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.
Kathleen Mueske
EAP Director/Counseling Center 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.
Joseph Abhold
Counseling Center 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.
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 as worked in various settings including: foster care, residential treatment, out patient 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.
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
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 normal life changes. Shelly is interested in supporting students through their time of transition and/or crisis, and helping them develop coping skills to manage the emotions and situation that is distressing them.
