Research is an integral part of advancing the fraternity movement, but oftentimes research can be a scary thing for practitioners. Whether you are a beginning researcher wondering where to start or a seasoned research veteran looking for somebody to bounce ideas off of, the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors can support you in advancing the fraternity movement.

The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors has a resource to guide and support graduate students and professionals in the research process: the Research Mentor program. We have recruited renowned professors in higher education and other well-respected researchers to counsel and mentor the Association’s membership in the areas of assessment and research. Specifically, Research Mentors are available to:

• Assist graduate students and professionals with assessment and research;
• Coach individuals in research methods and the research process;
• Encourage researchers in the area of fraternity advising to produce high quality assessment and research; and
• Mentor others to become scholar-practitioners in the field of student affairs.

The following Research Mentors have graciously offered their expertise and time. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to work with some of the preeminent professors and researchers in higher education and student affairs.

Dr. Charles Eberly
cgeberly@eiu.edu

• Available for: Advising individuals from the very beginning to the very end; from formulating a research question to the completion of the project.
• Areas of Expertise and Interest: Anything to do with the American college fraternity.
• Background: Ph.D. in higher education. Twenty years teaching college student affairs and, prior to teaching, twenty years of institutional research.

• Available for: Discussing anything except funding opportunities.
• Areas of Expertise and Interest: Higher education law and research methodology (both qualitative and quantitative methods).
• Background: Doctorate in higher education from the University of Georgia; master’s degree in teaching mathematics from Emory University; and a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Post-doctoral work in adult education. Has served as a hall director, director of housing, vice president for student affairs, and was twice elected to the Grand Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, serving as National Marshall, National Secretary, and National Vice President.

• Available for: Discussing research process, formulating research questions and reviewing documents, but not funding opportunities.
• Areas of Expertise and Interest: Research methodology, survey design, question-writing, and data analysis.
• Background: Ph. D. with concentrations in Higher Education Administration, Philosophy of Education, Counseling Psychology, and Personnel Management; M.B.A. in Management, and bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Also developed the Greek Experience Survey, which is now administered by the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity at Indiana University. Former Director of Student Affairs Research at the University of Minnesota, Former Director of Student Organization Development Center at the University of Minnesota, Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota (retired).