Program Coordinator for EdPsych Online

Biography

Prior to becoming an educational psychology educator, Patricia had a twenty-year professional career in international education in diverse higher education settings. Her strong commitment to facilitating student success, especially for students from underrepresented or marginalized populations, and advocating for equity in educational settings remains a driving force in her professional journey. After living in different cities around the world, she is happy to call East Tennessee home. She likes to spend any spare time with her husband Matthew and their dog and cat in her pollinator garden.

Research

• Refugee and Immigrant Adult Learner Access and Opportunities in Higher Education
• International Student Persistence in U.S. Higher Education
• Facilitating Inclusive Learning Environments for Diverse Populations
• Student-Centered Teaching & Support Strategies
• Curriculum and Program Planning for Multicultural and Multilingual Adult Learners
• Intersectionality, Critical Theory, and Transformative Learning in Adult Learning

Education

• PhD, Educational Psychology, University of Tennessee, December 2019
• Graduate Certificate, Qualitative Research Methods in Education, University of Tennessee, December 2019
• English Language Teaching Leadership Management Certificate, TESOL, June 2019
• MS  University of Tennessee, Educational Psychology,  August 2017
• BA  Eckerd College, December 2001

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Awards and Recognitions

• Outstanding Graduate Student Award,  UTK 2019             
• Friends of Educational Psychology and Counseling Research Grant, UTK 2019
• Travis Hawk Fellowship, UTK       2018-2019
• Letters Collegium Award of Honor, Eckerd College, 2001

Publications

Higgins, P. (2023). “I don’t even recognize myself anymore”: An autoethnography of workplace bullying in higher education. Power and Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/17577438231163041

Higgins, P. J., & Misawa, M. (2021). A narrative study of refugee adult learners’ experiences in Southeastern U.S. community college. Community College Journal of Research and Practice. DOI: 10.1080/10668926.2021.1910596

Submitted, In Review

Higgins, P. J., & Misawa, M. (2022). A narrative inquiry on the experiences of adult refugee learners navigating U.S. higher education: Bird in a cage. In review.

Works in Progress

Higgins, P. J., & Misawa, M. (2023). A narrative inquiry on the diverse experiences of adult refugee learners in community colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States.

Higgins, P.J., & Misawa, M. (2023). Bridging the gap: Creating safe and inclusive research environments for vulnerable populations through narrative inquiry.

Misawa, M., & Higgins, P.J. (2023). Changing spaces and changing positionality: The transformative process of professionalization.

Misawa, M., & Higgins, P.J. (2023). Teaching ethics to adults: How do we learn and transfer knowledge about ethical beliefs and practices. 

Assistant Professor

Biography

Kai grew up in Malaysia and had the privilege to study abroad in Wisconsin and Florida. Kai and her partner, Blake were happy to settle in beautiful East Tennessee and be a part of the UT family. She identifies as Chinese and loves all Asian food. Kai and Blake also have two cats and a dog. Some fun facts about Kai: she loves travelling and speaks three languages.

Research

• Initiating and sustaining culturally inclusive school mental health research and services
• Integrating motivational interviewing and positive psychology interventions in school-based mental health services
• Supporting the unique needs of students in accelerated curricula (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and gifted programs)

Education

•  PhD, School Psychology, University of South Florida, 2020
• MA, School Psychology, University of South Florida, 2016
• BA, Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2014

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Professional Service

• Invited Panelist, Motivational Interviewing in Education: What do We Know and Where do We Go from Here? Sixth International Conference on Motivational Interviewing (2022)
• Manuscript Reviewer, School Mental Health and Journal of School Psychology (since 2022)
• Invited Panelist, International Student Experiences Panel, University of South Florida College of Education (2020)

Awards and Recognitions

• Staff That Are Remarkable (STAR) Award by Pinellas County Schools (2019)
• Faye Henderson Exemplary Leadership Award for Minority Students, Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP) (2018)
• University Graduate Fellowship, USF Graduate School (2015)

Publications

• Castillo, J., Wang, H. H., Daye, J., Shum, K. Z., March, A. (2017). A longitudinal analysis of the relations between professional development, educators’ beliefs and perceived skills, and RtI implementation. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation.
• Parker, J., Shum, K. Z., Suldo, S., Shaunessy-Dedrick, E., Ferron, J., & Dedrick, R. (2019). Predictors of adaptive help seeking across male and female high school students enrolled in college level courses. Psychology in the Schools.

