Meet Our Staff

Psychiatrist

nchande@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2427

Joined CPS: 2015

Professional Interests: Anxiety, mood disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, trauma, eating disorders, substance use disorders, psychosis, autism spectrum disorder, and gender identity concerns.

Education: Psychiatry Residency, Emory University; M.D. Mercer University; B.A. Biology with Neuroscience minor, Wesleyan College

Therapeutic Style: Works closely with CPS counseling staff and case managers, as well as with Student Disability Services, Student Health Services, and the Center for Young Adult Addiction and Recovery to provide wrap around care for students. Recognizes that biological, psychological, and social influences interact and impact a person’s mental health.

Personal Interests: Cycling, playing cello, and reading fiction.

Associate Director, Training & Part-Time Assistant Professor of Psychology

jingra35@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2409

Joined CPS: 2014

Professional Interests: Multicultural issues, LGBTIQ concerns, grief and depression, and supervision and training.

Education: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Tennessee; A.B. Psychology, English, Smith College

Therapeutic Style: A psychodynamic/interpersonal approach that focuses on understanding personality functioning, specific challenges, and optimal strategies for symptom relief and personal growth.

Supervision Style: A developmental model that proceeds from the trainee’s level of understanding and need. Works to integrate classroom learning with experiential moments toward enhancing trainees’ ability to be present, utilize strategies, and communicate empathy effectively.

Professional Accomplishments: Former Chief Psychologist, City of Atlanta; Past Director, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Counseling and Psychological Services; Past President, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Black Faculty and Staff Association; Owner and Presenter, Diversity Dynamics, Inc.

Personal Interests: Jewelry design and writing songs, novels, and screenplays, having published short stories, poetry, and a detective novel.

Associate Director, Advocacy and Prevention & Part-Time Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership

nphill10@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-3546
KH 2422

Joined CPS: 2023 

Professional Interests: Sense of belonging, identity-based affinity group dynamics, diversity, equity, and inclusion, cultural competence, organization dynamics, and student affairs professional development. 

Education: Ed.D. Student Affairs Leadership, University of Georgia; M.S. College Student Personnel, Indiana University; B.A., University of California, Irvine, CA, Social Sciences  

Training and Certifications: Question. Persuade. Refer (QPR), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Title IX Hearing Officer Training, University System of Georgia, Conflict Dynamic Profile (CDP), KSU Executive Leadership for Women, KSU EXCEL Leadership Program,  KSU Ethical Leadership Certificate Program, Georgia State University's College of Law Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Training, Leadership for Results, National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), and Social Justice Training Institute (SJTI). 

Professional Accomplishments: NASPA Georgia Drive-In Conference’s Best of Programs; Co-Chair of the KSU Student Affairs Professional Development Committee; Founder of the KSU African American Male Initiative (AAMI);  KSU Women’s Leadership Institute, coordinating KSU's first Latino History Month Celebration; The University of Georgia’s Miller/Winston Award for Doctoral Research, the University System of Georgia’s Customer Service Award; GPCA’s Theodore K. Miller Outstanding Professional Service Award. 

Personal Interests: Travel, time with family and friends, poetry (published in 2012), fashion, movies, live music (Jazz, R&B old school hip-hop, and soft rock)

Associate Director, Clinical Services

gsteve17@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2401

Professional Interests: Trauma, diversity concerns, and men's issues.

Education: Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, Auburn University; M.S. Mental Health Counseling, Lee University; B.A. Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Lee University

Therapeutic Style: A contemporary psychoanalytic approach that focuses on how people respond to their emotions, how this influences their relationships, and how these patterns might be reenacted in therapy.

Supervision Style: A participant-observer who influences and is influenced by the matrix of supervisory relationships and balances support with challenge for professional and personal growth.

Professional Accomplishments: Member and Past Co-chair, American Psychological Association Society for Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychology Early Career Committee; Presents and publishes professionally at the intersection of contemporary psychoanalytic theory and culture

Personal Interests: Adventure-eating, creative writing, and modifying Jeeps for off-roading.

Associate Director, Counseling & Psychological Services

wstrothe@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-7391
A 170h

Joined CPS: 2017

Professional Interests: Depression, anxiety, mental health issues of college students, and developmental psychology.

Education: Doctor of Public Administration, Valdosta State University; M.A. Marriage and Family Counseling, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Master of Business Administration, University of Alabama at Birmingham; B.S. Industrial Management, Auburn University

Therapeutic Style: Cognitive behavioral therapy that focuses on modifying thoughts that are overwhelming and challenging unhelpful cognitive distortions. Existential therapy that focuses on human existence including freedom, responsibility, and the meaning of one’s life.

