DAI, Inc., Student Development, Assessment Tools, College Affairs, Career Planning, Advising, Counseling  

 AUTHORS

The authors of the DAI materials, Gary ("Greg") L. Dickson, Timothy (Tim) R. McMahon, and Jerome (Jerry) D. Thayer share an important educational history: all three have been students, faculty, and student services practitioners in both small liberal arts/church-related colleges as well as in large state universities. The uniqueness of the small college, with it's mission focused on human development and community service, combined with the diversity of the research- oriented institution resulted in our shared vision and commitment to effective assessment strategies based on a holistic model. We hope you will get acquainted with us professionally (On the Professional Side) and personally (On The Fun Side). And we invite you to do the same with us.

 

GARY ("GREG") L. DICKSON, Ph.D.

College Student Affairs Administration - University of Northern Colorado

On the Professional Side

 Greg's career path falls into two stages: the first two-decades in student affairs, and the last decade primarily in law enforcement and security. Experience in student services cover a variety of residence life assignments including Coordinator of Leadership Education for 6,000+ on-campus students at Washington State University where the idea of the DAI was conceived. Earlier experiences include being the director of counseling and student development as well as dean of students at several small liberal arts colleges.

Believing that an appreciation for the academic side of campus was essential for integrating and supporting student development, he also chose a faculty role for seven years in a graduate preparation program emphasizing counseling and student services at Andrews University. During this time, Greg completed a post-doctoral sabbatical under the sponsorship of K. Patricia Cross at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. His research focus there was on the integration of student development theory and the general education curriculum. Other research efforts include a dissertation entitled: The Development and Preliminary Application of the Resident Assistant Stress Inventory which was given the 1982 Research Award from Division III - Student Residence Programs of the American College Personnel Association. He received the same research award from ACPA Division III in 1985 on the topic of Resident Assistant Temperament: Is There An Ideal? Greg's professional activity includes two-dozen publications and sixty presentations at conferences and conventions. These activities cover such topics as resident assistant stress and temperament, conflict management style and temperament, developmental assessment, organization development, leadership, general education, freshmen identity and transition, career counseling, emotions and counseling techniques.

The decade of the 1990's involved an occupational change which included Coordinator of Human Resource Development and Chief of Security for a large medical center; corrections officer with sheriff's departments, and police officer. Current activities involve community service as the Volunteer Liaison Officer for the Paradise Police Department (California).

On the Fun Side Greg is an all sports guy: basketball, baseball, flag football (little on the wimpy side), tennis (college champion on this one), and six broken bones to prove it (legs, finger, hand, elbow, nose). Enough! Lately, though, it's been more about aesthetic sports like cross-country skiing. His real passion is kayaking--river and sea variety. Greg's a Class IV white ' water paddler (on good days)! In the red kayak (an Extreme by Wavesport) you'll hear his version of a primal scream with first-time side surfing on the Upper Russell Fork river in Kentucky. Developmentally, he might be considered a late bloomer on the Emotional Autonomy task: "Look Ma, no hands!" Yes, these boats sometimes float upside down--with the paddler in it--oh well. A new twist in water fun is ocean surfing with the red and yellow river play boat. These beginner waves (2 ft) at Monterey, California made it an easy transition from river to ocean waves. Some larger waves (6-8 ft) subsequently proved to be, uh, less easy, uh awesome! In July of 2000, co-author Jerry Thayer and I (plus wives) spent a week sea kayaking on the Inside Passage between Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Killer whales, bald eagles, salmon, snow-capped peaks and chilly water. Wonderful! If you are interested, check out our sponsor Northwest Expeditions, Inc. (www.seakayaking.com). Last summer (2001), I experienced a fifteen year old fantasy to sea kayak around Isle Royal in Lake Superior. Watch for Moose antler photo coming soon. What's next? How about a trip down the Colorado River (Grand Canyon) or...

 

TIMOTHY R. McMAHON, Ph.D.

College Student Services - Oregon State University

On the Professional Side

Tim is currently a Faculty Consultant in the Office of Academic Learning Services at the University of Oregon. Before moving West, he was the Director of Special Projects in the Division of Student Services as Western Illinois UniversityPrior to assuming this position, he was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education and College Student Personnel at WIU for five years. Over twenty-five years of professional experience in student affairs have included positions at Oregon State University, University of Iowa, Washington State University, Lakeland College, and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. These responsibilities have been in such areas as residence life management, coordinating recreational sports and intramurals, educational programming, leadership, working with fraternities and sororities, undergraduate and graduate teaching.

One of Tim's special interests has been working with colleagues and students in making presentations at national and state conferences (approximately 100) on many topics including: moral development and personality, ethics, diversity and cultures, spirituality, change and transition, motivation, learning styles, stress and time management, assessment, student and community development, student conduct, wellness, sexuality and relationships, instructional technology, and astronomy. Topics of interest at the present time include those related to diversity, and chaos and systems theory. Tim has also been an invited speaker or consultant at three dozen campuses and conferences. As a presenter at the 1999 National Leadership Symposium, he focused on leadership education for undergraduates. Tim is also a co-author (with Susan Komives and Nance Lucas) of Exploring Leadership: For College Students Who Want to Make a Difference (Resources) published by Jossey-Bass.

Tim received his Bachelor's degree in Astronomy and a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration, both from the University of Illinois. He received his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oregon State University in College Student Services Administration.

On the Fun Side A few of Tim's fun-side interests include: the Chicago Cubs, Macintosh computers, Diet Pepsis, and the music of Bruce Springsteen. He has also driven the approximate route that the Lewis and Clark Expedition took from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. Tim usually takes a long road trip each summer to the great states of South and North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and sometimes California. John Steinbeck once wrote that he likes other states but that he loves Montana. Tim feels the same way! But he is a "happy duckling" now cheering loudly for the University of Oregon Ducks and walking the beaches of the Oregon Coast.

JEROME D. THAYER, Ph.D.

Educational Measurement and Research - University of Northern Colorado

On the Professional Side

Jerry does have a resume. However, he's within a decade of retirement and hoping not to need it again. So, for now we'll have to imagine what a great background he has in statistics, research methodology and administration. A few of the positions he has held include: Department Chair of Behavioral Science and Education, School of Education Director of Graduate Programs at Andrews University, and over thirty years as a professor in statistics, measurement, and research.

On the Fun Side Jerry is unique in this trio--he has "ridden the metaphor." As a cyclist, he has taken short trips like riding across Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, and Colorado. Then there are the longer ones like riding across the United States in four summer trips starting at the Pacific Ocean and ending on the Atlantic. And there's the ride through France. Jerry knows about wheels, spokes, and bike seats (soft and hard). He's our metaphor mentor. His next trip is planned from Berrien Springs (Michigan) to Minneapolis, by way of Michigan's Upper Peninsula (1000+ miles). Jerry calls this fun. The photo shows (L to R) Jerry and his sons, John and Scott, resting on one of the legs of their cross country trip.