Executive Board Member Bios

Darby Sams, President (2025-2027)

Hi there! I’m Darby Sams, and I’m honored to serve as the current President of Delta Kappa, the international honor society for Marriage and Family Therapy students and professionals. I’m currently completing my Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University, where I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA while balancing clinical work, leadership roles, and—most importantly—parenthood.

I was inducted into Delta Kappa in 2023 and quickly found my heart in service and connection. I began by leading service projects and helping with social media engagement, and eventually stepped into the role of Vice President. In 2025, I proudly accepted the position of President. My mission is to foster a sense of belonging and collaboration among our members—through mentorship, shared resources, and meaningful dialogue about the future of therapy.

Outside of grad school and Delta Kappa, I’m a Marriage and Family Therapy intern with a passion for Narrative Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and creative, client-centered care. I also enjoy working with teens, couples, and families navigating grief, identity, trauma, and change.

But perhaps my favorite job title is “Mom.” I’m raising a spirited, hilarious toddler who keeps me on my toes and reminds me daily of the power of curiosity and compassion. When I’m not in session or working on a leadership project, you’ll find me crafting, reading fantasy books, or playing video games with a cup of coffee in hand.

There was a time I felt like I had to choose between being a good student, a good mom, or a good therapist—but I’ve learned that with balance, a great support system, and a whole lot of grace, I can be fully, authentically me.

My hope for Delta Kappa is to continue creating space for future therapists to grow, lead, and find their voice—because when we lift each other up, we all rise.

Kristiana Petters, Vice President (2025-2027)

Hello Delta Kappa Pi Chapter! My name is Kristiana Petters. I’ve had the privilege of calling many places “home” throughout my life, including Arizona, Tennessee, Utah, and even Dongguan, China. Currently, Rigby, Idaho, has been my home for the last six years. My husband and I have been married for 12 fantastic years, and together we have two beautiful daughters.
I received my Bachelor of Science in Family Life from Brigham Young University in 2014. After nine years of caring for my daughters at home and taking on various ill-fitting odd jobs, I finally allowed myself to pursue my dream of becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist. I started at Capella University in October of 2023 and am now about to start my second quarter of internship. While my interests seem to constantly change and grow, what I am most passionate about right now is strengthening parent-child relationships and assisting individuals through sexual trauma recovery. I gravitate heavily toward experiential therapies (primarily IFS and EFT) and am constantly seeking ways to implement art and creativity into the therapeutic process. My long-term career goals include becoming an AAMFT-approved supervisor in the State of Idaho and eventually pursuing a doctorate in Marriage and Family Therapy.
When I’m not studying, I enjoy reading, annotating, and reviewing copious amounts of fantasy novels, spending time with my beautiful family, and pretending to be an artist.
I am intimidated, excited, and eager to serve as the Executive Vice President for Delta Kappa Pi! I hope to assist our President and Executive Board in strengthening our Chapter, and aim to be available to other members seeking extra support and encouragement through their program. Thank you!

executivevp@capelladeltakappa.org

Mariah Copeland-Dixon, Membership Vice President (2025-2027)

Hi everyone! I'm Mariah Copeland Dixon, your new Vice President of Membership and Networking for Delta Kappa. I graduated from Coker University in South Carolina with a double major in English and Psychology. After college, I made the move to the DMV area and began working with a defense contractor in the engineering field. While that career challenged and grew me in many ways, my true passion for helping others led me to pursue a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, which I’m proud to say I completed in March! I’m truly honored to step into this role and connect with such an incredible group of professionals. My goal is to build meaningful connections, create empowering spaces, and help take our community to new heights. I can’t wait to serve you, grow with you, and support the continued legacy of Delta Kappa. Let’s make this a beautiful journey, together!

membership@capelladeltakappa.org

Perreese Gaines, Vice President of Events (2025-2027)

Hello Delta Kappa Pi! My name is Perreese Gaines, and I am honored to serve as your Vice President of Events. I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University, proudly maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I also hold a Master’s in Psychology from Capella and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Ashford University.

Professionally, I serve as the Assistant Director of Administration at a behavioral health hospital, where I oversee critical operations and support families in accessing mental health care. I am also a Board-Certified Sex Educator, the Founder of SafeNest Squirrel, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to child and teen sexual education and abuse prevention, and an author with a passion for empowering others through knowledge and healing.

I have a strong history of planning and executing large scale community and professional events, giving me the tools to create meaningful and engaging experiences for Delta Kappa members. My goal as VP of Events is to help Delta Kappa grow by making our chapter a vital resource for students and alumni alike, whether through networking opportunities, professional development, or member engagement.

Beyond academics and professional work, I am a proud wife and mother, I run a small ranch, and I love to travel. These parts of my life keep me grounded and inspired as I continue to grow both personally and professionally.

