Rate My Professor Kimberly McAlister

Kimberly McAlister is Chair of the Department of Counselor Education at Sam Houston State University, serving as Visiting Professor and Acting Chair. She holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisiana-Monroe (2003), an M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision from Northwestern State University (1997), and a B.S. in Mathematics Education from Northeast Louisiana University (1989). Prior to joining Sam Houston State University, McAlister built an extensive career at Northwestern State University in the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development. Her positions there included Dean (2018-present), Professor in the School of Education (July 2021-present), Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Counseling (August 2010-June 2021), Head of the Department of Teaching, Leadership, and Counseling (August 2014-December 2017), Head of the Department of Teaching and Learning (2010-2014), Coordinator of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies (2005-2010), Assistant Professor (2004-2010), and Instructor (1998-2004). Earlier, she taught mathematics in Louisiana public schools in Alexandria, Sulphur, and Baton Rouge (1989-1998).

McAlister's scholarly work focuses on educator preparation and teacher education. Key publications include Lovett, M., Hebert, D., & McAlister, K. (2023). Adaptive Leadership in Educator Preparation: A Statewide Case Study. johepal, 4(1), 153-159; Menard, L.A., & Walker McAlister, K. (2017). Comprehension of English text among Saudi Arabian and American undergraduates, in CALL in Context (pp. 550-557); Haj-Broussard et al. (2015). Clinical Prototypes: Nontraditional Teacher Preparation Programs, in Rethinking Field Experiences in Pre-Service Teacher Preparation (pp. 117-148); Morris et al. (2012). An examination of teacher education candidates’ self-reported dispositions and characteristics in online versus traditional classes, SITE proceedings; and Boggan, M., Harper, S., and McAlister, K. (2010). Achieving mathematical concepts one word at a time, Field Experience Journal, 6(1), 19-28. She has delivered numerous presentations at conferences such as the Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU), Mid-South Educational Research Association (MSERA), and others, covering topics like adaptive leadership, university lab schools, partnerships, and disposition development. Her service includes TECSCU national Secretary-Treasurer (2021-2023), Louisiana Association for Colleges for Teacher Education past president (2020-2021), CAEP site visitor (2016-2021), and NCATE Board of Examiners (2009-2016). She received the Dan and Lilly Chase Endowed Professorship (2015-2017).