Graduate Studies Programs
Simpson University offers the following master's programs and teaching credential programs (single or multi-subject).
Master's Programs
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
- Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership
- Master of Arts in Education
- Master of Arts in Teaching
- California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential
Credentialing Programs
A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary Master's Programs
Staff
- Tozer Staff
Cherlyn Chairez - Education Program Specialist
cchairez@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4113
Georgia MacMillan - Credential Analyst
gmacmillan@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4942
Hilary Bingham - Education Program Coordinator
hbingham@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4109
Julie Crummett - Distance Learning Coordinator
jcrummett@simpsonu.edu
(530) 226-4747
Adeline (Addie) Jackson, Ed.D.
Dean, School of Graduate Professional Studies
ajackson@simpsonu.edu
530.226.4788
Dr. Jackson holds a B.S. in behavioral science from the University of LaVerne, a M.A. in marital and family therapy from Azusa Pacific University and a Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Argosy University, Hawaii. She has worked in higher education administration since 1998.
Dr. Jackson teaches a limited number of courses in both the Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology and the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership programs. Her clinical experience includes work in community mental health settings, residential and outpatient addictions treatment, hospital-based behavioral health, employee assistance, and private practice. She has been a trainer and consultant in a variety of organizational settings including state and local government, the visitor industry, labor union, hospitals, and insurance companies. She has been at Simpson University since 2009.
Jill Helweg, B.A.
Program Coordinator, School of Graduate Professional Studies
jhelweg@simpsonu.edu
530-226-4767
As the coordinator for both programs in the School of Graduate Professional Studies, Jill provides administrative support and assistance to staff and faculty, serves on departmental committees, and coordinates student activities and events among many other things. Jill has been at Simpson University since 2009.
Dr. Patricia Shealy, Ph.D.
Academic Program Director, School of Graduate Professional Studies
Dr. Shealy holds a M.A. in educational psychology, guidance and counseling from California State University Northridge and a Ph.D. in depth psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She oversees the academic operations of the master of arts in counseling psychology program, serves on program committees and provides advising to students.
She holds a license as a marriage and family therapist in California and has supervised master’s student trainees and post-graduate interns at agencies providing mental health services in California. She has taught workshops and courses in clinical field placement, clinical case conceptualization, human sexuality, and addictions at the graduate level and field experience and an elective in Jungian psychology at the undergraduate level.
Clinical Training Coordinator
Vacant
Faculty
- Tozer Faculty
Full-Time Faculty
Glee Brooks, Ed.D.
gbrooks@simpsonu.eduDean, School of Education
Associate Professor of Education
B.A., University of Northern Colorado
M.A., Pacific University
M.A., St. Mary’s College
Ed.D., University of Southern California
Richard K. Harris, Ed.D.
rharris@simpsonu.eduProfessor of Education
B.A., Seattle Pacific University
M.A., University of Redlands
Ed.D., Nova Southeastern University
Ronald K. McGraw, Ed.D.
rmcgraw@simpsonu.eduAssistant Professor of Education
B.S., Butler University
M.A.E., Ball State University
Ed.D., Ball State University
Paul Jones, Ed.D.
pjones@simpsonu.eduAssistant Professor of Education
B.A., Sonoma State University
M.A., California State University, Chico
Ed.D., University of Southern California
Carol Wertz, Ed.D.
cwertz@simpsonu.eduAssociate Professor of Education
B.S., Central Michigan University
M.A., Sonoma State University
Ed.D., University of Southern California
Edward Mooney, Ed.D.
emooney@simpsonu.eduAssistant Professor of Education
B.S., Montana State University
M.A., University of California, Riverside
Ed.D., Northeastern University, Boston
Adjunct Faculty
David Alexander, Ed.D.
dalexander@simpsonu.eduB.S., Humboldt State University
Ed.D., University of LaVerne
Allison Brogoitti, M.A.
abrogoitti@simpsonu.eduB.A., California State University, Humboldt
M.A.T.,Simpson University
Tom Forbes, Ed.D.
