​​MACES Leadership
​2020-2021 Executive Committee

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From left to right: Jamie McNally (2019-20 Secretary), Caroline Ray, Matthew Lyons (2019-2020 Immediate Past President), Elvita Kondili and Aja Burks

Executive Council

Caroline Ray - President
Varinder Kaur - President-Elect & Budget and Finance Committee Chair
Aja Burks - Immediate Past President & Nominations and Elections Chair
Elvita Kondili - Treasurer
Tonia Lans - Treasurer-Designate
Molly Wilson - Secretary
Brian Shaffer - Graduate Student Representative​​ & Graduate Student Committee Chair
LaShonda Fuller - Strategic Planning Committee Chair
Diana Charnley - Bylaws and Resolutions Committee Chair

MACES is currently seeking chairs, co-chairs and/or members for the following committees:

  • Budget and Finance
  • Graduate Student Committee
  • Membership
  • Nominations and Elections
  • Product Development
  • Strategic Planning
  • Technology

MACES members interested in serving on a committee are encourage to email us at michiganaces@gmail.com!
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Caroline Ray, MA, LPC, NCC , ACS is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education program at Western Michigan University.  Some of her research interests includes multicultural awareness and competence in counseling and clinical supervision, training, education and supervision of counselors who work with clients in crisis, and the role of spirituality in emotional and physiological wellness. Caroline has 13 plus years  of experience providing counseling to individuals, couples and groups in early adulthood to late middle age for problems related to anxiety, depression, grief and loss, substance/alcohol addictions and abuse, eating disorders, self-injurious behavior (suicidal and non-suicidal), marriage concerns, career/academic challenges,  and general adjustment issues. In addition to completing her doctoral degree,  she is provides counseling services through a group practice as an Associate of Child & Family Psychological Services and provides consultation and supervision services via her small business, Defining Moments Counseling & Consulting, PLLC.  Caroline is blessed to be married to her best friend and greatest supporter, Steven Ray, Jr., for over 18 years. Together they have five wonderful children, Korea, Steven III, Thomas (heavenly baby), Evan and Ava. 
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Varinder Kaur, PhD, LPC earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision with the emphasis on clinical mental health counseling from the University of Toledo. She is currently working as a counseling faculty at Northwestern University, IL. Prior to this position, Dr. Kaur has served as an assistant professor at Aquinas College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she taught and supervised counseling students at master and Ph.D. level. Dr. Kaur is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings and served a broad range of population including children, adolescents, adults, couples, and older people with various emotional and mental health issues. During her clinical internship at the counseling center of the University of Toledo, she helped students in improving their mental health issues. After her internship, she served as a dual counselor in the outpatient and inpatient substance use treatment facilities, where she was involved in intensive counseling care for individuals and groups. Then, she joined a group of private practices and offered counseling services to people with moderate to severe mental health disorders. Primary care facility was another clinical setting, which gave her opportunity to serve patients having comorbid physical and mental health disorders. She strongly believes that counselor educators and mental health professionals should spend enough time for self-care to prevent impairment and provide quality services to their students and clients. Her research interests include holistic wellness approaches, mindfulness-based approaches, addiction related issues, professional identity of counselors, and advocating for the counseling profession. Dr. Kaur likes to stretch her mind in her free time by using different types of mindfulness and meditation practices. She enjoys practicing yoga, outdoor activities, spending time with her family, and reading topics on quantum physics, astrological science and spirituality.
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Aja Burks, PhD, LMSW earned her doctorate in Counseling Education and Supervision from Wayne State University. She strives to create more content related to culturally interactive supervision experiences. Aja's research interest consists of culturally competent counseling, cross-cultural supervision relationship perceptions, counseling development, treating trauma, and culturally responsive counseling pedagogy. Aja received her masters in clinical social work at Michigan State University and has over 10 years of practice in the field. Aja has been a featured panelist at numerous conferences and workshops on the topic of mental health and trauma in the African American community and currently owns a private group practice, Transformative Mind Counseling LLC., in Southfield, MI.  When she gets a free moment, you can find her with her 2 beautiful boys and husband singing songs by Queen.
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​Elvita Kondili, PhD, LPC is Assistant Professor of Counseling at the University of Detroit Mercy where she teaches Ethics, Program Development, Research, Counseling Skills and Practicum. Her main research focus is refugee mental health. She is the co-author of numerous peer-reviewed articles and currently co-writing the book titled Cultural and Social Capital Model of Refugee Mental Health: An Advocacy Guide for Counselors. Elvita earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2018 and Masters in Counseling from the University of Massachusetts at Boston in 2003. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and supervisor with fifteen years experience in clinical mental health and substance abuse treatment in a variety of settings, including private practice, telepsychiatry, crisis intervention, methadone maintenance and Medicaid utilization review. She specializes in adult and couples therapy and the treatment of depression, anxiety, trauma, borderline personality disorder, disordered attachment, substance use, sexual addiction and infidelity.  Elvita was born and raised in Albania and is passionate about immersing herself in other cultures through responsible travel. For the past four years, she has spent most of her free time studying, practicing and teaching mindfulness and Buddhist meditation practices.
