Policy Committee

Committee Purpose

The purpose of the Policy Committee is to provide strategic input, review and/or develop policies for mental health services for students in higher education at public community colleges and universities in Illinois, and support campus implementation efforts. Responsibilities align with the MHEAC Act and guide the development of statewide sample policies and policy language..

Committee Functions & Member Expectations

The committee carries out essential work that supports the statewide implementation of the MHEAC Act and ensures that:

• policies and policy review reflect input from practitioners and meet the institutional needs of both community colleges and universities;
• deliverables are grounded in expertise from campuses across Illinois;
• collaboration, information sharing, and consistency are promoted across the higher education system; and
• MHEAC-funded institutions are responding to emerging needs with timely strategies and resources.

Policy Committee Goals

1. Determine the priority policy issues that create the greatest challenges for improving the mental health of higher education students in Illinois.
2. Bring insights from their institutional roles and campus communities to help design and finalize guidance and tools to be shared statewide.
3. Serve as a resource to the Illinois General Assembly and state agencies on policies that affect the development and implementation of higher education student mental health services in Illinois.
4. Committee members will dedicate at least 2 hours per month to ICC TAC Policy Committee work.

Appointee NameAppointee PositionAffiliation/Organization
Blake MuehlichCounseling Services/CounselorIllinois Central College
Carla McCowan, PhDExecutive Director and Licensed Clinical PsychologistUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Christine Brown, EdD, LCPC, NCC, ACSDirector of Counseling CenterChicago State University
Destinee Miguest, LCSW, CADC District Director of Student Basic Needs - Office of Student ExperienceRichard J. Daley College, City Colleges of Chicago
Eric Davidson, PhD, MCHESExecutive Director, Health and Counseling Services; Director, Illinois Higher Education Center for AODV PreventionEastern Illinois University
Erick Deshaun DorrisMidwest Regional DirectorYoung Invincibles
Guadalupe CabreraAcademic Success & Advising Chicago State University
Hoyam Tanon, LCPCClinical Director - Wellness CenterWilbur Wright College
Jim Poole, LSWSr. Director of PilicyNAMI Chicago
Jorge ArteagaMidwest Program ManagerYoung Invincibles
Liz GerberVice President Student Development & Support/CSSOHighland Community College
Mike TrameVice President for Student Services/Chief Student Services OfficerParkland Community College
Sarah DamhofPolicy AnalystNAMI Chicago
Stephanie Casteneda-Arteaga, MA, LPCIVCC Program Coordinator, CounselorTransformative Growth Counseling at Illinois Valley Community College
Sydney Greenwalt, PhDCounseling Services DirectorSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Tony OhlhausenDirector of Research and PolicyNAMI Illinois
Tracy KleparskiDirector, Auxiliaries, Health and WellbeingUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Vinny CascioDirector of TRIP Student Support Services/ESLElgin Community College