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

Tricia Chandler has taught core courses, general courses, and chemical dependency tracts and read comprehensive exams since 2012. She is the lead of the addictions track, and is involved with revising those courses. She has presented an APA student webinar, as well as a presentation on resiliency in healing from PTSD for veterans in Psi Club.

Education: PhD, Saybrook University; MA, Naropa University; BFA, Northern Arizona University

Publications: A Journey Back to the Sacred Heart: Reclaiming Self After Childhood Trauma (ebook), Annals of Psychotherapy & Integrative Health, Encyclopedia of the History of Psychological Theories, An Integrated Body-Mind-Spirit Experience… or the Zen of Mountain Climbing, Spirituality, and Alternative Healing

Certifications: Master Addiction Counselor (NAADAC), Quantum Energetics Practitioner, HOMDi Homeopathy Diploma, AuraSoma Practitioner, Universal Life Minister, Reiki Master

Honors and Achievements: Young Scientist Award (ISSSEEM), Fine Art Award (NAU)

Memberships: American Psychotherapy Association, International Society for the Study of Subtle Energy & Energy Medicine, NAADAC

Research Interests: Integrative medicine; holistic and integrative practices for clinical work in trauma and co-occurring disorders

Nelly Dixon is a full-time faculty member in the Graduate Psychology Department of Purdue Global. She teaches numerous courses in graduate applied behavior analysis, contributes the development of the program's curriculum and competency assessments, and serves as course lead and mentor for fellow ABA faculty. Dixon began her career as a special education teacher, in which she built a successful program in applied behavior analysis at her school district before becoming an autism consultant and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Education: EdD, Walden University

Publications: Behavior Analysis Quarterly, Behavioral Science in the 21st Century

Honors and Achievements: Conference presentations, including Association for Behavior Analysis International; Faculty of the Year Award (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences)

Memberships: ABAI, NYSABA, Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, Behavior Analysis Certification Board (verified course sequence coordinator)

Research Interests: Behavioral approaches to increasing student engagement in online higher education, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

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

Elizabeth Donnellan teaches various undergraduate courses in the addiction studies program in the undergraduate psychology program. She serves as a curriculum expert in addictions and mentors both faculty and students in the addiction program. Prior to coming to Purdue Global, Donnellan worked in the fields of school counseling, mental health, crisis/rape counseling, trauma treatment, and addiction, where she also held licences in these areas. She also served as a federal grant reviewer for the Administration of Children and Families and Health and Human Services.

Education: MEd, Rhode Island College; BS, University of Maryland, College Park

Publications: Research articles, published textbooks

Honors and Achievements: Regular presentations at national conferences for behavioral health

Katherine Kellogg teaches several courses in the undergraduate psychology department focusing on applied behavior analysis. She joined Purdue Global as a part-time adjunct faculty member and later was promoted to full-time. Most recently, Kellogg was a clinical director of the ABA department at a therapeutic day center. She also serves as a BCBA supervisor for master’s students seeking certification.

Education: MS, Texas A&M University

Certifications: BCBA

Honors and Achievements: Up and Above Award (Purdue Global), 2019

Memberships: Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), North Carolina Applied Behavior Analysis (NCABA)

Research Interests: Functional behavior assessments, severe behavior, autism, motivating operations

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

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

Karen Stiles teaches course in introductory psychology and child and adolescent psychology. She has been a member of the General Education Literacy (GEL) Group in Social Science and currently serves on the Ethics GEL group to discuss and review new course assignment content. She also served as the program director for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for 2 years. Stiles has continued her studies in clinical psychology and education at the Center for Humanistic Studies/Michigan School of Professional Psychology in Detroit. Additionally she completed a clinical internship at St. Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, and an internship at MLK, Jr. Elementary School in Detroit. Stiles has been published in Capstone, the University’s literary journal. She has also written book, program, and curriculum reviews for the Youth Specialties Journal.

Education: MDiv, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg; BA, Thiel College

Honors and Achievements: 2012 Educator of the Year (Kaplan University)

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

Jason Waldow teaches various undergraduate communication courses. He joined Purdue Global first as a part-time adjunct faculty member and later as a full-time adjunct instructor. Previously, Waldow served as a journalist, PR consultant, and recently as an organizational communication consultant for international organizations. He has lectured in organizational culture, leadership, and public speaking for students furthering their professional journey in various fields.

Education: MS, City University of Seattle; BA, The Evergreen State College

Memberships: National Communication Association, International Communication Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington, ACLU

Research Interests: Cultural and organizational communication and cognitive executive function in higher education

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

Lisa Wright has worked at Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) for 10 years, where she is a professor in early childhood and teaches a wide variety of undergraduate courses in early childhood, with a special emphasis on assessment and autism spectrum disorders. She has designed and revised curriculum in numerous early childhood courses. She began her academic career in the physical therapy department at the University of Missouri, where she was a full-time clinical assistant professor. Wright has experience working in early intervention, rehabilitation hospitals, public schools, and the home environment. She is a licensed physical therapist and volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for the state of Florida, and is certified to teach K-12 children with exceptionalities.

Education: PhD, University of Missouri; MA, University of Missouri; BS, University of Missouri; Post-Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, Kaplan University (now Purdue University Global)

Publications: Research on interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders; reviews several professional organizations and journals

Honors and Achievements: Regular international conference presentations