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Tonia Lans, MA, LPC, NCC is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Western Michigan University. She is currently employed as a faculty college counselor at Muskegon Community College in Muskegon, Michigan. Tonia has over fifteen years of experience in the field as a high school guidance counselor, college counselor, therapist, and as an adjunct instructor at Grand Valley State University. Tonia’s research interests include counseling students with disabilities, evidence-based transition planning for students with disabilities, the role of spirituality in counseling and psychological wellness, culturally competent counseling, and supervision and training of school counselors.When she is not taking classes or working, you will find Tonia with her amazing husband Eric, their three children, and their dogs outside doing something – hiking, kayaking, gardening, sledding. In addition, Tonia is passionate about other cultures and travel (so she is hoping to have the opportunity to do this again when things are safer!)
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Molly Wilson, PhD, LLPC is an assistant professor of Counselor Education at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Odawa & Peoria land. She earned her M.A. in Counselor Education with a Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration from the University of Toledo and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Wyoming. She also works as a mental health counselor for Lifeologie of Grand Rapids counseling adults, adolescents, and couples. Her primary research focus is exploring counselor preparation regarding client sexuality. Additional areas of clinical and research interest include sexual wellness, LGBTQPIA issues, gender identity, feminist counseling approaches, qualitative research, expressive arts, and play therapy. In her spare time, Molly is an avid video gamer and novice baker. She loves to take care of her plants and aspires to be a hermit in the woods when she grows up. 
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Brian K. Shaffer, MA, MS, LPC, NCC is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education & Supervision program at Capella University.  His research interests include the intersection of spirituality on mental health issues like anxiety and depression, identity resolution in retired clergy, as well as issues related to student health and well-being.  Brian has nearly 25 years’ experience in chaplaincy, pastoral care and grief, loss and bereavement work and has presented both nationally and internationally in this fields.  He has a Master of Theology degree as well as a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling/Mental Health.  Brian is the owner/operator of a small private practice, TheraPath Solutions, LCC and also works for a nonprofit organization that treats clients with Mental Health and Addiction issues.  Additionally, Brian has experience working with kids and teens in church, hospital and hospice settings and in a children’s bereavement camp and in the care of the dying and their loved ones, including children and grandchildren, in hospices, hospitals and their homes. His passion has always been to walk alongside people in their deep, darkest times to bring a compassionate, comforting and supportive presence. To ensure his own wellbeing, Brian spends a great deal of time in prayer and meditation, playing golf, hiking and biking, spending time with his dogs as well as enjoying reading, being in nature, and traveling.
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LaShonda Fuller, PhD, LPC, NCC is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies at Liberty University has found her home in virtual teaching amongst the Eagles. Prior to training Champions for Christ, Dr. Fuller served as an Associate Professor of Counseling at Chicago State University as the advisor of Chi Sigma Chi of Chi Sigma Iota, the international and professional academic honor society for counseling students, counselor educators, and professional counselors, for six years. She has served as a Faculty Specialist for her Alma Mater, Western Michigan University, where she earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision; and have served the NAACP, student organization of Bowling Green State University, where she also earned both, her Masters of Education degree in Guidance and Counseling and Bachelors of Science in Journalism – TV/Radio Broadcast, as the organizations’ guest speaker for their Annual Woman’s Conference. She is a 2019 honoree of In Her Shoes Foundation ‘Women Who Change the World Award Winner’, a Nationally Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and have served as a Licensed School Counselor in the State of Michigan, where she currently resides with her 12-year old Pomeranian/Bison Mix and mother. Dr. Fuller has enjoyed every bit of 10 years as a Counselor Educator, eight years in clinical practice, and two years as a school counselor. Teaching, mentoring, connecting with people through consulting with other health professionals within varying communities, serving on taskforce committees, and presenting research that advocates for wellness, justice, and peace is her most invested interest. Among her passions are her writing retreats, international exploratory voyages, and eating good food among great company. 
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Diana Charnley, PhD, LPC, NCC is an adjunct faculty member at Aquinas University, Northwestern University, and Kean University. Her research interests include gatekeeping, career counseling, and non-suicidal self-injury. She is also a counselor at Meaningful Connections Counseling where she works with a variety of clinical concerns and populations with focus on LGBTQ+ clients, low socioeconomic status clients, substance use, domestic violence, anxiety and mood disorders, and couples. She enjoys time spent with her beagle Skye and corgi Cas. 
Michigan Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Email: michiganaces@gmail.com

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