Debbie Ritter-Williams
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Mail code: 4203Campus: Tempe
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Debbie Ritter-Williams is an alumnae of Arizona State University and currently teaches UNI Success By Design courses. Her passion is to see students "light up" when they gain knowledge or abilities that help them improve their lives. Another passion is to create: whether that means a new necklace, vegetables in the garden, new knowledge through research, or new partnerships through group interactions.
Previously, she has held a variety of leadership positions in higher education and corporate training and development. Ritter-Williams has been associated with traditional and online institutions and worked as a writing coach, research fellow, leader of a College of Liberal Arts, and full-time faculty member.
Dr. Ritter-Williams’ research career focuses on higher educations, particular students and faculty. She has completed studies on adult students’ retention related to socio-emotional needs, the relationship between meditation and critical thinking, and how female students describe online learning experiences via social media, and has research in progress on faculty who have been cyberbullied by students, a meta-analysis of the use of plagiarism detection systems, and the benefits of degree completion for Hispanic students.
Dr. Ritter-Williams’ work in higher education and leadership has been published in several journals, textbooks, and handbooks. She has held memberships and leadership roles with the American Association of University Women, the American College Personnel Association (Vice-Chair for Research), Carolinas Society for Training and Development (Board Member), and the American Society for Training & Development.
Ph.D. Educational Leadership and Policy (focus on Higher Education), University of South Carolina - Columbia, 1993
M.C. (Masters in Counseling), Arizona State University, 1984
B.A. Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, 1980
Debbie's research focuses on the institution of higher education, primarily the experiences of college students and graduates. Special areas of focus include adult students, female students, Hispanic students/graduates, online education, critical thinking, and student ethics.
Ritter-Williams, D., Duthely, L., and Paladino, A. (2022, January). Impact of medication on critical thinking: A comparative descriptive analysis of the correlation of meditation practices and critical thinking. The Online Journal of Distance Education and e-Learning, 10(1), 88 – 98. https://www.tojdel.net/journals/tojdel/articles/v10i01/v10i01-11.pdf
Boone, S. C., De Charon, L., Hill, M., Preiss, A., Ritter-Williams, D., & Young, E. (2020). Doctoral student persistence and progression: A Program Assessment. Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, 12(4), https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-07-2019-0192
Obatusin, O., & Ritter-Williams, D. (2019). A phenomenological study of employer perspectives on hiring ex-offenders. Cogent Social Sciences, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2019.1571730
Ritter-Williams, D. (2015). Dear White (and Black) people: Can we talk? Journal of Psychological Issues in Organizational Culture, 6(1). doi:10.1002/jpoc.21167
Ritter-Williams, D., & Rouse, R. (2012). To graduate or drop out? Factors affecting college degree completion of Baby Boomer, Generation X, and Millennial students. Apollo Research Institute. Retrieved from http://apolloresearchinstitute.com/sites/default/files/to_graduate_or_d…
Ritter-Williams, D., & Rouse, R. (2011). Psychosocial issues and sources of support affecting retention for adult learners: Generational variations. AERC Conference Proceedings, Toronto, Canada. Retrieved from http://www.adulterc.org/Proceedings/2011/papers/ritter-williams_rouse.pdf
Miller, L., Ritter-Williams, D., Rouse, R. (2010). Bundled value: An analysis of working learners’ perceptions of tuition assistance programs. The University of Phoenix Research Institute.
Ritter, D. (1992). Academic integrity: Honesty in the classroom. In J. N. Gardner & A. J. Jewler (Eds.), Your College Experience: Strategies for Success (pp. 112 – 124). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Ritter, D. (1992). Author/Editor for all end-of-chapter activities. In J. N. Gardner & A. J. Jewler (Eds.), Your College Experience: Strategies for Success. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
Ritter, D. (1990). Academic dishonesty. In B. Barefoot (Ed.), Teaching at USC: A handbook for graduate teaching assistants (pp. 54-55). Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina.
Ritter, D. (1989). A new framework for leadership. Carolina View, 4, 31-35.
Ritter, D. (1986) Student Affairs: Activity traps or planful development? Carolina View, 2, 70-71.
Ritter, D. & Brown, M. (1986) Considerations for the development of leadership programs in higher education. In F. F. Freeman, R. Gregory, & M. Clark (Eds.), Leadership education: A source book. Greensboro, NC: Center for Creative Leadership.
