EDUCATION
Doctor of Education, Counselor Education and Supervision Northern Illinois University,
CACREP Accredited December 2014
Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology, Boston College, 2001
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, St. Louis University, 1999
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, State of Illinois
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, State of Indiana
Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor, State of Illinois
Approved Clinical Supervisor, NBCC
Career Development Certification, Northern Illinois University
Quantitative Research Methodology Certification, Northern Illinois University
Distance Education Certification, Northern Illinois University
Marriage and Family Certification, Capella University
Contemporary Theory in Addictive Behavior, Capella University
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Kairos Pacific University - Assistant Professor of Counseling Programs May 2026-Present
Walden University- School of Counseling/Clinical Mental Health , Contributing Faculty
October 2021 to Present
Greenville University, Adjunct Psychology Professor Remote
2020-Present
Southern New Hampshire University, Adjunct Humanities Professor Remote
2021
Grand Canyon University, Adjunct Counseling Professor Remote
2012-2018
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
Jesse Brown Veterans Medical Center, Chicago, Il — Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor
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Clinical Supervisor and Clinician-Contract, H.E.L.P, LLC March 2019-Present
Mental Health Specialist III, Cook County Department of Corrections, Chicago IL November 2011 to Present
LCPC, Part Time Uptown Psych, Chicago IL January 2019- October 2019
LCPC, Amundson & Schwartz Psychological Consulting, Chicago, IL 2010-2011/2016-2017
On-Call Clinician, Kishwaukee Community Hospital, DeKalb, IL, 2009-2010
Outpatient Care Advocate, United Behavioral Health, Schaumburg, IL, 2006-2008
Case Manager, Mental Health Net, St. Louis, MO, 2006
Therapist II, Comprehensive Mental Health Center, East St. Louis, IL, 2002-2005
In - Home Therapist, Family Preservation Center, Virginia Beach, VA, 2002
Foster Care Case Manager, First Home Care, Portsmouth, VA, 2001-2002
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Chaves, A.P., et. al., Ruffin N.R. (2001, August). Conceptions of Work: The View from Urban Youth. Poster presented at the 2001 APA Conference in San Francisco, CA
Wickman, S., et al., Ruffin N.R. (2008, November) Where Do I Start? Infusing Religion & Spirituality into Professional Counseling Identity & Practice. Presentation at the 2008 ICA Conference in Tinley, Park, IL
Fisher, T.A., Ruffin N.R. (2009, March). School Counselor’s Role as Training Parents as Advocates. Presentation at the 2009 ACA Conference in Charlotte, NC
Wickman, S. et al., Ruffin N.R. (2009, October). Navigating Spiritual and Religious Talk in Counselor Education. Presentation at the ACES Conference in San Diego, CA
Ruffin, N. (2010) The Respect Group: A Qualitative Analysis of Religion and Spirituality in Counselor Education. Presentation at the ASERVIC Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC
Ruffin, N. (2010) Talk about Religion: Research on the Impact of Spirituality Focus Group. Presentation at the NCACES Conference in Itasca, IL
Ruffin, N. (2012) Integrating Spirituality and Religion into Counseling Supervision. Presentation at the ASERVIC Conference in Sante Fe, New Mexico
Ruffin, N. (2014) Integrating Spirituality into Counseling Practicum: A look at Competence and Comfort. Presentation at the NCACES Conference in St. Louis, MO
Ruffin, N. (2015) Integrating Spirituality into Counseling Practicum: A Look at Competence and Comfort, Implications for Pedagogy and Practice, Presentation at the IMCA Conference in University Park, IL
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RESEARCH INTERESTS
Spiritual and Religious Issues in Counseling
Resilience in Adolescents
Career Counseling and Transitions
Diversity in Higher Education
Counselor Supervision
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SERVICE
Illinois Counseling Association
American Counseling Association
Graduate Student Representative- ACES –ACA Conference 2009, Charlotte, NC
ICA Leadership Academy Participant – ICA Conference 2009, Springfield, IL
Regional 2 Representative, 2010-2012 - Illinois Counseling Association
FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS
Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Fellowship, Illinois Board of Higher Education –Northern Illinois University 2009-2013
Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year Award, Northern Illinois, Department of Counseling Adult and Higher Education, 2009-2010
Dr. Barbara J. Johnson,
Ph.D. Past Chair and Associate Professor of Adult and Higher Education,
Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education, Northern Illinois
University, Currently Vice President for Accreditation Relations, Higher Learning
Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500 Chicago, IL 60604, VM: 312-
881-8129 Email: bjohnson@hlcommission.org
Dr. Elaine F. Jones, Ph. D. Undergraduate Advisor, Saint Louis University, currently
Assistant Professor, Arcadia University, Department of Psychology 450 S. Easton Road
Glenside, PA 19038, VM: 215-572-2990 Email: jonese@arcadia.edu
Dr. Lee Covington Rush, Ph.D. Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member, Doctoral
Program NIU, Associate Professor Emeritus, Department of Counseling, Adult and
Higher Education Northern Illinois University, Gabel 201N, DeKalb IL 60115 VM:
614-783-2667 Email: leerush@optimum.net
Dr. Scott Wickman, Ph.D. Doctoral Dissertation Committee Chair, Doctoral Program
NIU, Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Adult and Higher Education,
Northern Illinois University, Graham Hall 427C, DeKalb IL 60115
VM 815-753-9324 Email: swickman@niu.edu
