We are excited to share that three of our newest faculty in Counselor Education Department are moving into tenure-track positions:
Jordan Shaw
Dr. Shaw is a counselor and educator dedicated to helping individuals, couples, and families navigate life’s challenges. With a background spanning private practice, college centers, and community programs, Dr. Shaw brings practical experience to training the next generation of mental health professionals.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Shaw actively leads state counseling initiatives as President-Elect of the Maine Mental Health Counselors’ Association and studies how young counselors develop their professional voice and confidence.
Tina Nightingale
Tina Nightingale is a licensed counselor and educator with nearly two decades of experience helping children, families, and future therapists thrive. As a faculty member in School Counseling at the University of Southern Maine, Dr. Nightingale teaches innovative mental health practices that help people process stress, build resilience, and feel secure in their identities.
Dr. Nightingale’s research focuses on making schools safer and more supportive places for all children. By studying how school safety practices impact students’ daily lives and attendance, Dr. Nightingale works to create learning environments where every student feels safe, valued, and ready to learn.
LaReine Meinersmann
LaReine Meinersmann is a mental health counselor and researcher passionate about supporting families and empowering communities. Her clinical background includes providing hands-on, in-home counseling for families in rural Georgia and providing crisis support in university settings.
Dr. Meinersmann centers her research on the unique pressures of motherhood. She explores how mothers balance work, family, and personal well-being, focusing on ways systems can better support parents—especially those in underserved or marginalized communities. Through her research, teaching, and clinical work, Dr. Meinersmann strives to make mental health support more compassionate and accessible for all families.