Prior to her appointment at the University of  North Texas College of Music, Kristina served as associate professor of conducting and assistant director of choral activities at The Ohio State University, where she conducted the Symphonic Choir, Women’s Glee Club and instructed both undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of conducting and choral pedagogy.

As an active adjudicator and clinician, Dr. MacMullen has conducted All-State and honors choirs throughout the United States. Upcoming engagements involve students in Arizona, Maine, Michigan, South Carolina and Texas. In 2011 she was runner-up in the National American Choral Directors' Association graduate level conducting competition. Other awards include selection as a Fulbright Fellowship Alternate to Slovenia, the Don and Kay Cash Fellowship, and being named a graduate student of distinction for Texas Tech University in the areas of music and humanities and the Sir William Osler Award for Humanism in Medicine from The Ohio State University. Her teaching and conducting is featured on the recording Conducting-Teaching: Real World Strategies for Success published by GIA (2009).

Dr. MacMullen earned both the bachelor of music education and master of music degrees from Michigan State University. She completed the doctor of musical arts degree at Texas Tech University. Dr. MacMullen has enjoyed a diverse career as a public school teacher, interacting with students in rural, suburban, and urban settings, elementary through high school. She has presented and co-presented interest sessions at state, regional, national and international conferences.