As a Christian educator and licensed School Counselor of nearly 20 years, Mindy has served in both the private and public school sectors with an emphasis on at-risk students. In particular, Mindy has worked on six grant-funded initiatives aimed to close the educational gap. She is currently partnered with the La Sierra University Center for Conflict Resolution and is piloting a school counseling service for Conferences across the NAD. With certifications as an OLWEUS Bullying Prevention trainer, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Specialist, and basic certification in Restorative Practices, along with her wide variety of experiences, she has served in roles at every level of education, but found that her greatest passion is facilitating student social, emotional, and academic growth within the context of her Adventist faith.

Mindy currently lives in a cabin mountain retreat with her husband, two daughters, and golden retriever.

Dustin R. Young, LCSW, MSW, joined the Andrews Social Work Department in July 2021. She recognized a passion for Social Work while volunteering at Ground Zero just months after 9/11. Professor Young also worked with Auggie's Hope, a non-profit for training first responders to support trauma-informed practices. In addition, she is an adjunct instructor for Tillamook Bay Community College. She focuses on supporting schools and churches with mental health education, trauma-informed practices, and creative social-emotional skills implementation in classrooms.

Dustin enjoys traveling, (willingly) running half-marathons, time with her two high-energy pups, and photography. She already has a growing list of places to visit in Michigan and welcomes more travel ideas.

Keisha has enjoyed volunteering in the community and with youth from a young age. This is where she started feeling passionate about serving the community. After spending time in the public health field and seeing the need for mental health education and accessibility, she decided to finally follow God’s calling on her life to work more directly in the mental health field, and specifically to become a Social Worker to combine her passions of reaching the community and mental health. She is currently working on an MSW at Andrews University and is excited to help further mental health education and awareness wherever possible.

In her free time, Keisha enjoys listening to and playing music and spending time in nature and with friends and family. A verse that has sustained her through difficult times is Isaiah 40:31:

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Abbigayle Waisome is an experienced social worker with over five years of practical involvement in different areas of the profession. With honors, Abbigayle holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the Northern Caribbean University and is currently enrolled in the Graduate Degree in Social Work at Andrews University.

AbbigaAle has made a significant impact as a Social Worker, particularly working with neurodiverse individuats and high school students. Driven by passion, hard work, and empathy, Abbigayle aims to become a clinical Social Worker. Besides working with people, she’s a vibrant individual who enjoys reading and going to the movies.

Abbigayle continues her journey by striving to live by the Biblical text, “With God, all things are possible” Matthew 19:26.

Several years into being an Adventist educator, Karie started sensing a growing desire to see mental health resources become more accessible to students in Adventist schools. While remaining engaged in the classroom, she started working on her MSW with a desire to be an active part of this change. Karie has been passionate about mental health for years and has seen how growing her knowledge in this field has made her better prepared to meet student needs.

Karie spends her free time with close friends and family. She enjoys writing and photography, collecting and nurturing plants, and traveling with her awesome dog Stanley.

Roen Higgins is an award-winning spoken word poet, educator, dynamic speaker, and certified impact coach. With a background in Family Life Education and a BA in Human Relations from Concordia University, Roen spent 22 years as a Special Care Counselor at the English Montreal School Board. As a community change agent, she is passionate about helping young people emerge by getting unstuck, and tap into their genius zone, while guiding adults to shift towards elevation. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Social Work at Andrews University with a focus on mental health and trauma informed care, where she is also engaged in a Graduate Apprenticeship.

With a Bachelors in Theology and Masters in School Counseling, Bradford is the perfect combination of school mental health specialist and contextualized spiritual foundation. With certifications in Achievement Gap Specialist and Trauma & Crisis Management certifications, he has served at the Chattanooga Charter School of Excellence and Hamilton County Schools, Bradford collaborates on growing positive behavior in students through interventions and relationships, responding to each teacher’s need for help with non-negotiable behavior, educating students through disciplinary programs that restore them to the classroom, advocating for students and teachers in IEP and Student Support Team meetings, and targeting students in need of small groups or individual counseling.

In his free time, Bradford leads the Crosswalk Kids program at his local church, spends time with his sister, and builds his Star Wars collection.