Faculty
David M. Kleist, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Professor
Office: Garrison 716
Specialty Areas: Family and Couples Counseling, Instructional Theory, and Counseling Ethics
Ph.D., 1995, Southern Illinois University
M.A., 1991, Governors State University
B.A., 1987, University of Wisconsin-Madison
My broad scholarly interests include Qualitative research, instructional theory, couple and family counseling, and ethics. More specifically, I am interested in the influences of postmodern philosophy on the areas above (i.e., use of reflecting teams, social constructionist theory) and its impact on the future of counselor education. Additionally, I am concerned with increasing the field's awareness of the importance of training counselors in the skills of prevention as well as remediation (i.e., treatment) and who (and whose interests) will influence the future of counselor education.
In my free time, I enjoy golfing, skiing, hiking, spending time with my wife, daughter and son, listening to Bob Dylan, and of course, obsessing about the Green Bay Packers (I am originally from Wisconsin). Feel free to call or e-mail me for further information.
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Elizabeth 'Liz' Doughty Horn, Ph.D.
Department Associate Chair and Professor of Counseling
Office: Room 516D
ISU Meridian Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center
Specialty Areas: Issues of Loss and Grief, Mental Health Counseling
Ph.D., 2006, Texas A&M University-Commerce
M.A., 1998, Sam Houston State University
B.S., 1996, East Texas State University
I'm Dr. Liz Horn (she/her), a resident faculty member for the Department of Counseling at the ISU-Meridian Health Science Center. My primary research focus relates to issues of grief and loss. Specifically I am interested in the current trends relating to bereavement grief and everyday losses. It is my hope that grief and loss principles will someday be included in the counseling curriculum. As such, I am a member of the Association for Adult Development and Aging (AADA) Grief and Loss Competencies Task Force. Despite my interest in grief and loss, my research agenda is usually more defined by my doctoral students' interests. I have guided dissertations and articles surrounding everything from issues of social justice to curriculum in group work. I truly love working with students to find their own passion in research and while my grief and loss work sometimes takes a back seat to their pursuits I am gratified to work with burgeoning scholars who are seeking their own path.
My free time usually includes spending time with friends and family, traveling, and watching old movies. I am originally from Texas and love my native state but have found a wonderful life here in Idaho. I can be found on a Sunday rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and making sure to pretend I also like the Packers for my Department Chair's sake. Feel free to contact me through email or over the phone. I hope to speak with you soon!
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Hana Meshesha, Ph.D
Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian 516
1311 E Central Dr.
Meridian, ID 83642
Interest areas: Trauma, addiction, disability, supervision, and multicultural counseling
Education
Ph.D. 2023, University of Montana
M.A., 2019, University of Montana
M.Ed., 2012, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
B.A., 2007, University of Gondar, Ethiopia
Biography
Hi, my name is Dr. Hana Meshesha. I joined ISU’s Department of Counseling in 2023. I received my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana. As a counselor, I have experience working with college population and clients with substance use disorders.
Before moving to the United States, I was a faculty at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, for close to a decade. As a member of the Department of Psychology, I focused on teaching and supervising students who became mental health service providers in their community. I also had a chance to provide counseling services to college students with focus on adjustment, anxiety, and depression cases. In addition, I was a quality care officer and then a director for the education quality assurance office at the University of Gondar in which I was able to oversee curriculum reviews and approvals within the university as well as participate in national dialogue on educational quality assurance matters.
My research interests include trauma, forgiveness, addiction, disability, supervision, and counseling in international context. For updates on my research projects, please see my ResearchGate profile.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, watching movies, traveling, and listening to music. Please feel free to contact me via email or phone.
Chad Yates, Ph.D.
Professor of Counseling
Office: Garrison 718
Specialty Areas: Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Addictions Counseling
Ph.D., Kent State University (2012)
M.A., The University of Toledo (2008)
B.A., The University of Toledo (2005)
My name is Dr. Chad Yates. I joined the ISU Department of Counseling in 2013. I received my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University and my M.A. in Community Counseling from the University of Toledo. At ISU, I teach Prepracticum Counseling Techniques, Addictions Counseling, Group Counseling Techniques, Small Group Activity, and Advanced Psychological Testing and Assessment. I also supervise students within our practicum course.
