Meet Our Team

Valerie Kisler-van Reede, Ph.D.

Director

Dr. Valerie Kisler-van Reede, director, obtained her doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale subsequent to earning her undergraduate degree from Quincy College in Quincy, Illinois. She started as a staff counselor over twenty years ago and has served in other administrative roles within the counseling center. Valerie grew up in a small town in Illinois, is a first-generation college student and enjoys spending time with her family, reading and gardening in her free time. As director, Valerie provides oversight for counseling center services, serves on multiple university committees and provides education about CCSD services and mental health concerns to the campus community. Her clinical interests include anxiety, depression, family concerns and adjustment issues.

Derrance Hughes, LCMHCS, NCC

Associate Director/Clinical Coordinator

Derrance Hughes is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor who is originally from Elizabeth City, NC. He is a proud graduate of Elizabeth City State University and East Carolina University.   He has over 20 years of college counseling center experience. His professional affiliations include the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Mr. Hughes has an interest in psychological trauma and is an EMDR International Association Certified Therapists. His other clinical interest areas include depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, dating violence, anger management and clinical supervision. His approach to counseling incorporates elements from client-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) theories.

Hillary Liles, LCSW, LCAS

Alcohol and Other Drug Staff Counselor

Hillary Liles serves as one of CCSD Alcohol and Other Drug Staff Counselors. She is a licensed clinical social worker as well as a licensed clinical addictions specialist. Hillary received her Bachelor of Social Work from ECU in 2005 and Master of Social Work in 2008. Hillary has worked with clients with various mental health needs and has a special area of interest in clients with substance use concerns as well as clients that seek treatment for mandated reasons. Prevention and education involving substance use on campus is a passion of Hillary’s as well.

Hillary has worked in community mental health/substance use as well as served clients at an inpatient treatment setting. Hillary started employment at ECU’s CCSD in 2010 as the center’s first case manager. In fall of 2015, Hillary transitioned to an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Staff counselor.

Hillary is a first-generation college student and a native of Eastern North Carolina. Hillary enjoys spending time doing DIY home projects, crafts, and watching reality TV.
As an alumna, she is grateful for the opportunity to serve the students of ECU in a professional role. Her passion for ECU is paramount as she supports students that are striving to be the best Pirate they can be.

Hillary Melton, MS, LCMHC, LCAS, NCC

Staff Counselor

Hillary has a MS in Counselor Education focusing on mental health and a certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling from ECU. Hillary is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. Hillary has experience working with clients who struggle with substance use, mood disorders, personality disorders, anxiety, and trauma in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She engages with clients through a culturally informed lens and actively works to understand their experience. She utilizes a person-centered and strength-based approach drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to assist with developing skills to cope with current and future life stressors. Hillary’s clinical interests include trauma, anxiety, mood disorders, substance use, and working with the LGBTQIA+ community. She believes that everyone should have a nonjudgmental, safe, and healing space to work through life’s challenges while striving to grow into healthier and more fulfilled versions of themselves.

Hillary enjoys spending time with family, going on nature walks, traveling, watching movies, or reading a good book.

Karlie Walston, MS, LCMHC, LCAS, NCC

Urgent Support Counselor

Karlie is a native of eastern North Carolina who bleeds purple and gold! Karlie received her Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Services with minors in Psychology and Alcohol and Drug Studies and her Master’s degree in Clinical Counseling from East Carolina University. Karlie is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Karlie also has professional certification in Eye-movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and College Student Wellbeing, Trauma, and Resilience. As an Urgent Support Counselor, Karlie’s primary role is to assess safety and provide crisis support for students while also ensuring their wellbeing needs are met and providing brief interventions and support.

Karlie’s professional values and interests aligned with her passion for crisis response include themes of fulfillment, self-worth, self-discovery, empowerment, mind-body attunement, and whole person wellbeing. Karlie’s clinical experience includes work within the recovery community and institutions of higher education.

Karlie finds personal fulfillment and joy in her family, genuine connections, music and dancing, meaningful conversations and good laughs, and being by the water!

Laura Roach, MDiv, MA, LCMHC

Staff Counselor

Laura is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor with an eclectic background working with various populations and groups to provide clinical, mental, emotional and spiritual support. She earned her B.S in Psychology from Gardner-Webb University and later completed 2 graduate degrees. She earned a Master of Divinity as well as a Master of Arts in Community Counseling both from Campbell University. Laura has experience in community mental health, chaplaincy and hospice care. Laura’s clinical interests include grief, trauma, life transitions, relational skill building, identity crisis, self-esteem, health care challenges, anxiety and spirituality. Laura uses various therapeutic approaches and theories including, but not limited to, cognitive-behavioral therapy, person-centered therapy, family systems therapy and narrative therapy. Laura believes in the importance of creating an environment that fosters safety and warmth, with the hope of cultivating personal growth and self-discovery.

