I/O Alumni Careers

Industrial/Organizational Careers

From the start of the program in the early 1980s to the spring of 2023, the I/O program at Virginia Tech has matriculated 97 doctoral candidates, and 35 masters degree candidates who decided not to pursue their doctoral training. The list below contains the 135 names of the students graduating with a degree in I/O psychology from Virginia Tech. Names are organized by degree year. Names followed by "(2024)" are verified to be the current position titles/status of the alumni. The faculty of the I/O psychology program at Virginia Tech are extremely proud of the successes of our alumni!!

2023

Aaron Coombs, Ph.D., Colonel, U. S. Army (2024)

  • Aaron is Assistant Professor at the Amy War College, Carlisle, PA

Brandon Minton, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Brandon is a Statistician in Organizational Insights at State Farm, Atlanta, GA.  

Tanya Mitropoulos, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Tanya is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Radford University, Radford, VA

Teresa Ristow, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Teresa is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Radford University, Radford VA.

Vivian Zagarese, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Vivian is a post-doc at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, VA

2022

Molly Minnen Sloan, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Molly is Assistant Professor of Management in the College of Business at Radford University, Radford, VA.

Emily Rost McKissick, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Emily is a Research Scientist for the Personnel Selection & Development Program at Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), Alexandria, VA, and also serves as an adjunct faculty at St. Mary's College, St. Mary City, MD. 

2021

Elsheba Abraham, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Data Insight Consultant at Development Dimensions International, Pittsburgh, PA. Elsheba works remotely. 

Zachary Mastrich, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Zach is a Senior Data Scientist with MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA

Weiwen Nie, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Weiwen is a Research Consultant for Hogan Assessments, Tulsa, OK. Weiwen works remotely.

Manasia Sturdivant, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Manasia is a Senior Analyst - Selection and Assessments for Palo Alto Security, Palo Alto, CA. Manasia works remotely.

2020

Bryan Acton, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Bryan is Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior and Leadership in the School of Management at Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY

Bethany Bodo, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Bethany is the Assistant Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Office of Analytics and Institutional Effectiveness at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Jessica Gladfelter, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Jessica is a Personnel Psychologist in the Office of Employee Experience and Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC

Trevin Glasgow, Ph,D. (2024)

  • Trevin is Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Services at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville,  VA

Nicholas Flannery, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Nick is Senior Statistician at State Farm Insurance, Dunwoody, GA 

2019

Devin Carter, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Devin is Senior People Analyst at Bezos Academy. Devin works remotely.

2019

Maureen McCusker, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Maureen is Senior Manager, Talent Analytics-Exploration & Discovery at Mariott International, Bethesda Maryland. Maureen is Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Blackhawke Behavioral Science and is an Adjunct Professional Lecturer in the Department of Management at American University, both located in Washington, DC

Micah Roediger, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Micah is a Data Science Technical Integrator with MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA

2017

Yashna Shah, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Yashna is a Research Scientist, Global Hiring Science, Amazon, Washington DC.

2016

Nikita Arun, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Niki is the Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Industrial-Organizational Masters of Professional Studies program at the University of Maryland, Bethesda, MD

2015

Patrick Coyle, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Patrick is Assistant Professor of Management and Leadership the College of Business at LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA

Chris Downing, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Chris is Assistant Professor in Department of Psychology at Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA

Katie Snead Boyd, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Katie is Executive Director of Academic Insight and Director of Auburn University’s Quality Enhancement Plan, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

2014

Michael Ekema, M.S. (2024)

  • After completing his masters degree at Virginia Tech, Michael earned a Ph.D. from the City University of New York and Baruch College in 2022. Michael is currently Professor of Management/Human Resource Management at California State University at Long Beach. 

Shane M. McCarty, M.S. (2024)

  • Shane is the Executive Director and Research Scientist at Promote Care and Prevent Harm, Washington, DC.

Matt Fornito, M.S. (2024)

  • Matt is CEO and Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer at start-up company currently operating in stealth mode, Mountain View, WY. 

Samantha Garrett, M.S. (2024)

  • Samantha went on to complete a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology at South Florida University in 2015. Samantha is a Strategic Account Manager at Tivly, Sarasota, FL

2013

Andrew Miller M.S. (2024)

  • Andrew is Senior Research Associate and Leader of the Fleet Focuses and Industries Application group in the Division of Freight, Transit, and Heavy Vehicle Safety at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, Blacksburg, VA

Ryan Smith, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Ryan is Transportation Research analyst in the Office of Highway Safety at the National Transportation Safety Board, Washington, DC

Nicole Thompson, Ph.D. (updated 2020)

  • Nicole is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Washington, DC

Sarah Allgood Wills, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Sarah is an Independent Consultant in Chicago, IL

2012

Mark David Scott, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Mark is Principal, People Analytics at Carta, San Francisco, CA. 

