Suzanne Burks, Ph.D., LPC, is the Director of University Counseling Services. She received her Ph.D. in Applied Behavioral Studies of Education with an emphasis in Counseling and Development from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Burks enjoys directing such a diverse department and is active in the community through involvement on various boards and task forces. Also, Dr. Burks is known for being an active participant and coordinator of a 24-hour crisis intervention response program. Hobbies: Dr. Burks enjoys traveling to the Missouri Ozarks and enjoying the music and entertainment that the region is known for. She also works with stain glass stepping stones in her spare time. She has served in various roles at University Counseling Services since 1986.

Laura Briscoe, M.S., is a Practicum Counselor at the Student Counseling Center. She received her Master's in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from OSU. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Laura hails from a small town in the eastern state. Special interest areas include multicultural issues, spirituality, relationship issues, family and couples concerns, and gender/role issues. Laura enjoys listening to music, writing, watching movies, and attending dance/musical performances.

Baiba Ercum, M.D., is board certified in Psychiatry in the U.S. and in Poland. She received her M.D. from the University of Warsaw in Poland. She has considerable experience with both in-patient and out-patient Psychiatry. Special areas of interest include mood disorders and anxiety disorders. Dr. Ercum has a private practice in Stillwater and works on a part time consulting basis with our service. She is available for appointments on a referral basis. She enjoys classical and ethnic music and spending time with her dogs. Also, she says her hobbies include "back yard work, not garden work."

Meladee Garst, M.S., is a Practicum Counselor at the Student Counseling Center. She received her Master's in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from OSU. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology at Wichita State University. Meladee originates from a rural country town in Kansas. Special interest includes working with GBLT individuals and issues, multicultural issues, relationship issues, anxiety and depression, adjustment issues, and eating disorders. Meladee enjoys listening to music, movies, shopping, all sports, and live theater.

Joni Hays, Ph.D., LPC, is Coordinator of the Career Resource Center and Senior Clinical Counselor. She received a Ph.D. from Kansas State University in Student Counseling and Personnel Services; M.S. in Psychology from Pittsburg State University; and B.S. in Psychology from Pittsburg State University. Joni has been on staff since 1989.

Steven (Steve) Hubbard, M.S., is an Intake Counselor at the Student Counseling Center. He received his Master’s in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from OSU. Steve is a native Texan, who grew up in the rural Panhandle of Texas. He specializes in working with GLBT (gay men, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender) individuals. Additionally, his professional interests include men’s issues, chronic and terminal illness issues, anger and aggression, and life transition issues.

Tamara Richardson, Ph.D., is a Senior Clinical Counselor at the Student Counseling Center and serves as an adjunct faculty for the Counseling Psychology doctoral program at OSU. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Counseling Psychology from Oklahoma State University. She received her B.S. degree in Psychology/Family Science in 2002 from Cameron University. Dr. Richardson’s special clinical interest areas include body image and eating disorder issues, gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues, general women’s issues, grief, sexual assault and domestic violence, stress management, depression, self-esteem issues, family and/or relationship concerns, group therapy, and couple counseling.

Trevor Richardson, Ph.D., is a Senior Clinical Counselor. He received his Master’s in Community Counseling in 2001 and is currently completing his doctorate in Counseling Psychology at Oklahoma State University. He received a B.A. degree in Psychology at Central College (Pella, IA). Special interest areas include multicultural issues, relationship issues, sport and exercise psychology, and the use of biofeedback in arousal regulation/stress management.