Meet the Staff
The staff is a multi-disciplinary treatment team of health and mental health professionals. Physicians, nurses, counselors and administrators are dedicated to serving our campus community. The Center also employs student workers to assist with clerical duties. Student workers have limited access to patient information. All staff members sign a confidentiality agreement upon employment.
Michele Manassah, M.A., L.C.P.C.
Director, Counseling Services
Michele is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois and has been working in the mental health field since 1991. She completed her bachelor degree in Community Services at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio and earned her M.A. in Guidance and Counseling at Bowling Green State University, as well. Prior to coming to Lewis University, Michele provided clinical care and supervisory oversight in several community mental health settings. Her experience includes working with trauma, depression and other mood disorders, anxiety disorders, relationship problems, substance abuse, grief, and psychotic disorders. Especially interested in crisis intervention, trauma and brief therapies, Michele has extensive experience in suicide assessment and intervention. She is a member of the Illinois Counseling Association, the American College Counseling Association and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
She resides in Plainfield with her husband and their three children.
Michelle Ronchetti, RN, BSN
Director, Health Services
Michelle is an RN who started working at Lewis University in March 2008. She serves as the Director of Health Services at the Center. She earned her BSN here at Lewis, graduating in 1989. Michelle has worked in a variety of roles during her career as an Registered Nurse. Her experience as an RN includes working as a labor and delivery nurse for over 12 years; thereafter, she has spent part of her career working in an industrial health setting and then worked at a large federally funded community health center, here in Will County, serving as their Quality/Risk manager.
Michelle is very excited to be involved in the college setting. She loves being a nurse and working with people. Michelle has been married to her high school sweetheart, Mark, since 1989 and they are blessed with two wonderful sons.
Zachary Hitchens, M.S., NCC
Mental Health Counselor
Zachary is a nationally certified counselor from Maryland. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and completed his M.S. in College Counseling at Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. He has experience in counseling college students and developing and implementing alcohol and other drug prevention programs at a number of institutions. He believes in helping students create and implement solutions that work best for them in a safe and supportive environment. Zachary is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American College Counseling Association, and Chi Sigma Iota, the counseling academic and professional honor society. He is excited to work with students and be a part of the Lewis University community
Cathy Hopp, RN, BSN
Nurse
Janeen LeFevre, LPC, NCSC
Janeen LeFevre is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified School Counselor with experience in counseling adolescents, and young adults. She focuses on issues of identity development, self-esteem, life transitions, depression, anxiety, career exploration, school performance, and coping with life stressors (finances, relationships, peers, family, and work). She encourages students through a nonjudgmental and person centered approach to develop self-awareness, experience self-confidence, build healthier relationships, and let go of undesirable beliefs and behaviors. Her previous counseling experience extends from diverse clinical settings including community mental health, private practice, psychiatric inpatient, university, and school settings. Janeen received her Master's degree from the University of New Orleans in Counselor Education, and had worked in New Orleans with survivors of Hurricane Katrina who experienced trauma and major life transitions. She also has served in the military with the Louisiana Air National Guard and was honorably discharged in 2001.
Janeen enjoys working among college students. Her passion for student development in higher education and connecting with the needs of Lewis students is her ideal role and one that is very exciting for her.
Sandy Speva
Secretary
Sandy has been the secretary at The Center for Health & Counseling Services since 1998. She is a Lewis Alumna receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration in May 2008. In the future, she hopes to continue her education and complete her master’s degree. She has lived in the Plainfield area most of her life with her husband, Jayme, and their two children.
Jill Whitaker, M.S., L.C.P.C
Counselor
Jill is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and current member of the Illinois Counseling Association. She has has been working in the human service field since 1998. She completed her bachelor degree in Psychology and English Literature at Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and earned her M.S. in Counseling at National Louis University in Chicago. Jill has worked in a variety of community based agency and school settings providing individual and family development counseling, psycho-educational groups and prevention services. She has experience providing crisis intervention counseling, and supporting those who have experienced significant trauma and loss. Using motivational and interpersonal strategies, Jill partners with students to encourage positive development of their self-awareness and esteem, strengths, and support systems.