2011

Robert Knee, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Rob is Senior Consultant in the Office of Transformation and Change Management at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.

Scott Moshier, M.S. (2024)

  • Scott is the Director of Human Resources at Practicing the Way.

2010

Jaron Holmes, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Jaron is a Personnel Research Psychologist in the Human Resources Services division of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Washington, DC

Shujing (Jessie Huang) Hyland, M.S. (2024)

  • Jessie is Director, Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) Analytics and Insights at the Association of American Medical Colleges, Fairfax, VA

Emilee Tison, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Emilee is a Peoples Analytics Manager at Meta, Washington, DC

2009

Trevor Byrd, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Trevor is Director of Performance Analytics at Richardson Sales Performance, Charlotte, NC

Patrice Esson, Ph.D. (updated 2023)

  • Patrice is Associate Dean in the Department of English at Humber College, Toronto, Canada. Although Patrice's official title is English department, her position is in the   college is administration, human resources. 

Rolanda Findlay, Ph.D., Lieutenant Commander, U.S.Navy, retired (updated 2021)

  • Rolanda is Founder & Principal of Follow Your Freebird, LLC, Miami, FL. Rolanda proudly served as a US Naval Officer and Aerospace Experimental Psychologist from 2009-2021

Rebecca Hoffner-Prilliman, Ph.D.

2008

Cynthia Fife Immel, M.S. (2024)

  • Cynthia is Talent Development Manager at Penske located in AZ. Cynthia works remotely. 

Daniel LeBreton, Ph.D. (2024) 

  • Dan is a Partner at rhr International, Brentwood, TN 

Nadine LeBarron Mcbride, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Nadine is Psychometrics Manager for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). NREMT is headquartered in Columbus, OH, but Nadine works remotely.

Julie Kalanick Osowski, Ph.D. (updated 2017)

  • Julie is a Senior Research Psychologist at the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, Washington, DC 

2007

Victoria Robson, Ph.D. (2023)

  • Victoria is Director of Analytics and Enrollment Strategy at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

Corrie Whitmore, M.S.  (2024)

  • After earning her master's degree in I/O, Corrie switched tracks and completed her Ph.D. in Developmental Science. Corrie is Associate Professor Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage Alaska. Corrie is past president and current board member of the American Evaluation Society

2006

Eugene Kutcher, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Gene is Dean of the Norm Brodsky College of Business at Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ

2005

Matthew Trippe, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Matt is Supervisory Personnel Psychologist at United States Department of Defense, Washington DC. Matt works remotely from Louisville, KY.

Yvette Quintela, Ph.D. (2024) 

  • Yvette is a Senior Principal at Mecer | Sirota, Washington, DC

2004

Rachel Backert, M.S. (updated 2013)

  • Rachel is a Manager of Organizational Development at Mary Washington Health Care, Glen Allen, Virginia

Ty Breland, Ph.D. (2023)

  • Ty is Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Marriott International, Inc., Washington DC 

Lisa (Wan Yin Chang) Hsu, M.S. (updated 2021)

  • Founder and Director of Ni Hao Chinese Schools, Torrence, CA

Leifur Geir Hafsteinsson, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Leifur is Head of Performance Management at Sidekick Health, Reykjavik, Iceland. 

Kristina Meacham, M.S. (2024)

  • Kristina is Senior Researcher at the Society for Human Resource Management, Alexandria, VA 

2003

Kevin Bradley, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Kevin is Principal Scientist at Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), Alexandria, VA. Keven also works with the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

Steven R. Burnkrant, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Steve Burnkrant is a Lead Personnel Research Psychologist in the Organizational Assessment (OA) section of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Denver, CO

Amy Gershenoff Hayes, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Amy is a Managing Director at Russell Reynolds Associates, Atlanta, GA 

Heather Hayes, M.S. (2024)

  • After completing her Master's degree, Heather earned a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology at Georgia Tech in 2012.  Heather is Senior Lead Psychometrician in the College of Information Technology, Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, UT.

Andrea Sinclair, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Andrea Sinclair is a Program Manager and Senior Scientist at the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), Louisville, KY.

