Diandra J. Prescod

President 

Dr. Diandra J. Prescod is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Counselor Education at the University of Connecticut. In her previous role, she spent five years as an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and Program Coordinator of Career Counseling at Penn State University. Dr. Prescod is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Certified Career Services Provider. From 2020-2023 she served as the National Career Development Association’s Trustee for Higher Education Career Counselors and Specialists and Secretary for the European Branch of the American Counseling Association. She won NCDA's Merit Award at the 2024 national conference.

Dr. Prescod’s research focuses on effective career development interventions for STEM undergraduate students and underrepresented students in higher education. She has over 10 years of counseling experience, over 80 academic presentations, numerous publications in academic journals, and $3M in external funding. 

Dawn Sherman

Past President

Dawn Sherman began her career development journey in 1999 when she was hired as the Director of the Office of Career Services (OCS) at Nichols College. During her tenure, she significantly grew the services and programs in the OCS, from creating relationships with hundreds of employers to leading one of the largest Career Fairs in central Massachusetts.

In 2000, she co-developed and then became the Director of the Professional Development Seminar (PDS) Program, a series of four required courses in career and professional development. She continued as the PDS Director for more than 11 years, teaching numerous sections every semester and training faculty and teaching assistants to deliver a quality PDS curriculum. 

In more recent years, Dawn has worked in academic affairs administration, taught undergraduate and graduate courses, designed and launched Pathway programs for international students at universities across the country, and led the creation of numerous student success programs at a variety of colleges and universities from New England to Alabama. Dawn has been a long-time member of NCDA, NACE, and EACE and has presented at more than 30 conferences in 19 states.

Dawn holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Hartford, an M.S. in Counseling and Student Development from the University of Rhode Island, and a B.A. in Sociology from Central Connecticut State University. Her doctoral dissertation was about career efficacy in the junior year of college.

  

Latoya Haynes-Thoby

Secretary

Latoya Haynes-Thoby (Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University) is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Connecticut. Her work explores the benefits of culturally-responsive trauma-informed counseling that promotes resilience and thriving, especially for marginalized children, adults, and communities. 

Dr. Haynes-Thoby’s research agenda is brought forth through applied research methods, including the exploration of culturally specific factors that contribute to resilience, and the operationalization of trauma-informed counseling that promotes success. She approaches her work using a trauma-informed lens, and that are rooted in Black-feminist and intersectional frameworks. 

Using critical frameworks, her research focuses on issues such as individual and community healing from trauma. Her commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and counselor development is evidenced through her scholarship, teaching, and service. Through her research, Dr. Haynes-Thoby aims to honor the clients who trust us with their stories, and the community-rooted protective factors that support their well-being.

Dr. Haynes-Thoby is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor (CT & PA), and Approved Clinical Supervisor with nearly twenty years of experience working with women, children and families who have been impacted by intimate partner violence, homelessness, and other sources of trauma. She earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision, as well as her MEd in Counselor Education, with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health in Schools and Communities from the Pennsylvania State University.

Caitlin Grant

Treasurer

Caitlin Grant is a Connecticut native and entered the world of higher education in 2010. Caitlin has worked at Post University in Waterbury, CT for almost 15 years. She joined the Honors Team in early 2020, and was promoted to Director in October 2023. In addition to her full-time position, she is an Associate Faculty member for the Department of Communication and Media Studies and has taught honors courses for eight years. Caitlin holds a B. A. in Communication from Albertus Magnus College and an M.S. in Journalism from Quinnipiac University. In 2023, she completed the Facilitating Career Development training course and is a CCSP candidate. Additionally, she is a graduate of Leadership Greater Waterbury Class of 2022, a personal and career development program that creates lifelong partnerships and develops community awareness among future leaders in civic, professional, and community organizations in the Greater Waterbury area.

Qu Chen

Trustee

Qu Chen is presently an Assistant Professor at Southern Connecticut State University in the department of Counseling and School Psychology Programs. At Pennsylvania State University, Qu taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in Counseling, as well as courses in Job Search Skills and Career Planning for specific degree programs. Her supervisory experiences include that of Faculty Supervisor for Counseling students, Tele-mental Health Counseling Supervisor, Advanced Doctoral Supervisor, and Student Practicum Supervisor. While at Penn State, Qu served as a Career Counselor and Practicum Counselor in the Office of Career Services. She is a published author, has presented at numerous conferences, and has worked on a variety of grant projects. Qu holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Pennsylvania State University, a Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology from Troy State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Instructional Technology from Fujian Normal University in China.

Emily Canto

Trustee 

Emily Canto has worked in the field of career services for over 30 years.  She is experienced in providing guidance to students within four year and two-year environments in both state-supported and private colleges and universities. 

She is a licensed LPC in the state of Connecticut.  Emily holds an earned M. Ed from the University of New Hampshire and a Bachelor of Arts with double majors in Psychology and Sociology from North Adams Sate College (Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.)  In addition, she has held leadership positions within professional organizations at the community colleges and state Connecticut Counselor Association organization.

Millie Hemming

Trustee

Millie Hemming, M.S. has had a seasoned career in the field of community social services, educational support, career coaching and secondary counseling. She holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from SCSU and an M.S in School Counseling from Capella University. Early in her career her experiences have included truancy social work, intensive family preservation, research assistance, and behavioral supports in the community. She is fluent in Spanish, therefore most of these positions have included urban populations and BIPOC students/families. Midway into her career, she transitioned to focus on providing educational support within the K-12 school system serving as a behavioral support specialist, family liaison and special education tutor. After completing the masters which included year long field placements at A.I. Prince Technical High School in Hartford and CREC Academy of Science and Innovation, she graduated and received her 068 certification in school counseling. She served as the graduate student liaison to the CT School Counseling Association which included implementing a graduate student full day workshop. The past three years she has served as a career coach and workforce specialist for a non-profit in East Hartford that focused on supporting manufacturing development. Recently, she has been hired by Berlin High School to serve as the work-based learning coordinator to facilitate career development services including extended learning opportunities for students. She is a member of ASCA, CSCA, NCDA, CCCDA and is pursuing future credentialing via NCDA. In her free time, she is the mother of three children, 24, 22, and 16, is a singer and enjoys birdwatching, learning salsa, and community volunteering.

Jeff Crothers

Trustee

Jeff Crothers served as a Connecticut Community College Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor for 35 years.  His work included veterans counseling and benefits administration, college transfer and academic advisement, teaching, and career and job search counseling.  He has volunteered at social service agencies and libraries in northwest Connecticut where he provided career counseling and job search assistance to area adults.  He has presented numerous workshops and courses on stress management, lifestyle planning, and career and job search topics at the Connecticut Department of Labor, the Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Connecticut, Adult Education classes, and other organizations.  He enjoys assisting individuals as they build their careers while maintaining a resilient and confident outlook.