CPS Staff Profiles
Gregory Janson, Ph.D., LPCC-S, Director
Deanna L. Potkanowicz, Ph.D.
Dr. Potkanowicz is a licensed psychologist who earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Kent State University, after having completed an internship at the University Counseling and Testing Center at the University of Oregon. After completing her doctorate, Dr. Potkanowicz worked for several years in the private sector where she conducted psychological evaluations for the public safety community. In addition to her training and experience in the area of psychological assessment, Dr. Potkanowicz has a background in the areas of eating disorders and body image as well as in anxiety, worry, and panic. Her other interests include the supervision of psychologists-in-training and working with first-generation college students. Dr. Potkanowicz and her husband, who is on faculty at OU, moved to Athens in 2006.
Michelle Pride, Ph.D.
Dr. Pride completed her counseling psychology doctoral program at Michigan State University and a psychology internship at Colorado State University counseling center. Before coming to Ohio University she worked at the Louisiana Tech University counseling center. She is a multicultural, feminist therapist who has specialized in working in a university setting. Her interests and expertise include women's issues, gender and sexual orientation issues, working with student athletes and students with identified learning disabilities and ADD/ADHD, peer mentoring, and clinical training and supervision. She co-leads the sexual assault survivor's group.
Jason C. Weber, M.Ed., LPCC-S, LICDC
Jason C. Weber is a licensed professional clinical counselor and a licensed independent chemical dependency counselor. Jason is a returning resident of Athens, where he worked as a counselor in various settings with children, adolescents, and adults. During that time he became a co-facilitator of the Ohio Violence Prevention Process, an intervention that provided a practical outlet for his professional interests in multiculturalism and adaptive responses to trauma. Jason is also a graduate of Ohio University, where he earned a double-major master’s degree in Community Counseling and Rehabilitation Counseling. Jason joined CPS in January of 2007, sought for his experience and specialized training in counseling people with substance use disorders. He provides individual therapy, consultations and trainings on issues of addiction, and oversees the BASICS program at the counseling center. BASICS is the Brief Alcohol and Other Drugs Screening Intervention for College Students, a confidential and individualized approach to self-assessment with the goal of reducing high-risk drinking behaviors. The two-session program emphasizes accurate information and respects the necessity for students to make their own choices. Students who complete BASICS are better equipped to make informed decisions that fit their personal and academic goals. Jason provides oversight and training for the graduate students working as BASICS counselors, and collaborates with administrators to synchronize the program with other departments on campus.
Fred Weiner, Ph.D.
Dr. Weiner is a licensed psychologist who received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts after completing his undergraduate education at Brooklyn College. He serves as the Clinic Coordinator for the Counseling Center. In addition to his position at CPS, he teaches a psychotherapy practicum for the Ohio University Department of Psychology. He has coordinated a group on coping skills based on Dialectical Behavior Treatment. Although his primary interests continue to be the counseling work he does with students and supervising counselors in training, he is also the author of a series of self-help pamphlets dealing with issues students may face at some time during their college career or thereafter. These are now widely available at about one hundred major university and small college counseling centers around the country.
Sheila Y. Williams, Ph.D., L.P.C.C.-S., L.I.C.D.C.
Dr. Williams is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor. She holds a Masters degree in Community Counseling, has completed course work for doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology and Counselor Education and earned her doctorate in clinical counseling. She has served as Director of Emergency Services at Tri-County Mental Health and Counseling Services in Athens, and Director of Counseling at an alcohol and drug treatment agency. In 1993 she was appointed by the governor to serve on the State of Ohio Counselor and Social Work Board for a six-year term and chaired their licensure exam committee for nine years. In 1995 she was named Outstanding Administrator, one of Ohio University's highest accolades for non-teaching staff. Dr. Williams holds international certification in the field of addictions and maintains supervising counselor status in counseling and chemical dependency; she has served as co-coordinator of training for CPS. She is a co-founder of S*T*A*R*S (Students Teaching About Racism in Society) and was the founding President of the African American Faculty, Administrators, and Staff Caucus of Ohio University. She also helped to start the Student National Medical Association, the Association of Black Psychology Students and co-founded the Student Development Assistants project. Most recently she has started an International Student Outreach Team (ISO-Team) to address the unique needs of international students. Dr. Williams is a familiar figure on campus and a frequent presenter on topics as far ranging as Stress Management, Exam Panic, Culture Shock, Substance Abuse, Self Esteem, and Diversity issues. She has a special interest in ADHD issues. Dr. Williams often serves as a consultant to area and state agencies on mental health and supervision issues. She is Outreach and Consultation Coordinator for Counseling & Psychological Services, has oversight for the BASICS program, and administers the ISO-Team.
Susan B. Young, Ph.D.
Susan B. Young serves as the Training Coordinator for the Counseling Center. She is a licensed staff psychologist who received her doctorate from Indiana University's Counseling Psychology Program. She completed her internship at Southern Illinois University and worked for several years at the University of Southern Mississippi helping build a training program for their counseling center before coming here to Ohio. She has developed expertise in a number of areas, but specializes in feminist therapy and has been especially helpful to people with gender and sexual orientation issues, as well as people suffering from eating disorders. She has a long history, before and after earning her psychology degree, of working with people on social justice and diversity initiatives. She has served on the LGBT taskforce for four years and leads a support group for transgendered individuals called "Transitions." She is currently the coordinator for training at CPS, arranging the experiences of graduate students in clinical psychology and counseling who receive training at our center.
Rosemary Mayronne
Administrative Assistant
Postdoctoral Fellows, Predoctoral Interns, Counselors-in-Residence, BASICS Counselors and Trainees
