M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling
Faculty
Keith Lahikainen
Assistant Professor, Human Services and Rehabilitation
A.B., Assumption College
M.S., Fitchburg State College
Psy.D., Massachusetts School of Professional Psy.
Phone: (508) 767-7214, Office: Switzer
Keith Lahikainen is a licensed psychologist who since 1995 in a wide variety of clinical/practical settings with diverse populations ranging from inpatient psychiartric care and outpatient community counseling to corporate psychology consulting. Specializing in human motivation, his professional focus has been on teaching and applying concepts of positive psychology and preparing people for change. Dr. Lahikainen has taught at the collegiate level since 2001 and joined the Rehabilitation Counseling Program in the summer of 2007, teaching Family & Rehabilitation.
Thomas P. McCarthy
Director of RCEP and Program Development
B.A., Boston College
M.Ed., Boston, College
Sc.D., Boston University, 1997
Phone: (508) 767-7261, Office: Switzer 108
Thomas McCarthy has over 22 years of experience in the
design and implement of the Federal Department of Education (RSA and NIDRR), grant funding projects involving rehabilitation and mental health staff training, and the development of job and placement services for people with significant disabilities. Dr. McCarthy conducted a study that investigated a group counseling and peer support intervention to assist people with psychiatric disabilities to assess and develop their personal readiness for rehabilitation services. He currently is the Associate Coordinator of the Region I Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program.
A. Lee Pearson
Director of Rehabilitation Counseling Programs
B.A., Northeastern University
M.Ed., Boston College
C.A.G.S. Northeastern University, 1980
Phone: (508) 767-7063, Office: Martel 101
A. Lee Pearson came to Assumption after a 25 year career with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission where he served as a VR Counselor, Supervisor, Trainer, and Coordinator of VR Technology Projects. He has been a member of the adjunct faculty for the Institute since 1992. Lee is the Director of Graduate Studies/ISRS and graduate school advisor.
Cinzia Pica-Smith
Assistant Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, 2008
B.A., M.S.Ed., The College of Saint Rose
Ed.M., Harvard University
Ed.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2008.
Generally speaking, Dr. Pica-Smith’s clinical practice and research interest have centered on the social emotional development of children, adolescents, and adults. In an increasingly multicultural society, her work’s foci have been social and cultural identity, race awareness, racial attitudes and prejudice, interethnic/interracial friendships in children, and creating multicultural spaces in schools. She has also conducted research on children’s perceptions of peacemaking, parent-child relationships in multicultural families, and the development of racial identities of parenting in multiethnic/multiracial families.
Susan R. Sabelli
Clinical Coordinator, 1979
A.B., Merrimack College
M.A., Assumption College
C.A.G.S., Assumption College, 1978
Study: New York University
Phone: (508) 767-7222, Office: Switzer
Susan Sabelli serves as clinical coordinator for the Institute for Social and Rehabilitation Services for both undergraduate amd graduate students. She is a certified Rehabilitation Counselor and the holder of the first license for Rehabilitation Counselors offered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Susan Scully-Hill
Director of the Institute for Social and Rehabilitation Services (ISRS), 2006
Assistant Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1996
Phone: (508) 767-7319, Office: Switzer 105
Susan Scully-Hill has been a faculty member since 2000. Previous to teaching at Assumption, she was an assistant professor at Emporia State University, teaching both undergraduate and graduate classes in Counselor Education and Rehabilitation Programs. She has numerous publication credits, with her most recent being "Go the Distance," a video review released by Westminster Film. Some of the classes Dr. Scully-Hill teaches at the graduate level are: Counseling Theory and Practice, Family and Rehabilitation, and Counseling Practicum.
David L. Siddle
Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, 1970
A.B., Central Bible College
M.Ed., Northeastern University
Ph.D., Boston College, 1988
Study: Boston University
Phone: (508) 767-7229, Office: Switzer 101
Dr. David Siddle has been a faculty member since 1970. He is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. He has conducted workshops on violent behavior for health and service personnel in New England, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Missouri. Dr. Siddle’s research interest lies in understanding the extent and nature of violent behavior within the health and rehabilitation field and the role of conflict resolution with the rehabilitation process.
James L. Soldner
Assistant Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, 2009
B.A., University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2002
M.S., Southern Illinois University, 2004
Ph.D., Southern Illinois University, 2009
Phone: (508) 767-7088, Office: Switzer 105
jsoldner@assumption.edu
Dr. James L. Soldner has a professional background that includes providing applied behavior analytic services to individuals with disabilities and behavioral challenges in a wide variety of rehabilitation and educational settings. In addition, Dr. Soldner has also worked extensively in the rehabilitation counseling public sector, providing independent living and vocational evaluation services to a wide range of disability populations. His general research interests include technological advances in multicultural rehabilitation education and the utilization of organizational behavior management techniques to human service-related organizations, especially as it pertains to personnel performance and consumer outcomes. Dr. Soldner has numerous scholarly publications and conference presentations to his credit, most notably in the areas of rehabilitation administration and leadership, with a particular focus on leader-member exchange theory. Currently, Dr. Soldner is consulting editor for the Journal of Rehabilitation Administration. Dr. Soldner is a Doctoral-Level Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
David St. John
Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, 1987
A.B., St. Anselm’s College
M.Ed., Boston University
C.A.G.S., Assumption College
Ed. D., Clark University, 1973
Phone: (508) 767-7228, Office: Switzer 102
David E. St. John previously held the positions of Supervisor of Pupil Personnel Services and Acting Deputy Superintendent in the Worcester Public School. In these positions, he was a member of the leadership team responsible for implementing state and federal laws governing the education of children with special needs. Dr. St. John current professional interest focus on developing a deeper understanding of the impact of special needs on a person’s functioning and the role played by family and education relative to improved functioning.