Vita Table of Contents

EDUCATION  (top of page)

Texas A&M University - Commerce

Commerce, Texas

May, 2000

Doctor of Philosophy

Major: Counseling

Minor - Secondary Higher Education

                Dissertation topic: Relationship Between National Accreditation Standards and Graduate Knowledge as Measured By the National Counselor Examination For Licensure and Certification (NCE)

 Northeast Louisiana University

 Monroe, Louisiana

August, 1997

Masters of Education

Major: Community Counseling

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, Louisiana

November, 1995

Bachelor of Arts

Major:  Psychology

Minor:  Business  

Louisiana Tech University

Ruston, Louisiana

November, 1984 

Associate of General Studies

Major: Business

LICENSES and CERTIFICTIONS    (top of page)

Approved Clinical Supervisor

National Certified Counselor – 48925

Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselor – 0828

Texas Licensed Professional Counselor – 16358 (Inactive Status)

MEMBERSHIPS    (top of page)

American Counseling Association

Association for Specialists in Group Work

Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors

American Mental Health Counselors Association

Mississippi Counseling Association

Mississippi Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors

Mississippi Association of Licensed Professional Counselors

Delta Regional Counseling Association

Texas Counselors Association

Truax Foundation - Texas A&M University – Commerce

TEACHING EXPERIENCE  (top of page)

Delta State University - Cleveland, MS

2000 – Present  - Assistant Professor

Courses Taught:

TEACHING EXPERIENCE - Teacher of Record (top of page)

Texas A&M University - Commerce  (1998-2000)  

Courses Taught:

TEACHING EXPERIENCE - VISITING LECTURER (top of page)

Clemson University – Clemson, South Carolina

2002 -  Workshop:  Difficult Transitions - Death, Loss, and Grief

Metro State University - Denver, Colorado 

2000 - Lecture:  Difficult Transitions - Death, Loss and Grief  

SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE  

(1997-PRESENT) (top of page)

Supervised Practicum and Internship students in

School, non-profit organizations, and mental health agencies

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE 

(1996-PRESENT) (top of page)

AWARDS / HONORS (top of page)

2002    Delta's Top 50 Business Women

             Selected by The Delta Business Journal and members of the Delta's

             business community

2000    Outstanding Graduate Student

             Department of Counseling - Texas A&M University - Commerce

2000    Outstanding Doctoral Student

             Graduate Students Association - Texas A&M University - Commerce

1999    Summer Research Fellowship Recipient

             National Board for Certified Counselors

             Greensboro, North Carolina

             Awarded by the National Board for Certified counselors, Inc (NBCC)

             in partnership with Research and Assessment Corporation for

             Counseling, Inc. (RACC) and the Association for Assessment in

             Counseling (AAC).

1998    Mini-Grant - $500.00

             Center for Excellence Texas A&M University - Commerce and

             Institute for Personality & Ability Testing - Champaign, Illinois - Team

             Management Concept Using the 16PF

1999    Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges

2000    Delta Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota

Present Delta State University

            Cleveland, Mississippi

1998    Epsilon Tau Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota

2000    Texas A&M - Commerce Chapter  

            Commerce, Texas  

1997    Chi Sigma Iota National Counse lors' Honor Society      

            Monroe, Louisiana

1995    Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society Lifetime Member       

            Ruston, Louisiana

1987  Who's Who of American Women - 16th edition 

OFFICES / COMMITTEES (top of page)

BOOK PUBLICATION (top of page)

November, 2001  Teaching the Mourning Song.  

                             Provides background information on impact of death, grief 

                            recovery, plus suggested weekly activities needed to run an effective, compassionate seven-week grief support group for adults or adolescents with suggested modifications for children’s groups, too.  

ARTICLES / RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS  (top of page)

AUDIO / VIDEO TAPE PUBLICATIONS   (top of page)

Life Beyond Loss: Difficult Transitions (video tape)

Difficult Transitions:  Grief and the Holidays (audio tape)

Effective Group Therapy Techniques (video tape)

All available from Pinewood Productions, Inc.

1399 Hide-Away Lane West, Lindale, Texas 75771

OTHER PUBLICATIONS   (top of page)

September 11, 2002 – Interview for The Bolivar Commercial on what to expect and how to handle grief in relationship to the 9/11/2001 tragedies.  Interviewed by Denise Strub.

