Get to Know your Professor

Dr.Priscilla Rose Selvaraj

Pris Selvaraj is an assistant professor in the department of Psychology and Counseling at the Hardin-Simmons University. She joined HSU during the 2016-17 academic year after spending a year as a faculty member at the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, in the Trinity International University at Illinois. Pris obtained PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. She holds double master’s degree in Psychology and Business Administration from India. She is national certified counselor (NCC) and Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Ohio. She has served in the Counseling center at Trinity International University, University Medical Associates in Ohio University, and in Recovery Council at Waverly Ohio. In India, she worked in the Institute of Mental Health (Govt. Psychiatric Hospital) as a clinical psychology intern. Thus, she has a wide range of multicultural experience in clinical mental health counseling both in the US and in India.

Growing up with the passion for serving people globally and making a positive difference in their lives, Pris endeavored in the field of mental health counseling. Philosophy of teaching, counseling and research interacts dynamically by complementing her personality, wherein she utilizes various creative modalities. Her research interest includes functioning under the umbrella of positive psychology and positive mental health in conceptualizing multifaceted social concerns faced by individuals in schools, churches, colleges, and work place. She takes special interest in serving international student communities, college students, children and geriatrics populations. She is currently working in collaborative cross-cultural projects in studying positive psychological constructs among singers, college students, and parents and children with developmental disorders. 

She is active in groupwork and is passionate in initiating programs for international students in college campuses through positive psychotherapy groups. She has received numerous awards and recognitions in the field of counseling. In the past, she was active in Chi Sigma Iota, as the Vice-President of the Alpha Chapter and chair of professional development committees. She is affiliated to various professional associations such as ACA, ACES, ASGW, and TACES. She has served in various panels and forums as invited international student/professional speaker. Pris has co-authored an ASGW Substance-Abuse book and has contributed to a number of encyclopedia and journal articles. She continues to present in a wide range of regional, national and international conferences on the topics of positive psychology, positive mental health, and wellbeing.

Pris is happily married to Prasath Subramanian, and enjoys painting, traveling and cooking. They serve in New Hope Church, Abilene.