Axton Betz-Hamilton
Title
Associate Professor
Office Building
Office
229
Mailing Address
Harding Hall 229
Ness School of Management & Economics-Box 2220
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007
Ness School of Management & Economics-Box 2220
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007
Education
Ph.D., Iowa State University, Human Development and Family Studies
M.S., Purdue University, Consumer Sciences and Retailing
B.S., Purdue University, Agricultural Economics
Graduate Certificates:
Family Financial Planning, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
College Teaching, Iowa State University
M.S., Purdue University, Consumer Sciences and Retailing
B.S., Purdue University, Agricultural Economics
Graduate Certificates:
Family Financial Planning, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
College Teaching, Iowa State University
Academic Interests
Familial identity theft
Financial exploitation of older adults by family members
Familiar identity theft
Trauma
Financial exploitation of older adults by family members
Familiar identity theft
Trauma
Expertise
Academic Responsibilities
Teaching responsibilities include:
Family Financial Management I (CA 350)
Financial Counseling and Debt Management (CA 375)
Family Financial Management II (CA 450)
Financial Counseling Lab (CA 460)
Seminar in Communication in Financial Planning (CA 517)
Family Financial Management I (CA 350)
Financial Counseling and Debt Management (CA 375)
Family Financial Management II (CA 450)
Financial Counseling Lab (CA 460)
Seminar in Communication in Financial Planning (CA 517)
Committee Activities
President, Housing Education and Research Association
Associate Editor for Book Reviews and Profiles, Journal of Financial Therapy
Symposium Proceedings Editor, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education
Chair, Communications and Membership, South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Associate Editor for Book Reviews and Profiles, Journal of Financial Therapy
Symposium Proceedings Editor, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education
Chair, Communications and Membership, South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Awards and Honors
South Dakota Humanities Council Scholar, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
SDSU College of Education and Human Sciences Outstanding Researcher, 2022-2023
Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime, 2020
South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Outstanding Professional Award, 2019
Illinois Consumer Education Association, Gladys Bahr Award, 2018
SDSU College of Education and Human Sciences Outstanding Researcher, 2022-2023
Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime, 2020
South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Outstanding Professional Award, 2019
Illinois Consumer Education Association, Gladys Bahr Award, 2018
Grants
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2022). Exploring familial identity theft victimization Through victim stories and case-related documents. South Dakota Humanities Council. ($1,238.00).
Betz-Hamilton, A., & Croymans, S. (2022). South Dakota-Minnesota healthy homes. National Healthy Homes Partnership Subgrant. ($17,998.00).
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2021). South Dakota healthy homes. National Healthy Homes Partnership Subgrant. ($13,536.00).
Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., & Chapman, A. (2018-2021). Understanding elder family financial exploitation (EFFE): Identifying risk and protective factors. Kappa Omicron Nu New Initiatives Grant. ($9,000.00).
Vincenti, V. B., & Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2018). Elder family financial exploitation: risk and protective factors within families. Phi Upsilon Omicron Alumni Research Grant. ($2,500.00).
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2018). Exploration of the risk and protective factors associated with elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). South Dakota State University Foundation Women and Giving Grant. ($1,200.00).
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2017). Understanding the experiences of familial identity theft: A pilot study. South Dakota State University Scholarly Excellence Funds. ($4,084.08).
Betz-Hamilton, A., & Croymans, S. (2022). South Dakota-Minnesota healthy homes. National Healthy Homes Partnership Subgrant. ($17,998.00).
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2021). South Dakota healthy homes. National Healthy Homes Partnership Subgrant. ($13,536.00).
Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., & Chapman, A. (2018-2021). Understanding elder family financial exploitation (EFFE): Identifying risk and protective factors. Kappa Omicron Nu New Initiatives Grant. ($9,000.00).
Vincenti, V. B., & Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2018). Elder family financial exploitation: risk and protective factors within families. Phi Upsilon Omicron Alumni Research Grant. ($2,500.00).
