AIMS, Aptitude Inventory Measurement Service

AIMS Staff

Aptitude Inventory Measurement Service

AIMS benefits from the diverse talents and the varied experiences of its staff. Senior administrators are responsible for the development of the AIMS test battery and the unique, comprehensive interpretation system used to pinpoint the best fields for each examinee to pursue. AIMS strives to have the most professional staff available in aptitude testing. Its staff has a combined experience of over 100 years in the field. The same staff members have tested several generations of some families. Many AIMS program participants value the opportunity to deal with the same staff year after year.

The AIMS staff has assisted over 25,000 individuals from all parts of the United States. Some examinees have come to Dallas from Canada, Mexico, and several European and South American countries.

● Irvin C. Shambaugh

● Deborah Stewart Tatum

● Mindy Poe

● John W. Gaston

Irvin C. Shambaugh began his scientific career in 1962. His research spans learning theory, psychometrics, and the validation of educational and vocational applications of the AIMS test battery. This work has been documented in dozens of technical reports, statistical bulletins, and other publications. Mr. Shambaugh’s studies were at Pennsylvania State University, where he received his B.S., and at the University of Southern California. After advanced studies in geophysics and applied mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Mr. Shambaugh pursued additional graduate studies in experimental psychology at Texas Christian University and in educational psychology at East Texas State University. A member of Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology, Mr. Shambaugh also belongs to the the American Psychological Society (charter member), the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Test Directors, the Association for Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, the American Psychological Association (associate member), the National Council on Measurement in Education, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His achievements have been recognized by Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in Education.

While continuing to improve the AIMS program through research, Mr. Shambaugh also is active in sharing his practical knowledge of aptitudes and their uses with examinees. Many college libraries and high school counselors have acquired Books About Careers and Career Facts, bibliographies developed by Mr. Shambaugh to help people seeking information about careers.

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Deborah Stewart Tatum joined the AIMS staff in 1982. Prior experience in private and preparatory schools involved her in curriculum development, college counseling, and teaching. Mrs. Tatum received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications and Master of Science degree in Guidance and Counseling at Eastern Illinois University. She has continued in post graduate studies at UT Arlington, Texas A&M University at Commerce, and Dallas Theological Seminary. Mrs. Tatum belongs to the American Association of Christian Counselors, the Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors, and serves on the board of the Dallas/Fort Worth chapter of the Association of Career Professionals International. Married with two children, Mrs. Tatum is active in school and community volunteer work. Avocationally, Mrs. Tatum participates in counseling and teaching ministries.

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Mindy Poe has worked with high school students as teacher and aptitude test administrator since 1998. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and the National Career Development Association. Ms. Poe pursued undergraduate training at Texas A & M at Commerce and Vernon College; she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature and Education at Midwestern State University. Ms. Poe also received a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas. In addition, she has been co-coordinator and administrator for AIMS services at Tyler Junior College and private schools in Lubbock, Texas and Wichita, Kansas. Ms. Poe edited the most recent edition of The AIMS Handbook and served as contributor to the updated Career Facts: In Print and on the World Wide Web. Ms. Poe is active in volunteer work for several Dallas area charities.

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John W. Gaston, a former faculty member of Texas Christian University, has a background in fine arts, linguistics, philology, and vocabulary. His work since 1964 in aptitude patterns analysis has made him a leading authority in his field. At Texas Christian University, Mr. Gaston earned his B.F.A. and M.A., and pursued doctoral studies. He has had additional studies at the University of Texas, Baylor University, and the University of Texas Health Science Center.

He is a member of the American Counseling Association, the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, the Texas Counseling Association, the Texas Association of College Admissions Counselors, and the National Career Development Association. He is a former board member of the Dallas Child Guidance Clinic. Mr. Gaston has contributed to a volume on vocabulary building and the publication of Adolphe Appia, which was an honor recipient in the George Freedly Awards in New York City. He is the author of AIMS College Preparatory Reading Catalogue. In 1998 Mr. Gaston was selected by the Young Presidents’ Organization (Y.P.O) to be one of its distinguished faculty members.

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