• Suldo, S., Fefer, S., & Shum, K. Z. (in print). Positive psychology in group therapy. In Christner, R. W., Stewart, J. L., & Mulligan, C. (Eds.), Handbook of cognitive-behavior group therapy for children and adolescents (second edition).
• Shum, K. Z., Suldo, S., Shaunessy-Dedrick, E., O’Brennan, L. (under review). A qualitative exploration of the facilitators and barriers of cognitive engagement among high school students in accelerated curricula. Manuscript under review at Journal of Advanced Academics.

Assistant Professor

Biography

Jordan was born and raised in Oklahoma, and she was excited to join UT in 2023 after a few years in Virginia. Her research focuses on LGBTQIA+ health across the lifespan and how counselors can address systemic barriers for this population. She lives with her partner (Jess) and their gaggle of cats, who bring joy to their daily lives with the kind of chaos only cats can find. In her spare time, Jordan enjoys exploring local food and restaurants, green space, playing board games, reading, and watching really bad TV.

Research

• LGBTQIA+ Health Equity
• Lifespan/Later Life
• Multicultural & Social Justice Counseling/Advocacy
• Suicide Prevention

Education

• Ph.D., Counselor Education, Virginia Tech, 2023
• M.S., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Northeastern State University, 2018
• B.S., Psychology, Northeastern State University, 2016

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Professional Service

Select Professional & Community Leadership:

• Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE) Education Committee Co-Chair (2022–present)
• Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling Editorial Board Member (2022–present)
• ADULTSPAN Journal Fellow (2022–2023)
• Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) Service-Learning Interest Network Co-Chair (2020–2021)
• American Counseling Association (ACA) Task Force on Professional Advocacy Training Member (2019–2020)

Awards and Recognitions

• Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award, American Association of Colleges and Universities (2023)
• Diversity Scholar, Virginia Tech (2021)

Publications

Select Recent Publications:

Westcott, J. B., Castagna, N., Baker, M., Musci, J., Gowen, N., Wiley, B., Patterson, A., & Fullen, M. C. (in press). Connecting with clients in later life: The use of telebehavioral health to address older adults’ mental health needs. ADULTSPAN Journal.

Westcott, J. B., Epstein, D., Wiley, B., Westcott, J. M., Welfare, L. E., & Catalano, C. (2023). Collecting sexual orientation in counseling research: Implications for counselor education. Counselor Education and Supervision. Advance online publication. http://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12285

Shaikh, A. N., Westcott, J. B., Franck Love, S., Flynn, L., Chang, C. Y., & Mize, M. C. (2023). Examining help-seeking intentions among Generation Z college students. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2023.2198155

Westcott, J. B. & Grimes, T. O. (2023). Applications of relational-cultural theory for social justice in mental health counseling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 45(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.45.1.01

Westcott, J. B., Fullen, M. C., & Jordan, J. (2023). Advancing access to Medicare-funded mental health treatment during the opioid epidemic: A counselor advocacy analysis. Journal of Counseling & Development, 101(1), 15–28. http://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12452

Shannonhouse, L. R., Hong, J., Fullen, M. C., Westcott, J. B., Mingo, C., Mize, M. C., & Love, S. (2022). Racial differences in the relationship between pain and suicide desire in older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221145854   

Fullen, M. C., Smith, J. S., Clarke, P., Westcott, J. B., McCoy, R., & Tomlin, C. (2022). Holistic wellness coaching for older adults: Preliminary evidence for a novel wellness intervention in senior living communities. Journal of Applied Gerontology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648221135582

