Our Staff

Our vision as part of the liberal arts education

Becoming self-reliant, developing enriching relationships, and clarifying life goals and values are among the significant challenges of college students. Counseling provides those struggling with the demands of college with the opportunity to learn about themselves and others, examine their coping styles, and develop more effective skills and strategies to meet their needs. Counseling is an educational opportunity and empowers students to develop healthy ways of living and learning.

Members of the staff work closely with faculty, administrators, non-campus health professionals, and parents on issues which are of concern to individual students as well as to the campus community.

Hieu Dovan, Ph.D.
Director of Counseling Services

Hieu has had extensive experiences in the field of mental health. In addition to college counseling centers, he had also worked in outpatient and inpatient settings. Hieu believes that the goal of counseling is to help students not only with their current situation, but also with learning new skills to deal with future issues that will invariably come up. College is the time of transition to adulthood. Hieu assists students in navigating this sometimes bumpy process by providing support and a safe environment for them to try out new ways of being.

In order to have access to resources to better serve students, Hieu belongs to the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD), the Association for the Coordination of Counseling Center Clinical Services (ACCCCS) and the American College Counseling Association (ACCA).

Shawn MacDonald, ABD, PA
Assistant Director of Counseling Services

Shawn enjoys working with students in individual, couple's, and group settings to help students achieve their goals at St. Mary's and beyond. The college years are a time of great opportunity and growth for students. Shawn works with students to help them reach their full potential as students and as persons. Shawn has experience working with students who have a broad variety of issues including depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, childhood trauma and sexual assault, in addition to coping with the challenges and stresses of college life. Shawn's research and counseling work also focus on diversity and identity issues including race and ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, and spirituality. Shawn tailors her approach in counseling to the needs and goals of each individual student. In addition to more formal counseling, Shawn also works with student groups and clubs on various issues and enjoys consulting with students on their SMP's.

During the 2006-2007 school year as Shawn completes her dissertation and works toward licensure she is working as a Psychological Associate under the supervision of Hieu Dovan, PhD.

Christine Lepoutre, MD
contract psychiatrist

Dr. Lepoutre received her bachelor degree from Georgetown University in 1990 and graduated from Mercer University School of Medicine in 1999. In addition to Dr. Lepoutre's training in psychiatry, she also did a residency in internal medicine. Prior to Dr. Lepoutre's coming to St. Mary's County, she was an internal medicine and psychiatry hospitalist in Rockville, MD. Dr. Lepoutre comes to SMCM 1-5 PM on Thursdays to provide psychiatric services to students. To access her services, please schedule an appointment with one of the counselors.

Susan Ross
Administrative Secretary