January 2002 “He said . . . She said" - Review of "Conscious Communication" video by Hendrix, Carlson, and Love in The Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter-ONLINE, 21(3).  http://www.ericksonnewsletter.org/Archives/21(3).

2000      “Susan’s Soliloquy” in Texas Career Development Association’s

              Newsletter, Spring 2000.

1999     "Career Counseling in Schools: Multicultural and Developmental

          Perspectives" by Herring - Book Review in TCA Journal

1999     "Ethical Decision Making" Book Review of The Ethical Decision-Making Manual For Helping Professionals"  by Steinman, Richardson, McEnroe in Counseling Today

1999     "Quest For Excellence"  Book Review of Strategic Quality Management:  A Strategic Systems Approach to Continuous Improvement  by Pryor, White, & Toombs in The East Texas School Study Council Newsletter

1998     "Coping With Loss" Review of audiotape "Coping With Loss During Older Years -- A Personal and Professional Perspective"  by Mary Goulding in  The Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter

1998     "Youth At Risk" Book Review of Youth At Risk:  A Prevention Resource for Counselors, Teachers, and Parents  by Capuzzi and Gross in The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families

1998     "Being Brief, Being Effective, Being Ethical" Review of  Betty Alice

                Erickson's Keynote Speaker Address at Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors'  Annual Conference in TAMFC NEWSletter  

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS   (top of page)

1996         Multidimensions of Locus of Control and Its Impact on Self-esteem  

                 Northeast Louisiana University - Monroe, Louisiana

1996         Socioeconomic Effects on College Students' Food Consumption and Satisfaction Levels - Southwestern Psychological Association - Houston, Texas

1996         Socioeconomic Effects on College Students' Food Consumption and Satisfaction Levels - Louisiana Academy of Sciences

1996         Socioeconomic Effects on College Students' Food Consumption and Satisfaction Levels - Louisiana Tech University Symposium

1994         A Study of the Effectiveness of Methods Used to Promote Mission

            Offerings - Louisiana Baptist State Women's Missionary Board  

PRESENTATIONS / WORKSHOPS   (top of page)

August 2002      “Difficult Transitions:  Life After Loss” – Professional development workshop for Delta Community Health Partners – Cleveland, MS.

May, 2002         “Difficult Transitions – Life After Loss” – International Grief Symposium - King’s College – London, Ontario, Canada

April 17, 2001     “National Victims’ Rights Week Interview” on WIQQ (102.3) to discuss counseling with victims of domestic violence.

March, 2002     “Supervision Workshop – Counselor Development” – State workshop sponsored by Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association – Hattiesburg, MS.

March, 2002     “Supervision Workshop – Methods and Techniques” – State workshop sponsored by Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association – Hattiesburg, MS.  

February, 2002 “Triumphant Living in the Fast Food Line of Life” – this presentation discusses ways that shame-based identity and high stress lifestyles can prevent triumphant living.  It also provides practical application of methods aimed at resolving the shame and reducing the stress.  Katy Independent School District Staff Development Day, Katy, Texas.

February, 2002 "Development of a Personal Web Site for Instruction Purposes with Graduate Students" - This presentation steps through the processes of building a personal web site that is to be used on a regular basis by graduate students. Student access and usage of the site will also be covered.  Mississippi's Annual PT3 Convocation, Tupelo, Mississippi.

January, 2002 "Life Beyond Loss: Difficult Transitions" - This workshop offers a discussion of individual versus group therapeutic settings related to bereavement counseling.  Also focuses on issues and terminology related to grief, as well as implications of different types of losses.  Provides techniques for 7-week grief support group. (1.5 CEUs) – Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), St. Petersburg, Florida. 

November, 2001 "Grief and the Holidays" Rituals to enable grieving individuals to celebrate the memory of those whose death has impacted their lives. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Upsilon Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota and Department of Counseling of Delta State University, Cleveland, MS.

November, 2001 "Life Beyond Loss: Difficult Transitions" - This workshop offers a discussion of individual versus group therapeutic settings related to bereavement counseling.  Also focuses on issues and terminology related to grief, as well as implications of different types of losses.  Provides techniques for 7-week grief support group. (1.5 CEUs) – Texas Counselors’ Association Professional Growth Conference, Dallas, Texas. 

November, 2001“Supervision Workshop – Counselor Development” – State workshop sponsored by Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association – Clinton, MS.  

