The Counseling Services offices are located in the Student Services Offices in the North Wing of Richland Community College. Counselors provide academic, career, and personal counseling services for students.
Gary O’Connor provides academic, career, and personal counseling services for students. He also assists in training new employees in matters of advisement and related computer usage. He has recently been demonstrating WISE-1, a web-based information system allowing students to access to their Richland academic record off the internet, to student groups. He is presently serving on a committee examining course scheduling in an effort to increase the options and formats in which classes are offered. He assists students in their transition from Richland to a university, as well as their preparation for entry or advancement in the workforce through technical training. Gary attended the University of Illinois.
Contact Gary: Office N126, (217) 875-7211, Ext. 283 or goconnor@richland.edu
Gianina Baker A product of Decatur’s public junior high and high schools, Gianina went on to obtain her Bachelor in Arts in Psychology at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. She then pursued a Master of Arts degree in Human Development Counseling at Saint Louis University. Gianina was hired as a full-time Counselor in RCC’s Enrollment Services as of June 2006. Recently, Gianina passed the exam to become a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Illinois.
Contact Gianina: Office N128, (217) 875-7211, Ext. 434 or gbaker@richland.edu
Stuart Coon graduated from Drake University with a degree in sociology and social studies. He taught high school social studies and math for five years. He earned his Master's Degree from Drake University and moved to Illinois. In addition to being a high school counselor for 27 years he served as Student Services department chair. He has made presentations at state and regional conferences of the Illinois School Counselors’ Association and the Illinois Theatre Association.
Contact Stuart: Office N121, (217) 875-7211, Ext. 280 or scoon@richland.edu
Matt Hunt received a BA in Psychology at Southern Illinois University in 2001 and went on to receive an MS in Clinical-Counseling Psychology at Illinois State University in 2003. He worked as an Adolescent Clinician at Heritage Behavioral Health Center before joining the staff at RCC. He obtained a Clinical Professional Counselor License (LCPC) from the state of Illinois in 2006 and provides counseling services through Decatur Psychological Associates in addition to his duties at RCC.
Contact Matt: Office N121, (217) 875-7211, Ext. 267 or mhunt@richland.edu
