Counseling Staff
Erika Sheets, LMSW (Director)
B.A., SUNY Brockport, M.S.W., SUNY Buffalo
Erika is the Director of Counseling and the Community Care Hub. She earned her master’s degree at SUNY Buffalo, with a specialization in Health, Mental Health and Disability and is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). With over 20 years of experience as a Social Worker, some of Erika’s experience includes counseling victims of violence and trauma, crisis intervention, debriefing, anti-violence program development, medical social work, navigating resources in the community and is a strong advocate for her students. Prior to entering Higher Education, Erika worked in healthcare for 15 years. Her last 6 years in healthcare were at Upstate University Hospital where she worked on the post-surgical trauma unit, the transplant clinic and helped implement the Violence Education Prevention Outreach Program geared towards intervention and support for victims of street violence. As a lifelong resident of Syracuse, it is important to Erika to give back to her community both professionally and through volunteer work.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 - 4:30pm
Contact Erika: (315) 498-2186, e.l.sheets@sunyocc.edu
Erin Day, LMSW (Assistant Director)
B.A., St. Bonaventure University, M.S.W., Syracuse University
Erin Day is licensed by the State of New York Education Department as a Licensed Master Social Worker. Erin holds a BA in Psychology from St. Bonaventure University and a MSW from Syracuse University. Erin has been a part of the Counseling and Community Care Hub team at Onondaga Community College since 2019 and has over 15 years of experience in the mental health/social work field. As the Assistant Director of the Counseling and Community Care Hub, Erin assists students with mental health and/or personal concerns through a variety of treatment modalities, referrals, and follow-up services. Erin is passionate about creating a safe, confidential environment and holistically supporting students on their educational journey.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:30
Contact Erin: (315) 498-2479, e.m.day@sunyocc.edu
Kimber Gadaleta (Office Coordinator)
Kimber has over 25 years of secretarial and office management experience. She understands the hesitancy some students feel while utilizing the Counseling and Community Care Hub services. She greets every student with a smile and strives to make every student feel comfortable while providing a welcoming atmosphere.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30-4:30pm
Contact Kimber: (315) 498-2436, k.gadaleta@sunyocc.edu
Donna Lucente, LCSW-R (Mental Health Counselor)
B.S.W., M.S.W., Syracuse University
Donna is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker from Syracuse, NY. She worked for 20 years in an inner-city public high school, and is passionate about the importance of education to a quality life regardless of the degree program or career path chosen. She has a lifetime of experience advocating for people who are multiply-challenged and working through issues related to major life areas: parenting, step-parenting, marriage, divorce, elder care, chronic illness, disordered eating, addictive relationships, grief/loss, substance abuse.
She currently works in a part-time private practice setting with individuals, couples, and families. Her style can best be described as a “therapeutic use of self” in engaging and motivating clients towards making change with a solution-focused (rather than a problem-focused) approach. She takes a holistic approach to her work with people, believing that there are a variety of “healing tools” that can be used to increase self-care and self-empowerment.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours:
Monday 9:00 - 4:30pm
Wednesday 12:00 - 5:00pm
Thursday 10:00 - 3:00pm
Contact Donna: (315) 498-2148, lucented@sunyocc.edu
Laura Lodes, LMSW (Mental Health Counselor)
B.A., SUNY Oswego M.S.W., Syracuse University
Laura is a Mental Health Counselor at the Community Care Hub. Laura received her master’s degree from Syracuse University and is a Licensed Master Social Worker with over ten years of social work experience. Before joining the team at OCC, Laura supported K-12 students and their families with navigating challenging circumstances in order to achieve academic success. Laura is passionate about supporting and empowering college students to reach their goals during a significant time of transition, exploration, and growth. Laura’s approach to counseling is based on a systems perspective.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30-4:30pm
Contact Laura: (315) 498-2871, l.lodes@sunyocc.edu
Jimmy Anderson, LMSW (Mental Health Counselor)
B.A., Metropolitan State College of Denver M.H.R., Oklahoma University M.S.W., Syracuse University
Jimmy is a Licensed Master of Social Worker in the State of New York. He is a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Jimmy earned a Master’s degree in Human Relations from Oklahoma University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Syracuse University. Jimmy is a retired United States Army decorated combat veteran. From an enlisted soldier to a commissioned field grade officer, Jimmy's 20+ years of honorable military service includes a diverse array of counseling, educational, career and life experiences. Jimmy practices from a holistic and collaborative, strength-based approach that is mindful of cultural, ethnic, and economic concerns. He likes to provide evidence-based counseling tools and therapeutic interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Jimmy looks forward to vibing with you soon and helping you navigate through college’s challenges and beyond. Go Lazers!
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:30
Contact Jimmy: (315) 498-2638, j.l.anderson3@sunyocc.edu
Sara Magowan (Assistant Director of Student Health & Wellness)
B.S., SUNY Oswego
Sarah Magowan is the Assistant Director of Student Health & Wellness at OCC. She has over 10 years of professional experience working in prevention education. From 2017-2021, Sarah was the project manager of a 5-year OASAS grant that allowed OCC to create and implement alcohol and other drug prevention initiatives on campus. Sarah approaches student meetings through harm reduction and a public health education-based approach. She enjoys helping students create manageable goals around substance use that focus on safety and reduce negative outcomes. Her office is located in Gordon Counseling Center.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:30
Contact Sarah: (315) 498-2403, s.j.magowan@sunyocc.edu
Eileen O'Hara (Case Manager)
LMSW A.A, Onondaga Community College; B.A, SUNY Oswego; M.S.W., Syracuse University
Eileen is a Licensed Master Social Worker who holds a BA in Criminal Justice from Oswego State University and an MSW from Syracuse University. Eileen has over 20 years' experience in the social work field, starting as a Case Manager with The Salvation Army working with the child welfare system. In 2010 , Eileen started working as a school social worker with the Syracuse City School District for 14 years. As the Case Manager of the Counseling and Community Care Hub Team, Eileen assists students with food insecurities, homelessness, connection to mental health services and making referrals to any other outside resources as needed. Eileen has cultivated a passion for helping others and is dedicated to ensuring that the students she works with are empowered and able to face any challenges that may be a barrier to building a successful college experience.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:30
Contact Eileen: (315) 498-2801, e.a.ohara3@sunyocc.edu