Connection AOD Program Staff
Kurt Dunkel, MS - LPC
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
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.
Jordyn Kendig
Connection AOD Program GA
Jordyn graduated from Shippensburg University in 2024 and earned her Bachelor's of Arts in Psychology with a Sociology minor. She was also a member of the Women's Swim Team for all four years. Jordyn fell in love with the psychology department at Ship and enrolled in the Accelerated Master's program and completed two grad courses during her senior year. Jordyn loves working with college aged students and athletes on different aspects of life and ways to support them through it. After graduating Jordyn hopes to earn her license and start working with clients to promote healthy growth. Jordyn loves working out, especially swimming, and connecting with nature. Jordyn is also an avid movie watcher and loves to watch new shows or movies.
Rachel Etchberger
Connection AOD Summer Graduate Assistant
Stay tuned for Rachel's bio...