Ralph M. Crystal, Ph.D., CRC (vita in Word) is the Wallace Charles Hill Professor of Rehabilitation Education at the University of Kentucky and the Rehabilitation Counseling Program Coordinator.  He received his bachelor's degree in psychology from Pace University (1970), master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from New York University (1972), and doctoral degree in rehabilitation psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1977).

After completing his master's degree he worked at a facility serving persons with physical, mental, and learning disabilities with regarding to vocational assessment, vocational counseling, job training, and job placement.  After completing his doctoral degree he was employed at the University of Michigan where he served as research director of a rehabilitation research institute with a focus on the evaluation of public rehabilitation programs.  He was also on the faculty of the rehabilitation counseling program

In 1981 he was appointed as coordinator of the rehabilitation counseling program at the University of Kentucky and served in that capacity for 24 years.  In 1995 Dr. Crystal was instrumental in establishing a distance education program in partnership with the two state rehabilitation agencies in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  This program has evolved into a nationally recognized web based program.

Dr. Crystal has published in the area of rehabilitation program evaluation, consumer satisfaction, and forensic rehabilitation practice. At present he serves as chair of the College of Education Faculty Council and is Vice Chair of the university Institutional Review Board, which oversees research at the university.  Dr. Crystal also maintains a private rehabilitation practice.

Debra Harley, Ph.D., CRC (Professor), is currently the Chair of the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling. Dr. Harley is an Associate Faculty with the University of Kentucky Center on Research on Violence Against Women, and Affiliated Faculty with the African American Studies Research Program, and the Gender and Women’s Studies Program.

She received her doctoral degree from Southern Illinois University in 1992.  Before joining the faculty at the University of Kentucky she taught at Eastern Illinois University.  Her research interests include ethics education, cultural diversity, and rehabilitation in addiction. Dr. Harley has published over 80 articles in professional journals, multiple book chapters and an edited book.

Dr. Harley is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselor. Dr. Harley is past Editor for the Journal of Rehabilitation Administration, and the Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling.  She was appointed during 2002-2003 to serve as the Acting Director of the university’s Women’s Study program.  Dr. Harley was a Mary Switzer Scholar, and recipient of the Sylvia Walker Education Award as well as the Provosts award for Outstanding Teaching. In 2006, the National Council on Rehabilitation Education (NCRE) recognized Dr. Harley as the 2006 Rehabilitation Educator of the Year.

Sonja Feist-Price, Ph.D., CRC (Professor), received her doctorate in rehabilitation counseling and administration from Southern Illinois University in 1992 with a specialization in gerontology.  In 2006, Dr. Feist-Price completed a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of Kentucky.  Dr. Feist-Price has worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor serving an injured worker population and individuals with mental illness. Dr. Feist-Price is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kentucky and Louisiana. Dr. Feist-Price is an HIV prevention researcher, and has presented her findings at numerous national conferences, as well as international conferences in Israel, South Africa, Mexico, Spain, and Thailand. Her research has resulted in her being named 2002 Researcher of the Year by the National Council on Rehabilitation Education.

Presently, Dr. Feist-Price is the Director of Graduate Studies in the Rehabilitation Counseling Program, and Director of African American Studies and Research Program.

Jackie Rogers, Ph.D., CRC Adjunct Assistant Professor, is the Rehabilitation Counseling Distance Education Program Coordinator.  She completed her doctoral degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Counseling in 2001 and has a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling.  She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and has over 20 years experience in both public and private rehabilitation agencies providing direct services to individuals with disabilities.  Dr. Rogers is the Co-Principal Investigator for the Master’s training grant for distance education students.  Her research interests are in the area of employment of Social Security Disability recipients, job placement of individuals with disabilities, and vocational evaluation.