Jim Coil, M.A., MFT
Director of the Wellness Center
Jim Coil is a proud alumnus of Point Loma Nazarene University. After completing his undergraduate studies here, he completed his M.A in Counseling Psychology and obtained a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Jim has worked in counseling at The McDonald Center of Scripps Memorial Hospital and the Department of Outpatient Psychiatry at Children’s Hospital and Health Center, in San Diego. For more than 20 years, Jim has provided therapeutic services to families, adults, couples, adolescents and children in San Diego. During this time he developed clinical programs designed to address clients struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety and impaired family communication. In addition to working at the Wellness Center, he has a private practice in Mission Valley and Rancho Bernardo. He conducts workshops and presentations on several topics including depression, anxiety, addictions, parenting, humor, adolescent issues, and personal/executive coaching. Beyond the thrill of returning to his alma mater and working with great students, staff and faculty, are the blessing of family, which consists of his wife, Melinda, and two beautiful daughters, Haley and Katie.
Maria Benavides, M.A.
LMFT Counselor
Maria Benavides is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her undergraduate studies were completed at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She received her M.A. in Psychology from United States International University in San Diego. In addition to working in the Wellness Center, Maria has a private practice in Mira Mesa. Maria is bilingual in English and Spanish and familiar with Latino culture. Prior to joining the Wellness Center staff, she worked at Children's Hospital in the Trauma Counseling program. She has conducted workshops on "Christian Families in Therapy" and "The Latino Family's Response to Sexual Abuse" at Children's International Conference on Responding to Child Maltreatment.
Greg McCord, M.A., M.Div.
MFT Counselor
Greg McCord is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He also served as a pastor for 18 years. He received his Masters of Divinity degree in Bible Exposition from Talbot Theological Seminary, the graduate school of Biola University, and his Masters degree in counseling from the University of San Diego. He is a graduate of San Diego State University.
Greg has done extensive work in the area of spiritual formation and establishing emotional maturity. He has created seminars for students, parents, couples seeking marriage help, and those seeking to get married. He is the founder of Legacy Counseling Network, a network of helping professionals committed to Biblical principles and family systems integration.
Greg is passionate about helping young adults establish their sense of purpose and discovering their strengths. Greg is an outdoor enthusiast and loves being active. He is married with three children and feels very fortunate to be able to serve the students at PLNU.
Monica Whitlock, Ph.D.,
Outreach Coordinator and M.F.T. Counselor
Monica Whitlock, Ph.D. is the Wellness Center Outreach Coordinator and Counselor. She received a Ph.D. in Sociology and Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California where she also received an M.A. in Sociology and an MFT in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Whitlock is also a graduate from PLNU. Prior to joining PLNU, Dr. Whitlock was an Assistant Professor in the department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Arizona State University. There she taught courses in Research Methods, Program Evaluation, Statistics, Violent Behavior, and Gangs. She also directed the Criminal Justice Internship program, which placed students in criminal justice agencies.
Dr. Whitlock has conducted surveys of youth and families in urban, high-crime areas in Southern California (in Long Beach, San Diego, and Los Angeles) in studies funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the California Wellness Foundation, the U.S. National Institute of Justice, the U.S. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Whitlock’s research examines families, schools and communities as sources of risk and protection for delinquency, violence and gang joining. She examines the processes that enable youth at high risk for negative outcomes to succeed despite the odds against them. Her clinical work focuses on helping students enhance their coping by building on their strengths.
Sandy Ische
Wellness Center Department Assistant
Sandy Ische is a San Diego native. She is currently working toward her Bachelors Degree in Psychology. Sandy has always felt called to pursue lay ministry. She is very involved at her church, Parkway Hills Nazarene. Using her gifts for organizing and feeling called to participate in God’s ministry, Sandy takes great joy in her role as Sunday School Director. Organizing activities that bring church members together as a family in Christ gives her and those around her opportunities to grow in the Lord. Sandy comes to the Wellness Center with extensive administrative experience. Her greatest joy working at PLNU is helping students. Sandy, her husband Steve, and two wonderful children, Jonathan and Marissa, live in beautiful Point Loma.