Faculty and Staff

The faculty in the Department of Counseling and Development are engaged, committed to student centered learning, known for teaching excellence, and have received terminal degrees from outstanding doctoral programs throughout the United States. In addition to their teaching duties, faculty members are involved in scholarly activities ranging from original research to presenting papers at the state, national and international levels. Graduate students are encouraged to collaborate with faculty in all aspects of professional research including publications, grant writing, and professional presentations.

Molly Mistretta, PH.D.-Department Chair

CONTACT INFORMATION

Molly Mistretta, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Department Chair

Program Coordinator, M.A. in Student Affairs and Higher Education

724.738.2353

molly.mistretta@sru.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Administrative and Policy Studies, University of Pittsburgh
M.S. in College Student Personnel Administration, Indiana University
B. A. in Political Science, Westminster College

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Mistretta's primary research interest focuses on the issue of burnout and secondary traumatic stress in education settings (P-20). Work cultures in higher education, particularly within student affairs, can promote the development of burnout. Dr. Mistretta's research seeks to understand the impact of burnout and secondary traumatic stress, as well as examine the benefits of self-care and trauma-informed practices as part of an overall supportive work environment to promote resiliency.

The second area of research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning. Dr. Mistrstta's primary motivator in becoming a professor was to teach. Engaging with students as they learn and apply what they are learning to their professional practice is where she finds great satisfaction. Therefore, she is intensely curious about the factors that best produce deep learning. Often, Dr. Mistretta's research in this area is directly informed by her own experiences in the classroom as an instructor and learner. This area of scholarship represents innovations in teaching that enhance students’ current academic and future professional success.

PRACTIONER EXPERIENCE

Dr. Mistretta teaches coursework across the curriculum, in both the Student Affairs and Higher Education and Clinical Mental Health programs. In addition, she supervises students completing their fieldwork requirements in Student Affairs. As a former Student Affairs professional, Dr. Mistretta worked in the areas of housing and residence life, student leadership development, and retention/student support for over 15 years. She served in a variety of institutional settings that included large state flagship institutions, mid-size regional comprehensive state universities, and small private liberal arts colleges.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Gentzel, J. & Mistretta, M.A. (2023). Making the most of study abroad: Improving outcomes associated with cross-cultural immersion and engagement. In Tours, S.B. & Lynch, J.M. (Eds.) Developing effective international education experiences: Preparing pre-service teachers for the classroom. Wilmington, DE: Vernon Press.
Mistretta, M.A. & DuBois, A.L. (2022, February). When caring hurts: Compassion fatigue in educational settings. Today’s Learner: The Faculty Blog for Research, Resources and Real Talk in Higher Ed. https://todayslearner.cengage.com/when-caring-hurts-compassion-fatigue-in-educational-settings/
Mistretta, M.A. & DuBois, A.L. (2020). Burnout and compassion fatigue in student affairs. In M. Sallee (Ed.), Developing the whole professional: Rethinking student affairs work. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, LLC.
DuBois, A.L. & Mistretta, M.A. (2019). Overcoming burnout and compassion fatigue in schools: A guide for counselors, administrators, and educators. New York, NY: Routledge.
Ignelzi, M.G., Rychener, M.A., Mistretta, M.A., & Jacob, S.A. (2017). Complex Cases in Student Affairs: Preparing Early Career Professionals for Practice. New York, NY: Routledge.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Jacob, S.A., Mistretta, M.A., & Musoba, G.D. (2022, March). Moving Student Learning Forward Using Backwards Design: Designing Programs, Trainings, and Workshops that Guide and Assess Student Learning. Presented at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Conference in Baltimore, MD.
DuBois, A.L. & Mistretta, M.A. (2022, March). The Importance of Self-Care: Addressing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Higher Education. Presented to the Annual Advising Academy Conference for the College System of Tennessee. Franklin, TN.
Lynch, R. J.; Shalka, T. Mistretta, M.A., & Poon Ghaffari, G. (2021, November). Using Trauma-Informed Care in Qualitative Inquiry. Presented at the Association for the Study of Higher Education annual conference (virtual).
Sallee, M.W., Mistretta, M.A., & Lynch, R.J. (2021, March). Unpacking Ideal Worker Norms as a Barrier to Trauma-Informed Practice in Student Affairs. Presented at the 2021 National Association of Student Personnel Administration annual conference (virtual).

