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Program Faculty

Kevin Askew, assistant professor, received a PhD from the University of South Florida. His research interests include “cyberloafing” and personal computer use at work; and the intersection of psychology and technology. He teaches courses including Quantitative and Statistical Methods, Interventions for Successful Organizations, and Personnel Psychology.

Michael Bixter, Assistant Professor, received a PhD in Cognitive Psychology from Stony Brook University with a graduate certificate in Quantitative Methods. He then completed two postdoctoral research positions, the first at Georgia Tech and the second at Arizona State University. His research interests include decisions about delayed and risky rewards, how decisions are made in small-group situations, and how decision making and other cognitive processes develop across adulthood. He teaches courses in statistics at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Jennifer Bragger, professor, has a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Temple University. Her research interests include leadership development, the job interview, faith at work, work-family conflict, and stereotypes at work. She teaches courses including Leadership Theory and Development, Performance Management, Personnel Psychology, Organizational Psychology, and the cooperative learning course in Leadership Development.

Manuel (Manny) Gonzalez, Assistant Professor, received his PhD in I-O psychology from Baruch College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York. Much of his research revolves around two broad topics: (1) the influences of emotions in the workplace on personal, interpersonal, and organizational outcomes, and (2) justice-related and ethical issues in the workplace, with a recent focus on fairness issues that emerge when utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning. You can learn more about Dr. Gonzalez’s work by visiting his website.

Cheryl Gray, Assistant Professor, received a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of South Florida. She specializes in leadership and employee well-being. Her primary line of research investigates how to be a supportive supervisor and coworker. Dr. Gray teaches courses on a variety of I/O Psychology topics, and she enjoys involving students in her research projects. For an overview of Dr. Gray’s work, check out this podcast episode.

Mele Kramer completed her M.S. and Ph.D. In IO Psychology with a concentration on IO Consulting, from Walden University Her undergraduate studies were completed at New York University with a B.S. in Studio Art, Psychology, and continued her Masters level studies in Art Therapy. She has worked in the corporate industry for over 20 years with recent consultant work in cardiovascular healthcare focusing on Leadership Training and Development with hospital clinicians. The education emphasized “transition of care” education and training, and healthcare processes. This included alternative options for preventative and post-follow-up care to optimize costs, healthcare services, and wellness. Her Ph.D. focuses on Diversity Leadership and impacting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) positive social change in the workplace.

Rick Laguerre, Assistant Professor, received a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Connecticut in 2022, with advanced graduate certificates in Quantitative Research Methods and Occupational Health Psychology. He is the director of the Continuous Optimization of Individuals and Organizations (CoIO) Lab. His research program focuses on individual differences (e.g., motivation, subjective age, core self-evaluations) and work environmental features (e.g., human resource practices) important for successful aging and longevity at work. He has published on methodological issues in the organizational sciences, as well as topics that pertain to the intended-implemented gap of human resource management. As part of a larger collaborative effort, he has published on issues surrounding Total Worker Health and work-/non-work factors that impact employee well-being.

Valerie Sessa, professor, received a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from New York University. Her research interests include leadership development in college students and continuous learning at the individual, group, and organizational levels. She teaches courses including Leadership Theory and Development, Groups in Organizations and Work Attitudes and Motivation. She is the author of three books: Executive selection: Strategies for success, Jossey Bass (with Jodi Taylor, 2000), Continuous learning in Organizations: Individual, group, and organizational perspectives, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. (with Manny London, 2005), Work group learning: Understanding, improving, and assessing how groups learn in organizations, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. (edited with Manny London, 2008), and has one book in progress: College Student Leadership Development: Learning from Experience, Taylor and Francis.