Denver Seminary is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished leaders in counselor education: Dr. Elisabeth Suárez, who joins as Director of the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision Program and Professor of Counseling, and Dr. Vanessa Snyder, who has been named Associate Professor of Counseling.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Suárez and Dr. Snyder to our faculty,” said Dr. Paula Tipton, Chair of the Counseling Division. “Each of them brings a wealth of experience, deep commitment to student formation, and a passion for equipping counselors to meet today’s most pressing needs. Their leadership will significantly strengthen our programs and enrich the learning environment for our students.”

Dr. Elisabeth Suárez returns to Denver Seminary, where she previously served as Associate Professor of Counseling and Executive Director of Shepherd’s Gate (now the Denver Counseling Center). With more than 25 years of experience in higher education, she has held key academic leadership roles, including Associate Dean of the Counselor Education and Supervision Program at Walden University and Chair of Counseling, Counselor Education, and Graduate Psychology Programs at Argosy University.

Recognized nationally for her scholarship in multicultural counseling, counselor supervision, and research methodology, Dr. Suárez has shaped counselor education through her work with CACREP accreditation teams and service to professional organizations such as Chi Sigma Iota, the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, and the Board of Jefferson Center for Mental Health in Wheat Ridge, CO.

Dr. Vanessa Snyder brings over two decades of clinical, academic, and organizational leadership experience. She served in numerous roles at Richmont Graduate University, including Interim President, Dean of Clinical Affairs, and founder of the Institute of Trauma & Recovery. Most recently, she was Chief Clinical Officer at Uncaged, an international anti-trafficking organization, and is founder of Resilience Source, LLC, a trauma-informed mental health collective.

An expert in trauma treatment, Christian sex therapy, and compassion fatigue, Dr. Snyder has trained counselors and care providers across the U.S. and internationally. She has also served as an adjunct professor at CACREP-accredited institutions, including Concordia University Irvine and Richmont Graduate University, teaching courses in trauma, addiction, marriage and family therapy, and human sexuality.

Dr. Suárez holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado, an M.A. in Counseling from Denver Seminary, an M.S. in Mathematics Education from the University of New Hampshire, and a B.S. in Materials Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Dr. Snyder earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University, an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Richmont Graduate University, and a B.S. from Oral Roberts University.