Susan Harris, MLS
Team Lead
Extension Educator – Rural Health, Wellness, and Safety
Nebraska Extension
P.O. Box 31
Minden, NE 68959
susan.harris@unl.edu
308-832-0645
"Mental wellness and quality sleep are the two under-promoted aspects of healthy living that I would like to see all Nebraskans embrace for an overall better quality of life. Our diversified team of professionals is an empowering force to help reach that goal!"
Holly Hatton-Bowers, PhD
Co-Lead
Assistant Professor, Early Childhood Extension Specialist
Nebraska Extension
231T Louise Pound Hall
512 N 12th Street
Lincoln, NE 68588-0366
hattonb@unl.edu
916-737-8704
"My scholarly work focuses on cultivating the emotional and mental health and well-being of young children and those who care for them. Being a member of this team provides a great opportunity to collectively enhance and promote the well-being of rural communities which is critically important for supporting children and families to thrive."
Melissa Bartels, PhD
Extension Educator – Cropping/Water Systems
Nebraska Extension
451 N. 5th St.
David City, NE 68632
Melissa.Bartels@unl.edu
402-367-7410
"I joined this team because mental and emotional health affects us all. It is important to teach and learn ways to deal with stress in a healthy manner and to know when to ask for help."
Dr. Christine Chasek, LIMHP, LADC
Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Kearney in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology
Director of the Behavioral Healthcare Center of Nebraska-Kearney
"As a practicing clinician, I am a passionate about the emotional health of our rural families and communities. I want to ensure that they receive the best care possible so they can continue their mission of feeding the world."
Soni Cochran, MS
Extension Associate
Nebraska Extension
444 Cherrycreek Rd, Ste A
Lincoln, NE 68528
scochran2@unl.edu
402-441-7180
"I'm a member of the Rural Stress and Family Wellness team because our mental health is important. It impacts personal well-being, relationships, and overall quality of life. Rural families and communities in Nebraska are facing unique challenges and in times of stress, it is important to let people know it is okay to reach out for help. Nebraskans are resilient but we all need support when faced with tough times."
Lynn DeVries, MS
Extension Educator – The Learning Child
Nebraska Extension
2975 S Baltimore Ave.
Hastings, NE 68901
lynn.devries@unl.edu
402-461-7209
"I was raised in rural Nebraska and have seen my grandparents and parents go through stressful times as I grew up. I also know firsthand what it is like to survive a destructive tornado, and how this can impact a family. I want to be able to work to support families and to encourage Nebraskans to develop their own communities of care and to connect people to resources that can be of assistance as they weather life’s storms."
Kerry Elsen
4-H Youth Development Educator
Nebraska Extension
1400 East 34th Street
Kearney, NE 68847
kerry.elsen@unl.edu
308-236-1235
"Rural Nebraskans are dealing with the most challenging times they have ever faced. I want to be able to provide families with the tools to successfully overcome additional stresses."
Linda Emanuel, R. N. Ag Producer
Community Health Nurse
AgriSafe Network
lemanuel@agrisafe.org
402-719-4372
"Mental health matters. My research to practice work of a community health nurse includes a wholistic care approach of meeting producers where they are within the age continuum. Embracing the culture of agriculture to embody a healthy mind is a key component in complete compassionate care."
Jean Ann Fischer, MS, RDN, LMNT
Extension Educator, Nutrition and Health Sciences
Interim Human Sciences Program Leader, Nebraska Extension
Nebraska Extension
@jeanfischerRDN
jfischer6@unl.edu
"My work is focused on the prevention of chronic disease and I believe integration of mental health and physical health is essential for well-being and disease prevention."
Carrie Gottschalk, MS, LMHP
Associate Extension Educator – The Learning Child
Nebraska Extension
322 S. 14th St
Seward, 68434
402-643-2981 office
402-515-3312 cell
"I am a member of the Rural Family Stress and Wellness Team because I am passionate about supporting the emotional and mental health and wellbeing of children, youth and families."
Jessica Groskopf
Associate Extension Educator
Nebraska Extension
Panhandle Rsch & Ext Center
4502 Ave I
Scottsbluff, NE 69361-4939
jjohnson@unl.edu
308-632-1247
"I love working with farmers, ranchers, and their families to address the challenges of growing food. This includes coping with stress and reducing the feeling of isolation associated with farming and ranching. By building resilient networks of people within our rural communities, we can build a stronger Nebraska."
