Dr. Kristina Henry Collins serves as program faculty for Talent Development and Associate Director for the Lyndon B. Johnson Institute for STEM Education and Research at Texas State University. She is the co-PI for NASA STEM Engagement and Educator Professional Development Collaborative (EPDC). She holds STEM degrees, certifications and formal training in quantitative research methods (PhD minor); mathematics (M.S.Ed.); computer science, technology education, gifted in-field endorsement (MS add-ons); electrical engineering technology (BS); and cryptology and electronic warfare surveillance (military science diploma, US Navy). She earned her PhD in educational psychology and Ed.S. in gifted and creative education from the University of Georgia, Athens.
As a published author and recognized expert in the field, Dr. Collins boasts over 30 years of experience and several awards for her research, teaching, and service related to culturally responsive STEM identity development and multicultural gifted education. She is a certified STEM faculty research mentor for Gulf Coast Consortia for Quantitative Biomedical Sciences and National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN), and current immediate past president for the international organization, Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted (SENG). Dr. Collins is the proud recipient of the National Association for Gifted Children’s (NAGC) 2021 Early Leader Award; Special Population Network of NAGC 2020 Early Career Award; Bridges 2e Education 2020 “Person to Watch” Award, and Georgia Association of Gifted Children’s (GAGC) 2011 Mary Frasier Equity and Excellence Award, to name a few, all presented for her work in advancing educational opportunities for underrepresented students in gifted and advanced education.