2002

S. Bartholomew Craig, Ph.D. (2023)

  • Bart is Director of Graduate Training and Associate Head of the Psychology Department at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.

Joan McMahon, Ph.D. (updated 2022)

  • Joan is an Professor Emerirtus in the Luter School of Business at Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA.

Chris Sanders, M.S. (2024)

  • Chris is Principal Investigator (Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) for Resonance, New York, NY.

Dana Byrd, M.S. (2024)

  • Dana is Director of Talent Management, Prudential Financial, Charlotte, NC

Patrick Gavan O'Shea, Ph.D, (2024)

  • Gavan is Manager of Creative Services in the Business Development Division at the Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), Louisville, KY, office, and is currently supporting several assessment development efforts for the International Coaching Federation

Alisa Watt Schoenleber, M.S. (2024)

  • Alisa went on to finish her Ph.D. in Management at Rennselear Polytechnic University. She is DEI Portfolio Manager and Finance HR Leader at GE Healthcare, New York, NY.

2001

Tammy Bess, M.S.

Shanan G. Gibson, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Shanan is Professor in Management, Marketing and Operations Department and Dean of the O'Maley College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 

Melissa Gratias, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Melissa is Founder & Principal of Progress Not Perfection Consulting, Savannah, GA

Eran Hollander, M.S. (2024)

  • Eran is Chief Product Office at HungerRush, Houston, TX. Eran works remotely.

Greg Lemmond, M.S. 

2000

Carl Swander, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Carl is President and CEO of Ergometrics & Applied Personnel Research, Inc. and President and CEO of the National Testing Network, both in Lynnwood, WA

1999

Emily Stimpson Blue, M.S.

Jason DePasquale, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Jason is Deputy Assistant Administrator, Training & Development at the Transportation Security Administration, Washington, DC

Nicole Jalbert, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Niki is Founder & Principal Consultant of Miramar Consulting Group, Half Moon Bay, CA 

Kevin Keller, M.S. (2024)

  • Kevin is Graduate Medical Education Coordinator, Emergency Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth Health, Richmond, VA.  

Timothy McGonigle, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Vice President of Operations at Human Resources Research Organization (HumRRO), Alexandria, VA

Scott Parrill, M.S. (2024)

  • Scott is Vice President of Investments, Stifel Financial Corporation, Dallas, TX

Adam Prowker, M.S. (2024)

  • After completing his Master's degree, Adam earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Measurement from Rutgers University. Adam is Director of Global Business Intelligence at Norstella, Morrisville, PA. Adam works remotely from Flemington, NJ

Joshua Williams, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Josh is Partner, Human Performance and Business Transformation at Propulo Consulting. Josh works remotely from Blacksburg, VA.

1998

Stephen Atkins, Ph.D., U.S. Air Force, retired (updated 2023)

  • Stephen is Principal Lecturer in Applied Management in the business school at Otago Polytechnic, Dunedin, New Zealand 

Laurie Buchanan, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Laurie is Senior Research Associate at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.

Theresa Cullen Korbar, M.S. (updated, 2022)

  • Theresa is Organizational Development Manager with San Diego Gas and Electric, San Diego, CA

Rachel Fredholm DeSpain, M.S. (2024)

  • Rachel operates a retreat for cancer survivors in Koloa, on the island of Kauai, HI. Rachel recently authored “A Wild Ride: Reclaiming my Edge after Cancer." 

Jean-Anne Schmidt, M.S. (2024)

  • Jean-Anne is Senior Director of Qualitative Research at Escalent, Charlotte, NC 

1997

Kevin J. Basik, M.S., US Air Force, retired, (2024)

  • Chief of Leadership Programs, National Medal of Honor Institute, Arlington, VA. Kevin works remotely from Charlotte, NC. 

Reagan Brown, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Reagan is a Professor of Psychology at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

Jeffrey Smith, Ph.D. (updated 2023)

  • Jeff works in private equity in New York City

Leslie Thomas, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Leslie is Chief Psychometric and Strategy Officer at Kryterion, Phoenix AZ

1996

Thomas, Dallam, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Thomas is Founder and Senior Partner at Modern Executive Solutions. 

Steven C. Morgan, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Steve is Founder and Principal Consultant of President of Performance Insight, LLC, Lancaster, PA.  

Dwayne Norris, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Dwayne is Chief People and Cultural Officer at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington, DC.

Daniel P. Russell, M.S. (2024)

  • Dan is Partner, Head of Assessment, and Head of Products, Data & Insights Leader at rhr International, Atlanta, GA.

