Faculty

Jeff Batis

Professor of Psychology; Psychology Program Coordinator

“I love sharing experiences with students that will last a lifetime—theirs and mine. Whether that is a discussion about how a single addiction can affect many people or taking a trip with students to see how psychology is a part of everyday life, there’s tremendous value in learning. The faculty and students at Southern Virginia University offer a blend of experiences unique from what you may find anywhere else.”

Education

  • Ph.D. in Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, minor in Statistics and Psychopharmacology, Wayne State University, 2006
  • M.A. in Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences, Julie A. Thomas Memorial Scholarship, Wayne State University, 2004
  • B.A. in Psychology and Liberal Arts & Sciences, minor in Russian, Utah State University, 2002

Courses

  • Psychology Major: General Psychology, Psychology of Addiction, Behavioral Neuroscience, Sensation and Perception, Cultural Psychology, Comparative Psychology, Learning, Cognition, History and Systems of Psychology, Statistics, and Research Methods
  • Criminal Justice: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Psychology of Crime, Criminal Profiling, Victimology, Psychology of Violence, Criminal Justice and Mental Health.

Teaching Positions & Professional Experience

  • Professor, Southern Virginia University, 2021–present
  • Associate Professor, Southern Virginia University, 2017–21
  • Assistant Professor of Psychology] at Indiana University Kokomo, 2013–17
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Wesleyan University, 2012–13

Scholarship & Creative Work

Awards, Leadership & Service

  • Faculty Athletic Representative, 2023–present
  • Professor of the Semester, Southern Virginia University, Spring 2019
  • Psychology Program Coordinator, Southern Virginia University, 2017–present
  • Chair, Division of Psychology and Business Management & Leadership, Southern Virginia University, 2018–21
  • Chair, Southern Virginia University Institutional Review Board, 2018–20
  • Chair, Psychology Program, 2017–20
  • Julie A. Thomas Memorial Scholarship, Wayne State University, 2003, 2005
  • Missionary, Russia St. Petersburg Mission, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1997–98