2026 AUCCCD Board of Directors Election

2026 Election Information
AUCCCD will elect one Treasurer and four Governing Board Members. One Governing Board position will fill a recent vacancy and serve the remaining two years of that term; the other three positions will serve standard three-year terms.

Voting deadline: Monday, October 19, 2026
Results announced: Tuesday, October 20, during the Second Business Meeting at the 2026 AUCCCD Annual Conference in Pittsburgh.

Newly elected leaders will assume their roles on Tuesday, October 20, and participate in an introductory Board meeting and discussion of committee engagement.

Jump to Candidates:
Treasurer: David Graham
Governing Board: Carrie Fleider | Brian Lusk | Marie Macher | Jeffrey Ng | Ellie Olson | Richard Shadick | Susan Sobel | Scott Sokoloski | Scott Strader | Etisha Wilbon

David M. Graham, Ph.D., NCC, LCMHCS
Davidson College
Candidate for Treasurer

Candidate Statement

I am honored to introduce myself as a candidate for the position of Treasurer. I earned my Ph.D. in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2009, and I am a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS #8329) in North Carolina, credentialed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors. I also hold certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC #227001) and maintain active membership in the American Counseling Association, the American College Counseling Association, and the North Carolina Counseling Association, adhering to the ethical standards set forth by the American Counseling Association.

With over 20 years of experience in mental health counseling, I have dedicated my career to supporting individuals across diverse settings, including secondary and post-secondary institutions, private practice, inpatient psychiatric treatment facilities, and outpatient community-based programs. This breadth of experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our profession.

Since July 2019, I have served as Director of Counseling Services at Davidson College within the Center for Student Health and Well-Being, where I provide strategic leadership to enhance student mental health services, foster inclusive and equitable support systems, and promote overall well-being. Prior to this role, I served as Counselor/Coordinator for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Student Outreach at Davidson College, working to ensure access to mental health resources for traditionally marginalized and underserved communities. I also serve as Adjunct Faculty in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Montreat College and maintain a private practice at Innerchange Counseling & Consultation Services, reflecting my ongoing commitment to training and mentoring future professionals in our field.

My leadership extends beyond clinical practice. In 2024, I had the privilege of serving on the AUCCCD Strategic Planning Committee. In May 2025, I was elected in a special election to serve as Treasurer of the AUCCCD Board for the remaining 16 months of the term. Since 2022, I have actively participated in the Directors' Conference, engaging in discussions on policy development, fiscal responsibility, and strategic growth in college mental health services.

Beyond my professional career, my journey has been shaped by discipline, service, and teamwork. I grew up in Upstate New York, served four years in the United States Army, earning two Army Commendation Medals and one Army Achievement Medal, and continued my education while playing college basketball, where I was named to the All-Region Team in my second year. It was in the Army that my desire to serve in leadership roles first took shape, teaching me that strong organizations depend on people willing to take responsibility for the details others may overlook — an instinct that has stayed with me throughout my career and is what draws me to continue serving as Treasurer now.

Since stepping into this role in May 2025, I have gained firsthand familiarity with the board's finances and have already worked to strengthen our financial oversight, including adding the Treasurer as an authorized signer on the board's bank account and credit card statements to improve transparency and continuity of financial stewardship. I am running for a full term because I want to build on that foundation and continue ensuring the board's finances are managed with the same accountability and care I have brought to this work so far.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
David M. Graham, Ph.D., NCC, LCMHCS

Carrie Fleider, MSW, LCSW
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

As a counseling center director, licensed clinical social worker, and long-standing leader in college mental health, I bring more than two decades of experience advancing counseling services at diverse institutions, including the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, the University of Vermont, The Ohio State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of North Florida. My career has spanned clinical service, training, advocacy, crisis response, accreditation, organizational leadership, and supervision of multidisciplinary teams. I have led counseling centers through significant transitions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, major organizational change, and strategic growth initiatives, while remaining committed to student well-being and professional development. As an active member of AUCCCD and a collaborative leader who values mentorship, innovation, and equity in higher education, I would be honored to contribute my experience and perspective to the Board and help advance the mission of supporting counseling center directors nationwide.

