The development and initial validation of the Multicultural Readiness Scale

Given the increasingly multicultural nature of the US workforce, organizations need to prepare employees to work effectively in settings where multiple cultures are represented. One way organizations can gauge employees’ level of preparedness for multicultural contexts is through an assessment of their multicultural readiness. I defined multicultural readiness as a set of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that aid in minimizing internal and external discomfort stemming from cultural differences. I conducted three studies to test the substantive, structural, and external validity of the new measure. Sample data included 1, 447 undergraduate students at a large Southwestern Univerity in the USA. Results provided support for a second-order, three-factor model comprising cultural identity, cultural self-efficacy, and cultural empathy. Model fit indices suggested that the second-order 13-item model yielded the best fit to the data. Results provided initial evidence of convergent validity (i.e., cultural intelligence) and divergent validity (i.e., personality, social skill). Additionally, I found that multicultural readiness was a significant predictor of international orientation, but not creativity. Overall, the findings indicated a need for a better understanding of the conceptual dimensions of multicultural readiness. Moreover, the results suggested that the pathway between multicultural readiness and creativity may be more complex. Thus, additional evidence is needed to support the predictive utility of multicultural readiness to important organizational criteria, beyond international orientation

Exposure to Sexism and Withdrawal: the Roles of Leadership Cohesion and Gender

I examined: (1) the direct relationship between perceived sexism at work and withdrawal, (2) the indirect relationship via emotional exhaustion, and (3) the moderating effects of perceptions of cohesion among top leaders (i.e., leadership cohesion) and subordinate gender. I predicted that the effect of sexism at work on withdrawal would manifest directly and indirectly through emotional exhaustion. Moreover, I expected that the effects of sexist climate would be greater among personnel perceiving high leadership cohesion as well as among women. Survey data collected from 1,007 active duty Department of Defense personnel stationed in the USA. Regression results revealed that exposure to sexism led to withdrawal directly but not indirectly via emotional exhaustion. Moreover, the effects were not stronger among women than men. Perceptions of cohesion among top leaders did not influence subordinates likelihood of engaging in withdrawal. The findings suggest a need for more research on the effects of sexist climates and ways organizations can minimize these effects.Psychology, Department o

Predictive Loss Ratio Modeling with credit scores, for insurance purposes.

In recent times, credit scores have gained widespread popularity within the insurance industry, especially in the underwriting and pricing, due to their powerful predictive value. The goal of this project was to create a loss ratio model that would improve the predictive ability of the current Hanover premium model through implementation of credit scores. This would enable Hanover to benefit from more informed underwriting and pricing techniques, greater competitive advantage in commercial insurance lines of business and most importantly, more robust underwriting profit. Hanover's ability to better differentiate the risk types of their customers will ultimately improve their underwriting profit by ensuring that they do not underwrite policies with excessively high-risk

Sedimentation in Mangrove Forests in Sámara, Costa Rica

The town of Samara, Costa Rica has experienced sedimentation which affects mangroves in the Mala Noche Estuary. Our project goal, sponsored by Senor Konrad Sauter, was to provide a foundation for future restoration. This was accomplished by assessing the environmental problems and identifying remediation methods. Our results demonstrated a need for physical restoration methods and community education on the importance of mangroves. Returning the estuary to a healthy state requires a long-term plan which instills strong individual environmental concern

Using 3D-printed models to advance clinical care

Structural Heart is a new field within the division of cardiovascular service lines. Structural heart has broadened the scope of delivery of cardiovascular care with its ability to deliver new valves and devices to heart patients who were once turned down for traditional open-heart surgery through the use of transcatheter delivery systems and device designs. However, in the absence of an open-surgical field, the main limitation in transcatheter device development and patient-centric care is the inability of the Structural Heart Implanter to palpate the patient\u27s cardiac anatomy for device sizing and delivery. Application of 3D printing and 3D modeling are becoming a useful toolkit for Structural Heart Implanters, Imagers, and Device specialists within the Heart Team to use as a communication tool and case planning resource to optimize patient care, and patient safety. Transcatheter interventions have revolutionized not only the field of cardiology, but additionally the field of biomedical engineering within Cardiovascular Medicine through the incorporation of 3D simulation technology