President- Dr. Jana Biery

School: Manhattan High School

Email: janabi@usd383.org

My name is Jana Biery, I am the current KSCA President. I am in my 15th year in education, my 5th working as a school counselor for the Manhattan-Ogden school district. I graduated with my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision in May of 2022 from Kansas State University. I have 3 young boys and being a “boy” mom has become one of my favorite roles! I am a runner, a K-State lover, and spend way too much time at my kid’s sporting events! I am excited to serve as President this year and continue the great work our organization has done.

Past President- Dr. Lyndsey Brown

School: Emporia State University

Resides in Wichita, Kansas

Email: lbrown24@emporia.edu

Dr. Lyndsey Brown is an Assistant Professor in Counselor Education at Emporia State University. She has previously served as a school counselor at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels. She received her Bachelors in Elementary Education, Masters degree in School Counseling, and PhD in Counselor Education from Kansas State University. (Go Cats!) Lyndsey served as KSCA awards chair for two years and is excited to lead the amazing team of counselors representing Kansas School Counselors! She is excited to advocate for the role of School Counselors in Kansas and to help other school counselors develop comprehensive school counseling programs in their schools.

President Elect- Melanie Scott

School District: USD 443

Resides in Dodge City

Email: scott.melanie@usd443.org

My name is Melanie Scott, I am the current President Elect. I am in my 23rd year in education. I have been a school counselor at the middle level and I have served as a high school counselor since 2007. I have a full caseload and I am currently the department head at Dodge City High School. I am the mom to a 16 year-old son and an 8 year old girl. We are enjoying our new sheepadoodle, Yeti Barketti! He is going through training this semester to become a certified therapy dog. I cannot wait to have him with me, bringing calm and love to my high schools students and staff. In my spare time I love yoga and to be outdoors, especially finding new trails to hike. I am a second year PhD student at Kansas State University, in the program of Counselor Education and Supervision. I am very passionate about school counselor advocacy, ethics, and neuroscience in education. My mission as President Elect this year is transparency and support for our KSCA members. We appreciate every one of you and all you do for our Kansas students and families!

Secretary- Laura Douglas

School District: USD 337- Royal Valley

Resides in Mayetta, KS

Email: douglasl@rv337.org

Laura came to be a School Counselor after earning a unique educational background. In 2017 she joined KSCA & ASCA as a student, and knew she had found where she was meant to be! In the Fall of 2017, Laura became the Middle School Counselor of her Alma Mater, Royal Valley. Laura fell in love with KSCA as a grad student when she attended Mental Health day at the Capitol where she enjoyed the opportunity to advocate for mental health needs in our schools. KSCA excites Laura because it brings together amazing professionals who all share a common goal.

Laura adores working with students, her sense of humor, and warmth allow her to build amazing connections with her students & families. Laura’s favorites include unicorns, dinosaurs, sharks, Legos, and all things Disney!

Treasurer- Coree Mueller

School District: USD 263 Mulvane High

Email: cmueller@usd263.org

After teaching high school English for 10 years, I found myself wanting to change the role I was in while still staying in education. The 2022-2023 school year will be my fifth year of school counseling, and second year at my current school. I am excited about the prospects and the opportunities I have been given to enact some great change for the school’s counseling program in an effort to move it towards a comprehensive program. I am also quite excited to be part of the KSCA executive board to continue learning more about school counseling and how to best advocate for not only our students but our roles in schools.

Secondary Vice-President- Ashley Wick

School District: USD 337 Royal Valley High School

Resides in Mayetta, KS

Email: wicka@rv337.org

Ashley Wick has been a school counselor for Royal Valley High School for 5 years. Before becoming a school counselor, Ashley taught 5th and 6th grade for 5 years. While being a high school counselor, Ashley enjoys developing relationships with her students and helping them plan for their futures after high school.

Ashley serves as the KSCA Vice President for the Secondary Level. She is very excited to be a part of the KSCA team again this year and is looking forward to connecting with other school counselors across the state of Kansas!

Middle Level Vice-President- Daniel Ruda

School: Seaman Middle School

Resides in: Topeka, KS

Email: druda@usd345.com

This year begins my 4th school year as a school counselor. Prior to becoming a school counselor I taught Success 101, Career and Life Planning, at the Freshman level. In addition to counseling I also coach Freshmen Girls Basketball and Varsity Softball. My wife and I have two elementary aged boys and stay busy with their activities/sports. I am very excited to be a part of the KSCA team this year!

Elementary Level Vice President-Nicole Burdette

School: Valley Center Intermediate School

Email: nicole.burdette@usd262.net

Nicole Burdette has been a school counselor for the Valley Center School District for 12 years. In her current role, Nicole is one of two school counselors at Valley Center Intermediate School, which serves over 480 students in 4th-5th grade. Nicole has a great passion for all things school counseling and works diligently to implement a relevant and comprehensive counseling program in her building. Some of her professional interests include social emotional learning, trauma informed practices and utilizing creative techniques to engage students in the classroom, small group and individual counseling .