Brian Lusk, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC
University of South Carolina
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

Serving as a counseling center director has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. When I stepped into my first director role in 2019, AUCCCD quickly became an invaluable source of support, connection, and learning. Whether through the annual conference, the listserv, or conversations with colleagues, I've benefited from the generosity of leaders who share their experiences, ideas, and encouragement. Those experiences have shaped my leadership and deepened my commitment to our profession.

One of my greatest strengths I would bring to the Governing Board is the perspective gained from leading counseling centers in very different institutional settings. I began my career as a director at a mid-sized public university, where limited resources required creativity, strategic prioritization, and strong partnerships to meet students' growing mental health needs. More recently, I've transitioned to a large public institution with greater resources, a larger staff, and a different level of organizational complexity. Experiencing both environments has reinforced that, despite differences in campus size and capacity, directors across institutions share many of the same challenges: supporting increasingly complex student needs, developing and retaining staff, advocating for resources, and balancing clinical excellence with institutional priorities.

Throughout my leadership journey, I've had the opportunity to build and rebuild systems that better reflect the realities of today's counseling centers. In one role, that meant writing policies and procedures from the ground up. In another, it meant reimagining policies written for a very different era of higher education and mental health care. Those experiences reinforced for me that effective leadership isn't simply about maintaining existing systems; it's about thoughtfully evaluating whether they still serve our students, our staff, and our institutions. Sometimes the best way to honor our profession is not by preserving the status quo but by asking what needs to evolve.

That perspective is one reason I'm seeking to serve on the Governing Board. Collegiate mental health is changing rapidly. Student needs continue to evolve, technology is reshaping how we work, and higher education faces mounting financial, political, and social pressures. In this environment, I believe it is essential that counseling center leaders proactively shape the future of our profession rather than simply respond to forces around us. If we don't help write the narrative for collegiate mental health, others will write it for us. AUCCCD has an important opportunity and responsibility to lead those conversations, advocate for our profession, and equip directors to navigate change with confidence and integrity.

I'm running for the Governing Board to help ensure AUCCCD remains a forward-looking organization that supports directors across institution types, resource levels, and career stages. I believe my experience leading in both resource-constrained and resource-rich environments, coupled with my commitment to innovation, collaborative leadership, and organizational improvement, would enable me to contribute meaningfully to the Board's work. Most importantly, I see Board service as an opportunity to give back to the community of colleagues who have helped shape my leadership while helping position collegiate counseling to thrive in the years ahead.

Marie Macher, RN, MS, CPACC
North Idaho College
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be considered for a Governing Board Member position with AUCCCD. I joined AUCCCD after beginning my role as the Director of Disability, Health, and Counseling at North Idaho College in late 2025.

Although I am a new counseling center director, I have quickly come to appreciate the value of AUCCCD as a source of professional connection, mentorship, and shared learning. Through the ListServ, New Director Support Group, and the Mentor Program, I have experienced firsthand the collaborative spirit of this organization and the willingness of its members to support one another. Serving on the Governing Board would be an opportunity to give back to an organization that has already had a meaningful impact on my professional growth.

While I do not hold a counseling degree or clinical license, my career has consistently centered on supporting individuals through some of life's most challenging circumstances. My educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, where I developed a strong interest in psychiatric nursing, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, as well as master's degrees in Victim Services Management, Disability Services in Higher Education, and Instructional Design and Technology. Throughout my nursing career, I gained experience working in youth residential treatment, adult acute psychiatric care, and state psychiatric facilities. My graduate work in Victim Services Management further strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed care and supporting individuals impacted by violence and other traumatic experiences.

