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.
Juawice McCormick, Assistant Director, EAP Director
Juawice is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board-Qualified Supervisor (LPC-S). She provides counseling services for Ole Miss Faculty & Staff. Juawice has over 25 years of experience as a counselor, practicing in the community and school settings and as a Counselor Educator. She is past Chair and a former member of the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors. Juawice was trained as a professional counselor at Mississippi State University, earning both a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision and a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), and a Board-Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH). She is interested in workplace mental health and family & career issues. She is also involved in the Miss. Counseling Association, is a member of the Miss. Licensed Professional Counselor Assn., the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision and the Southern Association for Counselor Education & Supervision. Juawice enjoys spending time with her husband James, their grown children Hannah and Cullom, and son-in-law Ryan. Her favorite pastime is baking for them and her UCC family.
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.
Katie Harrison, Assistant Director University Counseling Center-Telemental Health
Katie is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) at the UCC as well as the
Assistant Director. She oversees and manages telemental health services of the regional campuses. She is a two-time alumna of The University of Mississippi receiving her B.A. degree in Psychology in 2005 and her Master’s of Education in Counseling in 2007. She completed internships at the U of M’s Academic Support Center, NMRC, and in an inpatient 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 and graduate level students. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Board Certified Telemental Health Therapist (BC-TMH) and is trained in EMDR psychotherapy. She enjoys watching Ole Miss sports, spending time with friends and family, and working with her therapy dog (in training), Rowan!
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.
Laura M Schulenberg, Staff Counselor
Laura is Board-Qualified Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) at the UCC. Prior to joining the UCC staff, Laura worked as a SAMHSA treatment court grant program coordinator and as the director of the Batesville Crisis Stabilization Unit. At the UCC, Laura facilitates a weekly Loved Ones and Children of Alcoholics and Addicts support group and a weekly Recovery Support group for students who are maintaining abstinence from alcohol and/or drugs. She serves as the assessor for students of concern who are referred by UM’s Behavior Intervention Team (BIT), and she sits on the University’s Alcohol and Other Drug Steering Committee. Laura’s areas of interest in the field are co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders; assessment; student veterans’ mental health; and meaning, values, and strengths as they relate to healing, growth, and personal recovery. She is a member of the Mississippi Counseling Association, a Lifetime member of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy, and a trained facilitator in SMART Recovery. Laura enjoys watching the Yankees play baseball, crafting, and spending time outside with her family.
Renea Masterson, Operations Supervisor
Renea is the Operations Supervisor of the University Counseling Center. She joined The University of Mississippi in 2014 and the University Counseling Center in 2016. She received her AA Degree in Business Administration from Mississippi Delta Community College. She also attended Delta State University. Renea manages all departmental budgets, supervises all administrative and support staff, coordinates patient flow within the office, and keeps all things in order and running smoothly. Renea assists in writing Policies and Procedures for the department and also serves on numerous committees throughout the university community. Renea enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and attending sporting events.
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.
Temporary Counselors
Davis Abraham, P-LPC
Luke Garner, P-LPC
Brittany Power, P-LPC, NCC
Jessica Russo, LPC, NCC
Laura Stiles, LPC, NCC
2020-2021 Graduate Assistants
Elizabeth Broadus, Administrative GA
Addison Carter, Administrative GA
Rachel McClain, Administrative GA
Jeff Pavlacic, Clinical GA
Ashley Polk, Clinical GA
Mario Sobrino, Clinical GA
Dennis Tirri, Clinical GA