I/O Psychology Faculty - Office of Professional Programs

Elliot Lasson, Ph.D. | Program Director

Ph.D., I/O Psychology, Wayne State University
M.A., I/O Psychology, Wayne State University
B.A., Psychology, UMBC

Dr. Elliot Lasson is Professor of the Practice and Graduate Program Director of the Master’s of I/O Psychology at UMBC, where he has been teaching since 2009. He has over two decades of overall experience in teaching and mentoring aspiring I/O and HR professionals. Some of his research and applied interests are generational cohort differences in the workplace, the recruitment-selection process, and performance management. At UMBC, he has taught several courses including Job Analysis. Methods of Assessment, and Seminar in Applied Social Psychology. Dr. Lasson is often called upon by his students for career guidance and the facilitation of internship and employment opportunities. He has also given popular workshops on behalf of the Universities at Shady Grove Career & Internship Services Center on topics such as workplace professionalism and preparing for job interviews.

Dr. Lasson is a Human Resources professional with considerable experience in designing, validating, and implementing recruitment and staffing solutions. Elliot has led various organizational development, training, and change management initiatives and combines solution-oriented approach with a strategic “big picture” approach.

Elliot is also an advisor to organizations with Lasson Talent Solutions. In this capacity, he supports for-profit, nonprofit, and public sector organizations around the world. Previously, he served as Executive Director of HR for Joblink of Maryland, a nonprofit organization supporting the employment objectives of members of the Baltimore Jewish community. His blog on workplace and career topics Elliot@Work has a wide readership nationally and he has been invited locally on WBAL Radio and Fox 45 to chat about the job market.

Dr. Lasson’s specialties and interests include talent management, staffing, assessment workforce planning, measurement, training, assessment, coaching, leadership development, performance management, organizational development, employment law, and interviewing.

Dr. Lasson received his B.A. from UMBC in Psychology with a certificate in Personnel Administration and went on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from Wayne State University in Michigan. He also holds a Bachelor’s in Talmudic Law from Ner Israel College in Baltimore. Elliot is a two-term past President of the Mid-Atlantic Personnel Assessment Consortium. In 2009, he was appointed to the by Governor Martin O’Malley to Maryland’s Workforce Investment Board and served for two terms in that capacity. He is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources by HRCI and SCP by SHRM.

Elissa Abod, Ph.D. | Lecturer and Assistant Program Director

Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, George Mason University
M.A., Industrial Psychology, Fairleigh Dickinson University
B.A., Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University

Dr. Elissa Abod is a full-time lecturer in the Master’s of I/O Psychology Program at UMBC. She has over 15 years of applied research experience in the Washington, DC area. Clients include the US Army, the FBI, the FAA, and state law enforcement agencies. At Defense Logistics Agency, Dr. Abod provided organizational development support to senior leadership.

Dr. Abod’s primary areas of expertise are in the areas of job analysis, test development and validation, leadership development, organizational climate, survey research and design, and training and curriculum development. Her human resources background has focused on recruitment, onboarding, and training. Dr. Abod has a special interest in conflict resolution.

In addition to her expertise in I/O psychology, Dr. Abod has been teaching undergraduate psychology courses at local Maryland colleges since 2009. She has also taught graduate online courses in human resources management.

Dr. Abod earned her B.A. in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University. She received an M.A. in Industrial Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison, NJ. Once she settled in Maryland, she obtained a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University. She was also a fellow at the Army Research Institute.

Dr. Abod is a member of the American Psychological Association, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Society for the Teaching of Psychology. She holds a certificate in conflict resolution and mediation from Montgomery College.

Rana Balci-Sinha, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor
Ph.D., Engineering Science, Louisiana State University
M.S., Management, Istanbul University
M.S., Industrial Engineering, Marmara University
B.S., Industrial Engineering, Yildiz Technical University

Rana Balci-Sinha began teaching at UMBC at Shady Grove in 2011. She is currently an Engineering Psychologist for the U.S. Consumer Safety Commission, where she has conducted safety assessments for over 120 products, works with federal agencies and testing laboratories on industry standards, and performs surveys and evaluations to analyze her products. Previously, she has worked as a human factors engineer for Delphi Corporation.

Dr. Balci-Sinha has a Ph.D. in Engineering Science from Louisiana State University, a M.S. in Management from Istanbul University, a M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Marmara University, and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Yildiz Technical University. She was the chair of the Human Factors Committee for the SAE World Congress from 2002-2009. Dr. Balci-Sinha also holds a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Dr. Balci-Sinha has been published frequently and has presented on a variety of matters at domestic and international conferences. She is certified by The Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics and received the Society of Automotive Engineers Forest R. McFarland Award in 2003.