Kayla Hinrichs
Extension Educator – Food, Nutrition & Health
Nebraska Extension
801 S Street, Suite #1
Ord, Nebraska 68862
khinrichs3@unl.edu
308-728-5071
"As Extension Professionals, we serve the local communities and the state in so many ways. It is critical that we also care for Extension Staff to remind them how important it is to take time for themselves and their needs. I am excited to be on a team to help identify resources to support Extension Employees wellness in times of disaster recovery. Through our work, we can help make Nebraska Strong!"
Michelle Krehbiel, PhD, CFLE
Youth Development Specialist/Associate Professor
Nebraska Extension
114 Agriculture Hall
Lincoln, NE 68583-0700
mkrehbiel2@unl.edu
402-472-9020
"As the youth development specialist, I believe it is critical to address mental health issues of child and youth who are experiencing financial stress due to unfavorable economic conditions or losses from natural disasters. Helping children, youth, and families cope with difficult situations will ensure that they will have the skills needed in their adult lives to address challenging times."
Glennis McClure
Extension Educator – Farm & Ranch Mgmt. Analytics
Nebraska Extension
FYH 303
Lincoln, NE 68583-0922
gmcclure3@unl.edu
402-472-0661
"I’m passionate about helping farm and rural families and professionals understand stress, coping, helping themselves and others as they may face stress and mental wellness challenges. Reaching out is Nebraska Strong! "
Dr. Dave Miers, PhD, LIPC
Counseling and Program Development Manager
Mental Health Services, Bryan Medical Center
www.bryanhealth.org/mentalhealth
dave.miers@bryanhealth.org
402-481-5165
"Bryan Health is dedicated to improving the health of our community, state and region by offering a wide range of treatments and mental health services, from counseling to 24/7 emergency crisis assistance, outpatient/partial care and inpatient hospitalization. As counseling and program development manager, I am involved in suicide prevention on a local, state and national level. I work in collaboration with the Rural Family Stress and Wellness team to develop strategies to ensure rural families know where and how to connect to services when needed."
Ashley Mueller
Extension Educator, Disaster Education Coordinator
Nebraska Extension
1206 W 23rd Street
Fremont, 68025-2504
ashley.mueller@unl.edu
402-727-2775
"I’m a part of this team because I care about the well-being of farm and rural families. I believe in building communities of support and practicing self-care. I’ve learned that I can’t pour from an empty cup. My hope is that others learn this, too."
Gilbert Parra, PhD
Associate Professor
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
257 Louise Pound Hall
512 N 12th Street
Lincoln, NE 68588-0366
gparra2@unl.edu
402-472-0572
"I’m invested in enhancing the health and wellness of Nebraska families. I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to share my experiences working with families exposed to stressful circumstances with such a devoted team."
Linda Reddish
Extension Educator, Co-Parenting Coordinator
Nebraska Extension
lreddish2@unl.edu
402-444-4237
"I am interested in creating systems of supports within organizations to counter compassion fatigue. I am a part of the Rural Family Stress and Wellness team because I am committed to advocating and promoting the well-being of families, children, and the professionals who work with them."
Nikki Roseberry-Keiser, MA
Assistant Vice President, Early Childhood Mental Health
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
President Elect
Nebraska State Suicide Prevention Coalition Board of Directors
215 Centennial Mall South
Suite 200
Lincoln, NE 68508
nroseberry@nebraskachildren.org
402-476-7661
"Bringing together stakeholders from across multiple organizations helps to leverage both funding and expertise to assist partners across the state to better serve rural families. This team helps all involved to collaborate in a way that ensures that all organizations build greater capacity and serve more families in a way that is complimentary instead of duplicative."
Paul Springer, PhD, LMHP
Interim Department Chair
Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies
205 Louise Pound Hall
Lincoln NE, 68588-0366
pspringer3@unl.edu
402-472-1656
"My Scholarly works focuses on improving mental health access for underserved and hard to reach populations. Being a member of this team provides a great opportunity to work with a diversified and talented team of experts who are committed to enhancing and promoting the well-being of rural families in the state of Nebraska."
Robert Tigner
Agricultural Systems Economist, Educator
Nebraska Extension
402 West State Farm Road
North Platte NE 69101
308-696-6734
https://redwillowfarmranch.wordpress.com/
"Stress affects all members of a family and community. Helping people find solutions is what I have tried to do during my extension career. This may be the most important work."
Brandy VanDeWalle
Extension Educator
Nebraska Extension
1340 G St, Geneva, 68361-2005
brandy.vandewalle@unl.edu
402-759-3712
"I love working with farmers, youth and rural Nebraskans and easily connect with them as I grew up on a small farm in Nebraska as well. I am a member of this team because I am passionate about helping people I serve and want to help them work through any problems they might have."