tforbes@simpsonu.eduB.A., California State University, Humboldt
M.A., California State University, Humboldt
Ed.D., University of Southern California
Joseph D. Funderburg, M.S.
jfunderburg@simpsonu.eduB.S., Southern Oregon University
M.S., Southern Oregon University
Matt Garrett, M.A.
mgarrett@simpsonu.eduB.A., California State University, San Bernardino
M.A., Simpson University
NBCT
Diane Kempley, Ed.D.
dkempley@simpsonu.eduB.A., California State University, Chico
M.A., Simpson University
Ed.D., University of Southern California, Los Angeles
David Peek, M.S.
dpeek@simpsonu.eduB.S., Humboldt State University
M.S., California State University, Chico
Al Rocca, Ph.D.
arocca@simpsonu.eduB.A., California State University, San Jose
M.A., California State University, San Jose
Ph.D., University of California, Davis
Danielle Beck, Ph.D.
Courses: Child & Adolescent Development, Research Methods, Issues of Diversity in Counseling
Dr. Beck is the Chair for the undergraduate psychology program at Simpson and teaches courses as an adjunct faculty in the master of arts in counseling psychology program. She holds a Ph.D. from University of Washington. She is a developmental psychologist with current and past research projects studying executive functioning in children. She supervises research projects for undergraduate students.
Bob Boyle, Psy.D.
Courses: Psychopathology in Adults, Child & Adolescent Psychopathology
Dr. Boyle holds a Psy.D. degree from Rosemead School of Psychology, and is a California licensed clinical psychologist. He has extensive experience conducting psychological assessments and diagnostic evaluations. Dr. Boyle has been teaching in the undergraduate psychology program since 2006 and in the master of arts in counseling psychology program since its inception in 2010. He is a recipient of the MACP Excellence in Teaching Award.
Michaele Brown, MSW, LCSW
Courses: Theory and Practice of Group Therapy
Ms. Brown earned her master’s in social work degree at Chico State University and is a licensed clinical social worker. She was a supervisor of Tehama County drug and alcohol services in Red Bluff and is currently a clinician in Tehama County mental health where she provides services with a focus on children with trauma and incarcerated women.
Rosie Flores-Wilfong, M.A.
Courses: Child & Adolescent Therapy
Ms. Flores-Wilfong currently provides community-based mental health services in Tehama County, teaches at Shasta College and is a trainer and consultant on preschool education and child development. She provides counseling and mental health services to the Spanish speaking population in Tehama County. She has many years’ of experience in program development and is a trainer and consultant on accreditation of early childhood education centers.
Adam Hilton, M.A.
Courses: Contemporary Issues in Family Therapy, Adult Development
Mr. Hilton is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. He earned his MA in psychology and marriage and family therapy from Chapman University. His professional experience spans a variety of settings and client populations including community—based mental health, county mental health, and church settings.
Lisa Jellison, M.A.
Courses: Psychological Assessment, Psychopathology and the Family, Child Abuse and Family Violence
Ms. Jellison earned her Master’s in counseling psychology from National University. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional clinical counseling in California. Her professional experience includes working with children, adolescents and couples. She supervises trainees and interns in a community-based agency setting and teaches courses at both the graduate and undergraduate level. Lisa has been the recipient of the MACP Faculty Member of the Year award (selected by students), Excellence in Teaching award and the Excellence in Supervision award.
Simeon Jones, M.A.
Courses: Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
Mr. Jones is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. He is the clinical director for Restpadd, a county funded psychiatric inpatient facility in Redding. Mr. Jones has extensive experience providing and supervising mental health and clinical services in hospital settings. He has been a research assistant, consultant to physicians and other health care workers and currently provides counseling and supervision in a church-based counseling center.
Brandy Liebscher, Psy.D.
Courses: Issues of Diversity in Counseling, Research Methods
Dr. Liebscher earned her doctorate in psychology from George Fox University and is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. Her research has focused on the experience of teachers in small, evangelical colleges and universities who teach courses in multiculturalism and social justice. She has mentored a number of undergraduate students to attend and present at conferences on diversity education and training. Currently, she is involved in community organizing and developing awareness within the Christian community in the Sacramento area of issues related to race and ethnicity within the church. She has a private practice and supervises MFT post-graduate interns.
