Counseling Staff

The Counseling Staff is a team of people with diverse backgrounds and interests who are ready to help in whatever ways they can.

Kathleen Keough

Frost 238
413-552-2375
kkeough@hcc.edu

Hello.
I join with the HCC administration, faculty and staff in offering you the services you need to reach your academic and personal goals. I look forward to supporting and empowering you to meet any obstacle that may get in the way of your academic success. The experience I bring to HCC comes for many years of walking with and supporting students of all ages in meeting the challenges they face in reaching their personal and professional goals. Six of the best years of my professional life were spent working with students at the Newman Center at UMASS Amherst. I have also worked for many years as a counselor in the field of behavioral health. I join with my colleagues at HCC in offering you the support you may need to make your community college experience a positive one. Please stop by Frost 238 and say hello. I look forward to meeting you.

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor of Arts, Elms College, Chicopee, MA

• Master of Religious Education (MRE), Seattle University, Seattle, WA

• Master of Social Work (MSW), Boston College Graduate School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA

• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), MA

Jossie Valentin

FROST 236
413-552-2829
jvalentin@hcc.edu

Hola! My name is Jossie and I joined the HCC Counseling Services department in April 2006. Some of my previous work experiences include working at the Hampden County Correctional Center in Ludlow, MA and in a substance abuse residential treatment setting. I am originally from Puerto Rico and am fully bilingual in English and Spanish. I meet many of our Spanish speaking HCC students through the language and culture that we share. My background in substance abuse work has allowed me to meet with many of our students who are struggling with alcohol and/or drug addiction and assist them in making some changes in their lives. After all, my goal is to assist all HCC students throughout their academic and personal journey in college. Come by and see me so we can talk about how your time at HCC can offer you some benefits that you might not know about yet!

Education and Licensure

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

• Master of Science (MS) in Forensic Psychology, American International College, Springfield, MA

• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), MA

Mary Jane O'Connor, LMHC

DON 239
413-552-2422
413-552-2232 for appointment
moconnor@hcc.edu

I love my counseling work at Holyoke Community College! HCC is a place that is alive with a diversity of ideas, interests, cultures & socio-economic backgrounds. There is always something to learn and never a dull moment on our campus. Prior to coming to HCC in 1991, first as a counselor in the STRIVE program and then later joining the staff in Counseling Services, I worked in a variety of positions in education and counseling. My background includes work in educational settings from pre-school through college as a teacher, counselor and consultant as well as work in community mental health. My counseling interests include body/mind wellness, stress reduction and mindfulness based practices in counseling. I teach the credit bearing Yoga Classes on campus as well as weekly drop-in yoga and iRest guided meditation practices. I am also very interested in the practical applications of current research and learning theories in education and counseling. It is my goal to support students while helping them to develop the necessary skills and resources that they need to successfully meet the academic and personal challenges, which they face.

Education and Licensure

• B.A., Sociology; Certification in Elementary Education, Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY

• M.A., Counseling Psychology, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO

• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) Massachusetts

• Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)

• iRest (Integrative Restoration) Yoga Nidra Level II Teacher

• Warriors at Ease, Meditation & Yoga for Vets and Military Members, Level I & II