November, 2001"Shame-based Identity and Clients' Issues" - Explores difference between healthy shame versus shame-based identity and how this internalized shame manifests itself in a variety of issues presented by clients.  Discussion of socially unacceptable or destructive and socially acceptable issues. (1.5 CEUs) - Mississippi Counselors' Association Professional Growth Conference, Biloxi, Mississippi.  

November, 2001 "Life After Loss" - This workshop offers a discussion of individual versus group therapeutic settings related to bereavement counseling.  Also focuses on issues and terminology related to grief, as well as implications of different types of losses.  Provides techniques for 7-week grief support group. (1.5 CEUs) – Mississippi Counselors’ Association Professional Growth Conference, Biloxi, Mississippi.  

September, 2001“Supervision Workshop – Counselor Development” – State workshop sponsored by Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association – Clinton, MS.

September, 2001“Supervision Workshop – Methods and Techniques” – State workshop sponsored by Mississippi Licensed

                       Professional Counselors Association – Clinton, MS.  

April 29, 2001  “Supervision Workshop – Counselor Development”     – State workshop sponsored by Mississippi Licensed

                       Professional Counselors Association – Clinton, MS.

April 29, 2001  “Supervision Workshop – Methods and Techniques”   – State workshop sponsored by Mississippi Licensed

                       Professional Counselors Association – Clinton, MS.

April 11, 2001  “National Victims’ Rights Week Interview” on WIQQ

                       (102.3) to discuss counseling with victims of domestic

                       violence.

November, 2000 "Grief and the Holidays" Rituals to enable grieving

                        individuals to celebrate the memory of those whose death

                        has impacted their lives. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Upsilon

                        Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota and Department of Counseling of

                        Delta State University, Cleveland, MS.

March, 2001     “Clinical Supervision:  Nuts and Bolts from A-Z for New

                        Professors”  Presentation to discuss the field experience

                        and provide suggestions plus handouts for being effective. 

                        (1.5 CEUs) – American Counseling Association’s World

                        Conference, San Antonio,  Texas.

November, 2000 “Effective Group Techniques”  Practical, effective

                        techniques to assist the novice or experienced group leader

                        to be more effective while involving members in the

                        therapeutic process. (1.5 CEUs) – Texas Counselors’

                        Association Professional Growth Conference, Houston,

                        Texas.

November, 2000 “Standing in the Gap”  This workshop offers an outline and techniques for a 7-week grief group that has been

                         successfully used in multiple settings with diverse

                         populations. (1.5 CEUs) – Texas Counselors’ Association

                         Professional Growth Conference, Houston, Texas.

April, 2000         “Making Peace With Your Past” Part II.  Presentation on

                          resolving past traumas and issues – Cornerstone Baptist Church, Cumby, Texas

March, 2000      “Making Peace With Your Past” Part I.  Presentation on

                          resolving past traumas and issues – Cornerstone Baptist Church, Cumby, Texas

February, 2000  "Understanding Effective Relationships" Keys to establishing and strengthening relationships.  Sponsored by Resident Assistants of Berry Hall at Texas A&M University - Commerce.

February, 2000  "Square Pegs in Round Holes:  Nontraditional Graduate Students Successfully Navigating Grad School" Texas Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (TACES) Mid-Winter Conference, Salado, Texas

December, 1999  "Grief and the Holidays" Rituals to enable grieving individuals to celebrate the memory of those whose death has impacted their lives. Sponsored by Texas A&M University - Commerce - Community Counseling Center.

November, 1999 "What Do I Want to Be When I Grow Up?" Creative methods teaching career development (1.5 CEUs) - Texas Counselors' Association Professional Growth Conference, Corpus Christi, Texas

November, 1999 "Difficult Transitions - Grief and The Holidays" Coping with death and the holidays (1.5 CEUs) - Texas Counselors' Association Professional Growth Conference, Corpus Christi, Texas

October, 1999  "Impact Therapy" Co-facilitated workshop with Dr. Ed Jacobs - New Mexico Counselors Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico

October, 1999  "Creative Counseling Techniques" Co-facilitated workshop with Dr. Ed Jacobs - New Mexico Counselors Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico

October, 1999  "Surviving the First Year of a Doctoral Program" Workshop for first-year  students to assist them with successful transition into the doctoral program.

