Donna Kirkpatrick-Pinson

Donna Kirkpatrick-Pinson, Ed.D., is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Programs department. Her expertise spans School Counseling, Ethics, and Gerontology, with a focus on adults 65+, chronic disease, and counselor evaluation. Previously a teacher and school counselor, she was named Illinois Middle School Counselor of the Year (2010) and served on the Journal of Counseling in Illinois editorial board (2011-2013). She currently holds leadership roles in the Illinois Association for Adult Development and Aging and the Schultz Foundation for Advancing.

Education includes an Ed.D. in Counselor Education from Northern Illinois University, coupled with M.S. degrees in School Counseling, Education Administration, and Communication, as well as a B.A. in English. Her research explores ethics in crisis intervention, aging populations' resilience during crises, and mentorship dynamics across generations.

Publications emphasize multicultural counseling frameworks, proxemics in therapeutic settings, and advocacy for school counselor funding. Her work bridges theoretical models with practical applications in social justice, gerontology, and crisis management.

• Awards: Illinois Middle School Counselor of the Year (2010)
• Grants/Advising: No specific grants or advisees listed.
• Labs/Teams: Not explicitly mentioned in provided texts.