Dr. Vicki Sheafer

Personal Statement:

When I left Cincinnati to come to LeTourneau many years ago, a friend of mine gave me a verse:

Mark 10:29-30 says that “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life.” This promise has been fulfilled in my life, time and time again, as God has poured out abundant mercy.

At LeTourneau University, we work together to prepare workers for the harvest. In a dark and dying world, Christian psychologists can be salt and light to the lost. We are in the business of training “missionaries.”

Background

Dr. Sheafer was born on a military base in Great Falls, Montana, but grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is an active member of Pine Forest Baptist Church in Hallsville, Texas, where she sings in the choir and serves as a substitute teacher whenever needed.
Dr. Sheafer’s hobbies all revolve around sports and music. She plays basketball, softball, tennis, racquetball, soccer, volleyball, and runs in local races. She also stays up way too late watching Sports Center on ESPN.

Research Interests

Project 1

• Dr. Sheafer serves as a member of the Gregg-Harrison Homeless Consortium. She was also named the principle investigator on a SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration) grant designed to treat homeless adults with co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. Her research involves homelessness, substance abuse, co-occurring disorders, and program evaluation.

Project 2

• Dr. Sheafer developed a life skills and mental health skills curriculum for homeless women at Hope Haven Home for Women & Children. The first unit was a series on self-esteem and communication skills. It was taught in a group format for an hour each week. Her research involves putting together the curriculum and working with the unique issues surrounding homeless women.

Education

• Ph.D., 1994, Miami University, Social Psychology
• M.A., 1992, Miami University, Social Psychology
• B.S., 1990, Union College, Psychology and Sociology

Publications and Presentations

• Lee, K., Leiffer, P., Graff, W.R., & Sheafer, V. (June 17, 2009). Understanding Cognitive Style and Learning Style and Their Application to Teaching and Learning in Engineering. Presented at the American Society for Engineering Education Conference. Austin, TX.
• Roudkovski, M., & Sheafer, V. (November 7, 2008). What Can I Do with a Psychology Degree? Presented at Southwest Teachers of Psychology Conference. Ft. Worth, TX.
• Steps to Recovery: An Overview of the Substance Abuse Components of the Piney Woods Program. (June 16, 2008). Sheafer, V., & Morris, J. Presented at SAMHSA Treatment for Homeless Program Technical Assistance Workshop, Arlington, VA.
• Roudkovski, M. & Sheafer, V. (October 12, 2007). Professions in Psychology: What Can I Do with a Psychology Degree? Presented at Beginnings & Endings: Best Practices for Introducing and Bringing Closure to the Undergraduate Psychology Major. Atlanta, GA.
• Halfway Home: Lessons Learned, Sabine Valley Center. (February 6, 2007). Kinney, H, & Sheafer, V. Presented at SAMHSA Treatment for Homeless Program Technical Assistance Workshop, Baltimore, MD.
• Life Skills: A Curriculum on Self-Esteem. Sheafer, V. (September-November 2004). Presentation at Hope Haven Home for Women & Children, Longview, TX.
• Sheafer, V. (2001). The Power of Feelings: A Book Review. Women’s Studies, 30, 699-701.
• Paper presentation at God and the Academy Conference.
• Sheafer, V. (June 21-25, 2000). Can We Build a Bridge? The Integration of Christianity and Gender Studies in Psychology.

Awards, Grants, and Certifications

• Induction into the LeTourneau University Athletic Hall of Fame (2004)
• Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (6th edition, 7th edition, 8th edition, 9th edition, 10th edition)
• Dedicated Service Award—Freshman Year Experience LeTourneau University (2001-2002)

Professional Activities

• Ten-Week series on Self-Esteem for Hope Haven Home for Women & Children (September-November 2004)
• Consultant to Henderson-Rusk County Concerned Citizens on matters of race and racism
• Consultant to the Sports Editor of the Longview News Journal for matters pertaining to sport psychology
• American Association of Christian Counselors
• American Psychological Association
• Division 2- Society for the Teaching of Psychology

Community Involvement

• Church
• Sunday school, substitute Sunday school teacher, Vacation Bible School leadership team member, choir and soloist, hand bell choir, Bible study, substitute Bible study leader, youth committee, music committee, provide counseling and tutoring for church members/families
• Volunteer at Hope Haven Home for Women & Children