Meet Our FVTC Counselors

Dr. Kelly earned her Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Science in Community Mental Health Counseling, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Education with a concentration in Leadership and Administration. Dr. Kelly has extensive experience supporting students through a variety of mental health and personal challenges.

Dr. Kelly's clinical and scholarly work centers on the experiences of self-identified Black/African American individuals, with specialized expertise in Critical Race Theory and Racial Battle Fatigue. She is passionate about creating culturally responsive spaces that promote healing, empowerment, and resilience. In addition to her clinical practice, she facilitates a Black Women's Support Group in the Fox Valley region and at Fox Valley Technical College, fostering community connection and emotional wellness among Black women.

Through her work as a therapist, educator, facilitator, and advocate, Dr. Kelly remains committed to advancing mental health equity, supporting student success, and empowering individuals and communities through culturally informed care and leadership.

Kathy holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Carroll College and a Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology, with an emphasis in School Counseling, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, Kathy has supported individuals of all ages as they navigate educational, personal, and life challenges. At Fox Valley Technical College, her work has focused on career development and solution-focused brief counseling, helping students identify strengths, overcome obstacles, and achieve their goals.

Kathy believes that life's challenges and stressors can sometimes feel overwhelming, and reaching out for support is often one of the hardest first steps. She is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment where every student feels valued, heard, and respected. Her goal is to help you strengthen your mental well-being, develop practical coping strategies, and build the skills and confidence needed to thrive both personally and academically.

Kara holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Counseling and has spent nearly 30 years working alongside parenting students as they navigate the unique challenges of pursuing an education while raising a family. For the past 10 years, she has also taught Starting Point, a program designed to support young women and parents as they build confidence, overcome barriers, and take meaningful steps toward their educational and personal goals.

Kara is passionate about helping students recognize their strengths and discover practical solutions that move them forward. Kara's counseling style is calm, supportive, and collaborative, drawing from solution-focused strategies, cognitive behavioral approaches, and motivational interviewing. She strongly believes in connecting students not only to campus resources but also to community supports that can help students and their families thrive. Her goal is to create a welcoming space where students feel seen, supported, and empowered. Kara believes that when students and their families are supported, there is an opportunity to create lasting and even generational change.

Renee holds a Master of Arts in Counseling (MAC) with over 25 years of experience supporting students as they navigate life, school, and personal challenges. She specializes in both career development and brief solution-focused counseling. Her approach is caring, practical, and goal-oriented, focused on helping you find meaningful progress. She is experienced in working with individuals across all age groups, recognizing that every stage of life brings its own unique opportunities and hurdles.

Renee strongly believes in the mind-body connection and that true wellness is holistic. She works with students to align their mental health, educational, and personal goals. Outside of the office, you will usually find her practicing what she preaches by attending various fitness classes with friends, walking her two energetic little dogs, or enjoying time with her family.

Mike holds a master's degree in Educational Psychology and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He works with clients to address symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, OCD, and Trauma. He utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has received intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). He specializes in treating PTSD, OCD, Addiction, and Co-occurring conditions.

Mike is a high school dropout and believes past failures do not define our future. He is in recovery from both mental health and substance abuse concerns. Mike believes you can never have too many coping skills. The relationship you have with your thoughts and feelings will almost entirely dictate the quality of your life. Please reach out if we can help.