Dr. Cindy Minnis is an Assistant Professor and Director of School Psychology at Lipscomb University. She is nationally certified with over 27 years of experience as a school psychologist and leader in both public and private settings. She is devoted to preparing current and future school psychologists to become child-centered, data-based problem solvers whose expertise will create high impact in schools and communities.
In addition to her role at Lipscomb, Dr. Minnis oversees outpatient pediatric and school-based therapy services for Project Play Therapy, where she also facilitates organizational strategic planning and leadership development.
Dr. Minnis values learning and connection through interdisciplinary collaboration, especially within prevention and systems change implementation. She is passionate about helping educators and parents understand and support students with a variety of emotional and behavioral needs. She strives to discover and share mental health strategies to reduce psychological suffering and promote psychological flexibility and vitality.
Dr. Karen Whidby is an Assistant Professor of School Counseling at Lipscomb University, where she prepares graduate students to lead comprehensive, data-informed school counseling programs rooted in ethical practice, collaboration, and student-centered advocacy. With experience as a mental health counselor, crisis counselor, school counselor, and educator, she brings both field-based insight and research-informed practice to her work.
In addition to her university role, Dr. Whidby serves as the Executive Director of the Tennessee School Counselor Association, where she advocates for the profession, supports school counselors across the state, and works to strengthen policies and practices that promote student mental health and academic success.
Dr. Whidby is particularly passionate about integrating mental health supports within schools, building psychologically flexible students through evidence-based frameworks, and strengthening partnerships among counselors, educators, families, and communities. Her teaching emphasizes integrity, strong work ethic, and trust which are values that guide both her professional and personal life.
