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Dr. Pete Mather holds the B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Indianapolis, the M.A. in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. He also holds the Ph.D. in Student Affairs Administration from The University of Georgia. Dr. Mather teaches courses in Service Learning in Higher Education, Student Development Theory, Campus Environments, and the History and Philosophy of American Higher Education. His major research interests include service learning student and faculty outcomes, the application of positive psychology in higher education, and general student affairs practice.

Research, Engagement, and Outreach interests: Community Engagement/Service Learning; Appreciative Education; University Leadership.

Most Recent Publications:

Mather, P. C. (2023). Supporting an organizational change process with appreciative inquiry. New Directions for Student Services, 2023, 101–111.

Mather, P. C., Gut-Zippert, D. M., Robinson, D., VanDerveer, B.J., and Abdoulaye Balarabe, O. (2024). Mentoring new faculty: An appreciative approach. Journal of Appreciative Education, 11, 1-14.

Mather, P. C., & Gut-Zippert, D. M. (2023). Appreciative mentoring: Promoting a thriving future in higher education. The Chronicle of Mentoring & Coaching, 7(16), 158 – 163. 

Prasath, P., Bhat, C., Mather, P., Foreman, T., & James, J. (2021). Wellbeing, psychological capital and coping of university employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Journal of Professoriate, 12, 1-30. 

Prasath, P. R., Mather, P. C., Bhat, C., & James, J. K. (2021). University student wellbeing during COVID-19: The role of psychological capital and coping strategies. The Professional Counselor, 11, 46 – 60. 

Mather, P. C., & Smith, T. M. (2021). Implementing Appreciative Education in a First-Year Seminar. Journal of Appreciative Education, 7(1), 1-14.  

Propst-Cuevas, A., Jaunarajs, I., Forche, B., Bloom, J., & Mather, P. (2021, February 1). Career coaches and academic advisors, unite! NACE Journal.   career-coaches-and-academic-advisers-unite/ 

Harrison, L. M., & Mather, P.C. (2020), Enlightened in Loco Parentis: A Model for Addressing the College Student Mental Health Crisis. In E. Sengupta, P. Blessiner, & M. Makhanya (Eds.) Improving Classroom Engagement and International Development Programs: International Perspectives on Humanizing Higher Education (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 27, pp. 45-58), Emerald Publishing Limited.  

Mather, P. C., Zempter, C., Ngumbi, E., Nakama, Y., Manley, D., & Cox, H (2017). "Gaining power through education": Experiences of Honduran students from high poverty backgrounds. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, DOI: 10.1080/19496591.2017.1284669

Harrison, L. M., & Mather, P. C. (2017). Making meaning of student activism: Student activist and administrator perspectives. Mid-Western Educational Researcher, 29, pp. 117-135.

Lombardi, K.M. & Mather, P. C. Understanding anticipatory socialization for new student affairs professionals. College Student Affairs Journal, 34, pp. 85-97.

Harrison, L. M, & Mather, P. C. (2015). Alternative solutions to higher education’s problems: An appreciative approach to reform. New York, NY: Routledge.

Bridges, C. & Mather, P. C. (2015). Joining the struggle: White men as social justice allies. Journal of College and Character. 16, 155-168, DOI: 10.1080/2194587X.2015.1057155

Mather, P. C., Marvel, D., & Nelson, L. V. (2014). Mentoring through service-learning. In A. Howley, & B. Trube (Eds.). Mentoring for the professions: Orienting toward the future. Information Age Publishing.

Mather, P. C., & Hulme, E. (2013) (Eds.) Positive Psychology and Appreciative Education in Student Affairs Practice. New Directions for Student Services, 143

Mather, P. C., & Hess, M. (2013). Promoting positive leadership. In P. C. Mather & E. Hulme (2013) (Eds.) Positive Psychology and Appreciative Education in Student Affairs Practice. New Directions for Student Services, 143 (pp. 31 – 40). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Mather, P. C., & Konkle, E. (2013). Promoting social justice through appreciative community service. In P. C. Mather & E. Hulme,(2013) (Eds.) Positive Psychology and Appreciative Education in Student Affairs Practice. New Directions for Student Services, 143 (pp. 77 - 88). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Mather, P. C. & Hulme, E. (2013). Resources and readings in positive psychology. In P. C. Mather & E. Hulme,(2013) (Eds.) Positive Psychology and Appreciative Education in Student Affairs Practice. New Directions for Student Services, 143 (pp. 89 - 94). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Mather, P. C., Karbley, M., & Yamamoto, M. (2012). Identity matters in a short-term, international service-learning program. Journal of College and Character, 13(1), 1 - 14.

Mather, P. C. (2010). Positive psychology and student affairs practice: A framework of possibility. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 47, 157-173.

Mather, P.C., Smith, K., & Skipper, S. (2010). A matter of competence: A national study of the preparation of new student affairs professionals. International Journal of Educational Leadership Preparation, 5(4). Retrieved from .

Mather, P.C., Givens, B., Hendrickson, K., & Lash, A. (2010). Listening to Santa Rita: A critical examination of service-learning practice. Journal of College and Character, 11, 1-12.

Schweitzer, B., & Mather, P.C. (2010). Coming to America: Sixth form students’ reasons for considering undergraduate study in the United States. Selected readings from the 2009 Conference for Education in a Changing Environment. Manchester, U.K.

Bradbury, B. L., & Mather, P. C. (2009). The integration of first-year, first-generation college students from Ohio Appalachia. NASPA Journal, 46, 258-281.

Mather, P., Bryan, S., & Faulkner, W. (2009). Orienting mid-level student affairs professionals. College Student Affairs Journal, 29, 242-256.

Mather, P. (2008). Interns at an international, humanitarian organization: Career pathways and meaning making. Journal of College Student Development 49, 182 - 198.