Kimberly McKinney, M.A.
Courses: Substance Abuse and Co-Occurring Disorders
Ms. McKinney received her Master’s degree in counseling psychology from National University. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a certified addiction specialist in California. Ms. McKinney is employed by Shasta County Mental Health where she provides addiction treatment and mental health counseling services.
Christina Newton, M.A.
Courses: Counseling Skills, Theories of Counseling I & II, Family Therapy Theory & Practice I, Couples Therapy and Domestic Violence
Ms. Newton graduated with honors from Chapman University with a Master’s in psychology. She is licensed as a marriage and family therapist in California. Her clinical experience includes providing services to children with special emotional and psychological needs in the school setting, conducting divorce and separation recovery groups for families, counseling and support services within a large social service agency, and private practice.
Patrick O’Leary, M.A.
Courses: Family Therapy II, Legal and Ethical Issues
Mr. O’Leary holds a Master of Arts in marriage, family and child therapy, a Master of Science in pastoral counseling and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential. He is a California licensed marriage and family therapist. Mr. O’Leary is a supervisor for Shasta County Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug programs. He has served as the regional director for a community based foster care and mental health agency for adolescents, in multiple positions providing clinical and consultation services in public schools and county mental health departments.
Ramona Stewart, R.N.
Courses: Psychopharmacology
Ramona is a registered nurse whose clinical experience includes psychiatric nursing . She has experience providing medication education to patients and their caregivers, as a charge nurse supervising shift nurses and psychiatric technicians and collaboration between providers. She has been a telehealth nurse providing post-acute hospitalization care and coordinating the services of providers in remote locations.
Stephen Weathersbee, M.A.
Courses: Counseling Skills
Mr. Weathersbee holds a Master’s in cross cultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminar and a Master’s in counseling psychology from National University. He is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California. His professional experience includes private practice, vocational rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling in a community-based agency. He is a clinical supervisor of marriage and family therapy trainees and interns and provides school-based counseling services to children and their families through a private contract. He taught courses in leadership and theology at a seminary in Argentina.
Joe Ayer, M.B.A.
Courses: Leadership Theory
Mr. Ayer is the Administrative Director for the North State regional office of BloodSource, Northern California Community Blood Bank. He earned his Master’s in Business Administration degree with a focus on organizational leadership from Brandman University where he also teaches a number of courses in leadership. He serves on several advisory boards locally including Northern Valley Catholic Social Services, Shasta County Public Health, Shasta College Nursing advisory council, Institute of Technology LVN advisory council. He has extensive experience as an administrator and leader is the non-profit sector.
Sharon Brisolara, Ph.D.
Courses: Program Research and Evaluation, Strategic Planning
Dr. Brisolara holds a Doctorate in Program Evaluation and Planning with concentrations in sociology and city and regional planning from Cornell University. Her Master of Science is in Human Service Administration with concentrations in rural sociology and city and regional planning, also from Cornell. Dr. Brisolara is the Director of Evaluation Solutions, a company she owns providing evaluation consulting to a variety of public, private and non-profit organizations in the North State and across the country including USAID; the National Science Foundation at University of New Mexico Los Alamos, First 5 Shasta County, The California Endowment Healthy Eating, Active Communities; Siskiyou County Children and Families Commission; Washington State Association of Community Action Agencies, among many others. She is the co-author of two textbooks on program evaluation: Feminist Evaluation and Research: Theory and Practice published by Guilford Press in 2014 and The Feminist Evaluation Model published by Sage in 2012. In addition to teaching in SU’s MAOL program, Dr. Brisolara also teaches in SUs undergraduate psychology program, at Shasta College and for National University online.
John Burson, Ed.D.
Courses: Leadership Theory
Dr. Burson earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California and a Master of Arts in physical science with a concentration in chemistry from CSU Chico. He has served as the Dean of Continuing Studies and Graduate Planning at Simpson U, as an instructor for CSU Chico, William Jessup University and Butte Community College and has developed and led leadership training seminars for private industry, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations among many other senior-level administrative positions.
