Krista Nelson

Dr. Krista Nelson is the Chair of the Behavioral and Social Sciences department and an Associate Professor of Psychology at Southern Arkansas University (SAU). She joined SAU in 2017 as an Assistant Professor, achieving tenure and promotion in 2021. She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Louisiana Tech University (2012), an M.Ed. in Agency Counseling from SAU (2001), and a B.A. in Psychology from Pittsburg State University (1993). Licensed as a Professional Counselor in Arkansas since 2004, she has taught at Grambling State University and the University of Arkansas at Monticello, and worked as a Medical Teaching Psychologist at the Medical University of the Americas in Nevis, West Indies. Her research focuses on fear of failure, gender dynamics, self-efficacy, body esteem, and societal impacts of terrorism beliefs.

Education:

• B.A. Psychology, Pittsburg State University (1993)
• M.Ed. Agency Counseling, Southern Arkansas University (2001)
• PhD Counseling Psychology, Louisiana Tech University (2012)

Research Interests: Explores psychological constructs including gender role conflict, imposter syndrome, and societal perceptions of terrorism. Recent work emphasizes how terrorism-related beliefs influence community behaviors and mental health. Her earlier studies on self-efficacy and body image remain core components of her scholarship.

Professional Experience: Combines academic teaching with clinical counseling experience across university and medical settings. Maintains licensure as an Arkansas LPC and has international teaching experience in Caribbean medical education.