Faculty
Alan Whitehead
Associate Professor of Psychology
“Our educational journey should change our nature. We should be different when we leave a classroom than from when we walked into it. One way I attempt to facilitate these changes is to include in each of my courses various application-based projects, called Praxis Assignments. (Besides being a Klingon moon in Star Trek of which I’m a big fan!) Praxis is the application and fruition of knowledge as opposed to merely the mastering of a theory.”
Education
- Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Grand Canyon University, 2019
- M.B.A., emphasis in I/O Psychology, Argosy University, 2011
- B.S. in Business Management, emphasis in Finance, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2003
Courses
- Psychology Major: General Psychology, Research Methods, Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Psychology of Learning, Creativity & Innovation, Psychology of Procrastination, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Psychology of Humor, Performance & Sports Psychology, Environmental Psychology, History & Systems of Psychology
- Physical Education: Badminton
Teaching Positions & Professional Experience
- Assistant Professor of Psychology, Southern Virginia University, 2016–present
- Adjunct Professor, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College, 2019
- Adjunct Instructor, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2013–19
- Adjunct Professor, Southern Virginia University, 2013–16
- Director of Admissions, Southern Virginia University, 2013–16
- Academic Advisor, Argosy University, 2012–13
- Assistant Director of Admissions, Argosy University, 2009–11
- Insurance Broker, Marsh & McLennan Inc, Private Client Services, 2004–08
Scholarship & Creative Work
- “link to articleThe Relationship Between Workplace Fun, Employment Tenure, & Job Satisfaction”
- Research interests include happiness, humor studies, examining workplace fun, sport & performance psychology
Awards, Leadership & Service
- link to youtube videoProfessor of the Semester, Fall 2018
- Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Southern Virginia University, 2013
- NJCAA Academic All-American, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2003