Supervision Style: A developmental model that views the supervisory relationship as educational and balances support with challenge for professional and personal growth.

Personal Interests: Live music, running, reading, hiking, and traveling.

Associate Director, Case Management

awhit183@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2404

Joined CPS: 2021

Professional Interests: Sex Therapy (relationship concerns, kink, sexuality, gender identity, non-traditional relationship structures), anxiety,  social anxiety, LGBTQIA+, identity development, body image, and autism spectrum disorders 

Education: Master of Social Work, Kennesaw State University; B.S. Psychology, Southern Polytechnic State University

Therapeutic Style:  An integrative approach that is based in cognitive behavioral therapy and self compassion as well as an individuals lived experience to encourage and support a client in reaching their goals.

Professional Accomplishments: Mental Health First Aid Facilitator, Be Body Positive Facilitator, Gottman Training Level 1, GSCSW Board Member and Anti-Diversity and Racism Committee Co-Chair

Personal Interests: All things games (Tabletop, Video Games, Board Games), cats, movies & podcast

Office Location:  Kennesaw and Marietta Campus

Staff Therapist

kdorrou3@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2402

Joined CPS: 2021

Professional Interests: Eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns; grief; interpersonal trauma; creative therapeutic expressions; identity development

Education: BA Theatre Arts from University of Minnesota, MS Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling from Mercer University

Therapeutic Style:  An integrative approach using narrative therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to assist students in reauthoring their stories and living their values. 

Professional Accomplishments: Certified Art4Healing® Facilitator, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

Personal Interests: Hiking, gardening, painting, playing cards, traveling to new and familiar places

Office Location:  Kennesaw Campus

Staff Therapist

cflorido@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
A 170N

Joined CPS: 2022

Professional Interests: Crisis prevention & intervention, trauma, anxiety, depression, Latino/Latinx culture, intergenerational trauma, grief & loss

Education: Dual M.A. Forensic and Counseling Psychology, Holy Names University; B.A. Psychology, San Francisco State University

Therapeutic Style: Client-centered approach using Solution-Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  I utilize intersectional, culturally-informed perspective to understand a person's unique identity and lived experiences. 

Personal Interests: Exploring new ventures with my family and our dog, listening to podcasts, weightlifting, Bay Area sports. 

Office Location:  Marietta Campus

Staff Therapist

efunk4@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
A 170I

Joined CPS: 2018

Professional Interests: Depression, suicide prevention, generalized and social anxiety, family issues, and children of divorce.

Education: Master of Social Work with Family Therapy certificate, Boston University; B.A. Psychology, University of North Carolina

Therapeutic Style: Person-centered therapy guides sessions while educating the client about their choices for treatment and encouraging self-reflection.  Tenets of dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are useful to help clients achieve their goals.

Supervision Style: Finding a balance in teaching the fundamentals and nuances of our field while encouraging use of self to help others.

Personal Interests: Cooking, hiking, reading, and music.

Office Location:  Marietta Campus

Psychologist

rgustaf1@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2401

Joined CPS: 2022

Professional Interests:  LGBTQ+ issues, identity development, family of origin, religion and spirituality, trauma, and anxiety.

Education: PsyD Clinical Psychology, William James College; B.A. Psychology, Calvin University

Therapeutic Style: An integrative approach using techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to build coping strategies and emotion regulation skills, as well as humanistic and interpersonal therapy to explore an individual’s personal values and understand how an individual developed within their relationships and cultural context. 

Supervision Style:  A developmental and strength-based approach focusing on collaborating with trainees to meet their specific training goals and encouraging them to create their unique therapeutic style

Personal Interests:  Outdoor activities, Playing musical instruments, Taylor Swift, Broadway shows, Spending time with pets (a dog and a cat), and houseplants.

Office Location:  Kennesaw Campus

Psychologist

lhawki31@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2425

Joined CPS: 2022

Professional Interests: Identity Development, Interpersonal and Relational Concerns, Couple and Family Systems, Race and Culture-Related Stress

Education: Psy.D. Clinical Psychology, Chaminade University of Honolulu; M.S. Clinical Psychology, Argosy University Hawai'i; B.S. Family Studies and Human Development, Towson University

Therapeutic Style: A psychodynamic approach that utilizes interpersonal and attachment-based insight to facilitate meaningful change and a deeper understanding of self  

Supervision Style: A developmental approach focused on experiential learning, growth in clinical competencies, and increased understanding of self in clinical environments 

Professional Accomplishments: Distinguished Graduate in Doctor of Psychology Program (Summa Cum Laude), Office of Vice Provost at Chaminade University; Outstanding Graduate of Psychology Award, Hawai'i Psychological Association; Top 100 Women of Maryland Award, The Daily Record Maryland

Personal Interests: Spending time with family and friends, yoga, traveling, and spending time outdoors

Office Location: Kennesaw Campus

Staff Therapist

modonn10@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2413

Joined CPS: 2017

Professional Interests: Anxiety, trauma, family and relational issues, identity development, and eating disorders.