AWARD

Slippery Rock University President's Awards for Scholarly and Creative Achievement, 2022

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and their two teenage boys, Sam and Michael. She also spends time hiking with her dog (Honus), traveling, reading great books, and gardening.

NATALIE DROZDA, PH.D

CONTACT INFORMATION

Natalie A. Drozda, Ph.D., LPC, NCC,

Assistant Professor

Natalie.drozda@sru.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, Duquesne University

M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Slippery Rock University

B.A., in Applied Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Drozda’s research agenda broadly encompasses diversity and wellness. Specific trajectories that she is interested in continuing to pursue include: sexuality of diverse populations, addictions, ecopsychology, and the ways in which trauma affects individuals and communities.

PRACTIONER EXPERIENCE

Dr. Drozda is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania and a nationally certified counselor (NCC). Dr. Drozda has previously worked in inpatient and outpatient facilities focusing on addictions and community mental health. She has served as an expert witness to the courts, providing comprehensive substance use and trauma evaluations in addition to sexual interest testing for individuals accused of various crimes. She is fully trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which she references in her clinical work. At Slippery Rock University Dr. Drozda provides counseling to students and teaches primarily in the graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Levers, L. L. & Drozda, N. (2021). A confluence of crises: Migration, anthropogenic climate change, mass casualties, war, and civil unrest. In L. L. Levers (Ed.), Trauma Counseling: Theories and interventions for managing trauma, stress, crisis, and disaster (2nd ed.). Springer.
Zeleke, W. A., Hughes, T. L., & Drozda, N. (2020). Home–school collaboration to promote mind–body health. In C. Maykel & M. A. Bray (Eds.), Promoting mind–body health in schools: Interventions for mental health professionals (pp. 11–26). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000157-002
Zeleke, W., Hughes, T. L., & Drozda, N. (2019). Disparities in diagnosis and service access for minority children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(10), 4320-4331.
Levers, L. L., & Drozda, N. A. (2018). Embracing a human ecological approach to anthropogenic climate change: The mandate for moving beyond empathy and raising levels of compassion. In G. Magill & J. Potter (Eds.), Integral ecology: Protecting our common home (pp. 83-131). Newcastle upon Tyne, England: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Zeleke, W., Hughes, T. L., Tiberi, A. E., & Drozda, N. (2017). Healthcare and educational services used by children with autism spectrum disorders in poverty. Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Drozda, N. (2022). Substance use and trauma among individuals who offend. MNATSA Virtual Conference. Invited presentation.
Ludwig, R., & Drozda, N. (2021). Supervising Addictions Counselor Trainees: Unique Challenges for Counselors with Personal Recovery History. Presented at Association for Counselor Education and Supervision National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Delmonico, D., & Drozda, N. (2019). #digitaldeviance: Assessment, management, and treatment of sex offenders online. Presented at 27th Annual Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference. Grantville, Pennsylvania.

AWARDS

Nominated for Slippery Rock University Teaching Excellence Award 2021
Woman of Distinction Award, Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania) 2016
Recognized for commitment to improving the status of women, completing scholarships related to women, and mentoring women.

JANE HALE, PH.D

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jane Hale, Ph.D., LPC

Associate Professor

School Counseling Program Coordinator

724.738.4578

jane.hale@sru.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, Duquesne University
M.S. Ed. In Community Counseling and School Counseling, Youngstown State University
B.A. in Sociology, Westminster College

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Hale is certified in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy through the Glasser Institute for Choice Theory She is interested in studying the application of choice theory /reality therapy in teaching, counseling, and supervision. When Dr. Hale was a counseling practitioner, she used choice theory and reality therapy in her counseling work. Now that her primary role is teaching and supervision, she utilizes the approach in these roles. She has experienced success in utilizing Glasser’s theories and writes about the effectiveness of the theory and creative ways to incorporate choice theory and reality therapy into being a counselor, supervisor, and teacher.

