Kristin K. Higgins, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
Rehabilitation, Human Resources and Communication Disorders
135 Graduate Education Building
Phone: 479-575-3329
FAX: 479-575-2492
kkhiggi@uark.edu
Degrees:
Ph.D. University of Arkansas, Counselor Education, 2005
M.S. University of Arkansas, Counseling, 1999
B.A. Vanderbilt University, Psychology/Sociology, 1995
Teaching Areas:
Program Organization and Information Development
Counseling Children and Adolescents
Ethical and Legal Aspects of Counseling
Individual Appraisal
Foundations of Counseling
Gender Issues in Counseling
Counseling and Human Diversity
Lifestyle and Career Development
Internship -- School and Agency
Research Interests:
Counseling Children and Adolescents - At risk youth
Measurement and Evaluation in School Counseling-Accountability
Stress and Anxiety in Children
School Counseling-Role and function of the School Counselor/School Based Counseling
Students with Asperger's Syndrome-Transition and school based needs and issues
Professional Biography:
Kristin Higgins joined the faculty at the University of Arkansas in the fall of 2006 as a visiting assistant professor in the Counselor Education Program. Prior to this Kristin worked for several years at a community mental health counseling agency where she served as a clinical facilitator in the school based counseling program. In the fall of 2008 Kristin joined the faculty as a full time tenure tack faculty member. She is the School Counseling Program Coordinator as well. Kristin provided mental health counseling services to elementary age students and their families in a local public school. Before providing services in the school based program, Kristin served as lead clinician for the older children’s track in the residential program. Professional organizations include the American School Counseling Associaion, American Counseling Association, American Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Arkansas School Counseling Association, Arkansas Counseling Association, and Arkansas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Kristn has served as secretary for ARACES since Fall 2006.
Academic Interests and Accomplishments:
Kristin has made many presentations at the state, regional, and national levels focusing on a variety of topics. Kristin coordinates the school counseling program and teaches courses that are school counseling specific: Program Organition and Information Development Counseling Children and Adolescents. She has a strong interest in measurement and evaluation in counseling and enjoys statistics and research design. She has a graduate certificate in Educational Research and Statistics. Her dissertation focusing on stress management self-efficacy for children won the outstanding dissertation of the year award, and she plans on continuing her work in this area as well as working on various articles and research projects. Kristin was also involved as the research liaison on various grants through the community mental health agency in which she works.
Personal Information:
Kristin is a certified K-12 School Counselor as well as a licensed professional counselor in the state of Arkansas. She also holds a Counseling Supervision Specialization in Arkansas. Kristin lives in Fayetteville with her husband and two young children --Will and Drew, and their West-highland terrier Rielly.
Publications/Presentations:
Gale, A., Moss, R., Higgins, K. (2007). Special topics in the Journal of Counseling and Development, Volumes 66-80. Journal of Counseling and Development. 85(2), 204-210
Ritter, G., Higgins, K., & Newgent, R. (2004). The Volunteer Tutoring Experience: The Who, What, and Why of the University Volunteer Tutor Working with Urban Elementary School Tutees. Journal of Research in Education, 14(1), 67-72.
Newgent, R., Parr, P., Newman, I., & Higgins, K. (2004). The Riso-Hudson Type Indicator: Estimates of Reliability and Validity. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 36(4), 226-237.
Higgins, K., & Newgent, R. (2003). ArKIDS First: A critical look at Medicaid’s policy and the impact on counselors in Arkansas. The ethics of managed health care: A specific look at Arkansas Medicaid. Arkansas Educational Research& Policy Studies Journal, 3(1), 45-61.
Newgent R., Higgins, K., Mulvenon S., & Connors, J. (April 2004). Can We Agree on Agreeableness: A Closer Look. American Counseling Association (ACA) 2004 World Conference. Kansas City, Missouri.
Ritter, G., Higgins, K., & Newgent, R. (April 2003). Volunteer Tutors: Who are They, Why do they do it, and how do they benefit? Referred Paper Presentation at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2003 Annual Meeting, Special Interest Group (SIG): Service-Learning and Experiential Education, Chicago Illinois.
Balkin, R., & Higgins, K. (November 2002). Research in Counseling: Making it work for you. Arkansas Counseling Association Conference, Hot Springs, AR.
Roland, C., Higgins, K, & Rheineck, J. (November 2002). Reaching the Boiling Point: Counseling Crisis Situations in Schools. Arkansas Counseling Association Conference, Hot Springs, AR.
Newgent, R., & Higgins, K. (March 2002). Establishing Reliability and Validity in the Riso-Hudson Enneagram Type Indicator. American Counseling Association Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Higgins, K. (June 2006). Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment Planning. Ozark Guidance Center Community Mental Health Agency Training. Springdale, Ar.
Higgins, K. (November 2005). Ethics for Mental Health Professionals. Ozark Guidance Center Community Mental Health Agency Training. Springdale, Ar.
Higgins, K. (August 2005). School Based Best Clinical Practices. Ozark Guidance Center, School based back to school in-service. Springdale, Ar.
Higgins, K. (December 2004). An Introduction to Sand Tray Counseling. Ozark Guidance Center Community Mental Health Agency training. Springdale, Ar.
Newgent, R., Higgins, K., Mulvenon, S., & Connors, J. (March 2003). Can We Agree on Agreeableness: A Closer Look. Research in Progress Seminar Series sponsored by Public Policy Ph.D. Program & Educational Research and Policy Studies (ERPS) Program- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.
Cavell, T., Atkins, C., Stegman, C., Ladd, B., Newgent., R., & Higgins, K. (March 2003). Selective Interventions for Elementary School Students: Victims of Bullies and Bully-Victims. Research in Progress Seminar Series sponsored by Public Policy Ph.D. Program & Educational Research and Policy Studies (ERPS) Program- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.
Higgins, K. (September 2001). Arkansas State Licensure. Masters Internship course. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR.
Higgins, K. (October 2001). Counseling Minor Clients. Masters Ethics Class. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.
Higgins, K. (November 2001). Arkansas State Licensure. Masters Ethics Class. University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR.