Dr. Harriett C. Haynes Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Missouri
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Harriett C. Haynes (PhD 1979, Counseling Psychology) has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from the University of Missouri in recognition of her extraordinary legacy of service to mental health, diversity, and community well-being.
Dr. Haynes dedicated 40 years to the University of Minnesota’s Counseling and Consulting Services, serving as a therapist, trainer, consultant, and director. Under her leadership, the college counseling center implemented wide-reaching mental health initiatives that supported nearly 40,000 students across five campuses. Her work profoundly influenced faculty, staff, and students in areas such as crisis response, conflict management, equity, and organizational change.
Her service extended well beyond campus. Dr. Haynes held key leadership roles in the Minnesota Psychological Association and served on the Minnesota Governor’s Mental Health Council, advising on statewide mental health policy. Nationally, her contributions to the American Council on Education and the Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors were so significant that the latter named its Diversity Leadership Mentoring Award in her honor.
Among her many accolades, Dr. Haynes received the Community Involvement Award from the Minnesota Psychological Association and was recognized as a Diamond Honoree by the American College Personnel Association.
The citation noted that Dr. Haynes exemplifies the University of Missouri’s core values of respect, responsibility, discovery, and excellence. Her tireless advocacy and leadership have left a lasting impact on higher education and the broader community.
Dr. Haynes completed her dissertation, The Effect of Positively Reinforcing Directed Activity on College Freshmen's Feelings of Low Self-Esteem, under the mentorship of Dr. John “Jack” Darley. She joined University Counseling and Consulting Services in 1978 as a psychologist and went on to serve as acting director from 1992 to 1994, before being appointed director from 1994 until her retirement in 2011. In these roles, she made a lasting impact on the field through her teaching, supervision, and leadership. Dr. Haynes also served as an adjunct professor in Counseling Psychology from 1987 to 2011.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Harriett C. Haynes on this prestigious and well-deserved honor.
