Psychology Faculty

Tom Alexander instructs various graduate level courses in psychology. He first joined Purdue Global as a part-time adjunct faculty member. Previously, Dr. Alexander worked in multiple areas of professional practice including addictions, forensic mental health, inpatient psychiatric care, residential substance use treatment, and managed care.

Education: PhD Psychology, Capella University

Publications: Multiple publications in progress related to clinical training initiatives

Certifications: Licensed professional counselor in Texas, trained clinician in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

Honors and Achievements: 2019 Outstanding PT FT Adjunct Member, Graduate Psychology Department, Purdue University Global

Memberships: NAADAC

Research Interests: The intersection of trauma and addiction

Gabrielle Blackman teaches full time in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and serves as the course lead for various graduate courses. She has been teaching in higher education since 2004, and much of her professional experience is drawn from consulting and research-based projects aligned with her expertise in industrial and organization (I/O) psychology. She has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences, including the American Psychological Association and Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Education: PhD, George Mason University; MA, George Mason University; BA, Christopher Newport University

Publications: Presentations at numerous national and international conferences; published work in peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, and technical reports

Honors and Achievements: 2015 Outstanding Faculty Member award in the Graduate Psychology Program (Kaplan University); numerous "Up and Beyond" service awards

Memberships: The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP)

Research Interests: Ethical and positive leadership and organizational practices within the field of I/O psychology; prosocial and humanitarian practices, advocacy strategies, and conflict resolution within and outside of workplaces; pedagogical best practices and the use of technology in 21st century classrooms and online teaching environments

Ashley Cauley is a full-time faculty member, teaching undergraduate psychology courses at Purdue Global. After seven years as an educator, Cauley has now transitioned to a focus of online adult learning. Cauley is a founding partner of Cohort4Care, a coaching and consulting company dedicated to caring for those who care for others.

Education: MSIOP, Eastern Kentucky University; BA, Southern Adventist University           

Memberships: Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP)

Research Interests: Psychological safety, compassion fatigue and burnout

Salomé Brañas Gonzalez is a full-time adjunct faculty member in the undergraduate psychology program teaching Applied Behavior Analysis. She has been an educator since 2006, working with students with disabilities from preschool through 21 years old, and has taught psychology at the undergraduate level since 2016. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2012, and has since supervised several BCBA candidates; produced dozens of professional development sessions for teachers, administrators, and parents; and maintained a private practice.

Education: PhD, Grand Canyon University; MSEd, Mercy College

Publications: Exploring the Role of Community Cultural Wealth in How Minority First-Generation College Students Persevere in Graduate School

Certifications: Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Honors and Achievements: Educational Opportunity Fund Champion for Student Success, 2019; Presenter at numerous education conferences

Memberships: Association of Professional Behavior Analysts; The Association for Behavior Analysis International; New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis

Research Interests: First-generation college students

Joanne Choy teaches several courses in the undergraduate psychology department focusing on applied behavior analysis. She joined Purdue University Global as a part-time adjunct faculty member and was later promoted to a full-time faculty member. Choy has worked in the field of applied behavior analysis since 2014, and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2018. She has experience in working with children and adults who have autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other capacities in the home, community, and center-based settings.

Education: MS, The Sage Colleges; BA, University of California, Irvine

Certifications: Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Memberships: Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)

Research Interests: Applied behavior analysis, behavior assessments, autism, developmental disabilities, treatment in challenging and severe behaviors

Connie Dolecki has worked in the Psychology Department at the University for nine years. She teaches undergraduate courses, and works to help entry-level students succeed. She previously worked as a behavior specialist consultant for children diagnosed with mental health issues, and as a mobile therapist for children with mental health issues in home, community, and school environments. In addition, she has worked as a substance abuse counselor.

Dolecki is the author of psychological and educational materials, including a book published through Adams Media, and collaborations on textbooks through Pearson and McGraw Hill. Connie owns a horse farm and has begun to develop programs for at-risk populations (children, veterans, people with autism and learning disabilities, etc.).

Connie earned her MS in Psychology, and is currently working on her PhD in Psychology with emphasis on Teaching and Course Development. Her dissertation explores online student retention through phone contact by instructors.

Education:   MS Psychology, Walden University
PhD Psychology, Walden University in progress

Memberships:  American Psychological Association

Research Interests:  Therapeutic horseback riding

Lakieshia Jones teaches various undergraduate psychology department courses focusing on addictions. She joined Purdue Global as a part-time adjunct faculty member and later was promoted to full-time. Most recently, Jones was a substance use prevention practitioner with a focus in opioid and prescription misuse for a state college system in Georgia. She also has provided substance use counseling to clients in inpatient and outpatient settings.