Throughout my career in disability services, I have worked closely with students experiencing mental health conditions, recognizing that mental health is one of the most prevalent disability categories in higher education. Even students whose primary disability is unrelated to mental health often experience increased stress, anxiety, discrimination, or other challenges that affect their overall well-being and academic success. My work has frequently involved supporting students in distress, de-escalating crises, collaborating with campus partners, and ensuring students are connected with appropriate resources while maintaining a compassionate, student-centered approach.

Outside of higher education, I have also worked extensively with individuals partnered with service dogs, including those with psychiatric disabilities. This experience provided additional insight into the unique ways mental health conditions affect daily functioning and reinforced the importance of individualized, person-centered support.

As a new director, I recognize that I still have much to learn from experienced counseling professionals. I deeply respect the expertise of licensed mental health clinicians and believe that effective leadership begins with listening, collaboration, and a willingness to learn. I hope to contribute an administrative perspective that values and supports counseling center professionals while advocating for accessible, student-centered, and collaborative services across our campuses.

If elected, I would bring enthusiasm, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to learning and service. I hope to continue building relationships within AUCCCD, contribute to conversations that support counseling center leaders, and represent newer directors who are navigating leadership while striving to strengthen mental health services in higher education. I would be honored to serve the organization and help advance AUCCCD's mission of supporting college counseling centers and the students they serve.

Jeffrey Ng, Psy.D.
Fordham University
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

It is with humility and enthusiasm that I am submitting my candidacy to continue serving on the AUCCCD Governing Board. Throughout my 15-year tenure as the counseling center director at Fordham University, AUCCCD has been my professional sanctuary and home. The organization and its members (all of you) have contributed immeasurably to my growth, providing me with unparalleled scholarship, mentorship, wisdom, compassion, and joy—all of which I have actively and continually strived to reciprocate.

I am currently completing a 1-year term on the AUCCCD Board and have also served on the Elements of Enrichment (E of E) Committee for 7 years, including co-chairing it for 3 years throughout the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. My experiences serving on the Board and E of E have deepened my understanding of the complexities, trends, challenges, and opportunities within our organization, our membership, and the field of university and college mental health.

Additionally, I have co-delivered 16 presentations at our annual conferences, focusing on critical themes such as authentic leadership, new director development, social justice, equity-based services, and ideological and disciplinary diversity.

Finally, I have provided direct support to my fellow directors by serving as a mentor, conference connector, and Director on Duty, as well as by contributing to the New Directors Curriculum, AUCCCD's current strategic plan, and the development of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Directors’ community and listserv.

My longstanding service to AUCCCD reflects a deep reverence for the invaluable and increasingly complex work we do as counseling center directors. If re-elected to the Board, this reverence will continue to guide my service and advocacy for our organization, members, and profession.

With Gratitude,
Jeffrey Ng, Psy.D.

Ellie Olson, Ph.D.
Augsburg University
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

I have worked as a college counseling center director for almost 20 years and have been a part of AUCCCD for equally as long. I spent my first 15 years as the director at Simpson College in central Iowa, and the last five years in central Minneapolis as the director at Augsburg University. My internship at Penn State also gave me a peek at counseling center life on a larger campus, and though I wouldn’t trade that foundational experience for anything, I love being a director in the collaborative (and siloed), connected (and oh so disconnected) ecosystem of a small campus. The last 20 years (including plummeting resources, increased utilization and case complexity, staffing growth and reductions, the rise of CARE/BIT teams, VAWA and SAHMSA grants, student deaths, campus-wide traumas, donor gifts, COVID, Minneapolis’ Operation Metro Surge, and so much more), and the many hats I’ve worn in that time, instilled in me a deep understanding of the complex challenges and opportunities facing college mental health and higher education.