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2018). Exploration of the risk and protective factors associated with elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). South Dakota State University Foundation Women and Giving Grant. ($1,200.00).
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2017). Understanding the experiences of familial identity theft: A pilot study. South Dakota State University Scholarly Excellence Funds. ($4,084.08).
Professional Memberships
Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education
Financial Planning Association
Financial Therapy Association
Housing Education and Research Association
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Financial Planning Association
Financial Therapy Association
Housing Education and Research Association
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Work Experience
Dr. Betz-Hamilton's previous work experience includes faculty appointments at Eastern Illinois University, University of Wyoming, and Iowa Central Community College. She also has experience as a financial counselor, serving military members and their families.
Creative Activities
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2019). The less people know about us: A mystery of betrayal, family secrets, and stolen identity. New York, NY: Grand Central Publishing.
Area(s) of Research
Familial identity theft
Financial abuse of older adults by family members
Housing education
Financial abuse of older adults by family members
Housing education
Applications of Research
Peer Reviewed Publications
Betz-Hamilton, A. (accepted). Student relationships in hybrid consumer affairs courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2022). A comparison of the financial, emotional, and physical consequences of identity theft victimization among familial and non-familial victims. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 33 (2), 217-227. https://www.doi.org/10.1891/JFCP-2021-0014
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2022). Reporting behaviors of familiar identity theft victims: An empirical test of Black’s Theory of Law. Journal of Financial Crime. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-04-2022-0085
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., Stum, M. S., & Chan, A. C. Y. (2022). Elder family financial exploitation offenders: Examining the complexities of problematic behaviors. Victims and Offenders. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2022.2040068
Betz-Hamilton, A., & Rich, J. (2021). Preventing financial exploitation of older adults in South Dakota by family members: A qualitative pilot study exploring the role of financial powers of attorney. Journal of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 16, 15-20. https://neafcs.memberclicks.net/assets/documents/journal/2021-jneafcs/Preventing%20Financial%20Exploitation%20of%20Older%20Adults%20in%20SD.pdf
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2021). Student perceptions of learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: An examination of hybrid, in-person, and online Consumer Affairs courses. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, 38 (1), 13-23.
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2020). Understanding the experiences of familiar identity theft victims: A pilot study. Journal of Financial Therapy, 11 (1). doi: 10.4148/1944-9771.1237
Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2020). A phenomenological study on parental perpetrators of child identity theft. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 31(2), 219-228. http://doi.org/10.1891/JFCP-19-00001
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., Brooks, L., & O’Neill, B. (2019). Savings, investments, emergency funds, and cash flow: Are they related to positive health behaviors? Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 111(3), 31-37. doi: 10.14307/JFCS111.3.31
Betz-Hamilton, A.E., & Vincenti, V. B. (2018). Risk factors within families associated with elder financial exploitation (EFE) by relatives with powers of attorney (POA). Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 110(1), 19-27. doi: 10.14307/JFCS110.1.19
Vincenti, V., Browne, L., Betz-Hamilton, A., & Jasper, C. R. (2013/14). Clues to the power of attorney-based elder financial abuse within the family system. Journal of Consumer Education, 30, 45-58.
Tell, D., & Betz, A. E. (2012). Housing issues and solutions for the residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. Journal of Consumer Education, 29, 70-74.
Walters, W. & Betz, A. E. (2012). Medical identity theft. Journal of Consumer Education, 29, 75-79.
Betz, A. (2009). Child identity theft and the need for consumer education. Journal of Consumer Education, 26, 45-57.
Works in Edited Volumes
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., & Zurlo, K. (2019). Financial abuse and victimization of older adults. In C. Callahan & J. Frey (Eds). Handbook on Financial Social Work and Clinical Implications (pp. 26-37).
