Doug Hensley
Doug Hensley is both a full-time student and a master lecturer of counselling and psychology at Tennessee Tech University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in educational psychology and counselling, and currently teaches Introduction to Psychology.
From a town known as Harriman in East Tennessee, he came to Cookeville for college. Hensley likes to joke that he grew up wanting to be a counselor. That’s a lie, he said.
“I came to Tech as an engineering major. I liked it, but I never felt it was the right fit. I was dating a girl who was a psychology major, and she convinced me to take a class with her. I ended up loving the subject and changed my major. The rest, as they say, is history,” Hensley expressed.
Hensley said that the psychology department at Tech is very supportive of its students and staff.
“Today, our department is more like a family than a group of colleagues. They are caring, collaborative and committed to student success,” he said.
Recently, Hensley had the opportunity to run for Tech’s homecoming court as Mr. Tennessee Tech. A requirement for running is to be a full-time student. While teaching, Hensley is earning his Ph.D.
"Honestly, I didn’t plan on running. A group of Psi Chi students found out I had returned to school for my Ph.D. They checked the requirements, realized I qualified, and reached out to SGA (Student Government Association) on my behalf,” he said.
His students came to him asking if he would run with their support. Hensley ended up running and winning. It was a very humble experience he said. He attributed his victory to all his supporters but specifically to a student who helped him film his campaign videos. Hensley stated that winning as a professor was very humbling because not many get that opportunity.
“I said it best in one of my videos—right after joking that I’m 106 years old and rode my horse to campus when I first came to Tech. I know I’m an older student, but I represent the people who didn’t get to go to college right out of high school. I represent those who had to work, save money, or come back later in life. College education is for both traditional and non-traditional students. I hope my journey shows that it’s never too late,” he said.
The students were very excited. Especially those who had helped him along the way.
Lastly he stated, “I always tell my students that I believe in them. This time, they showed me that they believe in me too.”