Advisory Council

Nick Anguiano is a graduate student at Messiah University pursuing an M.A. in Counseling in the Clinical Mental Health track. He plans to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia. He earned his undergraduate degree from James Madison University and is currently based in Richmond, Virginia. He has a background in education and is particularly interested in the integration of spirituality and mental health counseling. 

Jon’s career has mostly been in the people-helping professions, including social work, school counseling, counseling, and education. “I am very interested in learning about and addressing issues of identity, as it relates to spiritual and secular life, and I find the process of student engagement to be essential to student success that leads to a love for learning.”

Diana Chandra completed her bachelor’s degree and earned her teaching certification at The Pennsylvania State University in 2011. After teaching middle school in Baltimore, Maryland for four years, she earned her master’s degree in school counseling at Loyola University of Maryland in 2017. She is currently a school counselor at Camp Hill Middle School (6-8) in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Diana is an ASCA Certified School Counselor and a former Recognized ASCA Model Program recipient at her previous district. Diana enjoys her involvement and professional development opportunities through Pennsylvania School Counselor Association (PSCA) and ASCA. She has presented at both conferences and was recognized by PSCA for the PRIDE Award in 2024.

Joy Chester completed her master's degree in school counseling and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in counseling at Messiah University (formally Messiah College). She is a national certified counselor (NCC), is certified as a school counselor in both Maryland and Pennsylvania, and is a licensed clinical counselor (LCPC) in Maryland. She is currently school counselor for a K - 6 school in PA.. She previously worked for a private practice as well as a company who contracted with schools for a school-based therapy for K - 12 students. Joy is currently working on becoming an ASCA Legal & Ethical Specialist. She is also working towards being a national certified school counselor. This is Joy's 2nd career, her first being an accountant, and she is grateful to have found her calling to help others - both students and their families.

Dr. Leah Clarke, director of the graduate program in counseling is a Licensed Professional Counselor who earned her M.S. and Ph.D. in counseling and counselor education from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. Her undergraduate work was done at The College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Dr. Clarke's clinical experience includes work in a college counseling center, family services agency and an inpatient psychiatric unit. Her research and writing focuses on cross-cultural counseling including counseling refugees, best practices in online counselor education, and empathy.

Amber Gunning earned her bachelor's degree in Family Studies from Messiah College. She completed a master's degree in school counseling at Shippensburg University and a master's degree in higher education from Penn State University. She is a national certified counselor (NCC), is certified as a school counselor, and is a licensed profession counselor (LPC). She is currently a school counselor for a high school in Dillsburg, PA. She also works part-time for a private practice in Carlisle, PA. Amber is currently working on a doctorate in psychology.  

Michele Hernandez earned her BA in Psychology from Saint Francis College and her MA in Counseling from NYACK College. She is the Founder and Owner of Take Courage Counseling, LLC. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She has worked in various clinical settings with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Her experience has provided her with opportunities to work in community based settings, crisis settings, inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, servicing English and Spanish Speaking Clients, as well as Faith Based Counseling Services. In addition to this, Michele is an Adjunct Professor with Messiah University, NYIT and Lehman College

Dr. Rhonda Ladd is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Counselor Educator, and Supervisor.  Rhonda began working in the counseling field in 1998. She completed both her masters and doctoral clinical training at Regent University.  For the past 12 years, Rhonda has served as core faculty and clinical coordinator with Grace College's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.  

In 2023, Rhonda transitioned to full-time private practice specializing in work with couples using emotionally focused therapy; she is the owner of Léargas, LLC.  Rhonda has completed advanced training in EFT, EFIT, and EMDR. She also appreciates opportunities to integrate her faith across her clinical and consultation roles. Rhonda has been married to her husband Joel since 2010.

Arwa is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Nationally Certified Counselor, holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, and an MEd in school counseling. She has provided therapy to students at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology who have faced challenges with anxiety, depression, trauma, identity development, anger, familial distress, discord, body image, and suicidal behaviors. Additionally, Arwa was a middle school counselor for 14 years. The blend of school and clinical counseling gives her a unique perspective on how environmental, cultural, and social factors shape development over time. Her research on interconnected environments offers further insight into development across the lifespan.​

Arwa has also taught in master’s-level counselor-in-training programs at two universities. Her passion for the counseling profession is evident in her dedication to preparing future counselors. ​

As a person of color, Arwa has awareness of systemic issues and shared experiences that help her connect with clients of color. She values building strong therapeutic relationships and offers a safe, non-judgmental space for clients. She believes the relationship is the foundation of all therapeutic change. Arwa believes in using various strategies from evidence-based therapy for behavior change, motivation, acceptance, insight, and trauma-informed models. Currently, Arwa is pursuing professional development to help people recover from eating disorders.

Stacy Masshardt is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and owner of Sacred Ground Counseling in Mechanicsburg, PA. Stacy holds a Master of Arts in Counseling from Messiah University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies from Eastern University. In her private practice, Stacy counsels from an attachment lens with a particular interest in working with couples. Stacy is married to her husband for 15+ years and they have a son and twin daughters.

Elisabeth McMillon is a counseling student at Messiah University, pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling on the Marriage, Couple, and Family track. She is currently completing her practicum at the Durham County Department of Justice's STARR program, a trauma-informed initiative focused on substance use disorder and behavioral health treatment for incarcerated individuals, aimed at reducing recidivism. Elisabeth is working toward dual licensure as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Marriage and Family Therapist. She is passionate about restorative justice, holistic care, and supporting individuals and families in healing and growth.

William Solomon completed his Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Messiah University after earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently works as a counselor at Iris Therapy Services, a private practice headquartered in Arlington, VA, where he specializes in working with adolescents, as well as treating anxiety, ADHD, and depression. Previously, he served as a program coordinator for Saint Colletta of Greater Washington, a non-profit organization that supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and at Brightstone Transitions, a program focused on helping young adults on the autism spectrum transition into adulthood. 

William resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and daughter.

Jessica E. Wangia is a Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate student at Messiah University, where she is expected to graduate summa cum laude in May 2026. She currently serves as President of the Mu Chi Alpha chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international counseling honor society, and has been recognized for her academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to service. With almost twenty years of experience in pastoral counseling, Jessica brings a unique integration of clinical expertise and spiritual sensitivity to her work, guided by a holistic biopsychosocial-spiritual approach.

Jessica is completing her clinical internship at Tower Behavioral Health, where she provides individual and group therapy to adults in inpatient settings. Jessica’s work has been shaped by her experiences in clinical research, leadership, and community outreach. Her practice is trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and rooted in values of empathy, equity, and client empowerment. She is credentialed in Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and holds a B.A. in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Project Management from Arizona State University. Jessica is passionate about expanding access to mental health care for marginalized and underserved communities and envisions a future where mental health services are both culturally attuned and widely accessible. 

Jeffery earned his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Messiah University in 2014. He also holds an M.Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary and both an MA and BA from Trevecca Nazarene University. As the owner of LifeWay Counseling, LLC in Camp Hill, PA, Jeffery specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy, assisting clients navigating depression, anxiety, addictions, family relationship challenges, and struggles with spirituality and religious concerns. His compassionate and evidence-based approach helps individuals find clarity, healing, and renewed purpose in their lives.