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Master of Professional Studies in
Psychology of Leadership
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Faculty

  • Barbara L. Watters
    • Ph.D., Psychology, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
    • M.S., Educational Psychology, Cornell University
    • B.A., Psychology, Penn State

    Dr. Barbara L. Watters is a professor of practice and the MPS program director. She has more than 15 years of university teaching experience in industrial/organizational psychology, leadership, social psychology, and research methods. She also has 13 years of business experience, working at a Fortune 500 company at its headquarters. Dr. Watters held positions in internal consulting and organizational effectiveness and has taught leaders and employees how to analyze business problems to improve their customer service, eliminate waste, create new products and services, and develop their skills.

  • Richard Bakken
    • Ph.D., Leadership Studies, University of San Diego
    • M.A.Ed., University of Phoenix
    • B.A., Wisconsin Lutheran College

    Dr. Richard Bakken is a member of the teaching faculty in the psychology of leadership program. An experienced educator, he also serves as associate director in OIT at Princeton University. His leadership research is focused on higher education administration in a global setting and student affairs, exploring the impact of native students attending western universities in Doha, Qatar. His research interests include applied leadership informing administrators how students describe their learning experiences in Western university environments and ways that technology can impact those processes.

  • James M. Dobbs
    • Ph.D., Leadership Studies, University of San Diego
    • M.A., Counseling and Leadership, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
    • M.S., Aeronautical Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
    • B.B.A., Business Management, University of New Mexico

    Dr. James M. Dobbs is an instructor of organizational management, psychology, and leadership. He has been a behavioral change agent for approximately 15 years, coaching and mentoring high-potential leaders who are thriving and successful, as well as those who are struggling and derailing. His research and writing involve leadership development and self-awareness, toxic leadership, cynicism, and assessment of leadership programs. He understands that the pace of change facing organizations requires multiple approaches to leadership development and requires more adaptive, flexible leadership.

  • Keith Gatto
    • Ph.D., Organizational Leadership, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
    • M.Ed., Psychology, Cambridge College
    • B.S., Business Administration and Marketing, Villanova University

    Dr. Keith Gatto has more than 25 years of experience in both industry and academics and has taught professionals domestically and internationally. His research and teaching focus is on the intersection of innovation, leadership, and positive psychology. He works extensively with Silicon Valley industry leaders on the development of positive employee mindsets that impact the culture and productivity of organizations. Before working in academics, Dr. Gatto worked in various organizations, including Vanguard, CIGNA, and MFS Investment Management.

  • Andrew D. Katayama
    • Ph.D., Educational Psychology, Mississippi State University
    • M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, Freed-Hardeman University
    • B.S.E., Secondary Education and Psychology, Freed-Hardeman University

    Dr. Andrew D. Katayama’s research and teaching foci have been in the areas of learning and cognition. He has taught courses in behavioral and cognitive psychology, educational psychology, research methods and statistics, and marriage and family. Dr. Katayama’s publications have been in the areas of learning strategies, team efficacy, assistive technology in special education, and sports psychology, among other areas of scholarship.

  • George Mastroianni
    • Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, University of New Hampshire
    • M.A., Experimental Psychology, University of New Hampshire
    • M.A., International Relations, San Francisco State University
    • B.S., Psychology, Georgetown University

    Dr. George Mastroianni teaches courses in the psychology of leadership. Having served in the U.S. Army as a research psychologist, Dr. Mastroianni has considerable experience conducting applied psychological research to solve problems, evaluate new equipment, and measure and improve human performance. He has also published extensively on obedience, ethics, and leadership. His current research and scholarship focus on the psychology of the Holocaust.

  • Paul Obidinski
    • J.D., University at Buffalo, School of Law
    • B.S., Psychology, Penn State

    Professor Obidinski teaches several courses, including Ethics and Leadership and the Psychology of Leading Work Groups and Teams. Over the course of his career, he has served as an attorney in private practice and has held executive leadership roles in ethics, compliance, and human resources at several Fortune 100 companies. He works closely with professional athletes on career management initiatives and with small businesses on employee and business development projects.

  • Peter Reiley
    • Ph.D., Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Penn State
    • M.A., Organizational Leadership, Chapman University
    • B.B.A., Management, Leadership, & Administration, University of Texas at San Antonio

    Dr. Peter Reiley has taught university-level courses in leadership, psychology, and management for more than a decade. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience ranging from leading a national nonprofit to service in the United States Air Force as a program manager for the multibillion-dollar U.S. space launch program, leading blended teams of military personnel, government civilians, and contractors from Fortune 500 companies. He is an international scholar with more than 50 publications and presentations on leadership, power, influence, and military veteran transition, and he has consulted for organizations across the government and private sectors.

  • Eileen Schiffer
    • Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of South Florida
    • M.A., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of South Florida
    • B.A., Psychology, University of South Florida

    Dr. Eileen Schiffer is an industrial organizational psychologist who has had a wide range of opportunities to support students and clients in their pursuits of their professional goals. Those experiences have included individual counseling, comprehensive project management, program development and evaluation, and training and support of others who shared a commitment to facilitating academic and professional growth of students and clients. Dr. Schiffer is an advocate and driver for high-quality online adult education.

  • Jill K. Wheeler
    • Ph.D., Industrial-Organizational Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park
    • M.A., Industrial-Organizational Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park
    • B.A., Psychology (Honors), Wayne State University

    Dr. Jill K. Wheeler is an instructor in the MPS in Psychology of Leadership program. In addition to teaching, she is a consultant with expertise in developing practical business solutions to help organizations succeed by selecting, developing, engaging, and retaining outstanding talent. She possesses a broad experience base, having worked for 20 years in Fortune 500 and privately held companies in a variety of industries. Dr. Wheeler has also authored or delivered more than 20 publications and presentations on topics including employee selection, job satisfaction, performance management, and leadership.

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