My research interests include educational practices in addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders. I also research the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within counseling and addictions counseling. For a description of my current research and past research, please visit my ResearchGate page.
I enjoy providing service to ISU and my campus community. I currently serve as a Faculty Senator for ISU and as a board member of the ISU Human Subjects Committee. I also coordinate the ISU Safe Space Program. ISU's Safe Space program fosters an inclusive environment that challenges oppression and supports LGBTQ+ students by providing education and resources for faculty and staff at ISU committed to inclusion and equity. For more information about ISU's Safe Space Program and upcoming trainings, please visit our Facebook page.
I am fortunate to serve as the Counseling Coordinator of ISU’s Northwest Center for Fluency Disorders (NWCFD). The NWCFD offers a two-week interprofessional intensive stuttering clinic for adolescents and adults who stutter, which is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Counseling at Idaho State University. This unique clinic is the first of its kind in the world that has Speech Language Pathologists and Counselors working together to treat the holistic needs of clients who stutter through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based mental health approach. Please visit our website for more information.
My personal interests include hiking, camping, skiing, and golfing. I love living close to Yellowstone and Teton National Park. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want further information on our program or the counseling profession. I look forward to speaking with you!
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Katie Sacco
Assistant Professor
Office: Garrison 719
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Leslie Stewart, Ph.D.
Professor of Counseling, Liason for Belonging and Wellness
Office: Garrison 723
Specialty Areas: Animal Assisted Interventions and the Human-Animal Bond, Trauma-Informed Counseling and Counselor Preparation, Anxiety & Stress Management
Ph.D., 2014, Georgia State University
M.Ed., 2009, University of Georgia
B.A., 2007, Georgia State University
I am Leslie Stewart, a proud resident faculty member of the Department of Counseling at the Pocatello campus since 2014. My primary research focus is on Animal Assisted Interventions. As such, I am the director of the Department of Counseling’s Research on Anthrozoological Relationships (ROAR) Lab and the director of the Certificate Program in Animal Assisted Interventions. I am a Certified Animal-Assisted Interventions Specialist (C-AAIS) through the Association for Animal-Assisted Interventions Professionals (AAAIP). My other areas of research and professional practice include trauma-informed counseling, trauma-informed counselor education/supervision, stress management, and expressive/experiential modalities in counseling and counselor training.
Before coming to ISU, I worked as a counselor, supervisor, and student support service provider at the Savanah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in metro Atlanta. Additionally, I have worked in a juvenile detention center and as a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) certified therapeutic riding instructor. I infuse unique blend of prior clinical experience into my teaching in the master’s level theories, clinical mental health counseling, and crisis and trauma courses as well as in the doctoral level leadership and advocacy course. I also partner with several species of specially prepared and evaluated animals in some of my teaching and supervision roles.
In my free time, I enjoy outdoor recreation (hiking, kayaking, backpacking, camping, etc.), spending time with my family and loved ones (which of course includes my animals!), and traveling. I am an Atlanta native, but delighted to call the beautiful state of Idaho my true home. Please feel free to contact me via email or phone.
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Renee C. Howells, Ph.D., LPC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Office: 516C
ISU Meridian Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center
Specialty Areas: Disability; Deafhood; Crisis & Trauma Intervention.
Ph.D., 2018, Idaho State University
M.A., 2015, Gonzaga University
B.S., 2013, The College of Idaho
My name is Dr. Renee Howells. I have worked as a counselor educator for the past three years, and it has been a pleasure to join the team at ISU in the summer of 2021. I am a resident faculty member for the Department of Counseling at the ISU-Meridian Health Science Center. In addition to my role as an assistant professor, I serve as the Clinical Director for our Counseling Clinic.
My primary research interests center on topics of advocacy and accessibility in mental health and higher education. I am particularly passionate about disability inclusion and cultural representation; with a focus on working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Much of my scholarship and clinical expertise surround the phenomenon of crisis, trauma, and disaster counseling and intervention.
As a counselor educator I value relationship, mentorship, and growth. This value translates into my own clinical practices as a mental health counselor. I have been a licensed professional counselor in the state of Idaho since 2016. I have a small private practice, Painted Sage Counseling and Consultation, where I enjoy working with individuals from all walks of life.