Education: MS, Nova Southeastern University

Certifications: CADCI-II; ICADC; DOT-SAP

Memberships: The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)

Research Interests: Addiction psychology, motivational interviewing, consciousness and society psychology

Caroline Linfante teaches undergraduate courses in the applied behavior analysis program. She joined Purdue University Global first as an adjunct faculty member and later as a full-time faculty member. Dr. Linfante was a special education teacher for students with mild/moderate disabilities for 9 years before becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) in 2018. She has experience consulting with educators in a public school setting on academic and behavioral challenges in the classroom.

Education: PhD, Columbia University; MA, Teachers College

Certifications: Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA-D)

Memberships: Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), New Jersey Association for Behavior Analysis (NJABA)

Research Interests: Reducing interfering behaviors, effective reading interventions, developmental levels of verbal behavior

Tara Matthews teaches various graduate psychology courses and specializes in addiction psychology at Purdue Global. She joined the University in 2016 as an adjunct professor and transitioned to full-time teaching in 2020. Trained in telehealth platforms, brick-and-mortar teaching, and online teaching, Matthews believes that creativity and meeting people where they are is key to growth and learning. Previously, she has worked as an addiction counselor, offered health coaching to colleagues, and provided supervision to graduate students and those seeking professional licensure. She has lectured in addiction, group work, ethics, and self-care for both clinical populations and professional organizations.

Education: PhD, Capella University; MA, Central Michigan University; Institute for Integrative Nutrition

Publications: Working on a textbook for co-occurring disorders

Certifications: Licensed professional counselor (LPC); Master Addiction Counselor (MAC); Integrative Nutrition and Health Coach

Honors and Achievements: Up and Above Award, 2020 (Purdue Global); Up and Above Award, 2019 (Purdue Global); Wampler-Caudill Distinguished Faculty Award, 2011

Memberships: NAADAC; American Counseling Association; Virginia Counselors Association; International Association for Health Coaches

Research Interests: Creative teaching activities, nutrition for co-occurring disorders, self-care, making ethics fun to learn and practice

Kristina Noriega is currently a full-time adjunct and teaches various undergraduate courses in psychology. She has worked for the federal government for over 20 years in various areas of education including liaison, policy, and education services. During her government work in adult education, Noriega supported bridging the gap between the military and civilian education sectors. She built credibility, establishing rapport and maintaining communication with all stakeholders at multiple levels, including those external to the organization.

Education: MS, Chaminade University

Publications: Army Transition Manual

Certifications: NISOD Excellence Award, Department of the Army Civilian Award, Pacific Command Outstanding Contributor award, the House of Representatives outstanding for contributions to the education community

Memberships: American Counseling Association

Research Interests: Self-leadership

Lisa Phillips has been a professor at Purdue Global in the graduate Applied Behavior Analysis department since 2016 and serves as the Ethics Course Leader and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Ethics and Performance Management. Phillips is a licensed behavior analyst at the doctoral level, and a clinical and inter-jurisdictional licensed psychologist who is also an EMDRIA-certified provider of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Prior to her academic career, her experience was in clinical services and leadership. Phillips was the Chief Program/Operations Officer of a large community mental health center where she developed clinical teams and services, and instituted an American Psychological Association (APA) approved doctoral internship program, and post-doctoral training for Psychology Residents. She is a telehealth practitioner, an Organizational Behavior Management, Strategic Planning, and Leadership consultant, and Board President of the Mental Health Association of Mercer County.

Education: PhD, Clinical Psychology, Duquesne University; BCBA-D, University of Massachusetts; MBA,  Purdue University Global.

Publications: Authored a chapter in a handbook on diversity entitled, Privilege Through the Looking-Glass.

Certifications: Licensed clinical/inter-jurisdictional psychologist and behavior analyst; National Register of Health Service Psychologists, Telepsychology Competencies Credential, and Emdria-approved EMDR certification.     

Honors and Achievements:  Voted ‘Best Professor’, with nominations for the Best Course Leader and the Encouragement and Inspiration Award.  

Memberships: American Psychological Association, Pennsylvania Psychological Association, Association for Behavior Analysis International, and Society for Human Resource Management

Research Interests: First-generation students, online learning excellence, ethical leadership development, and the use of EMDR related to individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families.

Julee Poole teaches in the Graduate Psychology program and she provides service to the university by recruiting community organizations. Through the Purdue University Global partnership program, these community organizations offer employment opportunities to students and alumni. Additionally, these organizations provide field experience opportunities for students. Finally, employees and their immediate family members of the community organizations qualify for tuition discounts at Purdue Global.

