About the Center 

The Center for Gifted Studies was established at Valdosta State University in 2011 and is an innovative center dedicated to identifying, developing, and studying talent. The Center’s mission is to spread awareness of and establish support for evidence-based holistic and equitable talent development practices for children, youth, and adults. We provide resources and services for people with gifts and talents, parents, and educators (including but not limited to teachers, counselors, and paraprofessionals). 

The Center is committed to encouraging excellence and talent development by providing quality programming, equitable access, and evidence-based resources. To this end, we offer resources and services in the following areas: 

  • Development of talent, creativity, and critical thinking in individuals with gifts and talents. 
  • Support cognitive, social, emotional, and wisdom development in individuals with gifts and talents. 
  • Study the nature, identification, assessment, and evaluation of individuals with gifts and talents. 
  • Create curriculum, methods, and materials appropriate for individuals with gifts and talents. 
  • Provide in-service training for educators of the gifted and talented.

The dedicated psychology and counseling faculty and staff at Valdosta State University have supported educating and studying gifted and talented students for decades. Dr. James Reffel, professor emeritus of psychology (1998-2015), led an education minor for the participants of the Governor's Honors Program during the summer of 2004 at Valdosta State University.

Dr. Reffel continued his efforts in gifted education and founded the Center for Gifted Studies in 2011. Under Dr. Reffel's direction, the GOML gifted in-field endorsement program was created to increase teacher preparation for teaching gifted and talented students across the state. Dr. David Monetti taught the endorsement courses alongside Reffel, provided consultations for teachers, as well as assisted the local Boys and Girl Club of Valdosta in winning grant funding to support enrichment activities for underserved youth. 

Upon Dr. Reffel's retirement, Dr. Monetti assumed the role of Director of the Center for Gifted Studies in the of Fall 2015 and continued the mission of the center alongside Dr. Katharine Adams, collaborator and fellow psychologist. Dr. Monetti served as director of the center until his promotion to Head of the Psychological Sciences Department (August 1, 2020), making him the longest serving director to date. 

Dr. Meagan Arrastia-Chisholm served as interim director of the center for one year, assisting in the renewal of accreditation for the endorsement program before Dr. Ophelie Desmet was named the 3rd Director of the Center of Gifted Studies and served 2021-2024. Dr. Desmet was instrumental in revising the endorsement courses, increasing student research participation, and expanding both local and international university-community partnerships. 

Since Fall 2024, Dr. Meagan Arrastia-Chisholm has been serving as interim director of the Center for Gifted Studies. As a licensed professional counselor and educational psychologist, Dr. Arrastia-Chisholm's vision is to expand teacher preparation for serving gifted and talented students in rural areas. To this end, she currently serves as the first university liaison for the Georgia Association for Gifted Children from Valdosta State University. As a collaborative, Dr. Arrastia-Chisholm, Dr. Adams, Dr. Tackett, Dr. Kelly Torres, and Dr. Patsy Mouton, all teach and conduct research for the Center of Gifted Studies. 

Every student has the right to learn something new every day  
(Del Siegle, 2007-2009 President of the National Association of Gifted Children) 


The Center for Gifted Studies is committed to providing all students with access to enrichment opportunities and enhanced educational experiences in classrooms where teachers are trained to focus on social, emotional, and motivational support as well as domain-specific learning potential.  

We are committed to contributing to an inclusive society where all people have opportunities and access to quality education. An estimated 50% of students with gifts and talents may underachieve (perform below their capabilities), according to Siegle (2018). If we do not intervene, many people will not realize their talents. This not only has consequences for the individual and their families, but it also affects their communities and society at large. Currently, students from historically excluded populations (e.g., people of color, people with disabilities, and people from economically disadvantaged backgrounds) tend to underachieve at higher rates. Therefore, the Center for gifted studies is committed to establishing more equitable and accessible learning opportunities so that all students can engage in talent development. 

The Center would like to expand services in  

  • Offering educational programs for students with gifts and talents 
  • Providing professional development opportunities for educators 
  • Advocating for students with gifts and talents at local, state, national, and international levels 
  • Promoting access, diversity, and equity in talent development for students from historically excluded populations (i.e., people of color, students with disabilities, and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds). 
  • Conducting research and developing evidence-based curricula to address the social, emotional, and motivational needs of students with gifts and talents as well as developing evidence-based enrichment curricula and opportunities to promote talent development and assure that all students learn something new every day 
  • Offering testing and counseling services for students with gifts and talents and their families