Westcott, J. B., Fullen, M. C., Tomlin, C., Eikenberg, K., Delaughter, P. M., Mize, M. C. B., & Shannonhouse, L. R. (2022). “Listen closer”: Home-delivered meal volunteers’ understanding of their role in suicide prevention. Ageing & Society. Advance online publication. https://www.doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X22000368

Assistant Professor

Biography

Prior to becoming a counselor educator, Hyunhee had professional counseling experience working with children, adolescents, college students, and adults in different settings. Her strong commitment to improving the lives of children and adolescents has been a driving force for transformation in her professional journey. She is interested in identifying protective factors that help students thrive, regardless of the adversity that they may encounter. Hyunhee credits her upbringing on the beautiful Jeju Island, South Korea, for her deeply instilled values of “peace, collaboration, and adaptability,” which she now strives to contribute as a Tennessee Volunteer and leader. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her family, practicing yoga and meditation, and exploring new food.

Research

Hyunhee’s research primarily focuses on the role of relationships in educational settings. “I am particularly interested in developmental assets and protective factors that help students thrive, regardless of the adversities they may encounter.”

• School Connectedness
• Mindfulness
• Bullying
• Career Development
• School Counseling Outcome Research

Education

• PhD, Counselor Education, Penn State University, 2022

• MA, Educational Counseling, Seoul National University, 2008

• BA, Education/Ethics Education, Seoul National University, 2003

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Awards and Recognitions

• Exemplary Doctoral Research & Practice Award - (AARC)
• Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year Award - (NARACES)
• Emerging Leader - (NARACES)

Publications

Johnson, K. F., Kim, H., Molina, C. E., Thompson, K.A., Henry, S., Zyromski, B. (2023). School Counseling Prevention Programming to Address Social Determinants of Mental Health. Journal of Counseling & Development.101(4), 402-415. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12471  

Kim, H., Hazler, R. J., & Carney, J. V. (2022). Promoting school connectedness: A critical review of definitions and theoretical models for school-based interventions. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2022.2119359 

Carney, J. V., Kim, J., Kim, H., Hazler, R. J., & Guo, X (2022). School connectedness as a mediator of victimization and life satisfaction. Professional School Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X221105463

Kim, H., Carney, J. V., Guo, X., & Prescod, D. (2022). The role of developmental assets in childhood career development. The Career Development Quarterly,70(2), 98-109. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12286

Liu, Y., Kim, H., Carney, J. V., Chung, K., & Hazler, R. J. (2020). Individual and contextual factors associated with school connectedness. Journal of Counseling & Development, 98(4), 391-401. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12341

Liu, Y., Carney, J. V., Kim, H., Hazler, R. J., & Guo, X. (2020). Victimization and students’ psychological well-being: The mediating role of hope and school connectedness. Children and Youth Services Review, 108, 104674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104674

Carney, J. V., Kim, H., Duquette, K., Guo, X., & Hazler, R. J. (2019). Hope as a mediator of bullying involvement and emotional difficulties in children. Journal of Counseling & Development, 97(4), 376-386. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12286

Woo, H., Kim, H., & Park, S. (2019). Burnout and turnover intentions among junior counseling faculty: The moderating role of mentoring. Journal of Employment Counseling, 56(2), 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1002/joec.12114

In, H., Kim, H., & Carney, J. V. (2019). The relation of social skills and school climate of diversity to children’s life satisfaction: The mediating role of school connectedness. Psychology in the Schools, 56, 1023-1036. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.22247

Carney, J. V., Kim, H., Hazler, R. J., & Guo, X. (2018). Protective factors for mental health concerns in urban middle school students: The moderating effect of school connectedness. Professional School Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156759X18780952

Woo, H., Park, S., & Kim, H. (2017). Job satisfaction as a moderator on the relationship between burnout and scholarly productivity among counseling faculty in the U.S. Asia Pacific Education Review, 18(4), 573-583. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-017-9506-5

Kang, Z., Kim, H., & Trusty, J. (2017). Constructivist and social constructionist career counseling: A Delphi study. The Career Development Quarterly, 65(1), 72-87. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12081

Assistant Professor of Practice

Biography

Growing up in part in Western North Carolina, being close to the Appalachian Mountains feels at home for Chris. He has joined the core UT counseling faculty this year on a visiting capacity after completing his doctorate from UT. He enjoys spending time with his partner, Chelsea, and their two dogs, pet snake, and betta fish. Chris enjoys playing board games with friends (do you need two sheep, was that a haunt roll, don’t pick up a duck in a dungeon), exploring the outdoors, trying new experiences, experiencing the theatre, and singing. He pursues wellness often through grounding and mindfulness, as well as going for walks often with his dogs.

