Dr. Tawanda M. Greer is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Women's Studies Program. She received her doctorate degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in Carbondale, IL and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from a historically Black university, Bowie State University, located in Bowie, Maryland.

Dr. Greer's professional background is a compilation of work in the areas of both science and practice. Regarding clinical practice, she has experience in the Veterans Administration (VA) system, state psychiatric hospitals, one Department of Corrections, college counseling centers, and community mental health. Dr. Greer has continued clinical interests and investments in Afrocentrism in counseling, racial identity, acculturation, and the influence of chronic forms of oppression on the overall psychological well-being of persons of color, particularly African Americans.

Dr. Greer conducts research on the plight of African American students at predominantly White and Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs), with a specific focus on the extent to which campus climate (e.g., experiences of racism and discrimination) contributes to academic and psychosocial outcomes. Her research focus expands upon these projects and emphasizes relationships between racism and discrimination and their contribution to poor health and health disparities for African American adults in community settings. Dr. Greer’s work is also designed to capture psychological effects associated with the social constructions of race, class, gender, and sexuality.

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Recent Publications

Greer, T.M. (in press). Racial and ethnic-related stressors as predictors of perceived stress and academic performance for African American students at a historically Black college and university. Journal of Negro Education.

Greer, T.M. (in press). Addressing Disparities in Rural Health. In R. Tally, K. Chwalisz, and K. Buckwalter (Eds.),Rural Caregiving: Rosalyn Carter Institute Expert Panel Series.

Greer, T.M. & White, A.M. (in press). Women of color groups: Group counseling with African American college women. Sarasota: Professional Resource Press.

Greer, T.M. (2007). Measuring coping strategies among African Americans: An examination of the latent structure of the COPE Inventory. Journal of Black Psychology, 33(3), 260-277.

Greer, T.M., & Chwalisz, K. (2007). Minority-related stressors and coping processes among African American college students. Journal of College Student Development, 48(4), 388-404.

Greer, T. M. (2005). Bridging the Gaps in Minority Health. In J.Allen & L. VandeCreek (Eds.) Innovations in Clinical Practice: Focus on Health and Wellness. Sarasota: Professional Resource Press.

Greer, T. M. (2005). The Index of Race-Related Stress -Brief Version (IRRS-B): Instruments and Office Forms. In J. Allen & L. VandeCreek (Eds.) Innovations in Clinical Practice: Focus on Health and Wellness. Sarasota: Professional Resource Press.

Constantine, M.G, & Greer, T.M. (2004). Personal, Academic, and Career Counseling of African American Women in College Settings. In M. Howard-Hamilton (Ed.), Meeting the Needs of African American Women: New Directions for Student Services. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Constantine, M.G., Greer, T.M., & Kindaichi, M. (2003). Theoretical and Cultural Considerations in Counseling Women of Color. In M. Kopala & M. Kietel (Eds.), Handbook of Counseling Women. Newbury Park: Sage.

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Current On-going Research Projects

• Multidimensional Inventory of African American Functioning(MIAAF)
  This project entails the creation of a measure to be used by mental health clinicians in their work with African American clients. The subscales that will comprise the measure are based upon empirical evidence of several biopsychosocial factors that are associated with the healthy functioning of African American adults.
• Perceived Racism Among African American Students
  This project is designed to examine African American undergraduate student experiences of racism on University of South Carolina’s campus and its influence on psychological distress for these students.
• Psychophysiological Effects of Racism and Cultural Mistrust
  This project is designed to examine the effects of racism among African Americans via exposure to racism-related stimuli in a lab setting. Brain imaging is being conducted through fMRI.
• Africultural coping behaviors as moderators of the effects of racism and sexism on African American women’s mental health
  This project is designed to investigate the intersection of racism and sexism in contributing to mental health symptoms among African American women (college and community sample). Africultural coping behaviors are being tested as moderators of the relationships between racism, sexism, and mental health outcomes.
• Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence
  This project is qualitative and is designed to understand experiences of abuse and violence in lesbian relationships. The contribution of homophobia to levels of stress and violence in these relationships is also being explored.

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