Journal of At-Risk Issues

About the Co-Editors

The Need

The lack of specific publications targeting the concerns and interests of researchers and practitioners in the areas of at-risk issues and dropout prevention, prompted the Executive Board of the National Dropout Prevention Network in 1992 to initiate The Journal of At-Risk Issues. Dr. Ann Reitzammer, Huntingdon College, was the journal's founding editor. The format of the Journal includes articles that are research-based, with both reports of research and practitioner projects. In addition, there are special features in each issue such as statistical or research data and book reviews. The original intent was to publish the journal quarterly each year. It became apparent, however, that this was not a feasible goal until more widespread recognition was gained.

The first volume, consisting of two issues, was published by the National Dropout Prevention Center at Clemson University in the Summer and Fall of 1994. Dr. Reitzammer resigned as editor in 1997 and the Winter/Spring 1997 issue (Vol. 3, No. 2) was the last issue under her guidance. In June of 1997, Dr. Michael D. Richardson, Georgia Southern University, became editor of The Journal and new Editorial and National Advisory Boards were established. Through Dr. Richardson's persistence, JARI was assigned an ISSN and is being abstracted by ERIC.

Unfortunately, health reasons required Dr. Richardson to resign after serving as editor for the fourth volume. Dr. Connie Rhul-Smith and Dr. James Smith from Indiana University South Bend became the new co-editors of The Journal in June 1998. In the fall of 2001, Dr. Rhul-Smith and Dr. Smith resigned after accepting positions at a new college.

In the Spring of 2002 a national search was conducted for a new editor for JARI. Upon completion of this search, Dr. Alice Fisher and Dr. Judy Johnson from Sam Houston State University were named co-editors. Although Dr. Johnson has since moved on, Dr. Fisher continues to serve on the editorial staff of JARI.

The Editor

Dr. Rebecca A. Robles-Piña

Dr. Robles-Pina Dr. Robles-Piña is an Associate Professor at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in the Department of Educational Leadership & Counseling in Huntsville, TX. Rebecca is also a practicing licensed psychologist and has been a school psychologist, school counselor, and teacher. She has served as co-editor of the Journal of At-Risk Issues (JARI) for the past two years with Dr. Alice Fisher; this year she will serve as editor. Rebecca teaches courses related to Methods of Research, Statistics, Assessment, Psychology of Learning, and Counseling. School reform for minority students, depression in adolescents, national and international perspectives on bullying, and school safety programs for bilingual children are some of her research interests. A strength of Rebecca's is that she is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Dr. Robles-Piña may be contacted directly at EDU_RAR@shsu.edu.

The Associate Editor

Dr. Joseph B. Ryan

Dr. Joe Ryan Dr. Ryan is an assistant professor of special education at Clemson University. He has taught students with behavioral disorders from grades K through 12 across a variety of educational settings, including resource and self-contained classrooms, special day schools, and a residential treatment center. Prior to coming to Clemson, Dr. Ryan was an assistant professor at James Madison University's school of education in Virginia. He currently teaches both undergraduate and graduate level courses in special education and behavior management. His professional interests include: classroom management, special education law, and psychotropic treatments for students with behavioral disorders. He currently serves as the Associate Editor for the Journal of At-Risk Issues, Treasurer for the International Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD), and is the founder and Director of Clemson's Challenger Baseball League for youth with special needs. Outside of work, he serves as a Commander in the United States Navy Reserves.

The Co-Editor

Dr. Alice Fisher

Dr. Alice Fisher Dr. Fisher has 3l years of service in the field of education. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling at Sam Houston State University. As such, she performs an array of tasks and assignments, including teaching, research, student advisement, and extensive committee work.

Dr. Fisher is a native Texan and received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Sam Houston State University. She then completed her doctoral work at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.

Over the course of her service in the field of education, Dr. Fisher has served as a classroom teacher, reading supervisor, coordinator of Academic Curriculum and Planning, Research, and Evaluation, and Director of Governmental Affairs for the Windham School System (the school district for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice).

During her tenure at Sam Houston State University, Dr. Fisher has been active in scholarly endeavors, instructional development enhancement, and service activities across the university. Within her department she serves as dissertation co-chair as well as committee member on several dissertation committees. In addition, she is currently the President for the Sam Houston State University Women's organization. For the past two years, Dr. Fisher has served as sponsor for the Minority Multimedia Group as well as holding the office of Secretary for the Athletic Advisory Council. She also participates in various university faculty search committees and has served as President of the SHSU Phi Delta Kappa Chapter.