CHI SIGMA IOTA - PHI OMICRON CHI
What is Chi Sigma Iota?
Chi Sigma Iota is the international honor society for counselors-in-training, counselor educators, and professional counselors. Its mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the field of counseling.
History:
Chi Sigma Iota, the International Counseling Academic and Professional Honor Society, was established January 1, 1985. The formation of an Honor Society was seen as a fruitful avenue to provide a much needed link between students, educators, practitioners, and administrators in various counseling settings. While the scope of the Society is international, its focus is upon the personal and professional development of its individual members. Local chapters serve as links within their respective communities to promote interaction between counselor educators, students, alumni, and local professionals. The chapters provide a forum for interaction, sharing of concerns, discussion of issues, and support for common interests. Many chapters schedule meetings and solicit speakers on a variety of topics relevant to counselors, serving as a resource for continuing education. Chapters have conducted service activities and have organized social gatherings to facilitate interactions between members.
Phi Omicron Chi is the Idaho State University, Department of Counseling, Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota was granted chapter status on April 12, 1996.
Chapter Faculty Advisor (Meridian): Dr. Hana Meshesha
Chapter Faculty Advisor (Pocatello): Dr. Leila Roach
2024 - 2025 Board
Co-President (Meridian): Bella Colson (She/Her)
Second Year Doctoral Student
Bella Colson is a second-year doctoral student at Idaho State University. Clinically, she loves to
work with people facing challenges related to disordered eating and body image. Relatedly, her
research interests are centered around the treatment and assessment of eating disorders. Bella
enjoy going for walks/runs, reading, spending time with friends, and watching reality TV.
Co-President (Pocatello): Renyi Huang (she/her)
Third Year Doctoral Student
Renyi Huang (she/her) is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Idaho
State University. Her research focuses on the assessment of basic counseling skills and
international issues in counseling. She is passionate about supporting emerging counselors in
discovering their unique strengths and potential through teaching and supervision. In her free
time, she enjoys rock climbing and spending time outdoors.
Secretary: Kara Orr (She/Her/Hers)
Second Year Master’s Student
Kara Orr is serving as Secretary for the Phi Omicron Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota for the
2025-2026 school year. In her second year at Idaho State University, Kara’s counseling specialty
track is Clinical Mental Health. Concurrently, she is working towards earning her Sexual Health
Certificate through The Sexual Health School based out of Hawaii and completing a Somatic
Therapy for Complex Trauma Certification Training through PESI. Kara is committed to
becoming competent and trained to provide effective trauma-informed care, especially regarding
sexual health and trauma counseling.
With a work experience history showcasing teaching and legal work, Kara sees the importance
of understanding an individual for who they uniquely are and where they are at in their life,
including all the prior experiences that have helped shape them.
In her spare time (of which there is very little), Kara enjoys camping with her children or visiting
Yellowstone National Park to see the “Fluffalo,” as her children endearingly refer to them. Kara
does indulge in occasional self-care activites which include riding her motorcycle, wood-
working, and drawing cartoons.
Treasurer: RaeVonne Cox (She/Her/Hers)
Second Year Master’s Student
RaeVonne Cox is currently serving as the Treasurer for the Phi Omicron Chi chapter of Chi
Sigma Iota. She is a second-year master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling
program at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies from Idaho State University in 2024.
She is passionate about supporting the LGBTQIA+ community and fostering safe, inclusive, and
affirming spaces within the counseling profession. Her clinical interests include mindful self-
compassion, identity development, and sexuality education. She is currently working toward
certification through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and
Therapists (AASECT) to further her commitment to providing competent, sex-positive, and
inclusive care.
Outside of academics and leadership roles, she enjoys working with stained glass, caring for
plants, and reading. She is also a devoted pet parent to three Bengal cats and a miniature Italian
greyhound. She loves spending quality time with family and friends. She also firmly believes
that pineapple does, in fact, belong on pizza.
Counselor Education and Supervision Representative: Franchesca Anderson
Second Year Master’s Student
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Representative: Draysten Bailey
Second Year Master’s Student
School Counseling Representative:Nikki Johansen (She/Her)
Second Year Master’s Student
Nikki is passionate about her new profession! She is also passionate about her most important
role as a mother of seven, yes....seven children from ages 13-26, and a wife of 31 years (yes, she
still loves him). Nikki has a background as a Registered Nurse. Her favorite areas were critical
care and the newborn nursery. She will always identify as a nurse, but Nikki developed a new
passion for mental health, particularly for children and adolescents. She is specializing in School
Counseling, since it is full of kiddos, and many opportunities to advocate for mental health. She
is also an intern at Bright Tomorrow's Child Advocacy Center, where she is passionate about the
work they do there. Nikki loves all things outdoors! She grows flowers through the summer and
fall all over her porch and yard, and she loves getting out with her family. Together, they love to
ski, engage in water sports, play in the ocean whenever they can get to it, and Nikki and her
husband (and a few kids) have taken up scuba diving over the last ten years.
Marriage, Family, Couple Counseling Representative: Susan Shake (She/Her)
Second Year Master’s Student
Susan is passionate about learning about relationships, families, culture, and childhood
experiences and how they shape our view of the world. Susan sees the world holistically, and she
leans into the beauty of context and the grey. Susan has had many careers and life experiences
that have brought her to where she is today. She endeavors to be useful to others and society.
Susan’s hobbies and interests include history, sex therapy, theater, thrifting, her dog Louis,
cooking, travel, French, philosophy, and learning new things.