Alan Whitehead

  • Associate Professor of Psychology

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

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, 2013-2019
  • Adjunct Professor, Southern Virginia University, 2013-2016
  • Director of Admissions, Southern Virginia University, 2013-2016
  • Academic Advisor, Argosy University, 2012-2013
  • Assistant Director of Admissions, Argosy University, 2009-2011
  • Insurance Broker, Marsh & McLennan Inc, Private Client Services, 2004-2008

Scholarship & Creative Work

  • “The Relationship Between Workplace Fun, Employment Tenure, & Job Satisfaction” (link)
  • Research interests include happiness, humor studies, examining workplace fun, sport & performance psychology.

Awards, Leadership & Service

  • Professor of the Semester, Fall 2018
  • Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Southern Virginia University, 2013
  • NJCAA Academic All-American, Brigham Young University-Idaho, 2003