Dr. Colleen Weems is an Assistant Professor of Education and Counseling at Milligan University, where she also serves as the Placement Coordinator for the Area of Education. She teaches across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral coursework, with a focus on preparing future educators and counselors. Her areas of specialization include social-emotional learning, suicide prevention, chronic absenteeism, attendance, and student leadership. In addition, Dr. Weems supervises clinical placements for school counseling students and provides instruction in school counseling coursework.

Dr. Weems holds multiple professional licenses, including School Counselor PreK-12 (Tennessee Department of Education), ILL Administrator PreK-12 (Tennessee Department of Education), and LPC/MHSP(S) (Tennessee Department of Health). Among her notable achievements, she coordinated the Lighthouse Team at Andrew Johnson Elementary, guiding the school toward recognition as a Lighthouse School of Distinction under the FranklinCovey Leader in Me program.

Her scholarly contributions include the publication of “Social/Emotional Learning Implementation and Student Outcomes” in Professional School Counseling (2024). Dr. Weems actively combines her academic expertise with a passion for mentoring and empowering students to succeed in their chosen fields.

At Milligan, Dr. Weems finds joy in cultivating authentic relationships with her students and colleagues. She values the opportunity to engage in small class sizes and meaningful conversations, creating a collaborative environment where learning and personal growth flourish. She appreciates the unique ability to integrate faith into her teaching, which aligns with the university’s Christian mission.

Dr. Weems’s faith journey is a source of personal and professional inspiration. A sign in her office reminds her daily: “I trust the next chapter because I know the author.” This perspective shapes her approach to life and work, as she embraces the unfolding of God’s story. She believes that fostering strong relationships and supporting students’ academic and spiritual growth are vital aspects of her calling at Milligan.

Education:
BS, Applied Human Sciences, East Tennessee State University, 2000
MA, Counseling, East Tennessee State University, 2005
EdD, Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, East Tennessee State University, 2021