Biography
Dr. Derron Hilts (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor and Chair of School Counseling at 海角大神. A National Certified Counselor (NCC) and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), he earned his Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from Syracuse University, where his research focused on school counseling leadership and systemic factors influencing school counselor practice.
Dr. Hilts is active in the counseling profession, serving as Chair of Chi Sigma Iota International鈥檚 Excellence in Counseling Research Grants Committee and a RAMP庐 reviewer for the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). His research on school counseling leadership, comprehensive school counseling programs, and student-to-school counselor ratios has resulted in more than more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, multiple manuscripts in-press or in-review, numerous conference presentations, and over $35,000 in research funding.
A dedicated educator and advocate of the profession, Dr. Hilts has taught over 20 graduate-level courses, supervised school counseling students, and received awards for mentorship and professional service. He consistently earns strong course evaluations (2022 – 2026 average: 3.8 /4.0), with students describing his teaching as engaging, inclusive, and supportive. They also commend his professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to challenge them while providing support, empathy, and humor.
Beyond his professional roles, Dr. Hilts is also a proud husband and father of two of the best boys and enjoys spending time with his family, along with their dog and cats.
Focus of Teaching
- EDU 653: Foundations and Ethics in School Counseling
- EDU 662: Organization and Administration of the School Counseling Program
- EDU 676: School Counseling Practicum
- EDU 678: Advanced [School Counseling] Internship
Selected Research
- Hilts, D., Liu, Y., & Guo, X. (2025). Journal of Education, 0(0), 1-16.
- Hilts, D., & Levy, I. (2025). Journal of Counseling听and Development, 0,听1-14.
- Hilts, D., Park., E, & Liu, Y. (2025). Journal of Counseling & Development,103(1), 1-15).
- Hilts, D., Liu, Y., & Guo, X. (2025). An investigation of student outcomes based on student-to- school counselor ratios.听Counseling Scholarship & Practice in Educational Communities, 1(1), 32 – 61.听
- Liu, Y.,听Hilts, D., Tian, X., & Gao, S. (2025). 听Professional School Counseling, 29(1), 1-11.
- Liu, Y.,听Hilts, D, & Guo, X. (2024).听听Professional School Counseling., 28(1), 1-13.
- Kratsa, K., Hilts, D., Kolbert, J., Joseph, M., Nice, M.L., & Crothers, L. (2023). Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation.
- Hilts, D. & Liu, Y. (2023). Journal of Counseling & Development, 1-11.
- Hilts, D., Liu, Y., & Luke, M. (2022). The Professional Counselor, 12(3), 232-248.
- Hilts, D., Liu, Y., Li, D., & Luke, M. (2022). Professional School Counseling, 26(1), 1-14.
- Hilts, D., Peters, H., Liu, Y., & Luke, M. (2022). Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 1-16.
- Hilts, D., Kratsa, K., Joseph, M., Kolbert, J., Crothers, L., & Nice, M. (2019). Professional School Counseling, 23, 1-11.
University
- Co-Chair, Faculty Development Committee I January 2025 – present
- Member, Institutional Review Board I January 2025 – present
Professional
- Chair, Excellence in Counseling Research Grants Committee, Chi Sigma Iota International I May 2024 – present
- RAMP庐 Reviewer, American School Counselor Association听I August 2024 – present
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Counseling and Counselor Education, Syracuse University, 2022
- M.S.Ed., School Counseling, Duquesne University, 2017
- B.S., Psychology, SUNY Fredonia, 2015