Mary F. Howard-Hamilton

An Assessment of Multicultural Competence

This study assessed multicultural experiences and competency levels of graduate students in college student personnel (CSP) preparation programs, student affairs staff serving as internship supervisors, and diversity educators. A total of 131 students, staff, and diversity educators from four campuses in two geographical regions within the United States completed several assessments regarding multicultural competence.Respondents in all three groups rated themselves highest for multicultural awareness and lowest on multicultural knowledge. Significant differences by group and by race were observed in respondents’ levels of multicultural competence: student affairs staff members scored significantly higher than did CSP students, and diversity educators scored the highest. Students of color scored significantly higher on this measure than did the White students and the staff members.

Gifted adolescents: Psychological behaviors, values, and developmental implications

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the level of moral reasoning, ego identity formation, and gender role socialization among gifted adolescents by ethnicity and gender. A total of 167 gifted and talented high school seniors participated in this investigation. The students completed the Defining Issues Test (Rest, 1988), Rasmussen Ego Identity Scale (Rasmussen, 1961, 1964), and the Bem Sex Role Inventory (Bem, 1981). Scores on the Defining Issues Test among the different ethnic groups were more variable than scores on the other two measures. The students scored at the adult level of identity development on the Ego Identity Scale. Scores on the Bem Sex Role Inventory indicated that the students endorsed either androgynous or masculine sex role characteristics. No significant gender differences were found on any of the measures. Implication of these findings are discussed in terms of the role that counselors and educators should play in addressing the psychosocial developmental needs of gifted a...

Understanding Depression among Gifted Adolescent Females: Feminist Therapy Strategies.

The consensus among authors is that adolescence can be an emotionally and physically tumultuous period. For gifted female adolescents, the issues of autonomy and gender role socialization are salient concerns. When these problems become exacerbated, confusion and depression may result. Feminist therapy offers an effective approach to depression and other pertinent issues. Feminist counseling techniques and intervention strategies for counselors, therapists, and educators who work with gifted adolescent females are provided.

An assessment of moral development in gifted adolescents

A study was conducted to assess the levels of moral development in gifted adolescents. The participants attended a one month intensive summer institute in which they were administered the Defining Issues Test (DIT) which measures levels of moral development. The results indicated that the students received scores above the norm for their age range. Implications and further considerations for educators are discussed.

African-American Female Athletes: Issues, Implications, and Imperatives for Educators

The author provides an overview of literature related to sex role socialization, a presentation of the cognitive behavioral social theory espoused by Bandura, and an intervention to enhance the self-efficacy of African-American female athletes.

Reflecting Back, Looking Forward: Civil Rights and Student Affairs (review)

104 Journal of College Student Development by demonstrating how to apply Chickering and Ehrmann’s (1996) “Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education” to the online learning environment. Discussion-Based Online Teaching to Enhance Student Learning is an important and useful contribution to the online learning literature base. It is will serve as a pedagogically rich resource for the both the novice and experienced online educator. Students who are required to lead lecture discussions or act in some other leadership role in an online environment may also find the information in this book to be useful. The one critique I have for this book is that, after reading it, I was left wanting more information. In a similar work on this topic Ko and Rossen (2001) close their book by providing resources (articles, websites, and links to sample online courses), which proved to be useful as I continued to explore this exciting new pedagogy. While Bender’s book is comprehensive and thorough, the content for the book is primarily drawn from her own personal experiences, which may not be applicable to all readers. Also, those who are looking for specific information regarding technical aspects of online education, such as information on copyright and intellectual property laws as they apply to the online environment, how to choose an interface that works best with a specific discipline, what the actual costs are of conducting online courses, where and how to receive training in online pedagogy, and other issues like these, will not find that information here. The goal of this book was not to provide information regarding technical details, which are of course important considerations for anyone who is teaching an online class, but instead to focus on highlighting the human aspect of teaching and learning in online environment by providing a theoretical basis for discussion, practical applications based on real life examples, and a plan for evaluating success, which Bender achieved successfully. This book will certainly serve as valuable insight for any educator, new or experienced, who is interested in learning and developing techniques that will facilitate discussion-based online learning.

Societal Transformation: Ecological Issues Affecting Educational, Mental Health, and Family Systems.

Abstract This article addresses current trends and issues impacting educators and the populations they serve. Perspectives on the major societal changes occurring are presented from a mental health and family systems framework. Implications and suggestions for approaching these ecological issues and creating new delivery systems as we encounter the 21st century are discussed.