Biography
Dr. Derron Hilts (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor and School Counseling Program Chair in the Department of Counseling and Applied Psychology at Niagara University. A National Certified Counselor (NCC) and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), he earned his Ph.D. in Counseling and Counselor Education from Syracuse University, where his research focused on school counseling leadership and systemic factors influencing school counselor practice.
Dr. Hilts is active in the counseling profession, serving as Chair of Chi Sigma Iota International’s Excellence in Counseling Research Grants Committee and a RAMP® reviewer for the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). His research on school counseling leadership, comprehensive school counseling programs, and student-to-school counselor ratios has led to 14 peer-reviewed publications, several papers in-press or in-review, numerous conference presentations, and over $24,000 in research funding.
A dedicated educator and advocate of the profession, Dr. Hilts has taught over 20 graduate-level courses, supervised school counseling students, and received awards for mentorship and professional service. He consistently earns high course evaluations, with students appreciating his engaging, inclusive, and supportive teaching style. They also commend his professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to challenge them while providing support, empathy, and humor.
Dr. Hilts is also a proud husband and father of two of the best boys, and is in good company with his family’s dog and cat.
Focus of Teaching
- EDU 653: Foundations and Ethics in School Counseling
- EDU 662: Organization and Administration of the School Counseling Program
- EDU 676: School Counseling Practicum
- EDU 678: Advanced [School Counseling] Internship
Current Research
- Kratsa, K., Hilts, D., Kolbert, J., Joseph, M., Nice, M.L., & Crothers, L. (2023). Ecological barriers to comprehensive school counseling program implementation. Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation. https://doi.org/10.25774/rktf-dx61
- Hilts, D. & Liu, Y. (2023). School counselors’ perceived school climate, leadership practice, psychological empowerment, and multicultural competence before and during COVID-19. Journal of Counseling & Development, 1-11.
- Hilts, D., Liu, Y., & Luke, M. (2022). School counselors’ emotional intelligence and comprehensive school counseling program implementation: The mediating role of transformational leadership. The Professional Counselor, 12(3), 232-248.
- Hilts, D., Liu, Y., Li, D., & Luke, M. (2022). Examining ecological factors that predict school counselors’ leadership practices. Professional School Counseling, 26(1), 1-14.
- Hilts, D., Peters, H., Liu, Y., & Luke, M. (2022). The model for school counseling leadership supervision. Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 1-16.
- Hilts, D., Kratsa, K., Joseph, M., Kolbert, J., Crothers, L., & Nice, M. (2019). School counselors’ perceptions of barriers to implementing a RAMP-designated school counseling program. Professional School Counseling, 23, 1-11.
- Hilts, D., Park., E, & Liu, Y. (2025). Ecological factors that predict school counselors’ comprehensive school counseling program implementation. Journal of Counseling & Development, 103(1), 1-15). https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12555
- Hilts, D., Liu, Y., & Guo, X. (2025). An investigation of student outcomes based on student-to- school counselor ratios. Counseling Scholarship & Practice in Educational Communities, 1(1), 32 – 61. https://doi.org/10.7275/
cspec.2302 - Liu, Y., Hilts, D., Tian, X., & Gao, S. (2025). Work-family enrichment among school counselors: The roles of coping and transformational leadership. Professional School Counseling, 29(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/
2156759X251320908 - Liu, Y., Hilts, D, & Guo, X. (2024). Does student-to-school counselor ratio matter when considering schools’ race/ethnicity composition? A New York statewide examination. Professional School Counseling., 28(1), 1-13.https://doi.org/10.1177/
2156759X241304432
Current Involvement
University
- Co-Chair, Faculty Development Committee I January 2025 – present
- Member, Institutional Review Board I January 2025 – present
Professional
- Member, Excellence in Counseling Research Grants Committee I May 2022 – present
- Chair, Excellence in Counseling Research Grants Committee, Chi Sigma Iota International I May 2024 – present
- RAMP® Reviewer, American School Counselor Association I August 2024 – present
Educational Background
- Ph.D., Counseling and Counselor Education, Syracuse University, 2022
- M.S.Ed., School Counseling, Duquesne University, 2017
- B.S., Psychology, SUNY Fredonia, 2015