PRACTIONER EXPERIENCE

Dr. Hale has an extensive resume of practitioner experience in both the mental health and school counseling fields. She has worked as a therapist in a family-based program, started a private practice specializing in the treatment of adolescents and families, was a professional school counselor at the elementary school level, and provided counseling services to students in a public special education school. Dr. Hale is a certified school counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Hale, J.V. and Beck, J. (2022, April) School counselors' role in ensuring safe and inclusive environments. Chi Sigma Iota Statewide Conference, Villanova, PA.

Hale, J.V. and Schachner, K. (2020, October) Pedagogical innovations in teaching group counseling and facilitating a group completely online. Pennsylvania Counseling Association. Online Conference.
Hale, J.V. (2018, November). Motivation, Meaning, and Relationships through the Quality School Model. Pennsylvania School Counselor's Association 63rd Annual Conference. Hershey, PA.
Hale, J.V. and Hinson, M. (2017, July). Constructing a Quality World by Promoting Social Justice and Advocacy. Diversity is Reality - Respect is a Choice: William Glasser Institute National Conference. Raleigh, NC.
Hale, J.V., Drozda, N., Sindlinger, J., and Love, G. (2015, October). Challenging Ethnocentric Monoculturalism: Implications for Unique and Provocative Pedagogy, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Hale, J. V.(2014, July). A systemic approach in school counseling: Using genograms in a choice theory framework. International Conference-Glasser in the 21^st Toronto, Canada

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Hale, J.V. (2022). Ways to facilitate improvements within the educational community through the use of Choice Theory, Reality Therapy. International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy: An On-Line Journal, 32(1), 61- 6.
Love, G., Hale, J., & Sindlinger, J. (2019). Engaging diversity training without engaging resistance: Provocative approaches with majority-culture counselors-in-training. The International Journal of Organizational Diversity 19(1), 19-28.
Hale, J.V. & Robey, P. (2018). It all begins with relationships: The Glasser Quality School Model In Daniels, K.N. & Billingsby, K, (Ed.) Creating Caring and Supportive Educational Environments for Meaningful Learning. IGI Global.

Hale, J.V. & Sindlinger, J. (2017). Re-envisioning reflective supervision: A Choice Theory/Reality Therapy application using reflecting teams. International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy: An On-Line Journal, 37(1), 57-66.
Hale, J.V. (2017) Making a "choice:" Using family sculpting in family separation groups In Viers, D. (Ed.) The Group Therapist's Notebook, 2nd Edition: Homework, Handouts, and Activities for Use in Psychotherapy. Routledge: A Taylor and Francis Group.

AWARDS

Who’s Who in Choice Theory and Reality Therapy (fall, 2020) in the International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, Volume XV, 1.
Finalist for the President’s Excellence in Teaching Award at Slippery Rock University, 2020-2021
Nominated Outstanding Academic Advisor Award (2014, 2015)

JODI SINDLINGER, PH.D

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jodi Sindlinger, PhD, LPC, NCC, Assistant Professor

Program Coordinator, M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

jodi.sindlinger@sru.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision, Duquesne University

M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Slippery Rock University

B.A. in Psychology, Penn State University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Sindlinger’s areas of scholarship include counselor education, supervision of counselors-in-training, and the scholarship of teaching & learning. Scholarly interests include counselor/clinical supervision, program evaluation, self-study as action research, school-based mental health, identity development in college students, and school counseling.

PRACTIONER EXPERIENCE

Dr. Sindlinger joined SRU in 2008 while serving as Director of Behavioral Health Services at an Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic in Western Pennsylvania. She has 25+ years of professional counseling and counseling-related experience working with adults, youth, and families in Pennsylvania and Nevada. She has held professional positions in community-based behavioral healthcare, outpatient psychiatric & psychotherapy clinics, alcohol & other drug treatment programs, college/universities, public & private school districts, and private practice. She maintains professional licensure in PA and is an active counselor and consultant in private practice.

