+CURRICULUM VITA DENISE K. SOMMERS, EdD, LCPC
Department of Human Services College of Education and Human Services
University of Illinois at Springfield One University Plaza
BRK 335; MS: BRK 332 Springfield, Illinois 62703
(217) 206-6908 [email protected] EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Doctor in Education. Community Counseling. University of Missouri/St. Louis; St. Louis, MO; 2008.
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation. East Carolina University; Greenville, NC; 1985.
Bachelor of Science in Human Development. University of Illinois; Champaign, IL; 1975. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
University of Illinois at Springfield; Springfield, IL; 2007 to present Assistant Professor
Illinois Board of Education; Springfield, IL; Spring 2007 to present Grant Reviewer
Denise K. Sommers, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor; Springfield, IL; 2004 to 2009 Psychotherapist
Gateway Foundation, Inc.; Springfield, IL; 2005 to 2007 Clinical Supervisor
Montgomery County Health Department; Hillsboro, IL; 2004 to 2005 Mental Health Therapist
Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services; East St. Louis/Jacksonville, IL; 2001 to 2004 Senior Rehabilitation Counselor
Provident Counseling Center; St. Louis, MO; 2002-2003 Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
University of Missouri - St. Louis, St. Louis, MO; Summer 2001 Graduate Assistant
National Healthcare Resources, Inc.; St. Louis, MO; 2000 to 2001 Vocational Specialist
University of Missouri - St. Louis; St. Louis, MO; 1999 to 2000 Graduate Assistant (Part time)
Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; St. Louis, MO; 1994 to 2000 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Missouri Institute of Mental Health; St. Louis, MO; 1998 Research Assistant (Part time)
Rehabilitation Specialist/Vocational Evaluator Lincoln Land Epilepsy Association; Springfield, IL; 1989-1990
Employment Services Coordinator
Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries; Springfield, IL; 1985-1989 Vocational Coordinator
International Rehabilitation Associates; Springfield, IL;1983-1985 Vocational Evaluator/Rehabilitation Specialist
Land of Lincoln Goodwill Industries; Springfield, IL; 1982-1983 Vocational Evaluator
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Illinois Department of Professional Regulations. #180-004650.
INVITED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATION
Sommers, D.K. ( Accepted/Pending publication). Using the community of inquiry survey to assess teaching, social, and cognitive presence to make subsequent improvements to online courses. e-mentor.
PUBLICATIONS – PEER REVIEWED
Sommers, D. K. (Accepted - Pending publication). The use of service learning to develop multicultural counseling competencies. Rehabilitation Counselors and Educators Journal.
Moore, L., Melvin, A. & Sommers, D. K. (2012). High school teacher’s knowledge on the effects of marijuana on the adolescent brain: A pilot study. Journal of Addictive Behaviors, Therapy & Rehabilitation.
Sommers, D. K. (2012). Integrating service learning into the online classroom: The
development of collaboration, critical thinking, empowerment, and leadership. E-mentor. (45)3. http://www.e-mentor.edu.pl/eng/
Sommers, D. K. (2011). Using service learning to develop collaboration, critical thinking, empowerment, and leadership in online human services graduate students. CSHSE Monograph.
PEER-REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS
National
Sommers, D. K. (October 2010). Using Service Learning to Facilitate Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Empowerment, and Leadership for Online Human Services Administration Students. National Organization of Human Services Annual Conference in Portland, ME. Sommers, D. K. (May 2010). Teaching Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Empowerment, and
Leadership to Online Social Services Administration Graduate Students. The Teaching Professor in Cambridge, MA.
Sommers, D. K. (September 2009). Utilizing service learning to develop collaboration, critical thinking, empowerment, and leadership skills in an online classroom. New Century Learning Consortium Faculty Forums at Springfield, IL and online across the United States.
Sommers, D.K. (February 2008). The use of service learning to develop multicultural counseling competencies. 7th Annual Southeastern Conference on Cross-Cultural Issues in
Counseling and Education in Savannah, GA.
Oulvey, E., Osinowo, T., Sommers, D., Bhat, S., Jain, V., & Lee, K. (2003, May). Recovery from Mental Illness and Stigma: The Integration of Medicine, Rehabilitation and the Recovery Models. American Psychiatric Association 156th Annual Meeting. San Francisco, CA. Zahniser, J., Oulvey, E., Sommers, D. K., Vollendorf, C., & Anthony, C. (2003, May). Beautiful
Minds, Empowering Communities: Hope for People with Mental Illness. Midwestern Psychological Association Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL.
Regional
Sommers, D. K. (April 2011). Developing a Diverse Organization. Midwest Organization of Human Services Regional Conference in Milwaukee, WI.