My membership in AUCCCD has been an essential support and resource to me during the last 20 years and I would love to support the organization and my fellow directors by joining the AUCCCD board. My past involvement in AUCCCD includes attending the annual conference almost every year I’ve been a director, numerous conference presentations, serving as a Director on Duty, serving as mentor director, supporting and seeking support through the listserv, developing relationships with people who have become long-lasting friends and mentors…and, perhaps most notable of all (at least in the eyes of my 12 year-old son), beating hundreds of you at a high-stakes and high-stress game of rock-paper-scissors during a recent conference business meeting :) Ultimately, I believe AUCCCD and its membership have essential insights to offer one another and the changing world of higher education itself; I would be honored to join the board and help shape where and how we direct our voice and expertise.

Richard Shadick, Ph.D.
Pace University – NYC
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

Hello and thank you for taking the time to consider my application for the AUCCCD Board.

I currently serve as Chair of the Communications Committee and have been elected to the Board for 2 1-year terms. During my tenure, I have worked collaboratively to:

• Contribute to broader governance and communication initiatives within the organization including to the importance of DEI in college student mental health as well as other positions and announcements of the organization
• Aid in the development and facilitation of listening sessions related college student mental health
• Develop a media kit for members responding to media requests which has led to placements in the Chronicle of Higher Ed, NPR, Forbes and other national public outlets
• Re-launch and maintain the AUCCCD newsletter

Before joining the Board, I:

• Served 8 years on the AUCCCD Communications Committee
• Sat on the Editorial Board for the Journal for College Student Psychotherapy (4 years) and as an ad hoc reviewer for the journal, known now as the Journal for College Student Mental Health
• Acted as a Conference Connector for new directors
• Served on multiple committees within AUCCCD
• Strengthened international partnerships with AUCCCD colleagues in Japan — including visiting faculty work at Nagoya University and research collaborations with Kyoto University of the Arts

At Pace University (NYC), I have been the Director of the Counseling Center and Adjunct Faculty in Psychology since 2003. The Center reflects our university’s motto, “Opportunitas,” through our vibrant and diverse staff and commitment to access.

We are facing unprecedented challenges — staffing shortages, funding shifts, systemic inequities, the demographic cliff and loss of federal . Stability and consistency matter, but so does innovation. My goals for the next term include:

• Reframing the narrative of college mental health from crisis to capability
• Positioning AUCCCD as a leader in shaping national discourse and policy
• Continuing to center social justice, equity, and representation in our work

I bring experience in campus collaborations with organizations such as the Steve Fund, Born This Way Foundation, Jed Foundation, and U.S. Health Promoting Campus Network, along with grant-funded initiatives to support students of color, LGBTQ, and BIPOC communities.

I remain deeply committed to AUCCCD’s diverse membership and to the organization’s role in promoting socially just, innovative, and sustainable college mental health leadership. I would be honored to bring my experience, perspective, and continued commitment to the Board.

With gratitude,
Richard Shadick

Susan Sobel, Ph.D.
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

Since becoming a member of AUCCCD I have observed, listened to, and connected with Board members over the years with admiration and appreciation; it is a challenging but rewarding responsibility. My involvement in AUCCCD so far has followed the second half of MLK Jr.’s observation that “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” I have enjoyed being a presenter, Conference Connector, Mentor, and helper with the Bob McGrath fun run, among other things. I have been a voracious reader of the listserv and somewhat frequent participant, and a consistent submitter of the annual and salary surveys. I finally joined a committee this year and am learning that conference planning is complicated but fun!

The experience and connections I have gained through the small(er) things I have done, and being a part of AUCCCD in general, has made my role as a director richer and more rewarding. My wish to pay that forward in a greater way is one of the reasons I hope to serve on the Board. I would also like to be part of the effort to guide mental health in higher education and keep kindness, openness, and thoughtfulness as guiding values in our work, even and especially when those we work with don’t always exhibit those qualities.

Having worked in a Counseling Center setting for all of two years before becoming a director, it has taken me a while to believe that I could do justice to being a Board member. However, I have come to realize that the experience directors have outside the counseling center world can be just as valuable. In addition, I think my curiosity, calmness, and commitment to finding the most effective path forward would make me a valuable and successful Board member. There are so many AUCCCD members who could serve the Board well, so it is with hopeful humility that I submit my candidacy for consideration. Thank you.

