Faculty Biographies
Nicholas Young, Ph.D., Ed.D. – Director, Department Graduate Psychology and Counseling
Dr. Young holds a B.S. from Austin Peay State University and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology, a M.A. in Human Resources with a focus in Industrial and Organizational psychology, a CAGS in School Psychology, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology from American International College. He finished a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical psychology and earned a M.Ed. in Educational Administration and a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at AIC. Dr. Young completed individualized graduate studies in school counseling as well as a CAGS in Educational Administration at Westfield State College before obtaining a MBA from Western New England College. Dr. Young also holds a Ph.D. from Union Institute & University’s with a specialization in educational administration.
In the broad helping profession, Dr. Young has had significant experience working in school, clinical and education settings. He is a nationally certified counselor, a nationally certified school psychologist, a licensed educational psychologist, a board certified health services provider, and a licensed psychologist with clinical and educational specialties.
Dr. Young is also an experienced educator and educational administrator, having served in building and district level school leadership positions. In the field of education, he holds certifications as a superintendent of schools, school principal, special education director, pupil services administrator, special education teacher, guidance counselor and school psychologist.
Dr. Young is a regular presenter at state and national conferences, and he has published in various practitioner journals. Prior to joining the graduate and post-graduate faculties, he taught graduate level education, guidance and psychology courses at American International College. Dr. Young pioneered the Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling and has been its Director since its inception in December 2001.
Richard Judah, D.Ed.
Dr. Judah received his BA in Psychology from California State University in Sacramento, an M.A. in Psychology and Counseling from Assumption College, and a D.Ed. in Counselor Education from Pennsylvania State University. He is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a board certified health services provider and has extensive experience in the mental health field as a clinician, professional supervisor, and mental health services clinical director.
He is also a school psychologist with extensive experience in the testing and diagnosis of learning problems and developmental disabilities. He has training and experience in neuropsychology and forensic psychology, has published articles, and is currently engaged in research on complimentary approaches to the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He has maintained a private practice in psychology for over 20 years and taught graduate courses in psychology and special education at Fitchburg State College and Assumption College.
Christine Michael, Ph.D.
Dr. Michael holds an A.B. in British and American Literature from Brown University, an MAT from Brown in secondary English, a M.Ed. from Rhode Island College in developmental reading, and a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in education/human development and learning. She also completed post-doctoral studies in school administration and is licensed as a principal/superintendent. Prior to joining the faculties of the M.A. and CAGS Programs, she taught at Antioch/New England Graduate School, Castleton State College, Southern Vermont College, North Adams State College, and Rhode Island College.
Dr. Michael also served a seven year stint as a higher education administrator, first as academic coordinator and then as the Academic Dean at Southern Vermont College. She has taught at the middle school and secondary levels, has been on the faculty and has supervised Upward Bound and transitional summer programs for minority students, and is an independent consultant to schools systems.
She also has been committed to family and early childhood literacy through projects for Head Start, the Center for the Book, and the Council on the Humanities. Currently, she is a National Program Director for the Foundation for Excellent Schools. Recent publications and national presentations have centered on such topics as faculty resiliency, adult learning, and the career life cycle.
Scott Rice, Ph.D.
Dr. Rice received a Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College in 1985. He received a Master’s degree in 1987 and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in 1988 from the University of Massachusetts-Boston in School Psychology. He was awarded his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in 1995.
Dr. Rice is licensed as a psychologist and certified as a school psychologist in Massachusetts and holds national certification in school psychology (NCSP). Dr. Rice’s professional experiences include the practice of psychology in both urban and rural school settings, as well as providing psychotherapy services in inpatient and outpatient settings, and in private practice.
Dr. Rice’s current interests are in psychological assessment, and the application of clinical techniques for individual and group counseling in schools. He also has a well developed interest in the assessment of learning and emotional problems in childhood and adolescence.
Walter Stephaniv, Ph.D.
Dr. Stephaniv received his BA in Honors Psychology from McMaster University, Magana Cum Laude. He obtained his Masters Degree in Pre-Clinical Psychology and a Ph.D. in School Psychology, both from Ball State University. He obtained two postdoctoral programs, one in Clinical Respecialization and the second in Clinical Psychopharmacology. His internships were at the Hines Veterans Administration and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, respectively.
Dr. Stephaniv was in the first iteration of the Postdoctoral Program in Clinical Psychopharmacology, and was also it’s co-director at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology (ISPP). In addition Dr, Stephaniv was the Director of the Clinical School Psychology Program at ISPP. Dr. Stephaniv has also been on faculty at Loyola University and has been an active member of several leading hospital allied health staff.
Dr. Stephaniv has had extensive experience in training interns, having been Chief Psychologist and Director of Clinical Training at University Hospital and was responsible for leading their faculty into APA accreditation. Dr. Stephaniv is dually licensed as a clinical psychologist – health service provider and school psychologist. Dr. Stephaniv’s interests are in neuropsychology, psychopharmacology, cross cultural issues, and Epicureanism.
