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Behavioral Sciences Faculty

Behavioral Sciences

Meet our Faculty

Criminal Justice

Headshot of Samuel Jeffrey

Samuel Jeffrey, M.P.P.

Assistant Professor
Program Director for Criminal Justice
501-279-5071
sjeffrey@harding.edu

About Samuel Jeffrey

Degrees

Master of Public Policy, Pepperdine School of Public Policy, 2002

Facts

Began Teaching at Harding in 2015
10 years at the Central Intelligence Agency
Private Security Contractor
Federally Certified Polygrapher

Psychology

Headshot of Travis McNeal

Travis McNeal, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology
Chair, Dept. of Behavioral Sciences
501-279-4564
tmcneal@harding.edu

About Travis McNeal

Degrees

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at University of Mississippi, 1999

Facts

Began teaching at Harding in 2009
Arkansas Licensed Psychologist
Headshot of Benjamin Hall

Benjamin Hall, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Psychology
501-279-4560
bhall4@harding.edu

About Benjamin Hall

Degrees

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at East Tennessee State University, 2021

Facts

Began teaching at Harding University in 2024
Headshot of Dwight Ireland

Dwight Ireland, Ed.D.

Professor of Psychology
501-279-4347
direland@harding.edu

About Dwight Ireland

Degrees

Ed.D. in Counseling at University of Arkansas, 1982

Facts

Began teaching at Harding in 1977
Headshot of Jeremiah Sullins

Jeremiah Sullins, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology
Director of the Center for Cognitive Studies
501-279-5531
jsullins@harding.edu

About Jeremiah Sullins

Facts

Began teaching at Harding in 2014

Social Work

Headshot of Kathy Helpenstill

Kathy Helpenstill, D.S.W., M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Professor of Social Work
Social Work Program Director
501-279-4074
khelpenstill@harding.edu

About Kathy Helpenstill

Degrees

D.S.W., University of Tennessee at Knoxville
M.S.W., University of Arkansas-Little Rock
B.S.W., Harding University

Facts

Began teaching at Harding as an adjunct in 1999 and has taught full-time since 2012
Is a Contract Clinical Social Worker, and has previous experience with Medical Social Work, BridgeWay Psychiatric Hospital

Area

Child Welfare
Trauma in Children
Problematic Sexual Behaviors in Children
Forensic Interviewing of Children
Mental Health
Headshot of Kim Baker-Abrams

Kim Baker-Abrams, M.S.W., L.M.S.W.

Associate Professor of Social Work
Program Admissions Coordinator
501-279-4356
kbaker@harding.edu

About Kim Baker-Abrams

Facts

Began teaching social work classes at Harding in 1997
Has had clinical experiences at Arizona State Hospital Forensic Behavior Management Unit for Women and Scottsdale Juvenile Diversion program

Area

Mental Health
Headshot of Terry L. Smith

Terry L. Smith, Ed.D., M.Div., M.S.W., A.C.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Professor of Social Work
501-279-4561
tsmith@harding.edu

About Terry L. Smith

Degrees

Ed.D., University of Memphis
M.S.W., University of Arkansas-Little Rock
M.Div., Abilene Christian
B.A., Abilene Christian University

Facts

Began teaching at Harding as an adjunct in 1985 and has taught full-time since 1990
Has served as a Clinical Social Worker at Youth House, Inc. and as Director of Professional Services at Childrens' Homes, Inc.

Area

Loss and Grief
Child Welfare

Contact Information


Behavioral Sciences Department
501-279-4425
BehavSci@harding.edu