Scott Sokoloski, Ph.D.
Saint Joseph's University
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

I am honored to submit my candidacy for the AUCCCD Governing Board. As the Director of the Counseling and Psychological Services Center at Saint Joseph’s University for the past four years, I have experienced firsthand the profound impact AUCCCD has on supporting center directors through an increasingly complex higher education landscape. Throughout my time as director, AUCCCD has been a vital source of professional connection, advocacy, and shared wisdom.

My commitment to higher education mental health is rooted in a deep passion for student well-being and a strong dedication to association leadership. Over the past seven years, I have actively served the national college counseling community through the American College Counseling Association (ACCA), including the past five years as a member of the Board of Directors which culminated in my term as President from 2025-2026. Through these roles, I have developed extensive experience in association governance, strategic planning, cross-organizational collaboration, and national advocacy for collegiate mental health professionals.

My career in college counseling has been defined by a desire to uplift the field through service, education, and community-building. Having led at the national level with ACCA, I am eager to bring my strategic perspective, collaborative spirit, and deep care for our profession to the AUCCCD Governing Board. I look forward to the potential opportunity.

Scott Strader, Ph.D.
University of South Florida
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

I am honored to be considered for reelection to the AUCCCD Board. In my 22nd year as a counseling center director, and after three years of Board service, I remain convinced that university and college counseling needs a strong and unified voice to help shape the future of collegiate mental health. Serving on the Board has only strengthened that conviction. I have the privilege of chairing the Director Development Committee and the Director's Toolkit Revision Workgroup, working alongside talented colleagues committed to supporting directors at all stages of our professional journeys. While I am proud of the New Director’s Curriculum we launched last year, the work of these groups is not finished, and I hope to continue leading efforts to support mid- and later-career directors and reimagine the director’s toolkit into a more useful, searchable, and sustainable resource for all of us.

AUCCCD has been my professional home since my first year as a director in 2005. Throughout that time, I have benefited tremendously from the wisdom, generosity, and leadership of this organization. I have sought to give back through listserv engagement, conference presentations, committee service, mentoring, consultation, conference planning, and leadership development. Whether serving on the Elements of Excellence Committee, chairing the 2016 Conference Planning Committee, participating in the Director Retention Committee, or serving on the Board, I have found that AUCCCD is strongest when directors come together to support one another, think boldly about our work, and invest in the future of the profession.

I am currently Senior Director of the Counseling Center at the University of South Florida. I oversee counseling operations on three campuses, serving almost 50,000 students, and work alongside a diverse student body and professional staff who continue to teach me the importance of cultural humility, inclusion, and advocacy. As sociopolitical and economic forces create new challenges for our students, staff, and centers, I remain committed to ensuring access to quality mental health services, supporting diverse and thriving workforces, and fostering environments of belonging.

The AUCCCD Board serves a vital role in helping our profession navigate these challenges. I care deeply about this organization and the people who make it such an important part of our professional lives. It would be an honor to continue serving the membership, and I respectfully ask for your support for a second three-year term.

Etisha Wilbon, LMFT
CSU Fresno
Candidate for Governing Board

Candidate Statement

I am a counseling center director, licensed marriage and family therapist, and I/O psychologist with a strong interest in leadership, organizational well-being, and strengthening systems of care within college counseling centers. My work has focused on expanding access to mental health services, supporting and developing clinicians, and creating environments where both students and staff can thrive.

I am applying for this position because I see it as an opportunity to become more involved with AUCCCD while contributing my experience and perspective. I bring a combination of clinical practice, organizational psychology, supervision, and leadership, with particular interests in staff well-being and retention, leadership development, and sustainable service delivery.

I also value the opportunity to learn from other directors, contribute to conversations about the challenges facing our centers, and help support the professional community that AUCCCD provides.