Matthew J. Mims
About me: I come from Sioux Falls, SD where most recently I served as a high school counselor and adjunct professor after receiving my doctorate in counselor education from the University of South Dakota. After gaining a teaching certificate for k-12 from Alma College in Michigan, I gained a master’s degree in counseling and college student personnel from Western Illinois University. I then worked at Ball State University and the University of South Dakota in the areas of Student Affairs, Housing, and University Counseling Centers for 14 years. I enjoy traveling, learning about different cultures, and being active with my son, Griffin. I have become familiar with the prairie after being born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.
Before UNK, I worked as a high school counselor in a school of 2,000 students from over 24 countries, speaking 36 different languages. With an interest in diversity, I have also worked for Middlesex University in London as well as lectured and traveled with students throughout Europe and Asia. I believe that as an ethical and professional responsibility of being a counselor I need to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. I have been on a number of community boards for teens, gays and lesbians, and immigrants. I have also coordinated or written a number of grants to provide services to immigrants, refugees, gay teens, and the development of the infusion of global curriculum. While working as a school counselor, private practice counselor, or in a university counseling center, I have been active in the counseling and student affairs professional organizations and have held state, regional, and national offices or appointments. Currently I am the coordinator of the Student Affairs program for the department and draw from my 14 years of experience in Residential Life where I started as a Hall Director and then progressed to the Asst. Director of Resident Life.
Contact:
Phone Number: (308) 865-8625
Email Address: mimsmj@unk.eduOffice Number:
College of Education Building: B137
Education:
Ed.D, University of South Dakota (1997) Counselor Education
M.S., Western Illinois University (1989) College Student Personnel
B.A., Alma College (1985) History and K-12 Education
Teaching Areas:
Student Affairs, Career and Lifestyle Development, Internship Supervision, Ethics, and Organizational & Practice of Mental Health Counseling/Student Affairs.
Research Interests:
Program assessment, GLBT issues, student engagement, career counseling, internship supervision, diversity and global curriculum.