Education: M.S. Professional Counseling, Georgia State University; B.M. Music Therapy, Florida State University

Therapeutic Style: An integrative approach based on cognitive behavioral therapy, incorporating brief solution-focused therapy and mindfulness.

Supervision Style: A developmental approach focused on self-awareness, motivation, and autonomy, monitoring dynamic changes within the supervisory relationship.

Personal Interests: Playing music, hiking, going to concerts, traveling, and watching Florida State football.

Office Location:  Kennesaw Campus

Psychologist

oojeda@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
A 170

Joined CPS: 2019

Professional Interests: Anxiety and stress management, family issues, identity development, trauma, first-generation college students, supervision and training.

Education: Ph.D. Counseling Psychology, University of Minnesota; M.A. Community Counseling, Gonzaga University; B.A. Psychology, Brigham Young University-Idaho

Therapeutic Style: Psychodynamic approach that looks at how early experiences form a person’s worldview and current patterns as well as influences from Person Centered and Cognitive Behavioral therapies. This manifests in the importance of the therapeutic relationship and concrete skills to help facilitate change.

Supervision Style: A psychodynamic approach to supervision where it is important to focus on the relationship between the supervisor and supervisee as the basis for the work. While also taking a developmental approach that meets supervisees where they are and balances support with challenge to encourage personal and professional development.

Personal Interests: Spending time with family and friends, reading, crafts, and listening to podcasts.

Office Location:  Marietta Campus

Psychologist & Part-Time Assistant Professor of Psychology

srifkin@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2419

Joined CPS: July, 2010

Education: Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Tennessee; M.S. Psychology, Temple University; B.S. Psychology, Brooklyn College

Professional Interests: Mental health issues on college campuses, anxiety, depression, stress, interpersonal conflicts, motivation, study skills, time management, teaching, and clinical and forensic psychology.

Therapeutic Style: A generalist with a multicultural focus emphasizing an interpersonal supportive approach that encourages personal growth, personal responsibility, and cognitive and emotional self-awareness, and will enable individuals to feel competent and self-directive in their approach to life issues.

Supervision Style: An interactive observer and participant who is focused on challenging and enabling supervisees to learn and understand the value, limits, and significance of their professional role and skills, to develop and have confidence in their unique therapeutic style, to become aware of the impact of their feelings and perceptions, and to enhance their diversity of professional and personal skills.

Personal Interests: Family, travel, and photography.

Office Location:  Kennesaw Campus

Staff Therapist

rruther6@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2408

Joined CPS: 2023

Professional Interests:  Addiction, Depression, Anxiety, Religion & Spirituality, Identity Development, and Mens Issues

Education: M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Mercer University; B.S. Psychology, Minor in Religious Studies, Kennesaw State University

Therapeutic Style: A Culturally-informed Person-centered approach, using Narrative Therapy to reauthor life stories that are no longer adaptive and Existential Therapy to push for growth and begin to implement change. Positive, warm, and empathic counseling allowing for students to feel understood and validated while discussion is challenging and direct in order to accomplish desired goals.

Personal Interests: Being outdoors hiking and camping with two Pitties, reading fantasy books, experiencing different cultures, and playing board and video games with family and friends

Office Location:  Kennesaw Campus

Staff Therapist

astorno@kennesaw.edu
(470) 578-6600
KH 2415

Joined CPS: 2018

Professional Interests: Women’s issues, couples and relationship concerns, and difficulties obtaining self-acceptance.

Education: M.A. Clinical Psychology with a Marriage and Family Therapy emphasis, Pepperdine University; B.A. Clinical Psychology, Clark Atlanta University

Therapeutic Style: A client-centered approach to promote confidence in healthy decision making to ultimately obtain self-acceptance. The goal is to facilitate a non-judgmental atmosphere to fully understand and advocate your wants and needs.

Personal Interests: Spending time with friends and family, visiting local restaurants and trying new food, shopping, exercising, traveling to amazing museums, and listening to music.

Office Location:  Kennesaw Campus