I am thrilled to bring my leadership, creativity, and dedication to this role and look forward to helping Delta Kappa thrive.

events@capelladeltakappa.org

Deborah Feathers, Treasurer (2025 - 2027)

Hello Delta Kappa Pi! My name is Deborah Feathers, and I am honored to serve as your Treasurer. I am currently completing my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University, where I have proudly maintained a 4.0 GPA. I expect to graduate in March 2026 and have just applied to begin my Doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy at Nova Southeastern University in Fall 2026.I am completing two internships: one at a trauma-focused site and the other in private practice. My therapeutic passions include Internal Family Systems (IFS), Narrative Therapy, and working with clients navigating the impacts of trauma. Looking ahead, I plan to specialize in trauma and pursue research on the family impact of involuntary psychiatric hospitalization (Baker Act). My current research interests focus on the ways individuals and families experience involuntary commitment as trauma, its relational consequences, and interventions that might foster recovery instead of retraumatization.Beyond academics and clinical work, I am a proud mother of two adopted daughters, a dedicated Guardian ad Litem, and a lifelong Disney and Halloween enthusiast. I also have a love for collecting shoes—which adds fun and flair to my daily life!I am passionate about serving our Delta Kappa community with dedication, creativity, and transparency. I believe that together, we can strengthen our chapter’s foundation while supporting one another in our growth as future therapists and leaders.

treasurer@capelladeltakappa.org

Dominique Martinez, Historian (2025-2027)

Hi Delta Kappa Pi!
I’m Dominique Martinez, but please feel free to call me Dom. I’m truly honored and excited to be serving as your historian!I’m currently pursuing my Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy at Capella University, with graduation on the horizon in March 2026. Currently, I’m entering into my third semester of internship at a private practice here in Las Vegas, Nevada, an experience that has been both meaningful and rewarding. I feel especially connected to Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Play Therapy. I’m also deeply passionate about supporting clients through the pain of grief and loss, creating a safe space where they can feel heard, supported, and less alone. In the future, I hope to specialize in working with children and teens.Outside of my studies and clinical work, life is busy in the best way! I’m a proud dog mom to Winston, my mini golden doodle, and I work as a training specialist for a local nonprofit partnered with the Clark County School District. When I get free time, you’ll usually find me in the kitchen baking, digging through crates at record shops, or embracing my love of Halloween; my house stays decorated from June through November! I’m excited to bring both creativity and heart into this role, and I can’t wait to connect with all of you in our Delta Kappa community.

Dr. Bamond, Faculty Advisor

Roxanne Bamond, PhD, LMFT is core faculty and Pi Chapter Advisor for Delta Kappa at Capella. She focuses her areas of teaching in Ethics, Residency and Practicum and Internship. Dr. Bamond received her master's degree and doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University where she also served as the Clinical Supervisor in the Student Counseling center. Dr. Bamond has been with Capella University as an Adjunct Faculty and then full-time Core Faculty since 2005. As an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Clinical Fellow, Dr. Bamond also mentors supervisors toward their Approved Supervisor Credential and post-graduate supervisees toward full licensure. Dr. Bamond also has a part-time clinical practice in Longmont, Colorado working exclusively with couples. Licensed first in Florida and then in Colorado, Dr. Bamond has served as President of the Broward Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and Board Member of the Florida Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She is the past Member at Large on the board of the Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. When not teaching, mentoring, or counseling couples, Dr. Bamond focuses her presentations and research on distanced based supervision and therapy, couples issues, and suicide prevention.

Dr. Schooley, Faculty Advisor

Dr. Schooley has been a practicing couples and family therapist since 1991. She has worked in a variety of settings, including agencies, academic clinics, and homebased settings with a broad range of clients. From a tribal Headstart to a kosher nursing home, she has had an opportunity to learn from the wisdom and perseverance of countless clients who inspire her everyday. She has a thriving private practice focused on supervision of therapists and supervision mentoring. She is past President of the Florida Association for Marriage and Family Therapists and Florida Interest Network and current Chair of the Florida Family Therapy Alliance. She has been a presenter of continuing education workshops with a focus on Clinical Microskills, Florida Laws & Rules, HIV/AIDS, and MFT theories and models.

Dr. Townsend, Faculty Advisor

Dr. Cleo Vilina Townsend joined the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2021. She serves as Assistant Professor in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program, where she has received the MFT Faculty Excellence Award and the Stephen Shank Recognition in 2022-2025. Dr. Townsend loves being a residency instructor and Site-Based Learning Faculty Supervisor. Prior to joining Capella, Dr. Townsend has taught at both the master’s and doctoral level as an adjunct faculty at universities in Pennsylvania and Delaware. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), pastoral counselor, Certified Advanced Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CAADC), AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and faculty instructor contributing 15+years of teaching, counseling, and coaching to disciplines involving psychological, spiritual and social systems. Dr. Townsend earned her doctorate in couple and family therapy from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions. She and her husband were the first couple to graduate with their PhD from this program. Dr. Townsend maintains a small private practice providing consultation and supervision. Dr. Townsend spends her leisure time enjoying her roles as a fitness instructor at the local YMCA and as MomMom Premier to her five grandkids.