Education: PhD Psychology, Family Psychology concentration, Capella University; MS Mental Health Counseling, Austin Peay State University; BS Psychology/Sociology, Austin Peay State University; BS Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology concentration, Purdue University Global

Certifications: Board-certified life coach; International Association of Trauma Professionals (IATP) Compassion Fatigue Professional

Publications: The Cryin’ House: A Story for Children Who Witness Family Violence; When Hitting Hits Home; articles in Family Guidance Journal and PsycCritiques

Presented at many national and international conferences, and has published in various journals, including the Family Guidance Journal and PsycCritiques

Honors and Achievements: Psi Chi Honor Society; Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society; Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society; Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society; Golden Key International Honor Society; The Society for Collegiate Leadership & Achievement Alpha Betta Kappa; Alpha Phi Sigma; Austin Peay State University Outstanding Student Leader; Lily Welcome Back Lifetime Achievement Nomination; Kaplan Way Award; Purdue University Global "Organization Builder" Award

Memberships: American Psychological Association Society for the Teaching of Psychology International Christian Coaching Association

Research Interests: Family violence, compassion fatigue for law enforcement officers, self-esteem and defense mechanisms, service-learning projects in the online classroom, best practices in online higher education programs, and the use of technology online classroom

Karen Savarese is a full-time adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology. She teaches several psychology courses and also upper-level child development classes. She has been teaching college psychology for twenty years. Prior to her work in higher education, Savarese supervised a foster care program for children with special needs. She has extensive experience working with children with special needs and their families. She has also worked with adults with disabilities to help them find greater independence and become more integrated in their communities.

Education: MS, Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology; BS, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Research Interests: Children with special needs and their families

Olivia Steenbergh began working with Purdue Global in 2020. Steenbergh began teaching Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) courses as a part time adjunct instructor. She now serves as full time faculty teaching and leading undergraduate psychology and ABA courses. Steenbergh has worked in the field of pediatric ABA since 2015, became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2018, and enjoys bringing her experience to the classroom.

Education:  MEd, Wayne State University; BS, Rochester University          

Certifications:  Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Research Interests:  Autism Spectrum Disorder, Trauma-Informed Care, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Dee Strbiak teaches various undergraduate courses in psychology and also designed two courses. She has worked in private psychiatric hospitals and with the military, active in the chemical dependency field, trauma field, and workplace violence area for over 27 years. In addition to teaching in an online environment, Strbiak does training, consulting, and has private therapy clients. She is the director of a DUI treatment agency in which clients are court-ordered to attend treatment due to a drinking and driving offense. Strbiak is also a Cool Tools reviewer.

Education: PsyD, California Southern University; MA, University of Northern Colorado; BA, Metropolitan State College of Denver

Memberships: Virtual Difference Makers

Marjorie Vandemark teaches a variety of courses in undergraduate psychology. She works with a team within the Psychology Department on initiatives to increase the success of first-time students, improve retention rates, and encourage degree completion. Currently, she is doing post-graduate work in co-occurring disorders and addiction at Purdue Global to advance her skills in clinical treatment. Prior to coming to Purdue Global, she taught psychology and sociology at several local colleges both in person and online. Vandemark has an extensive clinical background that includes outpatient and inpatient treatment, crisis intervention, and community-based behavioral health with populations ranging from early childhood to elderly adults. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Behavior Specialist in Pennsylvania.

Education: MA, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Honors and Achievements: 2017 Outstanding Professor in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; 2017 TIP Conference presentation on academic self-efficacy

Karen Watson is a full-time adjunct faculty member at Purdue Global while also teaching at Washtenaw Community College in Michigan. She has worked as a family development specialist, crisis counselor, home-based therapist, and individual and family therapist. Her experience and specializations include advocacy in the school system and juvenile/adult court programs, anger management, and substance abuse therapy.

Education: MS, California University of Pennsylvania; Graduate Certificate in Addictions, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global)

Honors and Achievements: 2016 and 2017 Outstanding Course Leader Award; presentation at 1st Annual Virtual Health and Wellness Fair (Kaplan University)

Shannon Weiss teaches courses in the applied behavior analysis program. Prior to her teaching career, she worked for over 8 years as a behavior analyst with children as young as 3 years old and adults over 80. Her work as a behavior analyst was done in a variety of settings including schools, private homes, group homes, residential facilities, and work settings. Previously, Weiss taught undergraduate courses in psychology for 6 years at several universities and a local community college. She is currently pursuing her PhD in general psychology.

Education: MS, BS, Southern Illinois University

Publications: Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities

Certifications: Board Certified Behavior Analyst^®

Honors and Achievements: 2018 Outstanding Course Lead Award (Purdue Global)

Research Interests: Applied behavior analysis for severe and dangerous behavior problems, preference assessments, feeding/eating problems, online education

Susan Wilson has taught various courses in the applied behavior analysis and general psychology master's degree program since 2011.

Education: PhD, Walden University; MS, Rhode Island College

Publications: Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities

Certifications: Board Certified Behavior Analyst; RI license in Behavior Analysis

Honors and Achievements: 2018 John DiMarco Leadership Award, West Bay Residential Services

Memberships: Association for Behavior Analysis International; RI Association for Behavior Analysis; CPNRI Best Practices Committee

Research Interests: Applied behavior analysis and psychiatric disorders