February, 1999  "The Survival Game: Reframing the First Year as a Doctoral Student" Co-facilitated workshop with Dr. Phyllis Erdman - Texas; Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors Mid-Winter Conference, Austin, Texas

November, 1998 "What Do You Do With 12 Broken Eggs?" Workshop on effective communication  (1.5 CEUs) Texas Counselors' Association Professional Growth Conference, Amarillo, Texas

November, 1998 "Sugar Pills Can Be Bitter, Too" Workshop on grief therapy  (1.5 CEUs) - Texas Counselors' Association Professional Growth Conference, Amarillo, Texas

October, 1998  "Team Building" Co-facilitated two-day workshop with Dr. Ed Jacobs on quality team building - Wadley Regional Medical Center, Texarkana, Texas

Fall, 1998       "Effectively Dealing With Your Grief" Seven-week grief therapy group dealing with death - Community Counseling Center, Commerce, Texas

Spring, 1997   "Effectively Dealing With Your Grief" Seven-week grief therapy group dealing with death - Glenwood Medical Center, Monroe, Louisiana

Spring, 1997  "Triumphant Living in the Fast Food Line of Life"  Six-week workshop on basic relationships building - Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, Louisiana

Spring, 1997  "Triumphant Living in the Fast Food Line of Life"  Six-week workshop on basic relationship building - Glenwood Medical Center, Monroe, Louisiana

Spring, 1997  "Loose Ropes and Sugar Pills" Six-week workshop on death and dying Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, Louisiana 

Spring, 1997  "Loose Ropes and Sugar Pills" Six-week workshop on death and dying - Glenwood Medical Center, Monroe, Louisiana

Summer, 1997 "Loose Ropes and Sugar Pills" Six-week workshop on death and dying - Emmanuel Baptist Church, Ruston, Louisiana

February, 1997  "Good Morning - Live" Featured as a guest on KNOE - Channel 8 With Katheryn Daniels

February, 1997 "Beginning Again" - Feature KNOE - Channel 8's nightly news broadcast; Interview on positive effects of beginning a second career with Katheryn Daniels

Spring, 1997   "Choosing A Career" Career Development Workshop - Ruston High School, Ruston, Louisiana 

Spring, 1997  "I Am UNIQUE In All The World" Personal growth conference on self-esteem - Ruston High School, Ruston, Louisiana 

1992              "Making ADA (American Disabilities Act) Manageable" 

                      Conducted seminars and in-house training for area corporations on understanding and implementing effective compliance changes - Greater Houston area businesses  

PSYCHOTHERAPY GROUPS  (top of page)

2000    "Making Peace With Your Past" Thirteen week group experience on resolving past issues - Community Counseling Center, Commerce, Texas  

2000    "Difficult Transitions:  Life Beyond Loss" Seven week group experience on resolving grief issues and moving on with life- Community Counseling Center, Commerce, Texas  

1999    "Making Peace With Your Past" Thirteen week group experience on resolving past issues - Community Counseling Center, Commerce, Texas  

1999    "Difficult Transitions:  Life Beyond Loss" Seven week group experience on resolving grief issues and moving on with life - Community Counseling Center, Commerce, Texas  

1999    "Difficult Transitions:  Life Beyond Loss" Seven week group experience on resolving grief issues and moving on with life - Texas A&M University Counseling Center, Commerce, Texas  

1999    "Making Peace With Your Past" Thirteen week group experience on resolving past issues and traumas - Texas A&M University Counseling Center, Commerce, Texas

1997    "Making Peace With Your Past" Thirteen week group experience on resolving past issues - Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, Louisiana

1997    "Making Peace With Your Past" Thirteen week group experience on resolving past issues - Glenwood Medical Center, West Monroe, Louisiana

1997   "Moving Beyond Your Past" Thirteen week group experience facilitating building on the past to change the present - Northeast Louisiana University, Monroe, Louisiana and Glenwood Medical Center, West Monroe, Louisiana  

SERVICE ACTIVITIES – MISCELLANEOUS  (top of page)

 2000   Hollandale Elementary School – Crisis intervention due to death of student

 2002    Greenwood Leflore Hospital – Consultation and crisis intervention due to death of physician

MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE   (top of page)

1994      International Student Organization                                                   

1997      Louisiana Tech University

              Ruston, Louisiana

              ·  Involved with 400+ students from 56 countries and functioned as "International Mom" to many of the students through personal social events and coordinated involvement with various off campus organizations

              ·  Wrote a regular column for the "International Voice" newspaper - "Moments with Mom"