Frank Vargo, Ed.D.
Dr. Frank Vargo is a professor of Graduate Studies in the Department of Graduate Psychology and Counseling at Union Institute and University. Frank holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology; graduate degrees in school psychology, counseling, and education; and a bachelor’s degree in music education.
In addition to his teaching responsibilities at UI&U, Dr. Vargo is the director of his clinic, The Fireside Center for Psychological and Educational Services in Leominster, Massachusetts, and he is a pediatric developmental neuropsychologist at North Shore Children’s Hospital in Salem, Massachusetts. Dr. Vargo is a licensed psychologist and health care provider, a nationally certified school psychologist, a licensed educational psychologist, a certified guidance counselor, a certified school adjustment counselor and social worker, and a certified music teacher.
Dr. Vargo’s specializations also include the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with learning disabilities and neurodevelopmental disorders, and he is a highly regarded adult, child, and family therapist. He is also an advisory council member for the Massachusetts Department of Education and he is a city school committee member.
Andy Vengrove, Ed. D.
Dr. Vengrove holds his B.A. from Evergreen State College and a M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Tufts University with a focus in School Psychology, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology from American International College. Dr. Vengrove is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and is a certified by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a school psychologist and school social worker/school adjustment counselor.
Dr. Vengrove has extensive experience working in the public schools completing psychological evaluations, working with at-risk children and adolescents in regular and special education programs, providing individual and group counseling and teacher/program consultation, and coordinating building-based and system wide crisis intervention programs.
Dr. Vengrove specializes in crisis intervention within the schools and communities and has presented workshops and taught graduate courses on this topic. His other areas of interest include the assessment of social and emotional difficulties in children and adolescents, alternative approaches to working with at-risk students, and issues related to cultural diversity both within the field of counseling and in the public schools.
Phil Gosselin, Ph.D.
Dr. Gosselin received his BA from Columbia University and an M.Ed and Ph.D in Counseling Psychology from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He is a licensed clinical psychologist.He directed the Behavioral Medicine program at Franklin Medical Center of Greenfield, MA for 12 years, supervising psychologists and psychology
interns in the treatment of chronic anxiety, chronic illness and chronic pain. He often presented at Hospital Panel Rounds and conferences on health psychology and has published articles on experimental behavioral treatments.
Dr. Gosselin has had a private practice in psychology for more than 15 years, often counseling couples as well as individuals and is trained in mediation. He has taught at Keene State College and the University of Massachusetts. He has experience teaching at the elementary and preschool levels as well as in adult education. He has been an organizational development consultant to several large corporations and has a decade of experience on Wall St. in venture capital and financial consulting. He is on the Board of Directors of the Sai Council of USA, the American affiliate of an international service organization that has founded several hospitals and universities in southern India.
Emily J. Davis, Psy.D.
Dr. Davis holds a B.A. in Psychology from Boston University and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. She was trained in Behavioral Neurology and neuropsychology through Harvard Medical School, and in Cognitive-Developmental Therapy through the Language and Cognitive Development Center of Boston, MA. She holds status as an expert witness in clinical psychology and in child therapy in two Massachusetts court systems.
Dr. Davis has a range of professional interests in the field of psychology. Her past research interests included studies of the frontal lobe, executive functioning, and ADHD. Current research interests relate to outcome studies of adolescent and family interventions in the community mental health sector. She is also interested in psychopharmacology and multidisciplinary integration of services.
Dr. Davis has applied her knowledge of psychology in a range of settings from program development and consultation to direct provision of psychotherapy. She has worked in urban, suburban, and rural public schools delivering psychological assessment and counseling services, and has developed and supervised curricula in therapeutic and residential schools. She designed a federally funded vocational rehabilitation program for urban populations with major mental illness, and currently works in a community mental health center delivering individual, group and family therapy to a wide range of clients. Dr. Davis has special interests in treating clients with dual diagnoses, and children and adolescents with major mental illness and their families.
Dorothy (Didi) Firman, Ed.D.
Dr. Firman received her doctorate in Consulting Psychology from The University of Massachusetts, an M.A. in Transpersonal Psychology from Beacon College, and a B.A. from Goddard College. She is a licensed mental health counselor, a board certified hypnotherapist, a practicing psychotherapist and a consultant to businesses and organizations, specializing in group dynamics and interpersonal relationships.
Dr. Firman is the director of Psychosynthesis training at the Synthesis Center, in Amherst, Massachusetts, as well as a member of the affiliated counseling staff. She is a workshop leader, presenting nationally and internationally on a variety of topics. She is the co-author, with her mother, also a psychotherapist, of Daughters and Mothers: Making it Work and Chicken Soup for the Mother and Daughter Soul and the editor of Reflections on Ecopsychosynthesis, the first journal of the national psychosynthesis association.