Paige Porter Wolf, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Paige is Associate Dean, Graduate Programs, in the College of Business at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

1995

Heather Roberts Fox, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Heather is Senior Lecturer in the the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Anne Holloway-Lundy, M.S. (2024)

  • Anne is Supervisory Personnel Research Psychologist at the Office of Personnel Management, Dallas, TX

Yuqing Ni, M.S. (updated 2020)

  • Yuqing is a Senior Data Consultant at Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA 

Darren Ritzer, Ph.D. (2023)

  • Darren is Department Chair and Professor of Psychology at Winthrop University, Rock Hill, NC

Maureen Walsh, Ph.D.

1994

Thomas Berry, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Tom is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Christopher Newport University, Newport New, VA

Sharon Conti Flinder, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Sharon is the Executive Director of Applied Psychology at Transformation Systems, Inc., Washington D.C. 

Diana Corrigan, M.S. (updated 2021)

  • Diana Corrigan is a Human Resources Officer in the Bureau of Global Talent at the U.S. Department of State, Falls Church, VA 

Kathleen Duffin, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Kathy is a Director of Human Resources at Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for the State of Colorado, Denver, CO

Justin Rueb, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Justin is Professor of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI, and President of Aspiring Heights, LLC, Mosinee, WI

1993

Marcus Cowgill, Ph.D.

Stuart E. Greenberg, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Stuart is Vice President, Client Solutions at Inspire, Bridgewater, New Jersey. Stuart works remotely.

Amy Russell Hartley, M.S. (2024)

  • Amy is Vice President of Human Resources for Alfa Laval, Richmond, VA.

Pat Marshall, Ph.D. (updated 2013)

  • Pat is the Principal of Organizational Strategies, LLC, New York, NY 

Dean Stamoulis, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Dean is the Managing Director of Russell Reynolds Associates, Atlanta GA  

Marta Carter Wilson, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Marta is CEO of Transformation Systems Inc. (TSI), Washington, DC 

1992

Robert Brill, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Bob is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA 

Jerry Bush, M.S. (2024)

  • Jerry is the Assessment Systems Manager for the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy, Washington, D.C.

Michelle Rozhon, M.S.

1991

Lance Becker, Ph.D. 

  • Lance passed away in 2019; he was Founder & Principal of Lance Becker & Associates, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

Monnie Bittle, Ph.D. (Updated 2020)

  • Monnie is founder and Chief Executive Officer of Executive Decisions International, LLC, Chicago, IL

Elizabeth Brownlee Kolmstetter, Ph.D. (2023)

  • Liz is Chief People Officer at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Washington, DC

1990

Joanne Mac Donlin, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Joanne is Team Leader of Product Innovation at MetrixLab, Morristown, NJ

Margery Hall, Ph.D.

Carissa Luch, M.S. (2024)

  • Carissa is a Senior Consumer Research Manager at Kimberly-Clark, Oshkosh, WI

1989

Paul Levy, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Paul is Vice President and Chief of Staff at The University of Akron, Akron, OH 

Steve Walker, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Steve is Senior Vice President of Organizational Development at Citizens Bank, Stamford, CT

Kathryn Welch, Ph.D.

1988

Liz Evenson, Ph.D.

Mary McCoy, Ph.D.

Larry Shetzer, Ph.D.

1987

Denise Long, M.S.

Jim Nimmer, Ph.D.

James Austin, Ph.D. (2024)

  • Jim has retired after thirty years of service at The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH! Jim keeps busy doing private consulting these days. 

Pete Villinova, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Pete is Professor of Management in the Walker School of Business at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

1985 and prior years

Laura Donnelly, Ph.D. 

Barry Riegelhaupt, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Barry is a Vice President, Advisory Services at Optum, Alpharetta, GA

Greg Dobbins, Ph.D.

  • In 1995, Greg was a Professor in the I/O Psychology program at the University of Tennessee and a rising star in the field of Industrial/Organizational psychology when he suddenly passed away.

Robert Cardy, Ph.D. 

  • Bob is Professor Emeritus and former Chair of the Department of Management in the College of Business at the University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX

Joseph Orban, Ph.D.

  • Joseph retired in 2017 as an Applied Psychological Measurement and Research Consultant.  

Earl Pence, Ph.D. (updated 2021)

  • Earl is Founder and Principal of Executive Coaching and Consulting, Fredricksburg, VA

David Reichel, Ph.D. (updated 2024)

  • David retired in 2017 after working at several Fortune 500 companies across his career, with specializations in organizational development and executive compensation.