Faculty and Staff - Coastal Carolina University

Psychology Faculty

in alphabetical order
	Bernard Albiniak, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 202 \| 843-349-2273 \| albiniak@coastal.edu Bernard Albiniak earned a Ph.D. in 1976 from the University of South Carolina. He teaches courses in substance abuse, statistics, research methods, and health psychology. His research interests involve the cognitive impairments associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as they impact on academic performance. He also is involved in forensic consultation in a variety of criminal proceedings.
	Kimberly Baker, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| kbaker@coastal.edu
	Kelly Black, Visiting Assistant Professor Brittain Hall 208 \| 843-349-2247 \| kblack@coastal.edu Kelly Black earned her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Georgia in 1989. She teaches courses in Research Methods in Psychology and Principles of Psychological Testing and Measurement. Dr. Black has published research on strategies to promote sexual health, satisfaction with health care access and services, and the health risks to Hazardous Materials responders. Her current interest is on the psychological factors that contribute to the excessive use of credit and accumulation of debt in young adults.
	Miranda Brenneman, Assistant Professor Brittain Hall 213 \| 843-349-4035 \| brenneman@coastal.edu Miranda Brenneman earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and behavior in 2008 from Northern Illinois University. She teaches courses in cognitive psychology, physiological basis of behavior, and research methods. Her research interests include the effects of cognitive impairment after stroke, especially in patients under age 65, and mechanisms of recovery and compensation after stroke.
	Kevin Carlson, Visiting Assistant Professor Brittain Hall 211 \| 843-349-6417 \| kcarlson@coastal.edu Kevin Carlson earned his Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He currently teaches courses in general psychology, statistics, and research methods. His research interests include romantic attachment, transgender identity development, and first-generation college students.
	Laurie Denny, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| ldenny@coastal.edu
	Roberta Dihoff, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| rdihoff@coastal.edu
	Bert Hayslip, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| bhayslip@coastal.edu Bert Hayslip is a Teaching Associate for the Department and a Regents Professor Emeritus at the University of North Texas. he teaches classes in aging and in death and dying. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Gerontological Society of America, and The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. An Associate Editor of Experimental Aging Research and of Developmental Psychology, his coauthored books include Emerging Perspectives on Resilience in Adulthood and Later Life (Springer, 2012), Resilient grandparent caregivers: A strengths-based perspective (Routledge, 2012), .Adult Development and Aging (Krieger, 2011), and Parenting the Custodial Grandchild (Springer, 2008). He is Co-PI on a NINR funded project exploring interventions to improve the functioning of grandparent caregivers.
	William E. Hills, Professor Brittain Hall 217 \| 843-349-2276 \| hillsw@coastal.edu ‌William E. Hills earned a Ph.D. (1987) and a Master of Science (1982) from the University of Georgia, and a master’s degree in social work (1993). He teaches courses in introductory psychology, gerontology, and history and systems of psychology, and he is currently the director of CCU's Bachelor’s Certificate Program in Gerontology. His research interests are focused in the area of gerontology, and he has recently returned after spending a semester teaching and speaking on topics of gerontology in Russia.
	Christine Hodges, Teaching Associate Coastal Science Center 160M \| 843-349-2275 \| chodges@coastal.edu
	Yashica Holmes-Smith, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| yholmess@coastal.edu
	JongHan Kim, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 211 \| 843-349-4168 \| jkim@coastal.edu JongHan Kim earned a Ph.D. in social psychology in 2004 from the University of Maryland, College Park. He teaches courses in statistics, research methods, and social psychology. He has conducted research on self-presentation, interpersonal attraction, decision making and cultural psychology. Undergraduate students planning to apply to psychology graduate programs and wish to gain research experience as research assistants should contact him.
	William King, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 228 \| 843-349-2270 \| kingw@coastal.edu William King earned a Ph.D. in physiological psychology in 1980 from the University of California, Los Angeles. He teaches courses in physiological psychology, statistics, research methods, animal behavior, behavior genetics and human neuropsychology. He has conducted research on conditioned taste aversion, and on the effects of amphetamines and LSD on social behavior. His current interests are in methods of teaching undergraduate statistics using open source computer software. Visit his website »
	Megan McIlreavy, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 224 \| 843-349-2728 \| mmcilrea@coastal.edu ‌Megan McIlreavy earned a Ph.D. in developmental science from Virginia Tech in 2006. She teaches courses in general psychology, developmental psychology, and sensation and perception. Her research interests center around infant and early childhood development. More specifically, she is interested in the development of attention (visual and auditory processes), speech perception and language development.
