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From 2016 to 2020, Leah worked with Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR which inspired her love of Residential Education while she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies with a focus on Interpersonal Relations. Dedicated to her passion, she decided to move across the country and expand her education to a Master of Arts at Western Michigan University and joined the Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership program from 2021 to 2023.

Leah began working with Lake Michigan College in 2021 after being offered a graduate-level position as the Resident Director of Beckwith Hall, and developed her field experience working with Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA as a Summer Programs Assistant Resident Director. Leah became a professional staff member of Lake Michigan College in 2022 as the Associate Director of Residence Life and advanced in her role as the Director of Residence & Student Life in 2025. With a goal to enhance student engagement and retention by developing a comprehensive residence and student life experience that fosters belonging, leadership, and holistic growth, Leah hopes to see results through measurable increases in student satisfaction, persistence, and participation across campus.

Born and raised in Portland, OR, Leah loves a good rainy day, as well as traveling with her family, reading a good book, and trying to find the best maple latte in the area.

Helping local employers fill their talent pipeline with apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, and career fairs, and working in partnership with others to understand and serve employers' talent needs, Barbara's long commitment to ensuring the College is an instigator and leader of initiatives to strengthen our communities and economy is matched just as passionately by her desire to see students succeed, especially "first-generation" students like her.

She received a Bachelor's Degree in Modern Languages from Queen Mary University London and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University. She is currently working on her Doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University.

Please call me Rhi. I graduated from Michigan State University and received my Master’s of Social Work from the University of Michigan. I’ve been practicing in the mental health field for 23 years. I live in the area with my teenage daughters, my partner, our pug dog, and three very spoiled cats. I love being in or near the water and taking in the quiet beauty of a great sunset.

I’m passionate about supporting students as they navigate life’s challenges, and I work hard to create a warm, safe, and inclusive space where you can show up exactly as you are. In our work together, I draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and a person-centered approach. I believe therapy should be tailored to each individual, and together we can focus on what feels most meaningful and helpful to you.

I have experience supporting students with depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidal ideation, personality disorders, life transitions, interpersonal concerns, self-esteem, gender identity, LGBTQ+ experiences, trauma, academic or work stress, substance use, time management, disabilities, grief and loss, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

I view therapy as an opportunity to gain insight, build effective coping skills, and move toward living the best version of your life. It offers a confidential space to process what’s going on, make sense of your story, and begin shaping the future you want.

I’m also deeply committed to advocating for students with disabilities and ensuring they receive the fair and equitable accommodations they deserve.

Master of Science, Engineering

PhD Curriculum and Instruction, Andrews University
MA Educational Leadership and Literacy Education, Michigan State University

Chad Dee is originally from the Southwest Michigan area and then relocated to South Bend, Indiana in the early 90s. Although still located in South Bend, Chad returned to work in Southwest Michigan in November of 2008 in a variety of roles with the MTEC of Lake Michigan College. Currently, as the Director of the Hanson Technology Center, Chad oversees events that take place in the technology center as well as the Fab Lab.

Chad graduated from Indiana Tech in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and continued on and completed his MBA with an emphasis in Marketing and Management in 2003.

Bachelor of Arts, History/Economics; Master of Arts (In Progress), Applied Economics