Faculty & Contacts
Lilia Bermúdez
316 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5077
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: lbermude@cscc.edu
About:
Lilia Bermúdez was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Recinto Universitario de Mayaguez Puerto Rico and her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology at the InterAmerican University, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. While she was still working on her master’s degree, she started working as a counselor in a private school, which helped her to realize that many of the students’ problems were the result of family problems. To find out more, she began the doctoral program in Family Science with a minor in Developmental Psychology in the Department of Family Relations and Human Development at the Ohio State University. During her doctoral studies, she worked first in the Sophie Rogers Laboratory with infants and toddlers and then for Head Start as a family service worker helping Head Start families take responsibility for their children’s education.
While she was working on her doctoral dissertation, Dr. Bermúdez began teaching at Columbus State as an adjunct, where she discovered her passion for teaching and working with students, both formally and informally as a mentor or as an advisor. Bermúdez’s work at Columbus State includes being an advisor for the International Student Association. Dr. Bermúdez also loves to travel and enjoys being with her family.
Degrees:
B.A., Inter American University of Puerto Rico, Psychology
M.A., Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Counseling Psychology
Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Family Sciences
Regularly Teaches:
Child Development (PSY 2261)
Adolescent Psychology (PSY 2551)
Nicole Brandt
334 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5367
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: nbrandt2@cscc.edu
About:
Nicole Brandt earned her B.A. in Psychology from Ohio University in 2002. She remained at Ohio University for graduate school and earned her M.S (2005) and Ph.D. (2009) in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in children and adolescents. Dr. Brandt moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 2008 to complete her predoctoral clinical internship at the VA Maryland Health Care System/University of Maryland Baltimore Psychology Consortium (2008-2009). She then completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the Center for School Mental Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (2009-2011) and was also an adjunct faculty member at Loyola University Maryland. Prior to coming to CSCC, Dr. Brandt was a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where she helped advance school mental health at the local, state, and national level. She is also a licensed psychologist and has provided mental health services to youth and families across many settings, including several years in the Baltimore City Schools.
Dr. Brandt has worn many hats, but teaching, supervising, and mentoring students is her passion. She is very invested in her students’ education and helping them to be successful. She is honored to have received the Graduate Associate Outstanding Teaching Award at Ohio University (2008) and the Outstanding Supervisor Award at the University of Maryland (2012). In addition to her teaching interests, Dr. Brandt continues to be involved in research on improving family engagement in children’s mental health services. Dr. Brandt is originally from Pittsburgh, PA and is a huge Steelers fan! She enjoys baking, exercising, music, movies and most importantly spending time with her family.
Degrees:
B.A., Ohio University, Psychology
M.A., Ohio University, Clinical Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio University, Clinical Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Child Development (PSY 2261)
Ron Elizaga
318 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5036
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: relizaga@cscc.edu
About:
Ron Elizaga was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up across the Ohio river in Steubenville, OH. He earned his BA in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, and his MA and PhD in Experimental Social Psychology from Ohio University. In 2015, Ron was one of the winners of the CSCC Distinguished Teaching Award, and in 2016, was selected as the Honors Faculty Member of the Year.
At Columbus State, Ron enjoys introducing students to the field of Psychology and helping them think about themselves and their world in more critical ways. He is one of the founding members of Generation One Trailblazers (GOT) - a faculty resource group aimed at helping first generation college students. He currently teaches the Honors version of Intro Psych, and is also the current Distance Learning lead instructor for the Psychology Department. In addition to his teaching interests, Ron maintains research interests in cognitive construal theory, stereotype threat, goal persistence and motivation, and other areas of social cognition. In addition to teaching Psychology at CSCC, Ron is a rabid sports fan. He also enjoys music, movies, and spending time with his family.
Degrees:
B.A., University of Notre Dame, Psychology
M.A., Ohio University, Experimental Social Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio University, Experimental Social Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Honors Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100-H)
Introduction to Psychology Paired Course with DEV 0145 (AU semester only)
Personality Psychology (PSY 2530)
Social Psychology (PSY 2325)
Bree Frick
332 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-2839
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: bfrick@cscc.edu
About:
Bree Frick is the lead instructor for the education-themed courses within the department. She holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and an M.A. in Educational Psychology. She spent eight years teaching public middle school before pursuing graduate research that focused on motivation, goal orientation, and teacher beliefs about creativity.
Bree helps coordinate pathways between CSCC and area institutions that offer teacher licensure and certification programs. She is dedicated to helping students interested in a career in K-12 education find their strengths, and guiding them toward teacher licensure programs that suit their needs.
Degrees:
BFA, The Ohio State University
M.Ed., Ashland University, Curriculum and Instruction
M.A., The Ohio State University, Educational Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Educational Psychology (PSY 2200)
Children with Exceptionalities (PSY 2245)
Introduction to Education (EDUC 2210)
Technology in Education (EDUC 2220)
Elizabeth (Liz) Hammond
328 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5199
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: ehammon1@cscc.edu
About:
Liz Hammond earned her BS in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2003, and her MA in Psychology from the University of Dayton in 2007. While at Eastern, she discovered a love for the field of psychology, and also had an opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain. It was a life changing experience, and because of an awesome educator, her love for the field of psychology was solidified. She started teaching as an adjunct faculty member in 2008 and has loved every minute. She enjoys showing students a concept or idea they have never experienced before and helping them apply the topic to their own life. She also loves "turning light bulbs on" by helping students understand difficult course material.