	Cynthia Nycum, Teaching Associate Coastal Science Center 160M \| 843-349-2275 \| cnycum@coastal.edu
	Linda Palm, Professor Brittain Hall 206 \| 843-349-2272 \| palml@coastal.edu Linda Palm earned a Ph.D. in 1980 from the University of South Florida. She teaches courses in statistics, research methoda, child and adolescent psychology, history and systems of psychology, and principles of learning. She has worked in program evaluation in the fields of academic under-achievement and child and adolescent mental health. She has also conducted research in animal learning and human cognition.
	Terry Pettijohn, Professor, Department Chair Brittain Hall 212 \| 843-349-6447 \| pettijohn@coastal.edu Terry Pettijohn earned a Ph.D. in social psychology in 1999 from the University of Georgia. He teaches courses in social psychology, and research methods. Pettijohn has conducted research in the areas of interpersonal attraction, relationships, how environmental conditions influence social preferences, and the psychology of teaching. His current interests include investigations of his environmental security hypothesis related to music preferences and components of physical attraction. Visit his website »
	Joan Piroch, Professor Brittain Hall 205 \| 843-349-2271 \| pirochj@coastal.edu Joan Piroch is an experimental psychologist. She earned a Master of Science from Western Washington University and a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. She teaches a senior level research capstone course, and sensation and perception. Her research interests include human learning, memory and cognition, learning applications in the classroom, biofeedback and stress management. She has conducted both human and animal research.
	Kerry A. Schwanz, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 229 \| 843-349-4167 \| kaschwan@coastal.edu Kerry A. Schwanz earned a Ph.D. in 2001 from the University of Georgia. She teaches courses in abnormal psychology, general psychology, school psychology and exceptional children, and psychological testing. Her research interests are in the areas of psychosocial and behavioral predictors of academic success in school-age and college-age students, and academic and social outcomes related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Before joining the faculty at CCU, Schwanz worked as a certified school psychologist in South Carolina.
	Theresa Stanton, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 212 \| 843-349-2275 \| tstanton@coastal.edu
	Andrew M. Terranova, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 209 \| 843-349-4034 \| terranova@coastal.edu Andrew M. Terranova earned a Ph.D. in applied developmental psychology from the University of New Orleans in 2006. He teaches courses covering development, psychopathology, research methods and the history of psychology. His research interests center around the risk factors associated with the development of aggressive and antisocial behaviors and coping with stressors such as peer victimization, natural disasters and political violence.
	Carylynn Varn, Teaching Associate Wall 317 \| 843-349-2275 \| cfvar@coastal.edu

in alphabetical order
	Bernard Albiniak, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 202 \| 843-349-2273 \| albiniak@coastal.edu Bernard Albiniak earned a Ph.D. in 1976 from the University of South Carolina. He teaches courses in substance abuse, statistics, research methods, and health psychology. His research interests involve the cognitive impairments associated with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as they impact on academic performance. He also is involved in forensic consultation in a variety of criminal proceedings.
	Kimberly Baker, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| kbaker@coastal.edu
	Kelly Black, Visiting Assistant Professor Brittain Hall 208 \| 843-349-2247 \| kblack@coastal.edu Kelly Black earned her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Georgia in 1989. She teaches courses in Research Methods in Psychology and Principles of Psychological Testing and Measurement. Dr. Black has published research on strategies to promote sexual health, satisfaction with health care access and services, and the health risks to Hazardous Materials responders. Her current interest is on the psychological factors that contribute to the excessive use of credit and accumulation of debt in young adults.
	Miranda Brenneman, Assistant Professor Brittain Hall 213 \| 843-349-4035 \| brenneman@coastal.edu Miranda Brenneman earned a Ph.D. in neuroscience and behavior in 2008 from Northern Illinois University. She teaches courses in cognitive psychology, physiological basis of behavior, and research methods. Her research interests include the effects of cognitive impairment after stroke, especially in patients under age 65, and mechanisms of recovery and compensation after stroke.
	Kevin Carlson, Visiting Assistant Professor Brittain Hall 211 \| 843-349-6417 \| kcarlson@coastal.edu Kevin Carlson earned his Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He currently teaches courses in general psychology, statistics, and research methods. His research interests include romantic attachment, transgender identity development, and first-generation college students.
	Laurie Denny, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| ldenny@coastal.edu
	Roberta Dihoff, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| rdihoff@coastal.edu
	Bert Hayslip, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| bhayslip@coastal.edu Bert Hayslip is a Teaching Associate for the Department and a Regents Professor Emeritus at the University of North Texas. he teaches classes in aging and in death and dying. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Gerontological Society of America, and The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. An Associate Editor of Experimental Aging Research and of Developmental Psychology, his coauthored books include Emerging Perspectives on Resilience in Adulthood and Later Life (Springer, 2012), Resilient grandparent caregivers: A strengths-based perspective (Routledge, 2012), .Adult Development and Aging (Krieger, 2011), and Parenting the Custodial Grandchild (Springer, 2008). He is Co-PI on a NINR funded project exploring interventions to improve the functioning of grandparent caregivers.
