About Us
Counseling Center Staff
All staff members have the training and experience to utilize a variety of counseling approaches in working with university students who present a diversity of educational, vocational or personal concerns. Most of these concerns can be addressed on a short-term, time-limited basis. If it is determined that our services cannot be of benefit to you, a referral may be made to a community resource.
Seated L to R: Kim Charniak, Bette Craanen, Elena Petrova, Shelly Rutz, Joseph Abhold, Kathleen Mueske; Back row: Mike Altekruse, Paul Clark, Barb Kargus, Hongying Chen, Kadihjia Kelly, Mary Mattson, Nathan Gump
Joseph Abhold, Director
Joe received his Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. As a psychologist, his areas of interest include students with issues concerning: relationships, trauma, sexual assault, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, and career counseling. As an administrator, Joe is committed to working with the entire campus community to make it a healthier, more welcoming and empowering place for all students to live and learn.
Kathleen Mueske, EAP Director, Associate Director
Kathleen is a Licensed Professional Counselor and earned an MSE from UW Oshkosh in 1996 with a dual emphasis in Community Counseling and Higher Education. She has worked as a psychotherapist providing individual, group and family counseling services in a variety of settings. As a therapist and supervisor Kathleen has worked in a State Certified Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, a Family Resource Center and a sexual assault center. She also has nearly 10 years of experience as a Trauma worker in a hospital/ER setting. Her experience includes addressing self-esteem/identity issues, adjustment problems, depression/anxiety, grief, relationship issues, stress management and legal problems. Her areas of special interest are gender/LGBTQ/multicultural issues, holistic health, social justice, faith/spirituality and trauma.
Michael Altekruse, Counseling Psychologist
Mike earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Indiana University in 1993, after completing a pre-doctoral internship at the Counseling and Psychological Services Center, Ball State University. His special areas of interest include diversity issues, alcohol and other drug education, gender issues, ethics, stress management, and clinical supervision.
Kim Charniak, Clinical Social Worker
Kim Charniak is a Clinical Social Worker and earned her MSW from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. She has worked in various settings including: foster care, residential treatment, outpatient mental health and dialysis treatment. Some of her areas of interest include: identity development, relationship issues, parenting concerns, family issues, grief and loss, self-esteem development and chronic illness.
Hongying Chen, Counseling Psychologist
Hongying joined the Counseling Center after her doctoral internship at Texas A&M University Student Counseling Service. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Ball State University in 2009. Prior to this, she got her MS in Marriage and Family Therapy at Northern Illinois University. Her interest areas include relationship issues, family of origin, trauma, eating disorders, diversity, international student well-being, supervision and training.
Paul Clark, Counselor
Paul received his M.S.E. in counseling from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh in 2006. His areas of interest include: depression, anxiety, identity issues, diversity, relationship issues, career, grief and alcohol and drug education.
Nathan Gump, Counseling Psychologist, Career Coordinator
Nathan earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Southern Illinois University in 2006 and completed his post-doctoral internship at Texas A&M University Student Counseling Service. His interests include creativity and self-knowledge as is relates to vocational choice, career choice assessments, relationship issues, interpersonal communication, multicultural and LBGTQ issues.
Mary Mattson, Clinical Social Worker
Mary Mattson earned her MSW from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She has worked in various social work fields including medical social work, geriatrics, and community mental health. Mary’s areas of interest are diversity, overcoming shyness, depression and anxiety, relationship issues, social justice, self esteem and meditation.
Elena Petrova, Counseling Psychologist
Elena completed her MA in Clinical-Adult Psychology at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in 2003. After completing her pre-doctoral internship at the Ball State University Counseling Center, she earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Auburn University in 2008. Elena has clinical and research interests in the following areas: health psychology, mind-body integration, women's issues, multicultural counseling and training, social justice, and identity development.
Shelly Rutz, Clinical Social Worker, SAMHSA grant project director
Shelly Rutz is a Clinical Social Worker and earned her MSW from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, at Washington University in St. Louis. Shelly has spent her career working with individuals and families going through transition, whether from crisis or developmental changes. Shelly's areas if interest are diversity, depression and anxiety, grief, survivors of trauma, relationship difficulties, identity issues, body image, and self esteem.
Barb Kargus and Bette Craanen
Barb Kargus and Bette Craanen keep our Counseling Center afloat. Their goal is to help students know our services and to get connected. They work tirelessly to help our students feel welcomed and comfortable. Their other responsibilities include: answering students' and staff member’s questions, helping students find resources in the Self Help and Career Resource Libraries, supervising our student workers, scheduling appointments, and keeping our data up to date…just to name a few.