Higher Education Counseling Centers of Kansas (HECCK)
You’re invited to attend the Higher Education Counseling Centers of Kansas (HECCK) Conference! Please join us in our effort to connect with campus mental health clinicians across the state.
Conference Theme
Unifying College Mental Health in Kansas: Fostering Clinician and Student Wellbeing
Date: May 19th, 2025
Location: Wichita State University
Facilitated by University of Kansas, Wichita State University, and Emporia State University.
Keynote: "Uniting Through Relationships and Shared Purpose,"
Jessica Provines, PhD, LP
Dr. Jessica Provines is a licensed psychologist in Kansas and serves as the Assistant Vice President of Wellness and Chief Psychologist at Wichita State University overseeing campus medical, counseling, and health promotion services in the division of Student Affairs. Motivated by her personal experience with depression and loss to suicide and overdose, she has dedicated her 25-year journey from 1st generation college student to university administrator to serving the mental health needs of students spending much of that time as a Dialectical Behavior Therapy trained mental health therapist. Dr. Provines helped spearhead Suspenders4Hope, a mental wellness and prevention program with national reach, and established Health Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Services at WSU leading the University’s efforts to instill hope in people during times of despair in her local community, Kansas and beyond.
| Time | Events | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 - 8:30am | Check-In, Continental Breakfast + Bacon | RSC 233 |
| 8:30 - 9:00am | Welcome Address | RSC 233 |
| 9:00 - 9:50am |
Breakout Sessions HOPE & Peers at KU: Building Space and Community through Partnership - Chris Corbett This presentation focuses on the development of a peer education program within a campus counseling center. Find out how one program utilizes student-centered spaces to increase the efficacy of peer-support across campus. Speak FIRST: Unveiling Support for First-Generation College Students Through Identity and Empowerment - Layna Adams, Samantha Tedder A presentation on how counseling professionals can take the lead in initiating conversations with first generation college students to address intersecting identities, cultural dynamics, and mental health needs. |
RSC 261
RSC 262
|
| 10:00 - 10:50am |
Breakout Sessions HEAL Committee at CAPS (Promoting and Supporting Staff Wellbeing) - Erica Molde, Stefany Ortiz Learn about KU CAPS employee-led HEAL Committee, which works to promote and support staff well-being within the center by emphasizing various areas including connection and trauma stewardship. Our intention is to provide information as well as interactive/experiential opportunities to participants. Group Therapy: Why, What, Who, & How the HECCK to Encourage College Students to Participate - Theryn Spomer, Laurie Wesely A presentation on groups at college counseling centers focused on what groups are, benefits of groups, appropriate referrals, and considerations for groups at a college counseling center. |
RSC 261
RSC 262
|
| 11:00 - 11:50am |
Interactive HEAL Session Separate from the HEAL Committee presentation breakout session, presenters engage attendees in an interactive opportunity to do something fun and connective during the conference. |
RSC 233 |
| 12:00 - 1:00pm | Lunch Deli Buffet | RSC 233 |
| 1:00- 1:30pm | Keynote: "Uniting Through Relationships and Shared Purpose," Jessica Provines, PhD, LP | RSC 233 |
| 1:45 - 2:35pm |
Breakout Sessions Creating a Unified Future & HECCK's Role - Christopher Leonard What the HECCK is right?! Explore with the presenter our plans for HECCK and what future HECCK can have in the State of Kansas. We will discuss whether HECCK could be more than just a conference, if there is an interest in becoming something bigger, and what this would take. Understanding the Experiences of International Students - Chukwunenye Nweke, Pansorn Benyasut Presenters will discuss factors that impact lived experience for international students with the goal of creating greater empathy and understanding for working with this population. |
RSC 261
RSC 262
|
| 2:45 - 3:35pm |
Breakout Sessions 2025 Feedback & 2026 Planning - Planning Committee Join the HECCK planning committee in a review of the day and more importantly help start the plans for the 2026 HECCK conference. Learn how the 2025 conference was organized and share ideas for the 2026 conference. Please attend if you have any interest in being a future host site and/or a part of the 2026 planning committee. A Strategic Approach to Mental Health Support for LGBTQIA Students - Linda Warner This presentation is designed to help counselors think about the work they are doing with LGBTQIA students and how to navigate the current political climate that impacts mental health care and programs counselors provide. It is intended to raise questions for clinicians to consider about their clinical practice as well as for counseling centers to examine their practices and programs that impact the LGBTQIA student population. |
RSC 261
RSC 262
|
| 3:45pm |
Shocker Grill & Lanes Social Hour & Networking Popcorn bar with various seasonings and light refreshments - cash bar available. |
RSC Basement |
Proposals
Fill out the form below to submit a proposal for consideration. Sessions will be 45 minutes in length. Proposals are due by March 14th, 2025.
Registration
To register for the conference, please follow the payment link below before proceeding to submit the registration form.
Registration Details
- Prior to April 21st: $20
- After April 21st: $25