Nola Reporter

Dr. Elizabeth Yost Hammer, director of the Xavier University of Louisiana’s Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Faculty Development (CAT+FD) and Kellogg professor in Xavier’s psychology department, was appointed to the American Psychological Association (APA) Committee on Associate and Baccalaureate Education (CABE). APA is the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology whose mission promotes the advancement, communication, and application of psychological science and knowledge in society, and CABE ensures the success and development of undergraduate education. Dr. Hammer’s CABE appointment exemplifies the dedication of Xavier’s faculty to offer students the best possible education; her continued commitment to education makes a lasting impact on student development.

As a CABE member, Dr. Hammer will make recommendations to APA’s board of directors on issues related to the improvement of undergraduate education and set committee priorities for the year. She will serve as a representative for psychology faculty and students at undergraduate institutions. “Our focus is keeping our eyes on improving undergraduate psychology education across the board. We will also support the psychology faculty by providing them with opportunities to develop their leadership skills,” said Dr. Hammer.

CABE members also organize hours at APA’s annual convention. This year’s convention will discuss inclusion, where attendees will learn from experts about inclusive pedagogy and mentoring, burnout, and compassion fatigue as it relates to teaching.

Dr. Hammer was excited to learn of her CABE appointment as it allows her to represent Xavier nationally.

“I love Xavier, and I’m proud to be a representative of this university. Having faculty from historically Black universities and colleges (HBCUs) makes a difference. HBCUs should share their diverse voices and be represented at these tables,” said Dr. Hammer. “This appointment means extending Xavier’s name and representing the mission of our institution.

For over 15 years, Dr. Hammer has been part of Xavier’s faculty and is thankful to the university for playing a vital role in her academic career. As CAT+FD Director, she looks forward to taking her expertise to CABE where she will also have the opportunity to enhance her skills.

“I have always felt supported by the university for any leadership position I’ve wanted to take on, and I appreciate Xavier allowing me to develop my leadership skills nationally,” said Dr. Hammer.

Dr. Hammer’s passion for psychological education will also support her CABE leadership role.

“Psychology is super important; we study human behavior, mental health processes, critical thinking about our own biases, how we interact, and how we take care of ourselves. These are all important skills to have to be a leader for justice and humanity,” expressed Dr. Hammer. “If you don’t have emotional and cognitive awareness of yourself and others, you cannot be an effective leader.”

She also shared why committees such as CABE are vital to education.

“Psychology is one of the most popular classes nationwide and is taken by more than a million students each year at the high school and college level,” shared Dr. Hammer. “We must have instructors who teach it well and from a scientific, evidence-based perspective to bust myths and create critical thinkers who can be justice and humanity leaders.

”Dr. Hammer is also a co-author of the fourth edition of Myers’ Psychology for the AP Course, a nationwide advanced placement (AP) psychology textbook. The high school textbook will be used for AP psychology courses in the country. As AP psychology courses emphasize psychology science and research, she integrated pedagogical tips for students on data interpretation and research methods.

“Around 300,000 students took AP psychology last year, and now Xavier’s name will be on their textbook,” said Dr. Hammer.

She is also the author of the textbook’s teacher’s edition, creating teaching materials, discussion prompts, and learning activities for high school AP teachers to use in classrooms. Dr. Hammer’s efforts have allowed incoming students to learn from her before stepping foot on Xavier’s campus. As a driving force in academia, she continues to push Xavier forward and support the university’s mission to create a more just and humane society. 

Original source can be found here.