Chi Sigma Iota
Welcome to Chi Sigma Iota!
Chi Upsilon Sigma is the UCCS chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling.
Chi Sigma Iota promotes a strong professional identity through members (including professional counselors, counselor educators, and students) who contribute to the realization of a healthy society by fostering wellness and human dignity.
Details
Delaina Harris
Executive Board Position: President
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Counseling Track: Clinical Mental Health
Fun Fact: In 2015, the TEDTalk by Margaret Heffernan, 'Dare to Disagree', singlehandedly changed my life and encouraged me to become more extroverted.
Why did you choose to become a counselor?: I, of course, could write a small book about my journey towards becoming a counselor but I will spare you! A motto I've held for a long time is 'Everything is Mental Health', every decision that a person makes boils down to how the think and feel about themselves, others, and the world. This process of continual becoming is beautiful and messy, and counseling allows me to bear witness to and support the growth in others and myself every day.
Jacquie Leindecker
Executive Board Position: Vice President & Treasurer
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Counseling Track: Clinical Mental Health and Addictions
Fun Fact: During my time as an undergraduate student at UCCS, I founded and was the president of a club called the Picnic Club. The motto was “Picnic Club. It’s exactly what it sounds like!”
Why did you choose to become a counselor?: I chose to become a counselor because I’ve had a life-long passion for helping people. Being able to care about others and provide a safe place for people to grow brings meaning to my life. It’s an honor to be a part of people’s journeys
Halle Brimm
Executive Board Position: Event Co-Chair
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Counseling Track: School and Clinical Counseling with an emphasis in Addictions
Fun Fact: I do competitive ballroom dancing!
Why did you choose to become a counselor?: I want people to feel less alone in their situations and know there is someone in their corner.
Lindsay Ann Smith
Executive Board Position: Event Co-Chair
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Counseling Track: 2-year School Counseling
Fun Fact: My go to songs at karaoke are 'Poison' by Bel Biv Devoe and 'You Oughta Know' by Alanis Morissette
Why I chose counseling as a career: I have worked in a variety of education settings and the nonprofit sector since graduating from CU-Boulder. In 2020 I started working in an elementary school as a health tech. We didn't have a mental health professional at the time, and with the uncertainty and stress of COVID, I had a lot of students visiting the health room for things that weren't physical health related. I quickly realized how much I enjoyed being able to help students beyond just bandaids and ice packs. After lots of research into different programs and strong encouragement from my family and coworkers I applied and was accepted into the graduate program at UCCS!
Taylor Bradshaw
Executive Board Position: Secretary
Pronouns: he/him/his
Counseling Track: Clinical Mental Health
Fun Fact: My go to karaoke song is "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield.
Reason for entering counseling field: I chose to enter this field to serve as a pillar of support for individuals as they traverse the hurdles of trauma and addiction. Facing these challenges can be an overwhelming endeavor for individuals and being able create a safe space that aids them in navigating these issues is truly powerful. Contributing to client growth is something I take pride in, and I am honored to witness their successes in this regard.
Lisa Buckman
Executive Board Position: Mentorship Chair
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Counseling Track: Clinician Mental Health Counseling
Fun fact: This is my second career. I served in the Air Force for 27 ½ years and after retirement has 2 other jobs including Partner Development at Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center and Director of Veteran and Military Affairs at UCCS. Four years after retiring and feeling like I have not “landed” yet, I decided to go back to school.
Why did you choose to become a counselor?: Throughout my military career, I have helped people whether it was counseling about career decisions or personal or professional relationships. When I left the military, I didn’t miss the long hours, deployments or time away from family for training…I missed being with people. I missed be able to connect with folks one-on-one to help them as they struggled with the unique things that military life brings. Now I work with active duty, veterans and their family members at Mt. Carmel as they continue to struggle with issues that only military members can fully understand. I am honored to continue to be a part of helping the community I spent my entire adult life serving.
Ashlyn Woeltge
Executive Board Position: Social Media Chair
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Counseling Track: School and Clinical Mental Health
Fun Fact: I'm from Minnesota and moved here for this program! As beautiful as the mountains are, I really miss my lakes.
Why did you choose to become a counselor?: Mental health is so important and impactful. We can't expect students to show up ready and eager to learn every day. Life happens. As a school counselor, I have the opportunity to be a source of support that's readily available to students. I also get to teach students social-emotional and relational skills that they may not otherwise learn in class.
Kaytie (KD) Blan
Executive Board Position: Membership Chair
Pronouns: they/them/theirs
Counseling Track: Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Addictions Emphasis
Fun Fact: I have over 30 Squishmallows and counting. If you're counting all my stuffed animals, I have over 60 with me and more at my childhood home.
Why did you choose to become a counselor?: I want to give back to my community. I recognize the need for clinicians for multiply marginalized youth since I grew up with the label of an "at-risk student." Working and being a part of this population helped me decide on the counseling profession.