’ program at Eastern Illinois University where I received dual licensure as a clinical mental health counselor and a school counselor. Working with children has always been a passion of mine and have enjoyed gaining experience at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. I enjoy incorportating play therapy and sand tray therapy into my sessions when working with clients. My research interests include the effects of mentoring on students and individuals, play therapy, and counseling in rural communities. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, staying active, playing or watching sports, and spending time with my nieces and nephew. I am very excited to be heading west and attending ISU!
Angelina Amoakowa Mensah, is a first-year doctoral student in Counselor Education and Counseling at Idaho State University. She earned her Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University of Education, Winneba, in Ghana. Her clinical and academic interests include child and adolescent development, resilience, multicultural counseling, and emerging experiential trauma-informed interventions such as play therapy. Angelina is a member of the Ghana Psychological Association and is passionate about advancing culturally relevant and evidence-based approaches to counseling. She is particularly interested in promoting emotional wellness and personal growth among children and emerging adults, and she hopes to contribute to the training of future counselors. Outside of her academic work, Angelina is a creative entrepreneur with close to two decade of experience as a fashion designer, a role that continues to influence her counseling practice through creativity and empathy. She enjoys spending time with her family, serving in her church community, and engaging in creative projects that nurture both personal and professional growth.
Spencer Heindel, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor and doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Idaho State University. His clinical work focuses on children and adolescents experiencing anxiety, trauma, and behavioral disorders. He draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness-based approaches, and play-based interventions to provide a trauma-informed, evidence based counseling experience. Spencer earned his Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Idaho State University and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University–Idaho. He is an active member of the American Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota, and the International Society for Anthrozoology. His current research with ISU’s ROAR Lab explores the ethical use of animals in therapeutic settings and culturally responsive care, including services provided to Indigenous populations. Outside of professional work, Spencer enjoys all things nerdy, exploring nature with his wife and children, and reading. He strives to create a counseling environment that is compassionate, collaborative, and rooted in each client’s values and story.
1st Year Doctoral Cohort
Catherine Baeza, Mikaela Bayless, Carolyn Eyre, Charity Akpovino, Kailey Wilcox, Donavan Ross
Charity Akpovino, M.S., is a first-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Counseling program at Idaho State University. She is an international student from Nigeria and earned her master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Her interest in rehabilitation counseling grew out of ten years of professional experience at an academic medical center, where she worked with clients navigating chronic illness and disability. Her research focuses on chronic illness, health promotion strategies, and multicultural counseling, and she hopes to contribute to training culturally competent counselors.
My name is Mikaela Bayless, LPC, NCC. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Idaho and a first-year doctoral student in Counselor Education and Counseling at Idaho State University. I earned my Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Washington and my Master of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Idaho State University. My interest area, both in clinical practice and research, is perinatal mental health as well as broader fertility- and parenthood-related concerns, including infertility, miscarriage, transition to parenthood, and the intersection of parenting and trauma. Outside of professional work, I enjoy exploring the Treasure Valley with my husband and kids, cooking and baking, reading, listening to podcasts, watching sports, and doing gymnastics.
Donavan Ross, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, is from Nevada and is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Idaho. Donavan is a U.S. Army veteran, and his service experience was fundamental to who he is as a person. A number of personal values Donavan carries, such as integrity, respect, and courage, are direct byproducts of his military service. Today, those same values inform his professional identity and his approach to counseling, education, and supervision. Professionally, Donavan brings years of experience working with diverse and marginalized adolescents in the K-12 school setting and within the community. In his roles as counselor, counselor educator, and supervisor, he views interpersonal experiences through an existential-humanistic lens and knows that there is always more to be learned. Donavan leads with curiosity first, believing that, in light of the challenges existence poses - and its occasional bleakness - all people bring with them a beautiful, unique, and compelling life story. In accordance with these beliefs, Donavan's research interests are rooted in existentialism, meaning-making, anxiety, and thanatology.