Courses
2025 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 394 | Special Topics |
UNI 120 | Academic Success |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
2024 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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ASU 394-UC | Special Topics |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
2024 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
2023 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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ASU 394-UC | Special Topics |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
2023 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
2022 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
2022 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
ASU 230 | Life by Design |
2021 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
ASU 394-UC | Special Topics |
ASU 394-UC | Special Topics |
UNI 110 | Critical Reading and Thinking |
2020 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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UNI 120 | Academic Success |
UNI 120 | Academic Success |
UNI 120 | Academic Success |
ASU 394-UC | Special Topics |
ASU 394-UC | Special Topics |
2020 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 120 | Academic Success |
UNI 120 | Academic Success |
UNI 120 | Academic Success |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 394 | Special Topics |
2019 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
---|---|
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 120 | Academic Success |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
UNI 220 | Mindset Connections |
2011 Slaying Emotional Monsters: Strategies to Improve Adult Learner Retention. Workshop presented at Association for Continuing Higher Education Conference, Orlando, FL.
2011 Psychosocial Issues and Sources of Support Affecting Retention for Adult Learners: Generational Variations. Paper presented at the Adult Education Research Conference, Toronto, Canada.
2010 Does One Size Fit All? College Retention is Not Just for Kids Anymore! Poster session presented at 30th Annual Conference on the First Year Experience, Atlanta, GA.
2001 Return on Investment for Synchronous Online Employee Training. Paper presented at Centra Software Southeast Users Conference, Charlotte, NC.
2000 The Future of Employee Training & Development. Closing speaker at Flexographic Technical Association Conference, Hilton Head, SC.
1991 Creating a Student Affairs Vision. Pre-conference workshop presented at National Association for Student Personnel Administrators Annual Conference.
1990 Activities Research: The How’s and What’s . Workshop presented at the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Annual Conference.
1989 Risky Business: Including Student Discipline in Freshman Orientation. Workshop presented at the ACPA Annual Conference.
1986 Whew! You Made it Through the First Year: Now What? Workshop presented at the ACPA Annual Conference.
1985 Making the Most of Your First Two Years. Workshop presented at the ACPA Annual Conference.
1984 Student Affairs Internships: Untapped Potential for Renewal. Workshop presented at the ACPA Annual Conference.
1988 Nominee for Student Personnel Association Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award, USC
2007-2008 Editorial Board, Journal of Leadership Studies
1995-1997 Board member, Carolinas Society for Training & Development
1988-1990 Vice-Chair for Research, ACPA Commission IV: Students, Their Activities and Their Community
1986-1990 Directorate member, ACPA Commission IV
1987-1990 Advisor, Student Personnel Association, University of South Carolina
Galati, S. R. (2016). Entering the global engineering market: A correlational study of cultural intelligence and market orientation.
Brandal, J. M. (2015). Exploring teachers’ efficacy with technology integration: A case study.
Escobar, A. A. (2015). A college department’s approach to plagiarism: A case study of micropolitics.
Philpot, E. L. (2013). Social media adoption and use among information technology professionals and implications for leadership.
Stewart, C. M. (2013). Teachers’ use of cultural intelligence to interact with the sub-culture of special education students.
Millier, K. A. (2010). The viability and sustainability of the Business Women’s Association of Uzbekistan: A phenomenological study.
Vivoda, M. A. (2009). A correlational study of the relationship between emotional intelligence and sales performance of realtors.
Pierce, G. R. (2008). The ascension of Generation X public school teachers to educational leadership positions: A phenomenology.
2005 Creator, New Faculty Certification Program. School of Advanced Studies, University of Phoenix.
1990 Chair, New Employee Training – 3-day retreat for 220 para-professional employees.
1987 Co-creator, scriptwriter, narrator of Freshman Follies – first year colloquium presentation of vignettes depicting typical freshmen issues. Attendance increased from 80 to 2000 over 4 years.
1987 Chair, created/implemented workshop series for students experiencing common developmental issues (anger, self-defeating behavior, unhealthy relationships)
1984 Created/presented campus-wide Student Affairs staff development session for 200 employees. Developed comprehensive Resource Guide.
2004 - 2022 - Clarity Consulting - work with clients to improve written and verbal communication
Certified Administrator - Meyers-Briggs Type Instrument, Consulting Psychologists Press
Certified Facilitator – “Fundamentals of Fourth Generation Management,” Joiner Associates, Inc.
Certified Facilitator – Leadership Effectiveness Analysis (360-degree feedback instrument), Management Research Group
Certificate, “Frontline Leadership,” Zenger-Miller
Certificate, “Principles of Quality,” South Carolina Budget & Control Board