Melissa Bigtas, LCSW
Glen Carbon,IL
Summary
Clinical Mental health servant leader professional with comprehensive experience in therapeutic practices, adept at fostering positive client outcomes. Skilled in individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and treatment planning. Strong focus on collaborative team efforts and consistently achieving measurable results. Reliable and adaptable with excellent communication and problem-solving abilities, ensuring effective support in dynamic environments. Strong foundation is therapeutic practices and client-centered care. Leads teams with compassion and integrity.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Therapist (Trauma Therapist, PT)
ERA Mental Health Therapy
07.2025 - Current
Associate Director/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
06.2025 - Current
- EOA Social Work Supervisor
- 4 – 6 BSW Students
- 4 MSW Students
- Developed and Managed Social Work Practicum Program
- Liaison and Social Work Supervisor for Practicum Students: SIUE, UMSL, Missouri Baptist University and WASH U
Outreach and Prevention Program Coordinator
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
08.2023 - Current
- Principal Investigator for Department of Justice Office of Violence Against Women $500,000 Grant Proposal for University Team
- Grants to Reduce Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking on Campus Program
- Manages and Oversees Mandatory Employee Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training for entire University
- Developed Mandatory Employee Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Training in accordance with 2024 Title IX Regulations
- Developed a Trauma Informed Alternative Student Training for Sexual Assault Prevention as mandated by Illinois State Law
- Annual sexual assault prevention training for new and returning students
- Achieved 9,311 Undergraduate students – 97% completion
- Achieved 3,399 Graduate students – 96% completion
- Assessed Training Accommodation Requests
- Facilitated 1:1 trauma informed alternative training to students that requested exemptions/alternative training due to trauma
- Campus survey activities relating to incidents and impacts of sexual violence
- Program Coordination of meetings of Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act mandated Coordinated Community Care Response Team
- Managed, Coordinated, and Chaired mandatory Sexual Assault Task Force on Campus: Coordinated Community Care Response Team (C3RT Task Force): As required by the Illinois Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008 (110 ILCS 12/)
- Develop and implement programs regarding sexual misconduct prevention and education for students, faculty, and staff.
- Meet with Leadership and Response Committee to discuss needs and plans for programs. Work with appropriate parties on implementing events and developing programs and training materials.
- Develops and Manages a comprehensive budget for programming and training. Allocate funding for programs.
- Oversees annual mandated student training on sexual violence prevention and develops ongoing training resources and community outreach/awareness activities to support prevention and raise awareness of responsive resources. Coordinates campus climate survey project (as mandated by the Illinois Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act). Serves as liaison with Metro East Every Survivor Counts (confidential advisor resource for persons affected by sexual violence).
- Led EOA Efforts for Federal Title IX Pregnancy Accommodations
- Assessed medically determined reasonable accommodation requests
- Supported students in academic maintenance while maintaining accommodation documents in MAXIENT
- Led EOA Efforts for Vaccine Exemption Requests
- Assessed all EOA Vaccine Requests
- Covid Vaccine Requests
- Influenza Vaccine Requests
- Served as primary EOA contact liaison with Faculty from Nursing and Dental Schools regarding Exemption questions
- Facilitated EOA relationships and partnerships with Faculty Departments for student internships
- Supervises 4 -6 BSW and 2 – 4 MSW student interns
- Developed and Manages the Practicum/Internship Program
- Title IX Compliance Certified
- The State University of New York
Career Counselor
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
07.2022 - 08.2023
- MBTI Certified, through GS Consultants.
- Provides Professional Development counseling services to University students, alumni, faculty and staff.
- Meets Presentation requests for in person Professional Development Presentations for classes.
- Provides virtual and in person classroom training on resume writing, professional development, career exploration assessments, Career Development Center Services.
- Counsel students 1:1 for various needs. Professional Development, Job search, Mock Interviews, Behavioral Interviews, etc. Provides referrals as needed.
- Assesses career goals and helps to develop career plan.
- Provides and interprets MBTI Assessment and TruTalent Assessment as part of career exploration process.
Human Resources Technician
Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES)
12.2020 - 05.2022
- Supported staffing, recruitment, and compensation programs at local Army & Air Force Base Exchanges. Recruited for entry level and management positions and conducted classroom and virtual on-boarding for new hires.
- Performed routine and advanced clerical duties including drafting correspondence, typing, computer operation, heavy data entry, physical and electronic filing, data recording, operation of office machines, and performs administrative duties for the Human Resources Department Director.
- Maintained Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) databases and other record-keeping systems; prepared and reviews audit reports; applied and inputted changes into the systems; calculated complex accruals, salary adjustments, and other items; inputted adjustments; prepared complex system queries and data reports. Managed foreign pay scales and timesheets.
- Consulted with managers on routine workforce and productivity issues as well as mediated employee relations issues.
- Screened applicants, interviewed applicants, and completed background checks and I-9 verification process for all new hires in the State of Hawaii and for the local nationals of Kwajalein Atoll (Marshall Islands / military missile testing site).
- Provided outstanding customer service and accurate information directly to internal and external stakeholders with a positive attitude, professionalism, tact, and diplomacy; responded to customer inquiries in a timely manner.
- Assisted employees with benefit enrollments and changes.
- Completed Labor Market Analysis for Pacific Region.
Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator
Lutheran Senior Services
02.2017 - 04.2018
- Independent Living Coordinator in Continuous Care Retirement Community.
- Oversaw Enrichment activities for internal and external events.
- Developed Veterans Program and networked within community; collaborated with American Legion for a Christmas Program.
- Facilitated peer support within the Veteran’s of the community through groups and socials.
- Coordinated external entertainment sources, such as the Air Force Band for in house performances for the Veterans and residents.
- Coordinated and hosted Community Blood Drives with the American Red Cross.
Lifestyle Enrichment Activities Associate / Ventilator Unit
Covenant Care, Silver Ridge Healthcare Center
02.2015 - 12.2015
- Provided bedside support and enrichment activities to patients on ventilator support.
- Coordinated monthly calendar events for the residents throughout the facility.
- Provided supportive counseling to special needs clients / elderly residents / and families.
- Developed and implemented variety of interactive and recreational activities that stimulate and sustain the social, cognitive, physical and emotional development of Residents.
Long Term Substitute Teacher / Elementary and High Schools
Pulaski County School District
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Served as a long-term substitute teacher for 3rd grade at Arnold Drive Elementary School on Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.
- Carried out lesson plans provided by grade level team leader.
Clinical Program Supervisor with Kapiolani Medical Center
Parents and Children Together, Healthy Start Program
02.2001 - 05.2002
- Conducted in person intakes and assessments for new parents in birthing ward of hospital.
- Assessed for high level risk factors and eligibility and provided outreach supportive services in program.
- Supervised Outreach Workers and reviewed Assessments for high risk factors.
- Monitored Reports and referred cases to Home Reach Program.
Social Worker III / Case Management
Department of Human Services, State of Hawaii
08.1997 - 02.2001
- First-To-Work Program
- First-To-Work TANF Welfare Reform Program.
- Conducted intakes and assessments for risk factors and created treatment plans.
- Ensured client compliance with Federal requirements for compliance.
- Managed unit caseload of referrals for barrier removal plan services.
- Assisted Federal mandated adults with conflict resolution, problem solving and utilizing coping skills in welfare programs.
- Developed and oversaw implementation of treatment plans. Homelessness, mental illness, domestic violence, hunger, childcare, transportation, mental health counseling, drug and alcohol treatment referrals, TANF benefits, etc., referrals and community collaboration daily.
- Collaborated with Departments of Labor Case Managers.
- Provided ongoing case management in a trusted relationship to address clients with higher barriers to self-sufficiency.
- Conducted Domestic Violence assessments and facilitated support groups for domestic violence and anger management.
- Responded to inquires utilizing electronic and in person communication; experience applying various conflict resolution techniques.
- Maintained HIPPA and daily documentation in Electronic Record System.
Outreach Worker
Lanakila Rehabilitation Center
05.1997 - 08.1997
- Conducted intakes telephonically and in person for Meals on Wheels Program.
- Provided home bound assessments to determine program eligibility.
- Counseled applicants and families on resources for various needs to include housing, hunger, elder/disabled transportation needs.
Resident Advisor
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Noelani Apartments
05.1996 - 05.1997
- Served as live-in Resident Advisor for campus residency in apartment complex. Promoted to Hall Director; supervised 8 RA’s.
- Developed and implemented various community education and training events for the University of Hawaii campus students.
- Coordinated Sexual Education Programs for University college students.
- Enforced University Housing policies in compliance with accountability standards.
Education
Master’s Degree - Social Work (MSW)
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii05.2001
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work (BSW)
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, Hawaii05.1997
Associates Degree - Liberal Arts
Honolulu Community College
Honolulu, Hawaii05.1995
Skills
- Grief counseling
- Suicide prevention
- Individual counseling
- Self-harm prevention
- Relapse prevention
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Psychotherapy techniques
- Sexual assault support
- Anxiety management
- Developing relationships
- Multicultural competence
- Compliance Management and Organizational Leadership
Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- State of Illinois
- Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
- License No. 149029085
- State of Indiana
- In Progress
- Title IX Compliance Certificate
- MBTI Step 1 Certification
Timeline
Mental Health Therapist (Trauma Therapist, PT)
ERA Mental Health Therapy
07.2025 - Current
Associate Director/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
06.2025 - Current
Outreach and Prevention Program Coordinator
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
08.2023 - Current
Career Counselor
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
07.2022 - 08.2023
Human Resources Technician
Army & Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES)
12.2020 - 05.2022
Lifestyle Enrichment Coordinator
Lutheran Senior Services
02.2017 - 04.2018
Lifestyle Enrichment Activities Associate / Ventilator Unit
Covenant Care, Silver Ridge Healthcare Center
02.2015 - 12.2015
Long Term Substitute Teacher / Elementary and High Schools
Pulaski County School District
08.2011 - 05.2012
Clinical Program Supervisor with Kapiolani Medical Center
Parents and Children Together, Healthy Start Program
02.2001 - 05.2002
Social Worker III / Case Management
Department of Human Services, State of Hawaii
08.1997 - 02.2001
Outreach Worker
Lanakila Rehabilitation Center
05.1997 - 08.1997
Resident Advisor
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Noelani Apartments
05.1996 - 05.1997
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work (BSW)
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Associates Degree - Liberal Arts
Honolulu Community College
Master’s Degree - Social Work (MSW)
University of Hawaii at Manoa