Connection AOD Program Staff

Director's Welcome

Greetings from the The Connection AOD Program,

College is often described as the best time of your life. It is a time to grow, make new friends, become independent, learn, and create lasting, meaningful memories. Along this path of growth can come challenges. Misuse and abuse of alcohol and other drugs can impede, derail, and destroy the ability to experience all of the wonderful things college can offer. The Office of Connection educates and supports Shippensburg University students regarding alcohol and other drug use so they grow and meet all of their goals during their experience here at Ship.

To Our Current Students: Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office at deanstu@ship.edu or 717.477.1164, we have a number of different resources available to students.

To Our New Students: Look into utilizing our free online resources such as e-toke and e-chug, we look forward to meeting and working with you.

To Our Community Partners: We looking forward to continued partnerships with our neighboring coalitions.

Through our comprehensive program that includes prevention, education, intervention and community coalition resources, we help our students persevere and find support at Ship.

Kurt Dunkel, MS - LPC

Program Coordinator - Connection AOD Program

Faculty Advisor's Welcome

Greetings Ship Students and Parents,

I welcome you to the Connection Program, Shippensburg University’s alcohol and drug education, prevention, and intervention program. The program here has been in existence for over twenty years and provides education, referral and support to those who have alcohol and drug infractions or issues. I am the faculty advisor to the program and offer support, education, and training to the many staff members who make up this quality program. My experience as a drug and alcohol counselor and as a faculty member in the Department of Counseling and College Student Personnel here on campus allows me the opportunity to help the staff provide the best services to students referred to us each semester.

The Connection Program offers a variety of services starting with a preliminary assessment by one of our staff members. From there the staff meets each week to make the best referral for services which can include one or more of the following: A Basics Protocol, Early Intervention Group, Counseling, Professional Assessment, Outpatient Treatment, Detoxification, and Inpatient Treatment. Our mission is to best educate the student on at-risk behaviors and to provide services and referral dependent on the preliminary assessment.

It is my hope, and the hope of the Connection Staff, that this program will be of help in making the academic and personnel experience of students here at Shippensburg University, exceptional.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ford Brooks

Connection Program Advisor

Professor-Department of Counseling and College Student Personnel

Kurt Dunkel, MS - LPC

KADunkel@ship.edu

Program Coordinator, Connection AOD Program

Kurt Dunkel is a proud graduate of Shippensburg University; earning his BS & MS in 1998 and 2004 respectively. Kurt is a PA Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) has worked as a counselor in a variety of educational and private settings; which includes nearly a decade at Shippensburg University. Kurt is a member of the SU Athletic Hall of Fame and has also served as a part-time coach at track and field for nearly twenty years. Kurt believes that people can change and values the educational and self-growth opportunities which are abundant in the higher education environment. Kurt enjoys travel and spending time with his family.

Dr. Ford Brooks

CWBroo@ship.edu

Connection Program Advisor

Dr. Ford Brooks has been a faculty member in the Department of Counseling and College Student Personnel since 1997. He has been affiliated with the Connection Program since 1997 and has provided consultation and direction. Prior to his tenure here he worked as an addiction counselor in Richmond, Virginia for thirteen years. His areas of interest includes relapse prevention, surrender, spirituality and co-occurring disorders. Ford has worked in hospital detoxification, inpatient and outpatient treatment as well as partial and private practice settings. His expertise is in relapse prevention and working with clients with significant histories of addiction.

While a full-time counselor he commuted to William and Mary from 1985 to 1996 and obtained his educational specialist degree (Ed.S.) and his doctorate in education (Ed.D.) both in agency counseling. His Master’s degree is in Rehabilitation Counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University where his focus was in alcohol and drug counseling. Ford’s undergraduate degree (B.A.) is from the University of Richmond in Psychology. He has specific training in clinical supervision, relapse prevention, motivational interviewing and hypnotherapy. He is licensed as a professional counselor (LPC) in Virginia and Pennsylvania and is a certified addiction counselor in Pennsylvania and an international certified addiction counselor. Ford is a full-time professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and College Student Personnel and sees clients at Franco and Associates in Carlisle, PA.

Ford lives in Shippensburg and enjoys the outdoors and hiking. He loves music and plays the guitar and piano whenever he can.

Nick Wertz

Connection AOD Program GA

Nick Wertz is a 2022 graduate of Shippensburg University, where he received his undergrad in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. Nick found a passion for working in the mental health field during his time at Ship and is currently exploring all the different areas of the field in the clinical mental health master’s program at Ship. Nick is primarily drawn to group counseling but is excited to further develop his counseling skills and work with a wide variety of clients. After graduating, Nick is looking to pursue a career in counseling in the clinical setting. When Nick isn’t working on schoolwork, he enjoys cooking new foods, finding the best coffee shops in the area, and working out. He also loves music, particularly any kind of rock and is a big horror movie fan. He encourages anyone to say "hi" if they see him around campus.

Brittany Lee

Wellness Program Graduate Assistant

Brittany Lee is a graduate of Shippensburg University where she obtained a degree in Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies in 2023. She is currently working towards her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. During her undergraduate time at Shippensburg University, Brittany was a Resident Assistant for two years within the residence halls. She was an active member of Phi Sigma Pi National Honors Fraternity where she held the Inter-Chapter Relations position; she was the Vice President of Colleges Against Cancer; and the Secretary of Psi Chi Honor Society in Psychology. Brittany is currently working at a Personal Care Home where she works with individuals with chronic mental illnesses. She is passionate about advocating for those who are unable to advocate for themselves. Upon graduation, Brittany will be working towards getting her license to be a professional counselor! In her spare time, Brittany loves spending time with her friends and family, reading, hiking, and taking care of all of her house plants! Brittany is so happy to be a part of the AOD/Wellness Peer Education Team this year. She is excited to bring awareness to our campus about wellness, mental health, and recovery!