Sharrón Dean, CCP, MOM, PHR | Adjunct Instructor

M.A., Organizational Management, Antioch University
B.S., Education, Illinois State University

Sharrón Dean is a human resources professional with proven experience in human resources leadership development, diversity and inclusion training, developing and leading high performance teams, succession planning, and coaching in the areas of strategy implementation, and leadership. Currently as the Director of Human Resources at Communities in Schools, Ms. Dean directs all aspects of human resource generalist activities, programs and office administration. Prior to this role, she was the Director of Human Resources at a variety of organizations, including Wal*Mart, SuperValu, and HMSHost.

Ms. Dean possesses a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from Antioch University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Illinois State University. She is a graduate of the Georgetown University Certified Coaching Program, and is a Certified Birkman Consultant, Certified MBTI facilitator, as well as holds the national certification of Professional in Human Resources. Ms. Dean is also an adjunct instructor for Catholic University of America, Washington, DC.

You can also view Ms. Dean’s public LinkedIn profile.

Thomas J. Ettinger, MBA | Adjunct Instructor

M.B.A., Hofstra University
B.A., Adelphi University

Tom Ettinger has more than thirty years of experience in general management, human resources and consulting. His expertise is in the design of total rewards programs, organization development and in creating human resource management systems that support the operating and strategic needs of organizations. Tom’s consulting firm, www.tjettinger.com, has provided support to numerous organizations in both the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

As Vice President, Human Resources for the Martin Marietta Corporation he was accountable for the human resources and security functions for a vertically integrated international producer of advanced commercial and government communication and information systems. He directed the HR planning to support the sector’s strategic and operating objectives and was responsible for the effective implementation of staffing, compensation, benefits, employee and labor relations, OD/HRD, internal and external training, communications, safety, health and diversity programs.

Tom’s prior business experience includes senior human resource positions at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution and AIL Systems. He taught at the high school level after graduating from college.

Tom has taught at George Washington University as well as lecturing at the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins and Marymount University.

He obtained his BA from Adelphi University and MBA from Hofstra University. Tom has served on a number of boards and is active in community and professional organizations.

Nanmathi Manian, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Developmental Psychology, University of Wisconsin
M.S., Developmental Psychology, University of Wisconsin

Dr. Nanmathi Manian is a Westat Senior Study Director with 15 years of experience in research design and evaluation, focusing on children, youth, and families. She is a psychologist with in-depth knowledge of diverse content areas (child development, maternal and child mental health, and mental health services) as well as expertise in mixed-methods approaches to data collection and analyses. At Westat, she has conducted several national and international evaluations, focusing on topics such as reintegration of children from residential care facilities in Uganda, incorporation of trauma into community programs in rural and urban areas, and socio-emotional learning in classrooms across the US.

In addition, she has been a consultant for various NICHD and NIMH studies, and provided methodological expertise to students for their doctoral dissertations. Dr. Manian has delivered guest lectures at several institutions in the US and India, and has held prior adjunct teaching positions.

She received a Ph.D. and M.S. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and did a postdoctoral fellowship at the Center for Developmental Science at University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Kristen Medley-Proctor, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, George Washington University
B.A., Psychology, Hampton University

Dr. Kristen Medley-Proctor, an adjunct instructor at UMBC Shady Grove since 2019, is currently a member of the Senior Executive Service at the Social Security Administration. Kristen entered the Federal government as an intern in 1993 and spent much of her professional career in the Human Resources/Human Capital departments within various agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management, Department of Labor, and the Department of the Interior. Over the past 20 years, Kristen has served in various capacities in support of Human Capital Management within the Federal government, including Chief Learning Officer, Associate Commissioner, Executive Director, Program Advisor, and Personnel Management Specialist. Kristen has led multiple programs and organizations charged with developing, implementing, and sustaining a robust and relevant talent management strategy. This includes training and workforce development programs, strategic workforce and succession planning programs, and programs to support target populations such as those with disabilities. She has also directed comprehensive personnel management programs, including both policy development and direct delivery of services.

Kristen received a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational psychology from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Hampton University. Kristen resides in Columbia, Maryland with her husband and two children.

Shari Metzger (Jurik), Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Applied Developmental Psychology, UMBC

Dr. Shari R. Metzger (Jurik), an adjunct instructor here at UMBC-Shady Grove since 2017, earned her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology at UMBC-main campus. Her dissertation focused on children’s math utility conceptions (how useful children think math is outside of the school context) and how those conceptions relate to their parents’ conceptions and their math achievement. More generally, Dr. Metzger’s research interests include schooling and educational development, children’s conceptions of mathematics and how those conceptions relate to motivation, home experiences, and achievement, and program evaluation.

