D. Allen Donahue

Allen Donahue is both a student and a graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio where he is pursuing a master’s in counseling. A fourth generation military servicemember who served actively for nearly nine years, Mr. Donahue is currently working as a protocol coordinator with STRONG STAR, a research program based in Texas that is working to identify treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He plans to continue serving his fellow servicemembers as a counselor upon graduation, bringing with him his military experience and expertise.

Jonathan J. Harold

Jonathan Harold is a graduate of Ashford University and is enrolled in the master’s in higher education counseling program at West Chester University. Mr. Harold is currently pursuing his passion to serve veterans by working at the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry helping jobless veterans find employment. Upon graduation, he plans to continue serving veterans by moving to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and running a veterans’ group at night where he can offer not only his counseling skills, but his resources and knowledge gained by working in state government.

Shirley LaForce-Gillians

Shirley LaForce-Gillians is a graduate of Paine College and is enrolled in Mercer University’s master’s in clinical mental health counseling program. She realized that counseling was the right career for her after a yearlong deployment to Iraq in support of Iraqi Freedom. While deployed, she witnessed firsthand the needs of her fellow servicemembers. Ms. LaForce-Gillians currently works for the Vet Center within the Department of Veteran Affairs where she is able to work with colleges, hospitals and other organizations to bring readjustment services to veterans. Upon obtaining her counseling degree, she plans to work as a counselor and then a team leader to further serve the military population.

David A. Weisenhorn

David Weisenhorn is both a student and a graduate of Appalachian State University where he is pursuing a degree in clinical mental health counseling. Shortly after finishing basic training, Mr. Weisenhorn witnessed the trauma and heartbreak caused by 9/11. That experience sparked a passion within him—a passion to help those in need. Mr. Weisenhorn plans to live this passion by helping his fellow veterans as a counselor, and is already broadening his skills by obtaining a postgraduate certification in addictions counseling.

Lynsey R. Yoder

Lynsey Yoder is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and is enrolled in the master’s of school counseling program at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Having experience within both Florida’s and Colorado’s Army National Guard, Ms. Yoder plans to serve active, reserve and retired military personnel in the school setting and also through her own practice. She hopes to work as a counselor in a school with a large military demographic where she can use her skills to help families of deployed servicemembers. In addition, she plans to further aid soldiers and their families within her own practice by offering services focused on coping mechanisms for deployments and the process of reintegration.

Louis M. Alvey

Louis Alvey is a graduate of Longwood University and is enrolled in Lynchburg College’s master’s of education in clinical mental health counseling program. While serving as a sergeant in Virginia’s Army National Guard, he completed two combat tours in Iraq. Alvey now works as a peer specialist at Virginia’s Wounded Warrior program, providing support and services to veterans and their families for stress-related problems and traumatic brain injuries. Upon graduation, he plans to continue helping veterans and their families as a counselor.

Marilyn M. Dykman

Marilyn Dykman is a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico and is pursuing a master’s in counseling at the University of New Mexico. Finding great satisfaction in helping and training others to succeed, she excelled in the U.S. Coast Guard where she received a number of honors, such as the Woman in Aviation Award for heroism and courage. Dykman served as the first female Puerto Rican pilot in the U.S. Army and the first Hispanic pilot in the Coast Guard and is dedicated to women’s empowerment issues. She plans on serving the military community and is currently working as a counselor-in-training at the University of New Mexico.

Alicia N. Higgins

Alicia Higgins is a graduate of Old Dominion University and a student at Regent University pursuing a master’s in community counseling. After enlisting in the Army National Guard, she was almost immediately deployed to Iraq where she worked as a congressional liaison, assisting with responses to inquiries from the U.S. Congress and the president. Currently, Higgins works in the Department of Veterans Affairs serving active duty members and their families. Upon graduation, she plans to continue serving this group as a licensed professional counselor.

John M. LaCreta

John LaCreta is both a graduate and student of West Chester University where he is currently pursuing a master’s of education in secondary school counseling. His life experience ingrained in him a commitment to helping others, which lead him to a career in counseling. As an officer in the U.S. Air Force, his opportunities to mentor young servicemembers confirmed that this was the right path. LaCreta is committed to giving back to the men and women in uniform and wants to do so through a counseling position in the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.

Marlana J. Robertshaw

Marlana Robertshaw is a graduate of Liberty University and is pursuing a master’s in counseling at Youngstown State University. She spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy serving as a career counselor and certified Navy counselor. Her goal is to continue her counseling services and endeavors to pioneer a mental health and wellness program for veteran women in the Ohio Mahoning Valley and surrounding Appalachia areas.

Franklin A. Zepp

Franklin Zepp is a graduate of Excelsior College and a student at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling. He served as a sergeant major and assistant chaplain in the U.S. Army and coordinated suicide intervention workshops throughout Iraq. Zepp continues to serve others as a family employment assistance counselor at the Texas Veterans’ Commission and wants to help servicemembers, veterans and their families at Fort Hood in the Killeen area after graduation and licensure.