Vice-President of Post Secondary- Dr. Melissa Briggs PhD, LCPC, RDT, RPT-S

Assistant Professor Drama Therapy, KSU

Resides: Topeka, KS

mbriggs@ksu.edu

My name is Dr. Melissa Briggs and I am the KSCA VP of Post-Secondary. I am an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University in Drama Therapy. I teach courses that include Counselor Education, Creative Arts Therapy, Internship and Play Therapy. I am a Vice President of Residential and Treatment Services at Pathway Family Services. I love the opportunity to grow counselors and create environments that promote empowerment, nurture and skills development. I love being involved in KSCA because of the amazing leadership and consistent advocacy for the field.

KSCA Chairs

Recruitment Chair- Alicia Jackson

School District: Olathe School District

Resides: Olathe, KS

Email: aajackson@olatheschools.org

Hello! I am honored to support KSCA as past-president for the 2020-21 school year. Being a school counselor fills my heart with joy and we are needed now more than ever. I began my journey as a high school counselor 16 years ago and currently serve as the school counseling coordinator for Olathe Public Schools. I love connecting with school counselors from across our state as we support each other and work to meet our students' needs.

Awards Chair- Cassandra Wetzel

School District: Olathe School District

Resides in Olathe

Email: cawetzel@olatheschools.org

My name is Casi (KC) Wetzel and I am in my 6th year as a School Counselor and 14th year in Education. I am an ISU Cyclone but recently became a KSU Wildcat in May 2022 when I graduated with my PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. The role of a School Counselor is incredibly important and I am passionate about empowering and helping others as well as celebrating our amazing profession. Outside of the Counseling world, I love to share experiences with my two amazing children and riding my Peloton bike. I look forward to celebrating you and all of your accomplishments as a School Counselor! Remember, your work matters. You matter!

By-Laws & Ethics Chair- Mallory Jacobs

School District: USD 501- Whitson Elementary

Resides in Holton, Kansas

Email: mjacobs@tps501.org

Hello Rockstar School Counselors! My name is Mallory Jacobs and I am your co-chair for KSCA Bylaws and Ethics for the 2022-2023 school year! I am in my 11th year as a counselor; I am currently one of the school counselors at Whitson Elementary in Topeka Public Schools, where I am also the lead elementary counselor. You will often “spot” me in leopard and cheetah print! I am very excited for this opportunity to be on the KSCA board. As our world is changing, I am confident that we will create our path and encourage, shape, and empower students, families, and staff. I am excited to give back to our profession that has given me so much. Thank you and I look forward to working with you! Don’t forget to be awesome!

By-Laws & Ethics Chair- Nick Brummet

School: Clay Center Middle School

Email: nickbrummet@usd379.org

This is my 6th year as a school counselor. I have worked at the elementary and middle school levels. I have held numerous leadership positions at the state level. I was previously the Kansas Counseling Association President, President-Elect, and Past President, as well as serving as the Kansas Counselors Conference co-chair for the past three years. I have also served as a graduate student chair and media chair. I love advocating for and serving counselors across our great state of Kansas. I look forward to connecting with you this year!

Membership Chair- Jean Ryan

Topeka Public Schools USD 501

Resides in Topeka

Email: jryan@tps501.org

This is my 11th year as a school counselor. I went through the alternatives pathway at KSU after working many years in social services, educational programming and a college access program. I have been at the elementary and middle school levels and have found my home at middle school. I have 2 grown sons and 2 rescue dogs. I spend a lot of time reading, biking, crocheting and hanging with friends. I am looking forward to this year and all that it brings.

Technology and Social Media Chair- Chelcie Heitman

School District: USD 321 St. Marys Jr./Sr. High

Resides in Topeka, KS

Email: chelcieheitman@gmail.com

This is my start of my tenth year as a school counselor and second year as 7-12 counselor at St. Marys Jr./Sr. High! I have previously worked in the Seaman School District as the freshman school counselor and as a middle school counselor. I truly love being a counselor and working with adolescent students. In my spare time I enjoy traveling, cooking, reading, and going to K-State sporting events. I'm super excited for what KSCA has planned this year!

Technology and Social Media Chair- Hannah Kemble

USD 437 - Indian Hills Elementary - Topeka

Resides in Lawrence

Email: kemblhan@usd437.net

Hanna Kemble is a former website and advertising project manager turned school counselor. She is entering her 7th year in school counseling and works at Indian Hills Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas with her four legged companion, Piper, the Therapy Dog. Hanna is also the Dean of Elementary School Counselors for the Auburn-Washburn School District, and the co-host of the “Kickin’ it with KSCA” podcast . She is passionate about keeping her finger on the pulse of education, getting others excited about the profession, and above all doing what is best for Kansas kids. She idolizes Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus, and in her free time enjoys training therapy dog hopeful, Pickles, her puppy.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair- Dr. Susana Oritz

Admin Liaison- Craig Ryan

Graduate Student Rep- Kodi Shouse