Meet the Counseling Department 

Fax Number: (651) 696-3366
Students are assigned a counselor according to last name.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with your school counselor, please click on the appropriate link or e-mail below. 

 
Mike Brewer, LSC (A - F): mbrewer@c-dh.org
Jane Young, LSC (G - K): https://calendly.com/jane-young
Brother Michael Phipps, LSC (L - M): mphipps@c-dh.org
Katie Shead, LSC (N - Q): kshead@c-dh.org
Thay Thao, LSC (R - Z): https://calendly.com/t-thao
 

 

Counseling Assistant

Peggy Mansur - (651) 696-3312

Mrs. Mansur is our counseling office assistant. She started this position in 2022.

Mrs. Mansur is a St. Paul native. She went to high school at Archbishop Brady High School in West St. Paul.

Mrs. Mansur loves spending time with family, watching old movies, baking, crocheting and spending time outside.

Email: pmansur@c-dh.org

 

School Counselors

Mike Brewer, LSC (Last Names: A-F) - (651) 696-3364

 Mr. Brewer is a school counselor and has been at CDH since 1997.

Mr. Brewer grew up all over the country - he lived in eight different states before he turned 18! After high school, he started college at the University of North Dakota, and then transferred and graduated with his bachelor’s degree from UW La Crosse. He then earned his master’s degree at UW Stout. Now, he lives in a house he built with his own two hands with his wife, five kids, and Miley the Mastiff.

Mr. Brewer loves hunting, coaching football, movie trivia, and 80’s music. Try to catch him on 80’s Friday, when he plays the 80’s classics in his office.

Email: mbrewer@c-dh.org

 

Jane Young, LSC (Last Names: G-K) - (651) 696-3324

 Mrs. Young has been a school counselor at CDH since 2017, and was a counselor at other schools for 14 years prior to joining CDH. She works Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Mrs. Young started her college career at UW La Crosse, transferred after freshman year, and graduated with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota. Studying abroad in Ecuador was a transformative experience. She earned her master’s at the University of Minnesota as well, after living in New York for a year. She worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the Covenant House, nannying, waitressing, and lifeguarding all in the same year; New York is an expensive place to live! She now has a husband, three kids, and a shih tzu named Blanca.

Mrs. Young likes to read, run, bake, and spend time in nature. She believes that time and nature are two great healers. 

Br. Michael Phipps, FSC, LSC (Last Names: L-M) - (651) 696-3396

Email: mphipps@c-dh.org

I completed Graduate school at Lewis University (School Counseling and Guidance); Undergraduate - University of Northern Colorado (Psychology)

I worked previously as the Recruitment Coordinator and Associate Director of Lasallian Volunteers.

When looking for a ministry this year, the Christian Brothers of the Midwest recommended Cretin-Derham Hall. In interviewing, I was struck by the clear, intentional dedication to building community. Having worked at a variety of Lasallian institutions, I am excited to work with the students, families, and staff of CDH as we grow in faith, service, and community. I enjoy walking with young people as they experience 'ah ha' moments and more fully grow into their potential.

I grew up on the west coast. I have worked with young people and families for 10+ years and find that I often learn more from my students than they learn from me. I consider myself a jack of all trades and enjoy a variety of hobbies when I am off the clock.

Kaitlyn Shead, LSC (Last names: N-Q) - (651) 696-3323

 Ms. Shead is a school counselor who has been at CDH since 2016.

Ms. Shead loves to spend her time with her three kids and her 13-lb Chiweenie named Beast. She is a huge fan of football and snowmobiling and spending time at the family cabin. She grew up in Lakeville, went to the College of St. Benedict to earn her undergraduate degree, and then received her master’s at the University of New Mexico. 

Email: kshead@c-dh.org

 
 
 
 

Thay Thao, LSC (Last Names: R-Z) - (651) 696-3328

Mr. Thao has been a school counselor at CDH since 2022. Mr. Thao is a St. Paul native and graduated from Central High School. Mr. Thao received his Bachelor's Degree from Suffolk University. In college, he studied abroad in New Zealand and El Salvador and fell in love with traveling. Mr. Thao went back to school and attended the University of Minnesota to earn his Master's degree.
 