Sommers, D. K. (March 2010). Mutuality, Collaboration, and Equality – Key Tenets in Developing Empowerment, Motivation, and Compassion. Midwest Organization of Human Services Regional Conference in Milwaukee, WI.
Sommers, D.K. (March 2009). Using service learning to provide experiential opportunities and enhance student engagement, collaboration, and empowerment in graduate-level distance learning. Midwest Organization for Human Services Conference in Evansville, IN
Sommers, D.K. (March 2008). The development of multicultural competence across child, teen, and adult lifespan. Midwest Organization for Human Services Conference in Grand Rapids, MI.
Poster Sessions
Sommers, D. K., & Pope, M. (2000, August). Gay and lesbian client preferences regarding the sexual orientation of their counselor. Poster session at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
NON-PEER REVIEWED PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Sommers, D. K. (2006, September). Seven Challenges Trainer. Gateway Foundation. Springfield, IL
Sommers, D. K. (2005, April). Counseling and crisis intervention techniques for battered women. Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence Forty Hour Training. Illinois
Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Springfield, IL.
Sommers, D.K., Oulvey, E., (2002, July). Mental Illness and Home Services. Illinois Office of Rehabilitation Services. Mt. Vernon, IL.
Oulvey, E., Overturf, C., Sommers, D.K., Metternich, G., Engle, T., Jain, V., Bert, M., & Osinowo, T., (2002, May). Recovery From Mental Illness and Stigma: Integration of Medical Rehabilitation and Recovery Models of Treatment. Whittington, IL.
Gingerich, S., Sommers, D. K., Larson, N., Lane, M., & Jensen, M. (2001, November). Illness Management and Recovery. A presentation at Implementing Evidence Based Practices: Building the Road to Recovery. SIU School of Psychiatry. Springfield, IL. Sommers, D. K., & Oulvey, E., (2001, August). Best practices for dually diagnosed. 2001 MISA
Conference. Matteson, IL.
Sommers, D. K., (2000, July & 1999, July). Disclosure with Employers for People with Mental Illness. Independence Center. St. Louis, MO.
Comprehensive Focus of Epilepsy: Assessment, Planning and Intervention. Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Edwardsville, IL.
ACADEMIC COMMUNITY SERVICE Department
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Faculty Search Committee. (2010-2011). Member. Social Work Faculty Search Committee. (2010-2011). Member.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Faculty Search Committee. (2009). Member. HMS Graduate Assistant Search Committee; (2009). Member.
Child & Family Faculty Search Committee. (2008 to 2009). Member. Online Coordinator Staff Search Committee. (2008). Member.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse Faculty Search Committee. (2007 to 2008). Member. HMS Advisory Committee. (2008 to present). Chair.
HMS Graduate Assistant. (2008 to present). Supervisor. College
CEHS Curriculum Committee. (2012 to 2013) CEHS Alumni Committee. (2008 to 2011). Member.
EHS Research Journal Committee. (2007). Blind Reviewer.
HDC 515 - Multicultural Counseling. (2007 and 2009). Guest Speaker. University
Committee on Diversity, Equal Rights, Opportunity and Access (2013 to present). Academic Integrity Council. (2012 to 2014). Vice Chair.(2011 to 2012). Member. Strategic Academic Initiatives Grant committee to present a Qualitative Research
Symposium for UIS and other Central Illinois Colleges and Universities. (2009 to present). Chair.
Graduate Council. (2009 to 2010). Member. Research Board (2008 to 2010). Member.
Global Experience Committee. (2008 to present). Member. Profession
Midwest Organization of Human Services. (2008 to present). Membership Chair. Midwest Organization of Human Services. (2008 to 2010). Proposal Reviewer.
Local Campus Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education. (2007 to 2009). Secretary.
Community
Thirteen service learning projects resulting in 16 grants and 9 training videos completed by three of my Grant Writing classes and two of my Staff Development and Supervision class for (2008 to present). Community-Based Nonprofit and Public Organizations. United Way Executives. (2009). Presentation on my service learning projects. PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICE
Illinois Statewide Employment Steering Committee. Illinois Division of Mental Health/Division of
Rehabilitation Services. Illinois Statewide. 2001 to 2004.
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services Committee. Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services;
Illinois Statewide. 2001 to 2004.
Business Advisory Council, Vice President. Independence Center. St. Louis, MO, 1998 to September 2001.
Protection and Advocacy for Individual with Mental Illness Advisory Council. Jefferson City, MO,
1999 to 2000.
Board of Directors, Secretary. Epilepsy Association of Southwestern Illinois. Swansea, Illinois, 1991-1994.
HONORS
