Dr. Stephen Cook Named As Dean of the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts

(Abilene, Texas) Dr. Stephen Cook has been selected for the position of Dean of the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts, following a national candidate search. 

“After a national search I am pleased to announce that Dr. Stephen Cook has accepted the invitation to become the next dean of the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts,” said Dr. Thomas Brisco, Provost and Chief Academic Officer. “Dr. Cook brings a wealth of academic and administrative experience to the position, having served for twenty four years on the faculty of Texas Tech University.”

Cook, who will start mid-June, will fill the vacancy created by the retiring Alan Stafford

Most recently Dr. Cook has served as the Director of the Texas Tech Counseling Psychology doctoral program where he supervised several faculty members and directed a program with 30 to 40 doctoral students. Active in his profession, Dr. Cook has served as an officer or board member of several national and state organizations dedicated to psychology, including the Society of Counseling Psychology, the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, and the Texas Psychological Association.  

“I believe Dr. Cook is well-prepared to provide excellent leadership to the College of Liberal Arts,” Brisco said.

Cook earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, he has been active professionally in the Association of Psychology Training Clinics, the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs, and the South Plains Association of Psychologists.

He has written and delivered a wide array of publications and invited presentations. Presentations have included “Spirituality in Patient Care: Ethical Dimensions,” “Associations Between Religiousness & Health,” and “Forgiveness, Psychological Functioning, & Psychotherapy.”  Publications topics have included “Resource Loss, Religiousness, Health, and Posttraumatic Growth Following Hurricane Katrina” and “Integrating Sacred Writings in Therapy.”

Cook said he was pleased about the appointment and excited about the opportunity to work at Hardin-Simmons.   

“I was drawn to the job at Hardin-Simmons because of the university’s strong emphasis on teaching, the chance to provide a different type of service and leadership, and the opportunity to be at an institution that has a primary focus on integrating religious faith and higher education,” Cook said. “When I interviewed for this position, I was struck by the sense of community and collegiality among those I encountered on campus. Nancy and I strongly believe that this job is good fit, and we are excited about our future in Abilene and at Hardin-Simmons University.”

Cook and his wife Nancy have been married for more than 27 years and have two children. Their son, Andrew, attends the University of Texas-Austin and their daughter, Laura, attends Baylor.     

An Abilene native and graduate of Cooper High School where he was valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar, Cook said that he and his family are eager to move to Abilene since they have many family members living in the area.

Cook has long-standing connections with Hardin-Simmons University.

“I have had positive associations all my life with Hardin-Simmons: playing piano recitals in Woodward-Dellis Hall, knowing people associated with Hardin-Simmons when I was attending First Baptist Church, and having several members of my extended family involved with the university,” he said.