Rate My Professor Nicholas Derzis

Nicholas Derzis, Ph.D., CRC, CVE, serves as Clinical Professor and Program Coordinator for Rehabilitation and Disability Studies in the Department of Special Education, Rehabilitation, and Counseling at Auburn University College of Education. He holds a B.S. in Human Services and Criminal Justice from Troy University (2006), an M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling from Auburn University (2008), and a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling and Special Education from Auburn University (2013), where his dissertation examined career thinking and career interests of incarcerated males. Dr. Derzis began his academic career at Auburn in 2012 as an Instructor, advancing to Assistant Clinical Professor (2014-2018), Associate Clinical Professor (2018-2023), and Clinical Professor (2023-present). He directed Clinical Experiences from 2012 to 2019 and served as Interim Director of the Auburn Transition Leadership Institute from 2019 to 2022. Prior professional roles include Group Facilitator at Bullock Correctional Facility (2010), Graduate Intern at Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (2008), and Evaluator and Case Manager at Easter Seals of the Birmingham Area (2006-2008).

Dr. Derzis's research specializations encompass corrections, career development for diverse and incarcerated populations, and school-to-work transition for students with disabilities. His peer-reviewed publications include "An Examination of the Basic Reading Skills of Incarcerated Males" (Adult Learning, 2010), "PIRATES: A Program for Offenders Transitioning into the World of Work" (Journal of Correctional Education, 2012), "Work History and Educational Characteristics of Incarcerated Males" (Journal of Correctional Education, 2013), "Emerging Adults with Disabilities: Theory, Trends, and Implications" (Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 2015), "Examining the Career Thoughts of Male Offenders Re-entering Society Using Cognitive Theory Assessment" (Journal of Correctional Education, 2017), "An Exploratory Factor Analysis of a Prison Rape Elimination Act Survey in a Women’s State Prison" (The Prison Journal, 2022), and "Career Thoughts of Incarcerated Students" (Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, 2023). He has earned the Emily and Gerald Leischuck Undergraduate Teaching Award (2017) and the ACCESS Award (2011) from Auburn University. Additionally, Dr. Derzis contributes to the Alabama Governor’s Youth Leadership Forum as Staff Trainer since 2011 and Steering Committee Member since 2008, and engages in technical consulting for correctional facilities through technical reports on PREA implementation and vocational programs.