Panelist Bio's
Dr. Andrea J. Calabrese, DSW, LCSW, LMSW, CADC, CCS
Chief Operations Officer
Child and Family Charities
Andrea spent twenty years of her career working in New York City and moved to Michigan over six years ago to fill the role of Chief Operations Officer for Child and Family Charities located in Lansing, MI. Andrea earned her Doctor of Social Work degree from Rutgers University School of Social Work and her Masters of Social Work from City University of New York Hunter College School of Social Work. She is a licensed clinical social worker in New York and Michigan as well as a certified alcohol and drug counselor, and a Certified Clinical Supervisor in Michigan. Andrea has spent over twenty years working in the areas of non-profit administration focusing on substance use disorder and mental health treatment as well as homelessness and supportive housing. She is a master trainer and curriculum developer in the areas of homelessness, addiction, emotional and behavioral health concerns, trauma informed care as well as team building, and supervision.
Melvin L. Chapman
Psychology Faculty
Oakland Community College
Melvin Chapman received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University and Masters in School and Community Psychology from Wayne State University. As an exceptionally gifted and experienced educator, mediator, speaker and trainer/presenter, he helps clients improve workforce performance. In the classroom he serves as a member of the psychology faculty at Oakland Community College. Additionally, Melvin serves on the College Committee for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) and as an advisor of the Student Veterans Association (SVA) at OCC.
Melvin has provided services as a school psychologist and psychotherapist and has trained, mentored, and designed curriculum for hundreds of learners from entry to executive level - in scores of companies across diverse industries – including UAW/ Chrysler, UAW/Ford, UAW/General Motors, Detroit Public Schools, Comcast, the Bon Marche’ (now Macy’s) and many others. He is also a proud veteran of the United States Coast Guard.
Cheryl J. Decker, MA, MS, LLP, CAADC
Psychology Faculty
Oakland Community College
Cheryl as been a faculty member at Oakland Community College since 2010. She teaches an array of psychology classes from Introduction to Psychology to Psychology of Adjustment to Survey of Exceptional Children. Prior to teaching, held various clinical responsibilities in community mental health working with children, adults and families. Long standing career in technology and business at Ford Motor Company, General Motors and Control Data Corporation.
Kirstine (Kris) Evans, MA, LPC
Counselor
Oakland Community College
Kris has over 30 years of counseling experience with community college students. The past 20 years have been at OCC. She has served on the Mental Health Taskforce and Student Veterans Association, among many others. She is focused on OCC student success and is a student advocate.
Shannon Perry, BCD, LMSW
PTSD Program Coordinator
John D. Dingell VAMC
Shannon is a native Detroiter and graduate of Cass Tech high school class of 1981. She received her Bachelors and Master of Social Work from Wayne State University in 1989 and 1992 respectively. Additionally, she received a Master of Science in Educational Leadership in 2008 from Concordia University (Ann Arbor). She began her practice in the private sector before transitioning to a 17 yr. tenure position with Detroit Public Schools as a School Social Worker. Currently, she is the PTSD Program Coordinator at the Detroit VAMC. Shannon is an Independently licensed, Board-Certified Social worker. As a PTSD Program Coordinator, she brings with her a diverse, rich, skillful work experience. She is an advocate for change when providing care for people with mental health challenges.