Before CDH, Mr. Thao and his wife backpacked across Asia for 9 months, and in his free time, Mr. Thao loves to travel, cook, and play board games. Mr. Thao also likes to play tennis, pickleball, and volleyball whenever he gets a chance.

Email: tthao@c-dh.org

College Counselors

Mitchell Reynolds (Last Names: A-K) - 651-696-3322

 

 
Mr. Reynolds is in his first year as a College Counselor at CDH. He was previously a college counselor in Pennsylvania for two years. 

 

In his spare time he enjoys discovering the Twin Cities with his wife Katie (also a school counselor!) and their puppy Freddie. He is a passionate swimming coach, enjoys watching basketball, and loves to cook spicy food. Mr. Reynolds grew up in Frederick, Maryland, earned his bachelor's degree from Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA) and his Master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. 

 

Email: mreynolds@c-dh.org

Laura Nelson (Last Names: L-Z) - (651) 696-3383

Email: lnelson@c-dh.org

Education: University of Kansas - BFA Interior Design

Previous work: University of Kansas

CDH has top notch academics and service standards and I am excited to be a part of this community!

I've worked in a handful of different industries and worn many different hats, as they say. Each of these experiences has really allowed me to grow as an individual and a colleague. What I've learned through it all is that I love working with and helping people! I have wanted to be a high school counselor since I was a teenager so it's truly a gift to be able to live out that dream.

grew up in Eagan and still live south of the river. I have a wonderful husband, a spunky 2 year-old daughter, and an extra smiley 4 month old son. I enjoy trying new foods/restaurants, traveling, listening to Taylor Swift on repeat, and being on the lake! I love coffee, sweets, and heart-to-hearts.

My college experience was out of this world and I have a true passion for helping students find the right fit for them!

 

Registrar

Katie Carroll - (651) 696-3325

 Ms. Carroll is our registrar. She has been at CDH since 2009, and registrar since 2017. 

Ms. Carroll grew up in St. Paul and graduated from CDH in 2000. After high school, she went to the University of Minnesota to earn her bachelor’s degree, and the University of St. Thomas for her master’s. Now, she is married and has a son.

She enjoys going to the gym and running. She also loves to travel and studied abroad in China while in college. 

Email: kcarroll@c-dh.org

 

Chemical Health Counselor

Laura Esping - (651) 696-3378

Ms Esping came on board to CDH as a chemical health counselor in Sept 2023. She received her licence in 2022 and also serves as an Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor at Benilde St Margaret’s High School. 

Watershed events include moving to Chicago from Iowa where Ms Esping grew up, traveling the country performing in penitentiaries, backpacking around Europe, and establishing her life and career in the Twin Cities. Ms Esping is passionate about recovery from substances and helping people live a chemically free life. She holds a BA from the U of Iowa, an MFA from the U of MN and a diploma in addiction counseling from Minnesota Community and Technical College.

Ms Esping enjoys yard work around her South Mpls house, exercising, meditating, eating well and seeing other colleagues theatre work.

E-mail: lesping@c-dh.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Advocate

Kenny Udoibok - (651) 696-3335

 

Mr. Udoibok has been working at CDH since 2021. He grew up in Saint Paul and graduated from CDH in 2016. He then went to Saint John's University where he competed in football and received his Bachelors. During his time at Saint John's, he had a small business called Kenny Kutz where he would barber hair on campus to all students. Mr. Udoibok is currently finishing his Masters degree in School Counseling at the University of River Falls. Mr. Udoibok is also the assistant strength coach in the weight room where he is able to continue to connect with aspiring athletes.
 
Mr. Udoibok is a big Sneakerhead and you can find him wearing a different pair of shoes daily. Other than shoes, Mr. Udoibok enjoys playing drums at his church, fishing, working out, barbering, customizing shoes, and spending time with family and friends

 E-mail: kudoibok@c-dh.org