The staff at the University Counseling Center believe in the dignity and individual self worth of each person. To that end we respect, nurture and honor diversity in all those we work with and serve.
UCC Staff
Quinton ‘Bud’ Edwards, Jr., Director
Quinton ‘Bud’ Edwards, Jr. is the Director of the Counseling Center. Bud is originally from Mississippi and came back home to give back to the university, Oxford, and the state. His desire is that the campus community will join us as we continue to build a nationally recognized University Counseling Center that benefits the campus and the state. He earned a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri at Columbia and completed his internship at the University of Iowa’s Counseling Services. He worked mostly in university counseling centers but has spent some time working in an inpatient treatment hospital, in mental health centers, and in private practice. His experience and expertise includes working with students with anxiety, depression, developmental issues, and trauma.
Sue Jones, Assistant Director of Training
Sue is an Assistant Director of the Counseling Center in charge of Training. She hopes to build a nationally accredited training site within the Center that will provide the highest preparation standards for new professional clinicians. Sue received her Ph.D.in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kentucky and completed her internship at Ball State University’s Counseling Center. She has worked in university counseling center settings, private practice, and also in academia. She is experienced in working with a wide range of issues and has special interests in the areas of disordered eating, trauma, and LGBTQIA+. She comes most recently from the state of Maine, and was very glad to sell her snow blower for her move to Mississippi. Sue enjoys time with her friends, family, dogs, and in creative pursuits.
Michael Hirschel, Staff Psychologist
Mike is a Licensed Psychologist who has been working at the University Counseling Center since 2016. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at the Center for Multicultural Training in Psychology in Boston and his postdoctoral fellowship at the Student Counseling Center of the University of Central Oklahoma. He is a generalist and has worked with people of various ages with a wide range of concerns. Being a native of North Carolina and having completed his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mike is a huge Tar Heel fan. He enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, playing and watching soccer, and cooking.
Daniel Deason, Staff Psychologist
Daniel (pronouns: he, his, him) is part of the clinical staff at the University Counseling Center. He received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the University of Memphis Counseling Center. He is currently collecting post-doctoral clinical hours toward being licensed as a Psychologist. Daniel was trained primarily as a generalist, and has experience with a wide variety of presenting client concerns. Daniel especially enjoys working with LGBTQ+ and multicultural issues. He has experience working with college students of various sexual orientations, gender identities, race/ethnicities, and student-veterans. He is a native Oklahoman and alumnus of Oklahoma State University, and loves his OSU Cowboys! For self-care Daniel enjoys spending time with his partner Robby and their dog Sybil, crafting, video games, and watching Oklahoma State football (Go Pokes!).
Keysha Thomas, Staff Counselor
Keysha is a staff counselor at the University Counseling Center. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Delta State University in 2004 and her Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy degree from The University of Mississippi. Keysha has worked with individuals in various developmental stages, ranging from children, to teenagers, to young adults, to older individuals. Some of Keysha’s interests include working with multicultural issues, substance abuse issues, and student retention. In her spare time, Keysha enjoys reading suspense novels, watching television, and visiting with friends and family.
Katie Harrison, Staff Counselor
Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) at the University Counseling Center. She is a two time alumna of The University of Mississippi who received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2005 and her Master’s of Education in Counseling in 2007. She completed internship at the University of Mississippi’s Academic Support Center, NMRC, and in an inpatient AIOP treatment setting. Prior to joining her alma mater, Katie practiced in community mental health as well as private practice. She has experience in working with a variety of developmental stages and is passionate about being able to help students navigate life during their time at the university. Katie has a passion for working with issues affecting women, graduate level students, and trauma survivors. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and is trained in EMDR psychotherapy. She enjoys painting, dancing, watching Ole Miss football, and spending time with friends and family.
Mary Ward Black, Staff Counselor
Mary Ward received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and is collecting post-doctoral clinical hours toward being licensed as a Clinical Psychologist. She has developed a passion for supporting mental health in Mississippi and has always considered Oxford to be like home. She earned her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Mississippi State University and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Mississippi State Hospital. Having completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Mississippi though, Mary Ward has always been an Ole Miss Rebel and is excited to be back home. She is a generalist who has worked with a diverse array of individuals and concerns, and has developed a particular interest in working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Mary Ward enjoys spending time with her husband and their many pets, being with family and friends, fly fishing, and watching Ole Miss football.
Caelyn Ditz, Staff Counselor
Caelyn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at the University Counseling Center. She earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Michigan State University. Caelyn has experience working with individuals and groups at a variety of developmental stages. Specifically, she has worked in schools and mental health agencies. Prior experience and current interest areas include working with and supporting individuals with anxiety, depression, and trauma. She enjoys watching Michigan State football, traveling, and visiting family and friends. After moving from Michigan, Caelyn enjoys exploring her new home in Mississippi.
Owen Sale, Staff Counselor
Owen is a member of the clinical staff at the University Counseling Center. He earned his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Mississippi and completed his pre-doctoral internship in Clinical Psychology at Ulster County Mental Health Services in New York. He was awarded his Master’s degree from Tulane University, from which he graduated with Honors in Research. Owen has taught at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, has published in peer-reviewed and professional journals and has presented and talked on the topics of Mental Health and treatment interventions to clinicians, educators and students in the South and Midwest. He is a generalist, has had much experience in diagnostics, in behavioral interventions with children and in working with adults having a wide range of concerns, including campus life and substance abuse. He holds memberships in Psi Chi and Pi Gamma Mu. Owen is happy to have rejoined the University Counseling Center Staff after being at home to care for his infant twins and is glad to be able to be more active again with his daughters, horses and dogs following knee surgery a couple of years ago. His girls and he love watching Ole Miss Football and miss their season tickets!
Renea Masterson, Administrative Coordinator
Renea is the Administrative Coordinator of the counseling center. She joined Ole Miss in 2014 and the counseling center in 2016. She has an AA Degree in Business Administration from Mississippi Delta Community College. Renea helps coordinate the daily operations at the center including coordinating travel, scheduling and coordinating meetings, maintaining departmental inventory and budget, drafting reports, entering payroll, and keeping things in order and running smoothly. She also supervises the administrative support staff. Renea enjoys spending time with family, travel, and watching sports.
Gail Bruner, Secretary
Gail is the Secretary at the Counseling Center. She provides informational and clerical assistance to students and employees who are seeking psychological services. She aids in scheduling appointments, providing correspondence for students and parents, and providing guidance to student workers. Gail is a transplant to Mississippi by way of Maryland, but lived in Virginia for over 15 years. She now lives in Oxford with her husband, Michael, who works in Athletics. They have three adult children, Marie, Tyler and Caroline. Her hobbies include reading, genealogy research, and community theater.
2017 GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Nathaniel Payne- Administrative Graduate Assistant
Rachel McClain- Administrative Graduate Assistant
Shilpa Boppana- Clinical Graduate Assistant
Alex Kuka- Clinical Graduate Assistant
Jana Frankum- Clinical Graduate Assistant
Rachel Marsh- Clinical Graduate Assistant