Teaster, P. B., Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., Bolkan, C., & Jasper, C. (2019). Themes from elder financial exploitation by family member powers of attorney. In K.P. Lyness & J.L. Fischer (Eds.) Gender, Sexual Identity, and Families: The Personal is Political. Ann Arbor, MI: MPublishing, University of Michigan Library. doi: 10.3998/groves.9453087.0005.001
Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2016). Crime and families. In C. Shehan (Ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (pp.473-477). Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., & Nagarajan, A. (2016). Economic distress. In C. Shehan (Ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (pp. 615-619). Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
McGuire, M., & Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2016). Engagement. In C. Shehan (Ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (pp. 647-648). Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
Betz, A. (2014). Website security. In W. Reiboldt & M. Horn Mallers (Eds.), Consumer survival: An encyclopedia of consumer rights, safety, and protection (pp. 879-881). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Betz, A., & Lucas, L. B. (2014). Identity theft: Child. In W. Reiboldt & M. Horn Mallers (Eds.), Consumer survival: An encyclopedia of consumer rights, safety, and protection (pp. 520-522). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Betz, A., & Walters, W. (2014). Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. In W. Reiboldt & M. Horn Mallers (Eds.), Consumer survival: An encyclopedia of consumer rights, safety, and protection (pp. 489-491). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Selected Conference Proceedings and Refereed Abstracts
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2020, November). A comparison of the financial, emotional, and physical consequences of identity theft victimization among familial and non-familial victims. Proceedings of the 2020 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Mielitz, K. S., Betz-Hamilton, A., Gatti, M., Li, N., Page, P,…& Xiao, J. J. (2020). Research snapshots: Telling the research story in 3 minutes with 1 slide. Proceedings of the 2020 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Betz-Hamilton, A., & O’Neill, B. (2020, November). So you want to write a personal finance book? a primer on publishing and promoting your future book. Proceedings of the 2020 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2020, October). Comparing the homeownership status of familial and non-familial identity theft victims. Refereed abstract accepted for the 2020 Housing Education and Research Association conference (Conference postponed to October 2021 due to COVID-19).
Betz-Hamilton, A., & Rich, J. (2019, November). Successful family member POA agent implementation: Estate planning experiences in South Dakota. Proceedings of the 2019 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Betz-Hamilton, A., & O’Neill, B. (2019, November). Golden nuggets and nuisances of credit report policies: Stories from the field. Proceedings of the 2019 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Betz-Hamilton, A. (accepted). Student relationships in hybrid consumer affairs courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2022). A comparison of the financial, emotional, and physical consequences of identity theft victimization among familial and non-familial victims. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 33 (2), 217-227. https://www.doi.org/10.1891/JFCP-2021-0014
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2022). Reporting behaviors of familiar identity theft victims: An empirical test of Black’s Theory of Law. Journal of Financial Crime. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-04-2022-0085
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., Stum, M. S., & Chan, A. C. Y. (2022). Elder family financial exploitation offenders: Examining the complexities of problematic behaviors. Victims and Offenders. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2022.2040068
Betz-Hamilton, A., & Rich, J. (2021). Preventing financial exploitation of older adults in South Dakota by family members: A qualitative pilot study exploring the role of financial powers of attorney. Journal of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 16, 15-20. https://neafcs.memberclicks.net/assets/documents/journal/2021-jneafcs/Preventing%20Financial%20Exploitation%20of%20Older%20Adults%20in%20SD.pdf
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2021). Student perceptions of learning experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: An examination of hybrid, in-person, and online Consumer Affairs courses. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education, 38 (1), 13-23.