Laura is an NC native and enjoys all that North Carolina has to offer from the mountains to the coast. She enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors and music.

Kelly Lettieri, PhD, LCMHCA

Staff Counselor

Dr. Kelly Wynne Lettieri is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (LCMHCA) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She obtained her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University and earned her M.S. in Counselor Education and B.A. in Psychology from East Carolina University. She served for six years as a high school counselor in Pitt County before moving to Missouri where she served as an Assistant Professor in the Counseling program at Missouri State University for four years. She also established her own private practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Missouri, where she saw clients for three years. She is happy to be back in eastern North Carolina now, where she is originally from, and is proud to be an ECU alum now serving ECU’s students as a Staff Counselor. Kelly’s clinical interests include childhood trauma, LGBTQ+ issues, depression and anxiety, and group therapy.

Stuart Small, MS, LCMHC-A, LCAS, CSI

Staff Counselor

Stuart Small is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Clinical Supervisor Intern in the state of North Carolina. He received both, Bachelor of Science in biology and Master of Science in Clinical Counseling, degrees from East Carolina University. He has experience providing mental health and substance use counseling services in outpatient settings; including medication assisted treatment centers, private practice, and at university. Stuart maintains competency, and continues to expand his Clinical knowledge, in the treatment of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and substance use disorders. He also maintains clinical interest in anger management, self-esteem/concept, and personality development/disorders. Stuart utilizes Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, and other strength-based approaches to foster growth, learning, and empowerment through empathetically collaborative work with each Student. In his free-time, Stuart enjoys watching movies, reading (mostly history), writing, and spending time with his wife and two dogs.

Kelly Weaver, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor

Staff Counselor/Group Coordinator

Providing general counseling services, Kelly Weaver, MS, LMFT graduated from East Carolina University with her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy after earning a Bachelor degree in Psychology from NC State University.  Calling Greenville, North Carolina home, Kelly enjoys being involved in the community, reading, running, and spending time with her family.  In addition to CCSD, Kelly has practiced medical family therapy and in home family services.  Kelly’s clinical interests including family relationships, women’s health, LGBTQ+ issues, trauma, and coping with transitions.  Kelly believes that the development of a relationship is foundational in being able to work towards goals that bring people to counseling.

Courtney Simpson, MS, LCMHC, NCC

Staff Counselor

Courtney Simpson, MS, LCMHC, NCC received her Master of Science degree in Counselor Education and Certificate in Student Affairs in Higher Education from East Carolina University in July 2020. Her background working with university students includes serving in student affairs roles in housing, student organizations, and career services. Courtney is currently a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. Courtney’s clinical interests include adjustment and transition to college, ADHD, anxiety, depression, grief, and LGBTQ+ identity development. Courtney utilizes a strengths-based individualized approach drawing from Solution Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and mindfulness-based techniques.

Jewel Brown-Thomas, MSW, LCSWA

Urgent Support Counselor 

Jewel Brown-Thomas is a native of eastern North Carolina and a proud Pirate. She obtained both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work from ECU. As an Urgent Support Staff Counselor, Jewel’s primary role is to assess safety and provide crisis support for students while also ensuring their wellbeing needs are met and providing brief interventions and support.

Jewel’s previous work experience includes over ten years in Child Welfare, working as a child protective services social worker including completing investigations and working with children and families within the foster care system as well as community social work at the Lucille W. Gorham Intergenerational Center. Using a strengths-based approach, Jewel knows the importance of understanding systemic issues and treating the whole client while also working collaboratively with clients to define their goals, acknowledging their resiliency, and celebrating client’s successes.

Outside of work, Jewel finds pleasure and joy in spending time with her husband and daughter, as well as extended family, traveling, music & dance, reading, writing, and listening to podcast.

Mecca Moore, MS,NCC, LCMHCA

Staff Counselor 

Mecca W. Moore, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate, (LCMHCA) and National Certified Counselor (NCC), earned a Master of Science in Counselor Education from East Carolina University. Mecca has over 6 years of practice and has served three years as a school counselor at the Middle School and High School levels. As a practicing mental health counseling professional Mecca is committed to providing support for personal counseling needs. Mecca aims to provide a safe space for clients to set goals towards and practice implementing healthy coping mechanisms for mental health concerns not limited to combating anxiety, depression, identity crisis, homelessness, grief, couples, and family dilemmas.

Mecca uses counseling practices that are holistic in nature and include theories that are humanistic, and client/person centered. She also has special training as a victims advocate for victims of domestic violence and suicide prevention and awareness. Mecca practices trauma informed care and holds professional certification in Trauma & Resilience. She regularly encourages and implements Mindfulness Meditation practices that aid in alleviating stress and anxiety. She is dedicated to research efforts that include multicultural awareness, spirituality and counseling practices, behavior-based approach to counseling, and group dynamics.