Laster named Clinical Mental Health Counselor of the Year

Kristy Laster, MC assistant professor of counseling, is known for connecting academic learning with meaningful clinical application in the Department of Counseling.

The Mississippi Counseling Association has named Kristy W. Laster, assistant professor of counseling at Mississippi Christian University (MC), Clinical Mental Health Counselor of the Year for 2026. She received the award during the MCA’s annual Counseling Conference on Thursday, Nov. 5, in Biloxi.

Laster said she is honored to receive the award.

“I thank God for honoring my efforts that are meant to bring Him glory and honor,” Laster said. “I have a quote that I serve by: ‘I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.’ This award is a reflection of the ripples.”

The award recognizes an actively licensed professional counselor with the Mississippi State Board of Professional Counselors who has made major contributions to the mental health profession through volunteer efforts, professional development, mentorship, advocacy, and regional growth across the nominee’s specific region. Laster, who represents the Capitol area, also contributes to national efforts of minority-focused counselors who support marginalized individuals.

Kayla Acklin, assistant professor and chair of the MC Department of Counseling, said Laster is an “outstanding representation of both our department and the caliber of professionals we strive to prepare.”

“Dr. Laster is an exceptional colleague and one of our department's biggest cheerleaders,” Acklin said. “She consistently goes above and beyond to support her fellow faculty and the department as a whole.

“One particularly noteworthy example was her willingness to serve as our interim school counseling coordinator during a faculty transition. In this role, she took on the significant responsibility of preparing our Mississippi Department of Education reaccreditation report, helping ensure the program maintained its accreditation. This was an enormous undertaking, and her dedication, leadership and willingness to serve were instrumental to its success.”

A resident of Brandon, Laster is a graduate of MC’s master’s program in counseling. She teaches courses across MC’s masters, educational specialist and doctoral programs. She is also a licensed professional counselor and private practice owner.

“She has made a tremendous impact on our students through her excellence in classroom instruction, supporting mentorship and commitment to developing competent, ethical and compassionate counselors,” Acklin said. “Her ability to connect academic learning with meaningful clinical application is invaluable to students’ professional development.”

Laster said her involvement with MCA began as a student, when she joined the organization to fulfill an academic requirement to become active in a professional organization.

“I fostered so many lasting friendships, professional relationships and consulting opportunities that originated from my contributions and association through MCA,” Laster said. “I encourage all students and supervisees to get involved with MCA as soon as they begin the Counseling Program. Students need to understand how highly qualified and committed the faculty who teach them are.  We don’t take our professions lightly.”

Acklin said she could not think of a more deserving recipient of the Clinical Mental Health Counselor of the Year Award.

“Dr. Laster's contributions extend well beyond the University,” Acklin said. “As a private practice owner and practicing clinician, she exemplifies the ethical, compassionate and client-centered care that defines excellence in our profession. She not only teaches our students what it means to be an exceptional counselor, but models those qualities in her own clinical practice.

“She is incredibly deserving of this recognition, and I am thrilled to see her contributions to the counseling profession acknowledged by the Mississippi Counseling Association.”

A state branch of the American Counseling Association, the MCA encourages the personal and professional development of counselors, influences decisions that affect the counseling profession and promotes progress, understanding and improvement of counseling.