In addition to her research, Dr. Metzger serves as a Research Analyst for Prince George’s Community College and consults with the Career Center at UMBC, primarily with their graduating student first destination data.

You can view Dr. Metzger’s public LinkedIn profile here. Dr. Metzger can be reached at smetz2@umbc.edu.

John Milatzo, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Educational Research and Evaluation, Virginia Tech
M.A., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, George Washington University
B.A., Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

John Milatzo is a human capital consultant in private practice. His specialty areas are data analysis, survey research, program evaluation, human performance improvement, and employee assessment. His professional experience includes full-time positions as a Personnel Research Psychologist at the National Security Agency and U.S. Postal Service; Sr. Research Psychologist with Monster Government Solutions; and Sr. Data Analyst at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center and the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to joining the UMBC I/O program, he held teaching positions at American University (Methods of Problem Solving), Johns Hopkins School of Professional Studies (Quantitative and Qualitative Methods). He currently teaches Program Evaluation, Survey Design and Development, Human Performance Technology in the UMBC I/O program.

Dr. Milatzo holds a Ph. D. in Educational Research and Evaluation from Virginia Tech, an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Washington University, and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a member of several professional associations including the American Evaluation Association and the International Society for Performance Improvement.

You can view Dr. Milatzo’s public LinkedIn profile here.

Lesley Perkins, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of Georgia
M.S., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, University of Georgia
B.S., Psychology, Howard University

Dr. Lesley A. Perkins is a human capital consultant with more than 12 years of advising, consulting and coaching experience with organizations. She is currently the Founder of Perkins Consulting which provides strategic and programmatic advice to human resource and business leaders in identifying, selecting and developing employees. Her interest in studying and understanding patterns of human behavior and motivation in the workplace led her to focus on talent management, training design and evaluation, assessment and selection, diversity and inclusion and strategic human capital measurement.

Dr. Perkins’ consulting experience has been with private, federal and non-profit sector organizations. Her clients have included: Toyota, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, McGraw-Hill, Family Matters of Greater Washington, Arlington Temple United Methodist Church, Department of Commerce, United States Air Force and Alabama Department of Transportation.

She received a Ph.D. and M.S. in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Georgia, and a B.S. in psychology from Howard University. She has additional training from The Coaches Institute and in the Skilled Facilitator technique. She is SPHR (Senior Professional Human Resource) certified. Dr. Perkins is a member of the American Psychological Association, Society for Human Resource Management, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Also, she is an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated.

David G. Poland, M.A. | Adjunct Instructor

M.A., Clinical Psychology, Loyola College

David Poland has over 40 years of experience in the development and management of counseling, training, employee assistance, occupational and environmental health services in the hospital, community, correctional and transportation industry environments.

Dave has designed and managed employee assistance and critical incident stress management programs; served as the Chairman of the Board for a non-profit residential treatment facility in Maryland; and, managed a transportation employer’s pre-placement, periodic, surveillance, fitness for duty and drug/alcohol testing programs.

Dave is an Adjunct Instructor for Towson University (HRD Graduate Program); University of Maryland/Shady Grove (I/O Graduate Program); and, the Graduate/Professional Studies Program at McDaniel College.

He has been a guest lecturer giving presentations addressing human resource challenges in today’s workplace for undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Maryland, University of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University and Marymount University. Dave has also tutored middle school students as part of his employer’s business-school partnership program and served as a mentor for Hartwick College’s professional “shadowing” program for graduating seniors. Dave has critically reviewed the scriptographic “Preventing Workplace Violence—What You Can Do” at the request of Channing L. Bete Company, Inc., publisher.

Dave received his Masters in Clinical Psychology from Loyola College, completed the “Federal Workplace Mediation” certificate program from the Northern Virginia Mediation Service and been a Certified Employee Assistance Professional.

David Rudd, MEd, CRP, CT/HRDC, CKM, CPT | Adjunct Instructor

M.Ed., Training & Performance Improvement
M.Ed., Adult Education and Development
B.S., Business Administration

Mr. Rudd’s expertise lies in training and performance improvement gained from serving 23 years in the U.S. Navy, in multiple federal agencies and the private sector. He has led and managed employees in developing and implementing training and development programs and performance improvement projects.