Education

• PhD, Counselor Education, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2022
• MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Freed-Hardeman University, 2013
• BS, Psychology | Bible, Freed-Hardeman University, 2010

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Professional Service

• Tennessee Counseling Association, NBCC Liaison, 2019-2023
• Chi Sigma Iota, Leadership Intern, 2021-2022
• Smokey Mountain Counseling Association, President, 2020-2021

Awards and Recognitions

• Tennessee Association for Counselor Education & Supervision, Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, November 2020
• UT Counselor Education Programs, Outstanding Leadership & Advocate Award, April 2020
• UT, Educational Psychology and Counseling Department Outstanding Advocate Award, December 2019

Publications

Hill, M. B., Hightower, J., Halliburton, A., Harrison, T., LaFever, C. R. (in press). Mental health during COVID-19: College students’ stressors and need for structure. Journal of College Counseling.

Johnson, T., LaFauci Schutt, J. M., Messinger, E., Blanchard, R., Saunders, R., LaFever, C. R., & DuFresne, R. (2022). Why CSI: Revisiting the importance of professional organization membership. Exemplar, 37(2), 14-17.

Brott, P. E., DeKruyf, L., Hyun, J. H., LaFever, C. R., Patterson-Mills, S., Sandifer, M. C., Stone, V. J., (2021). The critical need for clinical supervision among school counselors. Journal of School-based Counseling Policy and Evaluation, 3(2), 51-60. https://doi.org/10.25774/nr5m-mq71

LaFever, C. R. (2020). In good times and bad there is only one mother [Review of the book Saying goodbye to our mothers for the last time, edited by C. T. Cox & W. A. Harrison III]. Death Studies, 44(12), 819-822. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2019.1627456

Recent Presentations

LaFever, C. R., West, N., & Diambra, J. (2022, October 17-21). Getting the Most Out of Supervision: Equipping Emerging Counselors to Self-Advocate [Conference Session]. American Counseling Association 2022 Virtual Experience Conference.

LaFever, C. R., & West, N. (2022, November 3-5). Training Counseling Students for Post-Masters Clinical Supervision [Poster Session]. Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Association, Baltimore, MD.

Fisher, A., McMullen, J., Messinger, E., LaFever, C. R., Arnekrans, A., Dardis, K., & Suggs, B. G. (2022, March 16). Connecting with Chapters and Professional Members in Creative Ways [Panelist] [Webinar]. Chi Sigma Iota International. https://www.csi-net.org/

LaFever, C. R., Wynn, M., & Ault, H. (2021, October 5-10). Site supervision training: Providing comprehensive support and relationship building [Conference Session]. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.aces2021.net/resources/ACES-Conference-Program-2021-finalversion.pdf

Gonzalez-Rosario, L. M., Gibbons, M., LaFever, C. R., & Hightower, J. (2021, October 5-10). Developing social justice leaders and advocates through internships for doctoral students [Conference Session]. Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Atlanta, Georgia. http://www.aces2021.net/resources/ACES-Conference-Program-2021-finalversion.pdf

West, N., Taylor, A. L., & LaFever, C. R. (2021, June 11). Addressing supervisees’ developmental needs: Practical techniques for using IDM with supervisees [Conference Session]. Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors Association Summit, Nashville, Tennessee.

LaFever C. R., & Gonzalez-Rosario, L. M. (2019, February 16). Advocating for children and adolescents during times of crisis [Conference session]. Smoky Mountain Counseling Association Conference, Jefferson City, Tennessee.