Board of Directors
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers for stepping into this critical leadership role!
Christian Williams
President
Bio
I am an Assistant Professor of Human Services at Assumption University, where I have worked for the last 10 years. I am the coordinator of concentrations in patient advocacy and working with children and adolescents in community settings. I have a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, a masters in psychology, and a masters in rehabilitation counseling. I have a clinical practice as a licensed mental health counselor where I specialize in substance abuse, grief and loss, and trauma. My current focus in my practice is on first responders and frontline workers. I have extensive nonprofit leadership experience and am dedicated to fostering growth, understanding, and resilience in both individuals and communities.
Braxton Morrison
Interim Vice President
Bio
My name is Braxton Morrison. I am service disabled veteran with a background in law enforcement, emergency medical services, and death investigation. In 2020, I co-founded a critical incident stress management team that provides immediate crisis intervention to emergency services personnel after experiencing traumatic events. Crisis intervention with the emergency services population quickly became my passion. I hold a PhD in human services with a specialization in disaster crisis, and intervention from Walden University. Additionally, I hold two master's degrees, a bachelor's and an associate's degree. I hold several certifications and trainings in crisis intervention and traumatic stress, most notably I have received my Fellow status with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. In my personal life, I live with my brother and sister who are 16 and our two dogs. Niko, a German Shepard, is my service dog. We love to go for walks, kayak, hike, lounge on the couch, and spend time together as a family.
Mark Leary
Secretary
Bio
I am a person in long term recovery and I'm very passionate about giving back what was given to me and trying to make a small difference in someone life.
Braxton Morrison
Treasurer
Bio
My name is Braxton Morrison. I am service disabled veteran with a background in law enforcement, emergency medical services, and death investigation. In 2020, I co-founded a critical incident stress management team that provides immediate crisis intervention to emergency services personnel after experiencing traumatic events. Crisis intervention with the emergency services population quickly became my passion. I hold a PhD in human services with a specialization in disaster crisis, and intervention from Walden University. Additionally, I hold two master's degrees, a bachelor's and an associate's degree. I hold several certifications and trainings in crisis intervention and traumatic stress, most notably I have received my Fellow status with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. In my personal life, I live with my brother and sister who are 16 and our two dogs. Niko, a German Shepard, is my service dog. We love to go for walks, kayak, hike, lounge on the couch, and spend time together as a family.
Cinzia Pica
Dir. of Prof Dev
Bio
Professor Pica is a Professor and Chair in the Health and Human Services Department and the Director of the Women’s Studies Program at Assumption University in Worcester, United States. She focuses her teaching, scholarship, service and advocacy on issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her classes tackle issues of injustice, systems of oppression and marginalization as well as systemic practice towards social justice and social change. Dr. Pica’s first book, Social Justice Education in European Multiethnic Schools: Addressing the Goals of Intercultural Education published by Routledge Press (2019) was awarded the American Educational Studies Association’s 2019 Critics’ Choice Book Award. Her second book, Intercultural Education: Critical Perspectives, Pedagogical Challenges and Promising Practices, brought together experts from across the globe to discuss and inform the future of Intercultural Education. Her work on the raced, classed, and gendered deficit discourses related to so-called “at risk” youth earned a Distinguished Paper Award by the American Educational Research Association, and she has been honored by the Association for Childhood Education International for her research on interracial friendship research in children. In 2016 she was awarded the Kim Fries Early Career Award by the New England Educational Research Organization.
Her scholarship on interracial friendships and prejudice reduction has been featured in the media through a TEDx talk and through several National Public Radio (NPR) programs including Code Switch, the Academic Minute and 51%.
Jason Witt
Dir. of Membership
Bio
Jason earned his Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Illinois University and spent the first two and a half years of his professional career as a group and individual therapist and psychoeducation instructor at a residential facility in Rockford, IL. He then transitioned to providing intensive in-home psychotherapy to families in southeast Wisconsin for more than a dozen years before working as a human services instructor for nearly a decade. Jason joined NOHS in 2023, becoming the inaugural chairperson of the Advocacy, Social Justice, and Diversity committee, and he looks forward to contributing to the organization in many other ways in the years to come.
Cara Metz
TUA Chairperson
Bio
Dr. Cara Metz is a professor at UAGC. She received a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Cincinnati. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Economics from Ohio University. Dr. Metz has been licensed as a counselor since 2006 and has worked in an elementary school, community mental health, and a private practice, seeing clients from 6 to 80, favoring working with transitional-aged youth from 14 to 22. In 2013, she moved into teaching full-time, working with master’s- and doctoral-level students studying counseling. She is currently serving as the program chair of the BA Health and Human Services Program.
Katy Cannistraro
Student Member
Bio
I'm a senior at Assumption University, majoring in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies with minors in Education and Women's Studies. I'm actively involved on campus as the Vice President of AU Allies, a student LGBTQIA+ group, and as the Treasurer of the Human Services Club, and I also represent the university as a Student Ambassador for the President's Council. During my summers, I serve as a camp counselor at Camp Wicosuta in New Hampshire, empowering young girls with confidence and competence. Getting to work with and be a role model for the next generation of girls has brought me immense fulfillment.
Nicole Kras
Member At-Large
Bio
Nicole Kras, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Human Services at Guttman Community College (CUNY). She holds a Ph.D. in Adult Learning and Development from Lesley University, a Master of Science in Education, and a Sixth-Year Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study as a Classroom Teacher Specialist from Southern Connecticut State University. Dr. Kras also received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a concentration in child development and mental health, and a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from Albertus Magnus College. Her research focuses on human services program design, nature-based learning in higher education, and the influence of nature on human development. Dr. Kras currently serves on the Board of Directors for the National Organization for Human (NOHS) and the Council for Standards in Human Services Education (CSHSE). Dr. Kras served on the New England Organization for Human Services Executive Board for several years (former President).
Dawn Carter
Mid-Atlantic Territory
Bio
More information coming soon ...
Debra Harper-LeBlanc
Midwest Territory
Bio
For nearly 30 years, I have been an active member of the academic community. My passion for education has been recognized through numerous accolades, including the Teaching Excellence Award twice from both Montgomery College and the University of Texas - National Institute of Staff Organization Development. Throughout my tenure as lead faculty and chair, I have provided guidance and mentorship to faculty and staff across a broad spectrum of disciplines. In my role as a dean, I have led strategic planning sessions and provided leadership to an even wider range of department disciplines including education, social and behavioral sciences, human services, addictions study, and behavioral health support to name a few. In addition to my professional work, I have been actively involved in various community and national organizations such as (1) serving as Rotary president for four years, (2) being Midwest Regional President and now Midwest Regional Director for the National Organization for Human Services for three years, (3) serving on the Community Action Agency of St. Louis County, Inc. Advisory Board for five years, and (4) the University of Missouri St. Louis Education Alumni Board for five years. I also served on the St. Louis Violence Prevention Commission Leadership Council for five years, (2) the North Houston Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce Chair of the Community Relations/Education Committee for three years, and (3) Co-chaired the Workforce Education Committee for five years, among others. Through these organizations, I developed skills in providing training and services, improving service delivery systems, and reducing violent crime by helping to develop policies and interventions among governments, agencies, and institutions.