Dr. Carlen Henington serves is professor in the Psychology Department within the School of Health Professions at Mississippi State University, where she uses her expertise to teach a variety of classes in psychology (e.g., Legal and Ethics of Psychology; Consultation and Supervision; History and Systems of Psychology) and serves across the Meridian campus on a number of students’ Capstone Projects. A central focus of her work is professional issues in psychology such as accreditation, curriculum design with a focus on school psychology. 

Throughout her academic career, Dr. Henington has been dedicated to advancing the field of mental health. She has played a key role in designing, implementing, and directing programs that prepare students for work as a school psychologist in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, medical centers, private practice). She served on the American Psychological Association (APA) Joint Board of Educational Affairs (BEA)/Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) Task Force charged with delineating a set of professional competencies for students completing a master’s level program in health service psychology (HSP). She has earned awards for her service to the psychology field and dedication to diversity and student success.  She as directed more than 35 dissertations and capstone projects and served on countless committees. She typically includes students in her research with over 40 publications and more than 150 presentations. Additionally, she has served as PI/co-PI on grants worth more than $2.1 Million. Her commitment to student success is reflected in her emphasis on mentorship and professional development.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Henington brings valuable experience from prior leadership roles in professional organizations such as the APA Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology, the School Psychology Specialty Council, the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) delegate assembly, and APA’s Joint Board of Educational Affairs (BEA)/Board of Professional Affairs (BPA) Task Force charged with delineating a set of professional competencies for students completing a master’s level program in health service psychology. She has served the interests of Mississippi children as a member of the Mississippi Autism Advisory Committee, the First Steps Mississippi Statewide Interagency Coordinating Council, and as a consultant to the Mississippi Department of Education. These leadership positions have enriched her ability to advise and mentor students in mental health fields and education and ensures that curricula in the Combined Health Service Psychology program remain relevant, practical, and responsive to the needs within the mental health fields. 

Dr. Henington is also highly engaged in accreditation and quality assurance efforts at the national level. She has served as a Chair and Member for site visit teams with the APA’s Commission on Accreditation and served as a commissioner for 6 years. She has been a Program Reviewer for NASP and served as a guest board member to the NASP Program Approval Board. Through this work, she contributes to maintaining high standards in mental health professions education and advancing excellence across academic programs nationwide.

Ph.D. School Psychology
Texas A&M University (College Station, TX) – APA/NASP Accredited. Specialization: Child-Clinical Psychology Dissertation Title:  Social correlates of relational and overt aggression in boys and girls, Departmental Distinguished Dissertation Award 

B.A. Psychology
San Diego State University (San Diego, CA) - with Distinction

A.A. General Studies 
Palomar Community College (San Marcos, CA) - with Honors 

Nationally Certified School Psychologist

Certified School Psychologist