معرفی
Michael Kiener, PhD, CRC, serves as Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling and Director of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program at Maryville University's Walker College of Health Professions. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience and over 15 years at Maryville, he advocates for underserved populations including individuals with disabilities, homelessness, and substance abuse challenges, focusing on resilience building and vocational reintegration.
His research centers on counseling pedagogy and action research, with expertise spanning career counseling, rehabilitation counseling, and learning theory. Kiener develops innovative teaching methodologies emphasizing critical thinking, self-reflective practices, and positive classroom environments, particularly through tools like the "comfortability in learning scale" to enhance student-professional transitions in capstone courses.
His publication record (2009-2019) reveals consistent focus on critical thinking integration in professional education, blending therapeutic techniques with pedagogical innovation across rehabilitation counseling contexts. Key themes include professional disposition development, strengths-based interventions, and classroom climate assessment.
Accolades include:
- 2012 Outstanding Faculty Award (Maryville University)
- 2012 President’s Award for Strategic Excellence: Civic Engagement
- 2010 President’s Volunteer Service Award (recognized by President Obama)
As program director, Kiener mentors students through REHB 600 Practicum, REHB 601 Internship, and REHB 602 Advanced Internship sequences while developing curriculum that bridges theory and clinical practice. His scholarship of teaching directly informs course design across 11 rehabilitation counseling courses.
Community engagement includes active membership in the Missouri Rehabilitation Association and Inclusion Coalition for Employment, driving initiatives for disability-inclusive employment practices in the St. Louis region.
