About

Who I Am

I’m an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at Northern Michigan University, an Adjunct Instructor at Capella University, and a Subject Matter Expert at Grand Canyon University. I also serve as the Director of the ASPIRE Research Lab. My interests change over time, and I’m fortunate to have the freedom to explore questions I care about. For the most part, my work brings together psychology, education, and Christian faith. I’m especially interested in how people are motivated, how they learn, how they grow spiritually, and how they live with purpose, often through the lens of identity and belonging — which is where ASPIRE came from: Attitudes, Spirituality, Positivity, Identity, Religion, Education.

I hold both a Ph.D. in Psychology and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. My research focuses on AI in the classroom, social identity, and positive psychology. I present at national and regional conferences, sharing insights on the ethical use of generative AI in education, HyFlex course design, and student success strategies.

Originally from England, I’m now a U.S. citizen living in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with my wife, although my heart is still partly in Austin, Texas, where I was when I first moved here. We have two adult children, two dogs, and two cats who keep life full and chaotic. I also enjoy watching the birds at my feeders beside my office window. If we’re ever on Zoom and you see me looking off to the left, there’s a good chance a new bird has arrived. My faith is the foundation of my work, my relationships, and the way I try to show up in the world each day, even while relying often on grace.

What I Do

At Northern Michigan University, I have taught undergraduate, honors, and master’s courses in psychology delivered in face-to-face, online, and HyFlex formats. Courses taught include Introduction to Psychological Science, Seminar for Psychology Majors, Lifespan Development, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Child Psychology, Adolescent Psychology, and Positive Psychology, along with honors seminars in Social Media and Development, Music and Social Identity, and Social Identity and Politics.

At Capella University, I have taught undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral psychology courses, including Adult Development and Aging, Human Lifespan Development, Stress, Trauma, and Wellness, Undergraduate Capstone, Foundations of Theory and Practice for Master’s Psychology Learners, Advocacy in Child and Adolescent Development, Introduction to Educational Psychology, and doctoral foundation courses.

At Grand Canyon University, I serve as a Subject Matter Expert, contributing to curriculum development and instructional design for psychology courses, and I have previously taught Social Psychology and Cultural Applications, as well as Psychology of Coaching.

I also provide doctoral mentoring at Capella University. At NMU, I’ve mentored more than 50 students through directed studies and independent research projects. These projects have been presented at university celebrations of research and national conferences, and several have been published in undergraduate peer-reviewed journals. I generally prefer presentations and teaching over traditional publication, but I hope to reboot ASPIRE research in the near future.

What I Care About

I care about students who don’t fit the mold. I care about research that serves people and has real application, not just publication value. If I can mentor a study where students learn how to manage anxiety using positive psychology, that matters more to me than prestige for its own sake. I care about integrating faith and scholarship in ways that honor both. I also care about helping educators face the challenges of AI without losing sight of the humanity needed in teaching. I believe AI can help us increase that humanity when used wisely.

My scholarship centers on three areas: AI in the classroom, social identity, and positive psychology. I’m currently writing a book on faculty training for generative AI based on my doctoral action research project. I’ve published research on anxiety and social media, and I continue to explore how faith, identity, and belonging intersect in education and student development.

I don’t separate my faith from my scholarship, my teaching, or my leadership. My goal is to help people pursue truth even when it is messy or uncomfortable, and to make sure everyone feels like they belong.

Beyond the Work

Although I spend much of my life in my office — what my wife calls my dungeon because it’s dark and I always seem to be trapped there — surrounded by books, plants, gnomes, and music she doesn’t especially enjoy, I do have a life outside of work. Outside of teaching and research, I love soccer, and I support Austin FC. When it comes to international games, my loyalties are still torn between England and the United States, where I’ve now spent more than half my life.

If something here is useful to you, whether you’re a student, a colleague, a reader, or someone simply trying to figure things out, I’m glad you found the site and decided to spend some time here.