1979 -   Girl's Athletic Coach

1981     Jefferson Parish Parks and Recreation Department

             Marrero, Louisiana

             ·  Organized and directed athletic activities for teen-age girls in the area (many of which were from economically disadvantaged and/or broken homes)

             ·  Encouraged participants to develop leadership skills, healthy peer relationships, and good team spirit

1975     Coordinator for Vietnamese Resettlement                                      

             New Orleans, Louisiana

             ·  Conducted workshops on training for local organizations to become involved with the resettlement process

             ·  Organized committees and trained leaders to facilitate integration into American living for the Vietnamese refugees

             ·  Worked with 1500+ Vietnamese refugees to secure employment and meet physical needs including placement of children in the local school system  

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS EXPERIENCE   (top of page)

1993           Consultant to CEO and Service Manager

           SMS,INC.(subsidiary of Nelson Companies

          Houston, Texas

·     Designed and directed computer conversion of all accounting procedures and organized management paperwork of 26 subdivisions for property management subsidiary reducing production of monthly reports by 20 days.

·     Interviewed, hired (through company recruitment and professional recruiters), and trained personnel in monthly management procedures for effective interaction with clients.

·     Strengthened relationships between individual subdivision officers and management company personnel through personal involvement with resolution of each subdivision's unique problems.

·     Conducted highly charged motivational presentations at monthly meetings which  enhanced effective administration.

1991-    Director - Human Resource Management

1993     Eastin Industries, Inc.                                                                        Woodlands, Texas

·     Organized newly created Human Resources Department for multi-million dollar labor resource management organization with multi-site locations and an employee base in excess of 1000.

·     Conducted and coordinated recruitment activities and worked with professional recruiters for multi-level employee base

·     Wrote technical job descriptions utilizing federal DOT code, redesigned new hire paperwork, and created detailed hiring procedures in compliance with EEOC and new ADA standards.

·     Developed and trained all employment and management personnel in practical application of ADA guidelines and implementation of hiring procedures.

·     Designed and conducted seminars on ADA compliance for area business leaders.         

·     Facilitated return-to-work policies and work-related accident claim's procedures including investigation of suspected fraudulent claims saving $25,000 the first year.

·     Negotiated insurance contracts and administered multifaceted benefits through ERISA 501.

1989 - Controller

1991     Nelson Companies, Inc.                                                                 Houston, Texas

·     Directed computerized accounting conversion / operation for multi-site, multi-city real estate conglomerate.

·     Organized job-costing methods for construction division resulting in $50,000 tax savings.

·     Initialized computer accounting methods and work flow controls resulting in effective personnel utilization with savings of $40,000 in property management division.

·     Responsible for staffing multi-site offices

1986 -   Owner / CEO

1989     Susan's Bargain Box & Adams' Wholesale                                       Sunset, Louisiana

·     Created retail / wholesale business venture and directed daily operation producing six figure gross sales within two years.

·     Developed market strategy for strong customer support resulting in "break-even" first year with sales 50% ahead of projections and consistent profitability.

·     Organized and directed accounting, purchasing and inventory control.

1984 -   Manager- Accounting Department & Computer Operations

1986     Jefferson Door Company, Inc.                                                     Marrero, Louisiana

·     Directed conversion from manual, external accounting system to in-house mainframe computerized system for $20 million millwork manufacturer.

·     Reorganized accounting department resulting in 50% time savings, securing financial data annual savings of $25,000, and implemented operational procedures which resulted in 25% reduction in office supplies purchasing, and reduced over-90 day accounts by 40% in a six month period.

·     Designed and conducted computer training seminars for personnel saving $15,000 in outside training costs and conducted recruitment activities for multi-level employee base including personnel staffing.

1975 -   Accountant and Federal Funds Administrator                    

1978     Bank of Louisiana                                                                       New Orleans, Louisiana

·     Reorganized and managed the bank’s accounting operation with its corresponding banks

·     Managed the daily federal funds in excess of $12 million daily

·     Strengthened and expanded customer base affiliated with credit card operations

1967 -   Conference Leader

Present   Throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas

·     Conducted motivational, leadership and training conferences / seminars for groups of 10-250 throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas at the request of corporations and local, district and state church leadership.

·     Developed and conducted training conferences for American Disabilities Act compliance for area Texas businesses.  

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Contact email: sadams@deltastate.edu