Dr. Sherra’ Watkins

 

Dr. Sherra’ Watkins, PhD, M.S., MA.Ed, LCMHC-S, LCAS, CRC, CCS, BC-TMH (Therapist)

Dr. Sherrá Watkins (she/her/hers), grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She is the Associate Vice President of Student Health and Wellness at the University of Utah.  A leader in the mental health and substance use field, her passion is to transform systems that perpetuate decreased access and utilization of counseling services towards marginalized populations.

Dr. Watkins’ research focuses on decreasing the stigma of mental health and substance use disorders, chronic pain and chronic diseases among African Americans, and the intersection of racism and racial bias within chronic pain and substance use treatment. She has vast expertise in the areas of public health, mental health and substance use administration and education, wellness, and leadership development.

Dr. Watkins earned four degrees from East Carolina University, a Doctor of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Counseling & Administration, a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling & Substance Abuse Counseling, a Master of Arts in Education in Health Education, and a Bachelor of Science in School Health Education. She has received personal honors from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and professional honors ECU Leadership Awards: 40 under 40 Inaugural Class. Dr. Watkins currently resides in Salt Lake City, Utah with her husband, Lorinza, and two boys, William and Bryson. She is the author of Healing In Review, an insightful guide designed to help readers reflect & record on their healing with counseling or coaching, and Healing In Color, its corresponding motivational coloring book. Additional new books as of 2023 include: The 30-Day Gratitude Journal: Self-care & Self-love Daily Journal, Good Vibes Coloring Book: A Brilliant Collection of Positive and Fun Designs for Adults to Color, and the Landscape Mandalas Coloring Book: A Beautiful Collection of Landscape Images for Adults to Color.

Dr. Charla Blumell

 

Dr. Charla Blumell, MA, CHES, CHWC, Ed.D. (Coach)

Charla Blumell, is a Connecticut born, North Carolina resident, working in higher education in the Piedmont area. Charla’s role expands student knowledge and experiences in regards to the dimensions of wellness, attentiveness to inclusivity, addressing health equity, resiliency, and prevention efforts.

Charla’s wellness experience includes over a decade of teaching in public health at the collegiate level and in addition to this experience, she has been presenter for several local/regional colleges and universities, as well as the surrounding community, since 2001. Charla brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Sister WELLS working with adults on behavior change, through motivational interviewing and health coaching, individual and group. She is a subject matter expert in the areas of sexual health, healthy relationships, stress management, and self-care.

Charla is a certified health education specialist (CHES®), as well as certified health and wellness coach. In 2015, she completed her doctorate in Adult Education, with a concentration in health from North Carolina State University. Charla is a member of several professional organizations including NASPA, and SOPHE. She has also received personal honors from Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., UNC-Chapel Hill Student Affairs Partnership Award (2017), and ECU Leadership Awards: 40 under 40 (2018).

 

Dr. Shawnté Elbert

 

Dr. Shawnté Elbert, MA, MCHES, TTS, CHWC, Ed.D. (Coach)

Shawnté is currently, is the Associate Vice President of Health & Well-being at The Ohio State University where she supports Student Life’s Counseling and Consultation Service, department of Recreational Sports, Student Health Services and Student Wellness Center.. Previously she served as the first Associate Dean of Health and Wellness at Central Washington University. She is a graduate of East Carolina University with a BS in Health Education and Promotion with a concentration in Worksite Health. She received her MA degree in Wellness from Chatham University and completed her Ed.D. from St. Thomas University in Educational Leadership and Management. Shawnté is a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, a Tobacco Treatment Specialist, and Certified Health & Wellness Coach.

For over 10 years she has served as a site supervisor for graduate and undergraduate Interns, co-advised Peer Education groups, and undergraduate chapters of her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta. She has served as an Adjunct Instructor teaching Peer Health, and Health and Wellness courses. She is active in the American College Health Association, where she sits on the Board of Directors and NASPA, in which she serves as the Co-Chair for the Wellness and Health Promotion Knowledge Community and on the Peer Education Advisory Board.

Shawnté has a tremendous passion for helping others achieve their goals and serves as a mentor and coach for many within higher education. Shawnté believes in professional development and mentoring, especially for underrepresented populations, as evident in her own personal successes, in part to the mentorship she received. She enjoys working for organizations that are forward-thinking, supportive of professional development, and will allow her to contribute her diverse talents and skills to make a long-lasting partnership.