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2020). Understanding the experiences of familiar identity theft victims: A pilot study. Journal of Financial Therapy, 11 (1). doi: 10.4148/1944-9771.1237
Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2020). A phenomenological study on parental perpetrators of child identity theft. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 31(2), 219-228. http://doi.org/10.1891/JFCP-19-00001
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., Brooks, L., & O’Neill, B. (2019). Savings, investments, emergency funds, and cash flow: Are they related to positive health behaviors? Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 111(3), 31-37. doi: 10.14307/JFCS111.3.31
Betz-Hamilton, A.E., & Vincenti, V. B. (2018). Risk factors within families associated with elder financial exploitation (EFE) by relatives with powers of attorney (POA). Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 110(1), 19-27. doi: 10.14307/JFCS110.1.19
Vincenti, V., Browne, L., Betz-Hamilton, A., & Jasper, C. R. (2013/14). Clues to the power of attorney-based elder financial abuse within the family system. Journal of Consumer Education, 30, 45-58.
Tell, D., & Betz, A. E. (2012). Housing issues and solutions for the residents on the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota. Journal of Consumer Education, 29, 70-74.
Walters, W. & Betz, A. E. (2012). Medical identity theft. Journal of Consumer Education, 29, 75-79.
Betz, A. (2009). Child identity theft and the need for consumer education. Journal of Consumer Education, 26, 45-57.
Works in Edited Volumes
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., & Zurlo, K. (2019). Financial abuse and victimization of older adults. In C. Callahan & J. Frey (Eds). Handbook on Financial Social Work and Clinical Implications (pp. 26-37).
Teaster, P. B., Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., Bolkan, C., & Jasper, C. (2019). Themes from elder financial exploitation by family member powers of attorney. In K.P. Lyness & J.L. Fischer (Eds.) Gender, Sexual Identity, and Families: The Personal is Political. Ann Arbor, MI: MPublishing, University of Michigan Library. doi: 10.3998/groves.9453087.0005.001
Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2016). Crime and families. In C. Shehan (Ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (pp.473-477). Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
Betz-Hamilton, A. E., & Nagarajan, A. (2016). Economic distress. In C. Shehan (Ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (pp. 615-619). Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
McGuire, M., & Betz-Hamilton, A. E. (2016). Engagement. In C. Shehan (Ed.), The Wiley Blackwell encyclopedia of family studies (pp. 647-648). Malden, MA: Wiley Blackwell.
Betz, A. (2014). Website security. In W. Reiboldt & M. Horn Mallers (Eds.), Consumer survival: An encyclopedia of consumer rights, safety, and protection (pp. 879-881). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Betz, A., & Lucas, L. B. (2014). Identity theft: Child. In W. Reiboldt & M. Horn Mallers (Eds.), Consumer survival: An encyclopedia of consumer rights, safety, and protection (pp. 520-522). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Betz, A., & Walters, W. (2014). Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. In W. Reiboldt & M. Horn Mallers (Eds.), Consumer survival: An encyclopedia of consumer rights, safety, and protection (pp. 489-491). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Selected Conference Proceedings and Refereed Abstracts
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2020, November). A comparison of the financial, emotional, and physical consequences of identity theft victimization among familial and non-familial victims. Proceedings of the 2020 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Mielitz, K. S., Betz-Hamilton, A., Gatti, M., Li, N., Page, P,…& Xiao, J. J. (2020). Research snapshots: Telling the research story in 3 minutes with 1 slide. Proceedings of the 2020 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Betz-Hamilton, A., & O’Neill, B. (2020, November). So you want to write a personal finance book? a primer on publishing and promoting your future book. Proceedings of the 2020 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Betz-Hamilton, A. (2020, October). Comparing the homeownership status of familial and non-familial identity theft victims. Refereed abstract accepted for the 2020 Housing Education and Research Association conference (Conference postponed to October 2021 due to COVID-19).
Betz-Hamilton, A., & Rich, J. (2019, November). Successful family member POA agent implementation: Estate planning experiences in South Dakota. Proceedings of the 2019 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Betz-Hamilton, A., & O’Neill, B. (2019, November). Golden nuggets and nuisances of credit report policies: Stories from the field. Proceedings of the 2019 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education Symposium.
Department(s)
Ness School of Management and Economics
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