Dr. Sindlinger is the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Graduate Program Coordinator and an Assistant Professor of Counseling in the Department of Counseling & Development. She teaches a variety of courses within the School Counseling and CMHC programs and supervises students in advanced fieldwork. Dr. Sindlinger leads the Department’s Strategic Planning Committee, serves as the University Liaison to the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling & Counseling-Related Programs (CACREP), and led the CMHC team successfully through the accreditation process.

Dr. Sindlinger serves as Faculty Facilitator for Chi Sigma Iota, International Honor Society in Counseling (Alpha Gamma Chapter). She is a Counseling Advisory Board member for several local school districts and a member of a number of professional organizations including the American Counseling Association, American School Counseling Association, American School Counseling Association, PA School Counseling Association and the Eastern Educational Research Association.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS

Sindlinger, J., (2022, Feb. 3-4). Covid-in-context: Undergraduate Students’ Experiences of Covid-Related Circumstances within and Beyond the Educational Environment. (Paper Presentation). The 45th Annual Eastern Educational Research Association Conference.
Sindlinger, J., (2022, Feb. 3-4). Supervisor role call: Finding commonality as supervisors of teacher candidates, counselors-in-training, etc. (Round Table Presentation). The 45th Annual Eastern Educational Research Association Conference.
Carney, J., Hettinger, K., Behrend, B., Stallings, E., Sindlinger, J., White, K., Dennis, B. and Windham, H. (2021, February 18-19). Impact of COVID-19 on the college environment: Considering impact on students and faculty. [Special Invited Session]. The 44th Annual Eastern Educational Research Association Conference.
Sindlinger, J., Hale, J., McCoy, M. (2020, October 2-4). Coping in college: An examination of college students' coping styles [60-minute Educational Session canceled]. 52nd Annual Pennsylvania Counseling Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA.
Love, G., Hale, J., & Sindlinger, J. (2019). Engaging diversity training without engaging resistance: Provocative approaches with majority-culture counselors-in-training. The International Journal of Organizational Diversity 19(1), 19-28.
Ignelzi, M., Sindlinger, J., & Walker. S. (2019, March 3-8). Ethical dilemmas of undergraduates: Changes over the past 20 years. Presented at the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) convention, Boston, MA.

LICENSURE & CERTIFICATION

Licensed Professional Counselor | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Certified Professional School Counselor | Pennsylvania Dept. of Education
Nationally Certified Counselor | National Board for Certified Counselors

AWARDS

Finalist-President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Slippery Rock University 2021/22

JOHN MATHE, PH.D.

CONTACT INFORMATION

John R. Mathe, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, Assistant Professor & Student Athlete Counselor/Liaison

724.738.4267

john.mathe@sru.edu

EDUCATION

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, Duquesne University.
M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Slippery Rock University.
B.S. in Psychology (Clinical), Robert Morris University.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Mathe’s primary research interests are personality, nightmares, and the college student. In addition, Dr. Mathe focuses on the personality construct of Mental Boundaries to understand individuals. Dr. Mathe also has a focus on psychometrics and scale development.

