Who can I talk to?

Burke is a Kansas City native.  He graduated with a B.A. in Speech Communications from UMKC, and an M.S. in Counseling from the University of Central Missouri.  He earned his Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) while working at Santa Fe Community College in New Mexico.  He has 25 years of community college counseling experience.

His counseling approach focuses on creating a supportive and empathetic environment to help students discuss and cope with life transitions, difficult emotions, stress, and mental health issues.  He works collaboratively with each individual to build upon their diverse personal strengths and resources, find the strategies and techniques that work for them, and to identify empowering social and community networks.

In his spare time, Burke practices yoga, is learning to speak Spanish and enjoys hiking, kayaking, golfing, and time with family.

Connie joined MCC as a part-time counselor in fall 2021. Before MCC-Longview, she had 20 years of postsecondary and career counseling experience. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology/Criminal Justice from Missouri Western State University and a Master's in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin.

Connie enjoys assisting students with career decision-making, academic concerns (study skills, stress management, time management, testing anxiety) and personal issues. As a former first-generation college student, she realizes that many students need help with understanding everything from basic college terminology to comprehending the college process to knowing how to seek out the appropriate resources.

She is dedicated to helping students overcome barriers and achieve success.

Sara earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2008 and her Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling in 2012 from Missouri State University. She obtained her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) while working for the State of Missouri's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as a Counselor in 2015. She joined MCC in 2015, serving as Disability Support Services Coordinator at MCC-Maple Woods and Blue River.

Sara’s professional interests include time management, anxiety management, and helping students adjust to college. She has assisted many students in learning to incorporate anxiety/stress management techniques into their everyday lives. Using technology, like smartphone apps, helps students maintain these techniques.

Her interests outside of work include:

• Relaxing with family and friends
• Reading
• Watching the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues
• Enjoying the outdoors

Angela loves meeting with students and is excited to embrace the beautiful diversity MCC students bring!

Angela has 25 years of experience serving students at Cal Poly Pomona, Berklee College of Music, Boston University, Denver Seminary, and as a social-emotional and classroom teacher in Title I schools. She earned an M.Ed. in Counseling from Boston University, and teaching credential and B.A. in Communication from CSU San Bernardino. Angela is a Certified Emotionally Focused Individual and Couples Therapist and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Missouri.

Angela enjoys reading Enneagram personality books, drinking coffee with buddies, listening to live music, taking woodsy walks, and spending time with her husband, their peekapoo Nutmeg, and three incredible adult stepchildren and partners.

Whether you are dealing with relationship stress, struggling to find motivation for learning, feeling hopeless and anxious, or need help figuring out your next steps, Angela is here to support you. She offers encouragement, provides resources, connects students with staff and faculty, and offers a safe space to help you gain clarity and renewal.

Jeff has worked in education for more than 20 years and has been a counselor at MCC since 2005. He grew up in North Carolina, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Education at UNC-Chapel Hill and his Master of Science in Counseling at UNC-Greensboro.

His passion is to assist students in achieving their dreams. His job is to help you overcome obstacles to be your best self and meet your goals. He is happy to assist you with your personal and academic concerns. While each student is unique, he generally has a person-centered, solution-focused approach.

His priorities outside of work are his daughter, social justice and pancakes, usually in that order.

Pam earned a Masters in Counseling from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2019. In 2023, she obtained her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and National Counselor Certification (NCC).

Pam is looking forward to helping students that are seeking self-exploration and personal development. Her Person-Centered and Emotion Focused Therapy emphasizes a safe non-judgmental environment. She will work with you to help you identify, experience and express your emotions to help you uncover your strengths and potential.

Leslie is a native of Kansas City and proud to be its #1 fan! She graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theater, focusing on costume design, and later earned a Master of Education in Counseling Education from Clemson University.

Leslie has dedicated her entire career to higher education, primarily in Residential Life and Medical Education. She is a passionate advocate for all students and works to help them overcome barriers that hinder their academic progress. This includes addressing access to basic needs as well as managing the anxieties that come with being a student and navigating life. Transitions can be challenging for everyone, but with the right support, everyone can successfully navigate these changes.

In her spare time, Leslie enjoys exploring Kansas City, reading, attending live theater—especially musicals—and spending time with her family and friends

Terry has worked in various student roles in higher education for ten years. He received his Master's degree in Counseling from Avila University and now serves as a counselor at MCC. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in Philosophy and approached much of his counseling from this blended perspective.

His main concerns and passions center on well-being and living a vital and fulfilling life. To do this, he focuses on a holistic approach and addresses physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being to ensure that we all can live our best lives.

Terry chose to work in higher education because he believes it is a great place to help people realize their potential and offers him an opportunity to forge strong mentoring relationships that will help support students in pursuing their goals.

Terry hopes to foster an environment that makes any student feel welcome, safe and not judged, no matter the circumstances.

Terry is an avid practitioner of mindfulness activities such as Tai Chi, Chi Gong and meditation in his free time. He loves to read on many different subjects, from philosophy to psychology to quantum physics. He is a huge fan of Sci-Fi books, films and television.

Terry loves to spend time with friends and family, and his favorite group activities are typically centered on board games, of which he has an extensive collection. He is also a huge foodie; he loves to travel, explore, and generally experience new things.

Dawn Brady has been on the MCC-Penn Valley counseling staff since 2011 and has over 23 years of counseling experience. She chose to work in a college setting because she enjoys working with students who are in the process of making or "re-making" plans and goals for the future.

Dawn is experienced working with students on various issues such as self development, college success strategies, organization, and time management.

Dawn also works with students who have personal concerns that may interfere with or impact their performance in school. Dawn assists prospective and current students in reaching their potential.

Dawn has served in a counseling capacity since 1997. She is a licensed professional counselor. Her counseling approach is solution-focused and rationally based, focusing on the interaction between thoughts, behavior and emotions and how it impacts the individual.

Dawn has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Missouri Western State University and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Northwest Missouri State University.

Students report that Dawn makes them feel welcome, respected, valued and genuinely concerned about students.

In Dawn's spare time, she enjoys the outdoors, traveling, spending time with family, friends and her dog and cat. Dawn reports that one of the best parts of the winter weather season (because cold weather is not it) is watching college basketball