2021-2022 Executive Board

President
Kathleen Ruscitto, Ph.D, LMHC, CAADC, ACS, NCC

Dr. Kathleen Ruscitto is an assistant professor of counselor education and the practicum and internship coordinator at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. She has over 10 years’ experience as a professional counselor and has worked in a variety of behavioral health settings. Dr. Ruscitto is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), an International Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (IAADC), and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). 

Dr. Ruscitto’s research interests include recovery and wellness practices for mental health and substance use disorders, rural communities, qualitative and quantitative methods, multicultural counseling, and supervision. Dr. Ruscitto advocates at the individual and community levels for best practices that support and improved behavioral health care. She activity presents at the state, regional, and national levels. 

Past President
Anna Zuidema MA, TLMHC, NCC

Anna Zuidema is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, where she received an MA in clinical mental health counseling in 2017. She is completing her post-graduate licensure hours at Ames Therapy and Consulting, where she completed her graduate clinical hours. Zuidema received her BA in sociology in 2006 from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass.

She enjoys working with individuals, couples, and groups. Areas of interest include depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, PTSD and chronic pain. Zuidema uses a combination of psychodynamic and CBT approaches when working with clients.

As President of ACA of Iowa, Zuidema looks forward to becoming involved at the state level to help promote the development of fellow counselors and the counseling profession.

Secretary
Ljubomirka Bijelic 

Secretary
Alaina Ellington

Communications Chair
Morgan Walker

Membership Chair
Whitney Cue

Graduate Student Chair
Katie Behr 

Parliamentarian/Historian
Katie Behr

Legislative Chair
David Kirk

Western Regional Chair
Asha Khan-Snyder

Central Regional Chair
Lauren Spurling 

Eastern Regional Chair
Victoria Maneey