Selected Aspects of Mentoring: Advice, Challenges, and Approaches

Schuyler “Sky” C. Webb, PhD, MBA, earned degrees from Morehouse College, University of Massachusetts, National University, and Alliant International University. Dr. Webb is the coauthor and editor of a number of books including Selected Aspects of Mentoring: Advice, Challenges, and Approaches; Managing Diversity in the Military: Research Perspectives from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute; Personal Empowerment for People of Color: Keys to Success in Higher Education; All about Depression (1st edition); Socio-Economic and Education Factors Impacting American Political Systems: Emerging Research and Opportunities, and Minority Nurses in the New Century. In addition, he has conducted a wide range of research and has authored over 200 publications including peer-reviewed journal articles, magazine and newspaper articles, book chapters, academic papers and posters, technical reports on equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion, depression, psychopharmacology, undersea and hyperbaric medicine, aptitude testing, military and health psychology, minority nurses, psychological resilience, tropical medicine, human factors, organizational and personnel psychology, allied healthcare professionals, epigenetics, sexual assault prevention and response, Latinx/a psychology and history, suicide prevention, warrior care policy and compliance, veterans’ healthcare, human resources, African American psychology and history, mentoring, and others. During his career, he has conducted research activities, program evaluations, and organizational assessments across six continents.

Currently, Dr. Webb is the co-owner and principle consultant at McCray Webb & Associates, LLC, Arlington, Virginia. He is a retired senior Medical Service Corps officer, U.S. Navy. During his naval career, he served as a Hospital Corpsman, research psychologist, executive medicine staff, and the Secretary of the Navy staff. He is the recipient of numerous professional achievements, naval service, academic, community service, and masters athletic awards. He is married to the former Adriane J. McCray and is blessed with three daughters, Kayla Monique, Nia Imani, and Naja Elon and three grandchildren, Frank, Jr., Londyn, and Kaleb.

Benson George Cooke, EdD, is a Professor of Counseling and Psychology and Clinical Coordinator of the Graduate Mental Health Counseling Program in the Division of Education, Health and Social Work, at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), located in Washington, DC. He holds a BA degree in psychology from Morehouse College, and an M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology, and an EdD degree in Counseling Psychology and Mental Health Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He is the former Department Chair of Psychology, Counseling and Human Development at UDC. Dr. Cooke has also served as an Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and Adjunct Faculty at George Mason University; a clinician and administrator for PSI Associates, Inc., Washington, DC; an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Psychology Department, Xavier University of Louisiana, and an Instructor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. As an invited keynote speaker, he has addressed diverse audiences at national and international conferences, symposiums, workshops, professional institutes, institutions of higher education, as well as local and national radio and TV programs and Documentary Films. He is an author of journal articles, magazine articles, and book chapters. He is also the author and coauthor of the following four books: (a) Personal Empowerment for People of Color: Keys to Success in Higher Education, (b) All About Depression, (c) Socio-Economic and Education Factors Impacting American Political Systems: Emerging Research and Opportunities, and (d) Selected Aspects of Mentoring: Advice, Challenges, and Approaches.

Dr. Cooke has served in multiple leadership positions with local, regional, and national organizations including the National President of The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi). Dr. Cooke received the 2016 ABPsi Distinguished Psychologist Award for his career contributions to the discipline, literature, and practice of psychology that has supported culturally salient mental health treatment for the African American community. He has significantly contributed to the national guidelines intended to provide culturally competent therapeutic responses to disaster relief following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Dr. Cooke is the recipient of numerous community service, educational, faculty excellence, and professional service awards. Dr. Cooke is married to Patrice Butler and is blessed with four children—Dawn, Daa’iyah, Siddeeq, Zuri, and one grandchild Ibrahim.

William B. Talley, RhD, CRC, is Chair of the Department of Rehabilitation at the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore. Previously, he served as Assistant Dean of Pharmacy and Health Professions. Additionally, Dr. Talley also previously served as Chair and Director of the Institute for Social and Rehabilitation Services at Assumption College. He also served as Assistant Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at Coppin State College, Baltimore. He has spent more than 25 years working as a practitioner and, more recently as an educator. His academic and research interests have focused on the analysis of state-of-the-art treatment approaches and “best practices” in the health professions. Dr. Talley has authored numerous journal and magazine articles and book chapters regarding multicultural rehabilitation issues including Shaping the Future: The Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Faculty in Allied Health. He is frequently invited to present at national organization conferences, research symposia, as well as colleges and universities.

Dr. Talley earned his bachelor and master’s degrees at South Carolina State University and earned his Doctor of Rehabilitation degree at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He also received advanced certificates of study in Management and Development from the Harvard University School of Education and in Gerontology from the University of Pennsylvania. His awards include Academic Leadership Award, Congressional Award from the U.S. House of Representatives, Maryland Governor Citation, Diversity Enhancement Award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and other prestigious national awards. Among his numerous affiliations are The National Society of Allied Health, American Counseling Association, National Rehabilitation Association, Life Member of The Association of Black Psychologists, and board member of the Maryland Rehabilitation Association and The National Society of Allied Health. During his career, he has served as the principle investigator and author of more than 12 grants amounting to over five million dollars in funding for the institutions he has served. Although he is a Professor, department chair, academic administrator, author, and accomplished speaker, he considers his greatest achievement as being a proud father of his two well-rounded sons.