While in the Navy, Mr. Rudd spent considerable time as an instructor and developed an adult education program at the Navy’s Boot Camp that trained over 8,000 Sailors. In addition, he has lead an overseas transition assistance program for military members and served as Director of Training & Development in multiple federal agencies. In several agencies, he led performance improvement projects that significantly improved employee performance. Mr. Rudd currently works for the Department of Justice.

Mr. Rudd earned a MEd in Training & Performance Improvement, a MEd in Adult Education and Development, a Masters Certificate in Return on Investment (ROI) methodology and a BS in Business Administration. He also earned the following certifications:Certified Return on Investment Professional (CRP) from the ROI Institute; Certified Trainer/Human Resources Development Consultant (CT/HRDC) from the International Board of Certified Trainers; Certified Knowledge Manager (CKM) from the Knowledge Management Institute; and Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) from the International Society of Performance Improvement (ISPI).

You can view Mr. Rudd‘s LinkedIn profile here.

Edward Rudow, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University
M.S., Consumer Psychology, Colorado State University
B.A., Psychology, Rutgers University

Dr. Rudow is the President of BTR inc. a behavioral sciences management consulting and training firm that has been in business since 1987. Spending the majority of his professional time teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in psychology and business at UMBC and Washington Adventist University, Dr. Rudow still is active in consulting and public speaking.

While his consulting experience has spanned many industries, he has extensive involvement in the financial and travel industries having consulted to clients in both, was director of organizational development for two financial institutions and was a principle in a local travel management company. He is an accomplished public speaker having presented at numerous organization and company meetings to audiences as large as two to three thousand. The topics are generally related to business and people management, but often on individual growth, stress management, and successful living.

Dr. Rudow holds a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, M.S.in Consumer Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Colorado State University. In his early career, he published in professional journals and co-authored and edited the book Crisis Centers a Guide to Beginning and Operating.

Theodore H. (Ted) Rosen, Ph.D. | Adjunct Faculty

Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, George Washington University
M.S., Experimental Psychology, Temple University

Dr. Rosen served as the UMBC Psychology Department’s Associate Program Director, and Director of the MPS: Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program from 2008 until 2016. His previous experience includes serving on the faculty of the Management Department, and served as the Director of the Program in Organizational Behavior and Development at The George Washington University School of Business. Dr. Rosen instructed graduate level courses in the MBA, Project Management (distance and classroom formats) Management Information Systems, and the Executive Management Information Systems Programs.

Dr. Rosen holds a doctorate degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, and has over 30 years management consulting, contracting and research experience, including service at US Postal Service Headquarters and the US Office of Personnel Management Headquarters. He completed international executive development assignments in Romania, Egypt and Albania and continues to present management development workshops for visiting international executives in Washington, DC. Dr. Rosen also presents lectures and shares research at professional conferences, both in the US and abroad. He continues his work as the Principal Consultant of his own firm. In 2016, Dr. Rosen was recognized for his contributions to the field throughout his career by the Personnel Testing Council of Metropolitan Washington, receiving its Distinguished Service Award.

Ethan Sanders, M.S. | Adjunct Instructor

M.S., Applied Behavior Science, Johns Hopkins University

Mr. Ethan S. Sanders, an adjunct professor here at UMBC-Shady Grove since 2011, is a Fellow in ICF’s Human Capital Services group. In this role, he serves as a thought-leader in the practice of Human Performance Improvement. He has provided human performance consulting services to clients in the public, non-profit, military, and private sectors for nearly 20 years. Prior to joining ICF Mr. Sanders was president and CEO of Sundial Learning Systems and Director of Organizational Development for the US Navy’s Human Performance Center. Prior to these positions, Mr. Sanders was manager of instructional design for the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). While at ASTD, he led the research and writing of two major competency studies, and redesigned several of ASTD’s courses.

He is the co-author of Handbook for Workplace Learning, Models for Learning Technologies, Models for Workplace Learning and Performance, Performance Intervention Maps: 36 Strategies for Solving Your Organization’s Problems, HPI Essential, ASTD Distance Learning Yearbook, and the ASTD course “Human Performance Improvement in the Workplace.” Mr. Sanders teaches several of ASTD’s courses offered through public and corporate seminars. He holds a master’s degree in applied behavior science from Johns Hopkins University.

You can view Mr. Sanders‘ public LinkedIn profile here.

Jasmine Snyder, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Applied Organizational Psychology, Hofstra University

Dr. Jasmine Snyder is an I/O Psychologist with over 10 years of experience. Her career has included developing, validating, and administering human capital solutions for selection, succession planning, leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and employee engagement. She has served as both an internal and external consultant for Fortune 500 companies and government organizations.

