The Emotional Intelligence (EI) Research Initiative within the College of Education at Texas A&M University Kingsville is a focal point of applied research and service to the South Texas Region.  The major purpose of the EI Research Initiative  is to complete research and implement focused intervention programs to improve the quality and effectiveness of educational experiences for the people of South Texas.  Completed research has demonstrated the importance of EI in the academic achievement and retention of high school and college students, educational leadership, and personal well being (mental and physical health).

The EI Research Initiative is built on the research and publications of Darwin Nelson and Gary Low and their ESAP theory of emotional intelligence and emotional learning.  Approximately forty doctoral dissertations have been completed at Texas A&M University Kingsville and major research universities in the united States and abroad.  ESAP assessment instruments and emotional learning materials authored by Nelson and Low are used world-wide in education, business and industry, and clinical settings. Collaborative international research and application studies are in progress to investigate the effectiveness of emotional intelligence in improving interpersonal relationships, productivity, and personal well being of the world's people.

The EI Research Initiative at Texas A&M University Kingsville is funded by an annual conference and professional development and certification seminars hosted by the authors. External funding is needed to support doctoral research, applied action and studies, and the development of intervention programs to improve personal, academic, and career effectiveness of the people of South Texas. Individuals and corporations my support the EI Research Initiative through donations to the EI Research Initiative, College of Education, Texas A&M University Kingsville.  All funds generated by the EI Research Initiative will be used for the support of doctoral research, direct services to South Texas schools, colleges, and universities, and the professional development of graduate students and doctoral faculty in the Department of Educational Leadership and Counseling.

EI Faculty Contributors - Doctoral level professionals with expertise and experience in EI research and applications with the Emotional Skills Assessment Process and other education-based models of emotional intelligence are considered to be contributing faculty. Currently, Drs. Darwin Nelson, Gary Low, Barbara Stottlemyer, Robert Vela, Michael Elkins, Santos Martinez, Chaun-Ta Chao, Magdalena Williams, and George Potter are interdisciplinary EI faculty contributors.

EI Assessment - Education-based models of emotional intelligence developed by Dr. Darwin Nelson and Dr. Gary Low provide the assessment foundation. The Emotional Skills Assessment Process technology of Personal Skills Mapping, Exploring and Developing EI Skills and The Personal Responsibility Map are currently available research-based assessments. The Personal Excellence Inventory is a new assessment approach currently being.

EI Research - Since 1980, some forty doctoral level studies have been completed using EI Assessments. Research abstracts are maintained by EIRI and summarized for professionals and students. Recent dissertations completed include:

  Dr. George Potter's study of the effect of an instructional intervention on achievement and retention (2005).
  Dr. Magdalena Williams' study of achievement and retention patterns at an Hispanic Serving Institution (2004).
  Dr. Marky Smith's study of counseling intervention and academic achievement with high school students (2004)
  Dr. Chaun-Ta Chao’s study of emotional intelligence and anxiety with Taiwanese students (2003).
  Dr. Robert Vela’s study with first year students who participated in the Javelina EI Program at TAMUK (2003).
  Dr. Barbara Stottlemyer’s study with high school students in South Texas (2002).

EI Institute - The Institute for Emotional Intelligence is convened to disseminate research findings on the role and impact of emotional intelligence skills to achievement, performance, and health. Presentations include research-derived instructional strategies, program development, interventions, and assessment aimed at improving the academic, career, leadership, and life effectiveness of people at all levels of development. Discussions and networking opportunities are provided for faculty, student development professionals, counselors, and students from public schools, community colleges, universities, and community based organizations. The 2004 and 2005 institutes were convened on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The 2006 Institute for Emotional Intelligence was convened in Galveston, Texas and hosted by Galveston College to showcase that institution's EI-centric approach to institutional effectiveness. In 2007 the Institute will return to the beautiful campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville and for the first time will include interdisciplinary tracks for K-12 education, higher education, and business/government.

Copyright 2006 Institute for Emotional Intelligence. Content may be copied if not sold at  profit and as long as citations and references are utilized to give credit to the authors of articles, dissertations, and web site.