	William E. Hills, Professor Brittain Hall 217 \| 843-349-2276 \| hillsw@coastal.edu ‌William E. Hills earned a Ph.D. (1987) and a Master of Science (1982) from the University of Georgia, and a master’s degree in social work (1993). He teaches courses in introductory psychology, gerontology, and history and systems of psychology, and he is currently the director of CCU's Bachelor’s Certificate Program in Gerontology. His research interests are focused in the area of gerontology, and he has recently returned after spending a semester teaching and speaking on topics of gerontology in Russia.
	Christine Hodges, Teaching Associate Coastal Science Center 160M \| 843-349-2275 \| chodges@coastal.edu
	Yashica Holmes-Smith, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 231 \| 843-349-2275 \| yholmess@coastal.edu
	JongHan Kim, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 211 \| 843-349-4168 \| jkim@coastal.edu JongHan Kim earned a Ph.D. in social psychology in 2004 from the University of Maryland, College Park. He teaches courses in statistics, research methods, and social psychology. He has conducted research on self-presentation, interpersonal attraction, decision making and cultural psychology. Undergraduate students planning to apply to psychology graduate programs and wish to gain research experience as research assistants should contact him.
	William King, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 228 \| 843-349-2270 \| kingw@coastal.edu William King earned a Ph.D. in physiological psychology in 1980 from the University of California, Los Angeles. He teaches courses in physiological psychology, statistics, research methods, animal behavior, behavior genetics and human neuropsychology. He has conducted research on conditioned taste aversion, and on the effects of amphetamines and LSD on social behavior. His current interests are in methods of teaching undergraduate statistics using open source computer software. Visit his website »
	Megan McIlreavy, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 224 \| 843-349-2728 \| mmcilrea@coastal.edu ‌Megan McIlreavy earned a Ph.D. in developmental science from Virginia Tech in 2006. She teaches courses in general psychology, developmental psychology, and sensation and perception. Her research interests center around infant and early childhood development. More specifically, she is interested in the development of attention (visual and auditory processes), speech perception and language development.
	Cynthia Nycum, Teaching Associate Coastal Science Center 160M \| 843-349-2275 \| cnycum@coastal.edu
	Linda Palm, Professor Brittain Hall 206 \| 843-349-2272 \| palml@coastal.edu Linda Palm earned a Ph.D. in 1980 from the University of South Florida. She teaches courses in statistics, research methoda, child and adolescent psychology, history and systems of psychology, and principles of learning. She has worked in program evaluation in the fields of academic under-achievement and child and adolescent mental health. She has also conducted research in animal learning and human cognition.
	Terry Pettijohn, Professor, Department Chair Brittain Hall 212 \| 843-349-6447 \| pettijohn@coastal.edu Terry Pettijohn earned a Ph.D. in social psychology in 1999 from the University of Georgia. He teaches courses in social psychology, and research methods. Pettijohn has conducted research in the areas of interpersonal attraction, relationships, how environmental conditions influence social preferences, and the psychology of teaching. His current interests include investigations of his environmental security hypothesis related to music preferences and components of physical attraction. Visit his website »
	Joan Piroch, Professor Brittain Hall 205 \| 843-349-2271 \| pirochj@coastal.edu Joan Piroch is an experimental psychologist. She earned a Master of Science from Western Washington University and a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. She teaches a senior level research capstone course, and sensation and perception. Her research interests include human learning, memory and cognition, learning applications in the classroom, biofeedback and stress management. She has conducted both human and animal research.
	Kerry A. Schwanz, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 229 \| 843-349-4167 \| kaschwan@coastal.edu Kerry A. Schwanz earned a Ph.D. in 2001 from the University of Georgia. She teaches courses in abnormal psychology, general psychology, school psychology and exceptional children, and psychological testing. Her research interests are in the areas of psychosocial and behavioral predictors of academic success in school-age and college-age students, and academic and social outcomes related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Before joining the faculty at CCU, Schwanz worked as a certified school psychologist in South Carolina.
	Theresa Stanton, Teaching Associate Brittain Hall 212 \| 843-349-2275 \| tstanton@coastal.edu
	Andrew M. Terranova, Associate Professor Brittain Hall 209 \| 843-349-4034 \| terranova@coastal.edu Andrew M. Terranova earned a Ph.D. in applied developmental psychology from the University of New Orleans in 2006. He teaches courses covering development, psychopathology, research methods and the history of psychology. His research interests center around the risk factors associated with the development of aggressive and antisocial behaviors and coping with stressors such as peer victimization, natural disasters and political violence.
	Carylynn Varn, Teaching Associate Wall 317 \| 843-349-2275 \| cfvar@coastal.edu