Counseling & Student Development Center

Cassandra Downs, M.A.
Counselor
Coordinator of Counseling

Cassandra has a Master of Arts in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. A native of California, Cassandra completed two bachelor degrees, one in communications from the University of Southern California and another in psychology from California State University Northridge. She has also provided personal and career counseling, taught a number of psychology related courses, and facilitated workshops for students on topics to increase students' developmental and academic success.

Carla Johnson, M.A.
Counselor

Coordinator of Career Counseling

I am very happy to be part of the Counseling & Student Development team at Kishwaukee College.  I enjoy working with students to help them get acclimated to college life.  In my role as a counselor, I have the opportunity to guide students to realize their potential, set goals and make decisions related to their academic, personal and career endeavors.  In addition to career counseling on an individual basis, each semester I teach career planning classes to help students discover or verify their major, and to develop a career plan for the future.  I am also fluent in American Sign Language and serve as the counselor-liaison to the Assistive Resource Center.  I help students with disabilities work through the process of academic planning and class accommodations.  I consider myself a supportive mentor to all students participating in the learning experiences here at Kish; and I believe it is important to encourage students to make responsible choices and be accountable for their actions. 

Carla holds a Master of Arts degree in Counseling and a Bachelor of Science degree in Deafness Rehabilitation from Northern Illinois University.  She has worked as a counselor and classroom instructor in the community college setting for over 20 years in addition to teaching sign language classes at NIU for several years.

Chuck Walters, M.A.
Counselor

Transitions (changes) are often a time of high stress as well as an opportunity for growth. My work involves assisting students to make a smooth transition from high school to college as well as working with students of all ages to make positive changes in their lives, to use change to their best advantage.

He has a bachelors degree in Business Administration from Ball State University as well as a Masters degree in Student Personnel Administration from Ball State. He also has a masters degree in Religious Studies from Mundelein College in Chicago.

He is married with two sons. He enjoys biking, jogging, hiking, and anything outdoors.

Carolyn Kernan, MSW, LCSW
Counselor

Carolyn is the newest member to join the Counseling & Student Development team at Kishwaukee College. Carolyn has been a college counselor for the past 10 years working with first generation college students, low income students, and students with disabilities to achieve their educational, personal, and career goals. She has several years of experience as a psychotherapist dealing with mental health issues. She has taught a variety of sociology classes for 10 years. She looks forward to meeting Kishwaukee students so that their educational experience can be positive and successful.

Carolyn has a Masters of Social Work from University of Illinois at Chicago and a bachelor degree from the University of South Carolina. She is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).