Dr. Snyder enjoys teaching in addition to her full-time work and has taught I/O and HRM courses at universities across the country. Her research interests include exploring the impact of cultural differences and biases in employment practices. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven and a Ph.D. in Applied Organizational Psychology from Hofstra University. She currently works as a Personnel Research Psychologist for the United States Secret Service

Richard Tonowski, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Psychology, Rutgers University

Richard Tonowski has been working as graduate instructor at UMBC since 2014, teaching “Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.” Starting in 2006, he became the Chief Psychologist of the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in Washington, DC. Richard is an in-house expert witness in support of the EEO enforcement litigations. His areas of expertise in that regard are personnel assessment and statistical analysis.

Previously, Dr. Tonowski held various psychology-related positions for the United States Post Office, D.C Office of Personal, and the New Jersey Department of Civil Services with increasing rank. He also is awaiting the publication of his article entitled “Test Validation Pitfalls” and has given several presentations to professional organizations, including the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Association of Test Publishers, and International Personnel Assessment Council.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Manhattan College and went on to obtain his Master’s and Doctorate Degree in Psychology from Rutgers University.

Rachel Venaglia, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Social Psychology, University of Maryland
M.S., Social Psychology, University of Maryland
B.S., Psychology, Lafayette College

Rachel Venaglia earned her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park in May 2019. She also holds a B.S. in Psychology from Lafayette College and M.S. in Social Psychology from the University of Maryland. Her dissertation examined how people’s unique definitions of love (i.e., their love prototypes) act as a source of positive illusions in their romantic relationships, such that they see their partner’s traits, feelings, and behaviors in a way that is consistent with their definition of love, above and beyond the reality of their partner’s actual traits, feelings, and behaviors. Her research interests broadly involve understanding the ways in which interpersonal relationships and authenticity contribute to wellbeing.

Dr. Venaglia’s interests in wellness extend to her many campus leadership involvements at the University of Maryland. She is a highly active campus advocate for graduate student mental health, having led efforts in collaboration with the Dean’s Office in the Behavioral and Social Sciences College to develop strategies that proactively and reactively address graduate student needs.

David M. Wallace, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, George Mason University
M.S., Information Technology Management, Naval Postgraduate School

David Wallace, an adjunct professor here at UMBC-Shady Grove since 2016, has had a 20-year professional career as an organizational leader in the US Navy. As a naval officer, he has led teams of various size and organizational level from leading a single division on a Navy destroyer to commanding multiple security teams operating on various ships across thousands of miles and in various situations. He is currently serving as a full time professor of leadership at the US Naval Academy.

Dr. Wallace has a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational psychology from George Mason University. In addition, he earned an M.S. in information technology management from the Naval Postgraduate School, a course of instruction that included in-depth studies of areas such as decision-making and leading organizational change. Dr. Wallace’s current research interests include leadership, leader development, and mutli-team systems.

You can view Dr. Wallace‘s public LinkedIn profile here. Dr. Wallace can be reached at dwallac8@umbc.edu.

Jeffrey Weaver, Ph.D. | Adjunct Instructor

Ph.D., Organizational Management, Capella University
M.S., Business Administration, Central Michigan University
B.S., Human Resource Management, Park University

Dr. Jeffrey S. Weaver is a member of the Center for Human Capital Innovation (CHCI) team as a Senior Executive Consultant, where he advises clients on options and suggests ways to improve the overall agility, learning, and efficiency of the workforce. He has served in both federal agencies and contract companies where he has held the titles such as Senior Advisor to the Army Chief of Staff, Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO), and Vice President for Human Capital. As an educator, Dr. Weaver currently supports the University of Baltimore, where he teaches both ground and online classes for the Merrick School of Business. Dr. Weaver is the Chair of the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Council, where leads the effort to enhance the support and excellence of the adjunct population. Dr. Weaver has been teaching at the collegiate level since 2007, and educating adults since 1990.

Dr. Weaver’s educational background started in 1996, while he served on Active duty for the U.S. Army, attending Park College, now known as Park University, studying Human Resources Management. He earned his graduate degree, in 2004, after attending Central Michigan University, studying Business Administration. Finally, he earned his doctorate degree in 2008, after attending Capella University, studying Organizational Management, specializing in leadership, his dissertation was entitled, Comparative Study of Leadership Competencies of the top 1% of the U.S. Army Leaders.

Dr. Weaver served 15 years on active duty for the U.S. Army separating in 2003 to pursue his civilian career. He had a few years break in service and retired from the U.S. Army Reserve in July 2016.