Professor, Counselor Education

Upon his graduation with a Doctorate in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Counseling from Brigham Young University, Dr. Craig was employed in many key roles in public education systems for numerous years including teacher, counselor, dean, principal, and coach.  He has been affiliated with and taught courses for the College of Idaho, Boise State University, and the University of Idaho prior to establishing the graduate counselor program at Northwest Nazarene University in 1992.  Dr. Craig, was instrumental in the accreditation and approval process for counselor education from CACREP, NWCCU, and NCATE for Northwest Nazarene University as well as the foundation of Families ETC, a community based counseling outreach program which utilizes intern counselors from NNU.  He also served as Vice-President of the faculty at Northwest Nazarene University for two years.  In addition, Dr. Craig was appointed by two different Governors of the State of Idaho to serve on the Idaho State Licensing Board for Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists.  During his eight year tenure on the licensing board, Dr. Craig served as Chair of the Board for five years and was instrumental in the passage of law establishing Marriage & Family Therapy in Idaho.  Dr. Craig was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Idaho Counselor Association in 2007.

Associate Professor, Counselor Education
Diplomate Educator/Administrator - Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy

Dr. Michael Pitts comes to the Counselor Education Department from the administrative position of Assistant to the President and Director of Church Relations at Northwest Nazarene University.  He served for 17 years in higher education administration, including six years as Vice President for Spiritual Development and University Chaplain at Point Loma Nazarene University.  Dr. Pitts received his undergraduate degree from Pasadena College, now Point Loma Nazarene University.  He received his Master's degree in Counseling from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Idaho.  He also has significant experience in pastoral leadership and personal/couples counseling.  He holds the Diplomate Educator/Administrator from the Viktor Frankl International Institute of Logotherapy and is also an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.  Some of Dr. Pitts' professional interests include effective strategies for individual and marriage counseling, the role of pastor as counselor, the relationship between music and meaningful life experience, and the impact of self-awareness on living effectively.

Associate Professor, Counselor Education
Clinical Director of Families Etc.
Associate in Logotherapy, Viktor Frankl Institute of Logotherapy

Dr. Curtis Garner was awarded the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (1989), a Master of Science in Gerontology (1991), and Doctor of Education in Educational Psychology (1997) from Baylor University in Waco, TX.  Dr. Garner is currently certified as a school counselor (Idaho) as well as being licensed as a Clinical Professional Counselor and Registered Supervisor in Idaho and as a Counselor in Colorado.  Dr. Garner is a National Certified Counselor, with specialties in Gerontology and in School Counseling from the National Board of Certified Counselors.  Dr. Garner is an Associate in Logotherapy.  Prior to coming to work at Northwest Nazarene University in 2007, Dr. Garner was employed as Associate Professor of Counseling and Human Development at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas (since 1997).  Dr. Garner has been a practicing counselor since 1992 (TX) and has been employed in a variety of inpatient and outpatient mental health care, geriatrics, substance abuse counseling, private practice, assessment, and supervision of counselors in a variety of community and school settings.  While employed as Associate Professor at Hardin-Simmons University, Dr. Garner maintained a limited private practice as a counselor, supervisor, and consultant.  Dr. Garner has published articles on a variety of topics including assessment of mentors, sports motivation, Logotherapy and geriatrics, and purpose-in-life among Native Americans.  Dr. Garner is currently employed at Northwest Nazarene University as Associate Professor and as the Clinical Director of Families ETC, a non-profit community mental health agency and counseling laboratory.

Associate Professor, Counselor Education
LCPC, LMFP

Education:
Ph. D., University of Southern California 
M.A., Azusa Pacific University
B.A., Biola University

 Assistant Professor, Counselor Education

 Susan Perkins comes to NNU from Virginia, where she is completing her Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the Marriage and Family Therapy program of the Human Development Department. While at Virginia Tech, Susan participated in several research projects, taught for the undergraduate Human Development Department, and worked with individual, couple, and family clients in therapy.  Susan received her Master of Arts in Family Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX. Before joining NNU, Susan worked clinically with families and children at New River Valley Community Services in Blacksburg, VA.  Susan’s work focused on helping families who had children with emotional and behavioral disorders. Susan has published five articles and one book chapter and has presented at both national and local conferences.  Susan’s professional interests include using the common factors of therapy more effectively, the impact of technology on families and counseling, therapist’s personal theory development, counseling ethics, and marital enrichment programs.