PRACTIONER EXPERIENCE

Dr. Mathe is an assistant professor at Slippery Rock University, a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of Pennsylvania, and a nationally certified counselor (NCC). Dr. Mathe has worked with various populations, including children/adolescents, adults, older adults, and substance abuse. At Slippery Rock University, Dr. Mathe is the Student-Athlete counselor, primarily working with student-athletes ’mental health and performance. Dr. Mathe also teaches in the graduate counseling program and undergraduate classes.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Mathe, J. R., & Kelly, W. E. (2022). An Exploratory Factor Analysis on the Boundary Questionnaire 18: Insights for Future Research. Imagination, Cognition, and Personality, 42(1), 77-86.
Kelly, W. E., & Mathe, J. R., (2021). Facets of the Nightmare Proneness Scale and their relationships to nightmares, negative affect, and psychological distress. Sleep and Hypnosis, 21(4), 360-370.
Kelly, W. E., & Mathe, J. R., (2020). Comparison of single- and multiple-item nightmare frequency measures. International Journal of Dream Research, 13(2), 136-142.
Kelly, W. E., & Mathe, J. R., (2019). A brief self-report measure for frequent distressing nightmares: The Nightmare Experience Scale (NExS). Dreaming, 29(2), 180–195.
Kelly, W. E., Mathe, J. R., & Yu, Q. (2018). Speciﬁc versus scaled estimates: A comparison of two approaches to measuring retrospective nightmare frequency. International Journal of Dream Research, 11(2), 203-206.

CHRIS CUBERO, PH.D.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Christopher G. Cubero, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Alcohol and Other Drug Program Director

724.738.4267

chris.cubero@sru.edu

EDUCATION

Ph. D. Rehabilitation Counseling & Administration, East Carolina University
M.S. Rehabilitation/Clinical Substance Abuse Counseling, East Carolina University
B.S. Psychology, Pennsylvania State University

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Cubero's research interests include addiction related topics including alcohol education interventions and gambling. Other interests include multicultural counselor competence, organizational leadership and attitudes toward persons with disabilities and clinical counseling supervision.

PRACTIONER EXPERIENCE

Dr. Cubero's teaching experience includes: Adjunct Instructor (East Carolina University) and Associate Professor (Slippery Rock University). As a counseling professional: Outpatient Therapist (Family Counseling Center; 3/2012-9/2014), Private practice Addiction Counselor for Urton and Associates (2004-2008) and Tar River Associates (2005-2008), North Carolina state licensed High School Counselor Nash-Rocky Mount Schools (2001-2005), Outpatient Substance Abuse Counselor Edgecombe-Nash Mental Health Center (1996-2001), Mental Health Technician Coastal Plains Hospital (1995-1996), and Senior Residential Counselor Strawberry Fields Inc. (1993-1995).

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Cubero, G. C. & VanSteenberg, D. (2021). Twelve-plus years of Secondary and Tertiary Alcohol and Other Drug Use Prevention Programming on a College Campus: Making the Case for Risk-Matched Education. Journal of Addiction & Prevention, 9(1).

Cubero, C. G. (2011). Multicultural counselor competency in college counseling centers: Recommendations for implementation. Michigan Journal of Counseling Research, Theory & Practice, 38(1), 33-44.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Cubero, C. G. (2022). Cultural Auditing, Case Studies, and Competency Ratings: Enhancing Graduate Trainee Multicultural Counseling Competence. Counselor’s View of Italy. June.

Cubero, C. G. (2021). Use of Cultural Auditing, Case Studies, and Competency Ratings to Improve Multicultural Counselor Competence in AOD Program Interviewer Trainees. Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE), June.
Cubero, C. G. & Arthur, J. (2020). College Student Alcohol and Other Drug Secondary Prevention Program: Evidence-Based Harm Reduction Education Grounded on Student Levels of Risk. Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE), June.

Cubero, C. G. & Storm, J. (2019). Substance use among LGBT Students. Third Annual Pennsylvania LGBTQA Health Conference, June 19.

Crytzer, M., Cubero, C. G. & Robare, J. F. (2019). Inter-Professional Education and Inter-professional Practice. Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare Conference, April 29-30.
Love, G., Cubero, C. G. & Clay, M. (2016). Slippery Rocks and Building Blocks: The Successful Creation of a Holistic Collaborative Residential Collegiate Recovery Program. 7th National Collegiate Recovery Conference, April.

PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP

Director of the SRU Alcohol and Other Drug Program from August, 2008 to present
Clinical Director for the Slippery Rock University Student Counseling Center from August, 2014 to August 2017

Counseling and Development

Faculty and Staff

Counseling and Development

Contact Information