When I am not at work, I can likely be found spending time in nature, with my loved ones, or creating art. I am an avid outdoor recreationist and animal lover. Hiking, camping, and traveling are a few activities that regularly bring me joy. I also enjoy dabbling in artistic endeavors; I feel grateful to live in such a beautiful place to inspire creativity. I look forward to exploring all that Idaho has to offer and to cultivating community in the greater Boise area.
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Shawn P. Parmanand, Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor and Professional Development Coordinator
Office: Garrison 717
Specialty Areas: Couples Counseling; Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Infertility Counseling and Support; Gatekeeping and Remediation in Counselor Education
Ph.D., 2010, Idaho State University
M.Coun., 2007, Idaho State University
B.A., 2004, Idaho State University
Hi, I’m Shawn Parmanand. I have been a full time Counselor Educator for over ten years, working full time in a Marriage, Couple, and Family program along with a new faculty appointment in an online Mental Health Counseling program. I am excited for the opportunity to join the Idaho State University Counseling Department as Clinical Director and coordinator for the department’s professional development workshops on a part-time basis.
I derive a lot of personal meaning in being both an educator and practicing clinician. In additional to the above roles, I enjoy most being a father and husband. Many of my self-care activities revolve around engaging in family activities including camping, attending concerts, and less structured time together spent playing and watching movies. I look forward to contributing to the growth of the Pocatello Counseling Clinic and to connecting with students and clinicians in the surrounding region.
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Lance Erickson, Ph.D.
Affiliate Faculty
Office: Museum Building #418
Specialty Areas: Student Affairs and College Counseling, Career Development, Career Assessments, Mental Health, Supervision
Ed.D., 2012, Idaho State University
M.Coun., 2004, Idaho State University
B.A. 1994, Brigham Young University
I am the Director of the Career Center here at Idaho State University. I also coordinate the Student Affairs Counseling track, and I teach the Student Affairs and College Counseling courses within the program. I also teach the Lifestyle and Career Development course and an undergraduate course on Career and Life Planning as well. I have a passion for college student development, student development theories, careers in college student services, and the career development process.
I belong to regional, state and national organizations related to Career Counseling and Student Affairs. I have presented on a variety of career-related topics to diverse audiences, and I have researched the importance of faculty advising in a college setting.
I would love to talk with any students about the Student Affairs track, and provide specific information about the wonderful opportunities and lifestyle of working on a college or university campus. Contact me at ericlanc@isu.edu.
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Anna James Krzemieniecki, M.S., M.Coun, LPC
Clinical Assistant Professor/Meridian Counseling Clinical Director
Office: Room 557C
ISU Meridian Sam and Aline Skaggs Health Science Center
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Ngonidzashe Mpofu, Ph.D., NCC, CRC, CCMHC
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Office: Garrison 720
Specialty Areas: Clinical Rehabilitation, Clinical Mental Health in Schools and Communities, Workplace Wellbeing, Multicultural Competencies.
Ph.D., 2021, University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.Ed., 2017, Pennsylvania State University-University Park
B.S., 2011, Pennsylvania State University-University Park
Dr. Ngonidzashe Mpofu received her Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counselor Education and Supervision and Doctoral Minor in Educational Psychology, Human Development specialty, from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She received her M.Ed. in both Clinical Rehabilitation and Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the Pennsylvania State University. She serves as the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program coordinator, and Internship Coordinator at ISU-Pocatello. Dr. Mpofu’s primary line of research is focused on workplace wellbeing with an emphasis on the therapeutic power of competitive, meaningful employment. Her secondary research foci are disability formation resulting from work-related substance (ab)use and health-risk behaviors. Her research populations of interest include adolescents, indigenous populations, people with chronic illness and/or disabilities, and women.
During her free time, Dr. Mpofu enjoys reading mystery novels, listening to a globally eclectic playlist of music, exploring the great outdoors, and cooking and baking. You may find some homemade brownies, scones or cupcakes in the department kitchen from time to time. Help yourself, along with your cup of coffee or tea :)
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Alexandra Gantt-Howrey
Assistant Professor
Office: Meridian 516
1311 E Central Dr.
Meridian, ID 83642
Staff
Mikayla Miller
Administrative Assistant I
Office: 1311 E Central Dr.
Meridian, ID 83642