Laura Cootsona, M.A.
Courses: Board Governance, Resource Development and Fundraising for Non-profits
Ms. Cootsona earned her Master of Nonprofit Administration from University of San Francisco and a B.A. in Religious Studies from University of California, Berkeley. She is the owner of LRCConsulting providing consulting services primarily to non-profit organizations on board development, strategic planning, fundraising, and mentoring CEOs. She has held positions as the Assistant Director of the Jesus Center, Associate Faculty in the Business Department at Butte Community College, Vice President and Senior Consultant for The FOCUS Group, LLC, Development Chair and Executive Committee Member for Christians in the Visual Arts, among many others.
Donna DiMatteo-Gibson, Ph.D.
Courses: Leading & Managing Human Resources, Women as Leaders
Dr. DiMatteo-Gibson holds a Doctorate from California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, a Master of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from CSPP, San Diego. She holds a certificate in quality teaching, learning and assessment, and a certificate in Instructional Design/e-learning from the American Society of Training and Development. Dr. DiMatteo-Gibson has worked as a Human Resources Analyst for the County of San Diego District Attorney’s office, an Organizational Development Specialist for Molecular Biosystems, Inc., and ICS Advent in San Diego, and as a consultant. In addition to teaching for SU, Dr. DiMatteo-Gibson teaches courses in management and organizational psychology for Capella and South Universities.
Rick Fauss, Ed.D.
Courses: Communication and Conflict Resolution
Dr. Fauss is a graduate of University of LaVerne in southern California with a Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. He also holds a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from California State University, San Bernardino. He is the superintendent of Redding School District and New Millennium Partnership. He has been superintendent at two other school districts and a principal in K-5. Dr. Fauss’ career in educational leadership has been distinguished by his strong fiscal management, commitment to excellence and integrity, his community involvement and ability to work well with multiple cultures and employee groups.
Michael Redman, B.A., and Kathryn Redman, M. Div.
Courses: Marketing for Non-profits
Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from CSU Chico in Instructional Design and Technology and has worked in various areas of media production and technology for many years. Along with his wife, Kathryn, he owns Half a Bubble Out, a full-service marketing and advertising agency. Kathryn earned her Master’s of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary and a B.A. in psychology and a B.A. in religious studies from California State University, Chico. Both have strong backgrounds in sales, marketing, customer service, graphic and web design. They have specialized in internet and traditional marketing and consulting on business/organization development, business promotion strategy, marketing and business plans, and ongoing strategic counsel. Michael and Kathryn team teach together.
Suresh Thomas, D.Min.
Courses: Leading Change, Servant-hood, Faith and Leadership
Dr. Thomas holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Religion from Canadian Theological Seminary, a Master of Social Work from University of Madras, India and a Diploma in Business Management from Besant Management Institute in Madras, India. Dr. Thomas’ states his personal objective as “To raise transformational leaders who will influence others in all areas of life’s domains.” He has over 22 years’ experience in organizational leadership, primarily in non-profit and social services. His experience encompasses work as a project director for psycho-social rehabilitation in areas affected by civil war in Sri Lanka, as a case manager for refugee resettlement for International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, Georgia, and he has taught many courses in leadership and leader development in the US, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. He is currently the executive director for Family Concern International, a non-profit in Suwanee, GA.
Shawna Wentlandt, Ph.D.
Courses: Behavior in Organizations, Team Building and Leadership
Dr. Wentlandt earned her Doctorate in Leadership and Organization Change from Walden University, and her Master of Arts in Management from Wayland Baptist University. She has a breadth of experience in higher education administration including as a Marine Corps base university program manager, Director of Student Finance and Professor of Practice. In addition to teaching for Simpson U she has taught numerous courses in leadership and management for Grand Canyon University, Intercontinental University and Ashford University.
School of Education Resources
MACP Resources
- AAMFT - www.aamft.org
- CAMFT - www.camft.org
- Download a copy of our M.A. Counseling Psychology brochure (PDF).