Her professional interests include pediatric psychopathology and therapy, child and adolescent development, group dynamics, and the influence of culture on development. Outside of teaching, Liz enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games with her son, watching movies (especially comedies), and listening to pop, alternative, and 80's music.
Degrees:
B.S., Eastern Michigan University, Psychology
M.A., University of Dayton, Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Traci Haynes
324 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5052
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: thaynes@cscc.edu
About:
Traci Haynes started teaching at Columbus State back in 1990. She attended both the University of Denver and Ohio University as an undergraduate, majoring in Psychology and Recreation. She earned an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Ohio University, where she also became interested in Health Psychology. She started teaching when she was in graduate school, as one of her rotations for her assistantship, and discovered that she enjoyed it much more than counseling. She enjoys the one-on-one interaction with students and the opportunity to continuously experience psychology through their eyes. There’s always something new to consider and explore in the classroom.
Degrees:
B.A., Ohio University, Psychology
M.S., Ohio University, Clinical Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Human Growth and Development (PSY 2340)
Child Development (PSY 2261)
Heather Johnston
313 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-2679
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: hjohnst1@cscc.edu
About:
Heather Johnston earned her BA in Communication Process and Disorders from the University of Florida in 1996 and her MA in Speech and Hearing Science in 1998 from The Ohio State University. After working as an Audiologist, she went back to Ohio State to earn her PhD in Cognitive Psychology. Her expertise is with human learning, memory, sensory perception, and language acquisition.
Heather enjoys regularly teaching psychology courses, the speech and hearing course at CSCC, critical thinking, and freshman orientation. Outside of the classroom, heather is the lead instructor for the critical thinking course (ASC 1190) and one of the lead faculty for the Freshman Experience Seminar (COLS 1100). She is passionate about teaching CSCC students and learning about how to increase their success. In addition to her work at CSCC, Heather is an avid reader of mystery, horror, science fiction, and fantasy, and keeps very busy with her family.
Degrees:
B.A., University of Florida. Communication Processes and Disorders
M.A., The Ohio State University, Speech and Hearing Sciences
Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Introduction to Communication Disorders (SHS 2230)
Critical Thinking in the Arts & Sciences (ASC 1190)
First Year Experience Seminar (COLS 1100)
Mary Lewis
314 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5826
Fax: 614-587-2324
Email: mlewis02@cscc.edu
About:
Mary Lewis knew she was destined for work in psychology and gerontology from a very early age, and has focused on that track throughout her education and career. She received her BS in Psychology from Kansas State University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Akron. She also earned a Gerontology Graduate Certificate from the University of Akron. She is a licensed psychologist in Ohio, and has provided psychological services in outpatient settings, a veteran's hospital, skilled rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, assisted living housing, and continuing care retirement communities to both older adults and younger individuals with chronic medical and mental health conditions.
Teaching has always been a passion for Dr. Lewis. She started teaching in 1993 as a teaching apprentice at Kansas State University, and taught multiple courses while in graduate school at the University of Akron. She joined CSCC in 2004 as adjunct faculty, and now is a full-time professor. In 2007, she won the CSCC Distinguished Teaching Award. Her professional and research interests include social responsibility and social justice issues, end-of-life concerns for individuals with dementia, and emotional and cognitive well-being in older adults.
Degrees:
B.S., Kansas State University, Psychology
M.A., University of Akron, Counseling Psychology
Ph.D., University of Akron, Counseling Psychology
ABPP certification in Geropsychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Human Growth and Development (PSY 2340)
Michael L. Schumacher
331 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5482
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: mschumac@cscc.edu
About:
Michael began teaching at CSCC as part time faculty in 1987, the same year his daughter was born. He came on as full time faculty in 1992. Michael's undergraduate degree was in anthropology. Following that he earned an M.A. in school psychology. Both degrees were earned at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He worked in the public schools in Indiana as a school psychologist for 6 years. During that time he began teaching psychology part time at Indiana University at Kokomo. After moving to Columbus Michael earned a Master of Divinity degree at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 1992.
In addition to teaching psychology at CSCC he also enjoys teaching SSCI 101, Cultural Diversity. Michael developed a travel course on the diverse Indian cultures of the southwestern United States, although that course is now on hiatus. His outside interests, in addition to the Native American cultures of the Southwest, include ethnic cooking and travel. Michael's musical interests were arrested in the 1970's. Don't ask him about anything musical post-70s. He's also a big fan of the work of media critic Neil Postman.
Degrees:
B.S., Ball State University, Anthropology
M.A., Ball State University, School Psychology
M.Div., Trinity Lutheran University, Theology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
David Tom
326 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-657-2102
Fax: 614-287-2324
Email: dtom@cscc.edu
About:
David Tom earned his BA in Biology from Rutgers University in 1994 and then his MA and Ph.D. in Psychology from The Ohio State University in 2000 and 2005, respectively. David found he immensely enjoyed teaching and in 2001, was awarded the Graduate Associate Teaching Award, the highest award given to graduate associates for teaching at The Ohio State University. David began teaching at Columbus State in 2003 and enjoys exposing how psychological knowledge is used by big businesses (e.g., retail entities and Big Pharma) to exploit average Americans. His research primarily involves the effect of stereotyping and prejudice on victims' well-being, and incorporates his research in class.
Degrees:
B.A., Rutgers University, Biology
M.A., Ohio State University, Counseling Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio State University, Counseling Psychology
Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)