Faculty

Lilia Bermúdez

316 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5077
Fax: 614-287-5301
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.

Regularly Teaches:
Child Development (PSY 2261)
Adolescent Psychology (PSY 2551)

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

 

Ronald Elizaga

340 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5036
Fax: 614-287-5301
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. During his graduate training at OU, his love for teaching was obvious. In 2006, Ron was awarded the OU College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award.

Now 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. 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.

Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Personality Psychology (PSY 2530)
Social Psychology (PSY 2325)

Degrees:
B.A., University of Notre Dame, Psychology
M.A., Ohio University, Experimental Social Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio University, Experimental Social Psychology

 

Bree Frick

309 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-2040
Fax: 614-287-5301
Email: bfrick@cscc.edu

About:
Bree Frick earned a BFA with honors in fine arts from the Ohio State University in 2001. Her experiences as an undergraduate student included a residency at the Norwich School of Art and Design in Norwich, England. After graduating and completing her initial teacher licensure program at Ashland University, Bree taught public school in the Columbus area for almost a decade. During that time, she earned an M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University. In 2009, she retuned to the Ohio State University to pursue a graduate work in educational psychology. Her experiences in the classroom led to an interest in cognition, goal orientation, and teacher beliefs, which shaped her research interests at OSU.

Bree is the coordinator of the Education program, which is housed in the Psychology Department here at Columbus State Community College. Her greatest passion is helping students interested in a career in K-12 education find their strengths, and guiding them toward teacher licensure programs that suit their needs. In addition to teaching at CSCC, Bree loves local music, art, and the outdoors, as well as exploring all the food our capital city has to offer.

Regularly Teaches:
Educational Psychology (PSY 2200)
Introduction to Education (EDUC 2210)
Technology in Education (EDUC 2220)
Children with Exceptionalities (PSY 2245)

Degrees:
BFA, The Ohio State University
M.Ed., Ashland University, Curriculum and Instruction
M.A., The Ohio State University, Educational Psychology

 

Judith D. Gentry

328 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5042
Fax: 614-287-5301
E-mail: jgentry@cscc.edu

About:
Judy Gentry had done a lot of undergraduate work in math, statistics, and computer science, and was headed for a career in research. Her plans were derailed when she started working as a Psychology Assistant at the Willowbrook State School for children with mental retardation in New York City. She later became a litigation specialist and moved to Ohio to help with the implementation of various court orders – it seemed like a good fit, since a background in statistics and research is a must for the many reports that need to be filed.

Unlike many of her psychology colleagues, she was never interested in working in clinical or counseling psychology, and after a brief detour at Battelle doing research on an Air Force project, she started teaching at Columbus State.

Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)

Degrees:
B.S., University of Pittsburgh, Psychology
M.A., Adelphi University, Experimental Psychology
Ph.D., Educational Administration, The Ohio State University

 

Traci Haynes, Interim Chairperson

324 The Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5052
Fax: 614-287-5301
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.

Regularly Teaches:
Human Growth and Development (PSY 2340)
Child Development (PSY 2261)

Degrees:
B.A., Ohio University, Psychology
M.S., Ohio University, Clinical Psychology

 

Heather Johnston

313 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-2679
Fax: 614-287-5301

About:
Heather Johnston got her BA from the University of Florida, then attended The Ohio State University for her MA in Speech and Hearing Science. 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.

Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Introduction to Communication Disorders (SHS 2230)
Freshman Seminar (ASC 1190)

Degrees:
B.A., University of Florida. Communication Processes and Disorders
M.A., The Ohio State University, Hearing Sciences
Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Cognitive Psychology

 

Carolyn Kaufman

329 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone:  614-287-5199
Fax: 614-287-5301
email:  ckaufman@cscc.edu

About:
Carolyn Kaufman double majored in psychology and writing at Otterbein College. After she graduated, she spent two years in computers and publishing before beginning her doctorate in clinical psychology (PsyD) at Wright State University. Her dissertation involved media psychology, focusing on the messages women get about relationships and personal identity through women’s magazines. As a clinician, she specialized in mood disorders, trauma, relationships, and creativity.

After graduate school, she was doing therapy and working two other jobs to make ends meet when she began teaching. She quickly realized her place was in the classroom rather than the therapy room, and joined Columbus State as a full-time professor. Along with teaching, she loves writing and working with fiction writers and journalists. She combined her passions for teaching, writing, and psychology by tackling common media misconceptions in her first book, The Writer’s Guide to Psychology: How to Write Accurately About Psychological Disorders, Clinical Treatment and Human Behavior.

Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Psychology of Personality (PSY 2530)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)

Degrees:
B.A., Otterbein College, Psychology and English/Writing
Psy.D. Wright State University, Clinical Psychology

 

Mary Lewis

335B Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5826
Fax: 614-587-5301
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.

Regularly Teaches:
Human Growth and Development Across the Life Span (PSY2340)

Degrees:
B.S., Kansas State University, Psychology
M.A., University of Akron, Counseling Psychology
Ph.D., University of Akron, Counseling Psychology

 

Karsten Look

332 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone:  614-287-5367
Fax:  614-287-5301
email:  klook@cscc.edu

About:
Karsten Look was born and raised in Englewood, Colorado. He attended Knox College with a major in psychology. He earned is Masters in Clinical Psychology from Emporia State University. For his internship at Emporia State, he worked in the correctional system with criminal felons and parolees.

His doctoral training was at Ball State University with an emphasis on Counseling. His pre-doctoral internship at the Ohio State University focused on Diversity training counseling in a multi-cultural context. Throughout his education, he kept a focus on social issues and social psychology. Karsten has been at Columbus State Community College since January of 1996.

Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)
Social Psychology (PSY 2325)

Degrees:
B.A., Knox College, Psychology
M.A., Emporia State University, Clinical Psychology

 

Mark Polifroni

334 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-325-0187
Fax: 614-287-5301
Email: mpolifro@cscc.edu

About:
Mark Polifroni was a non-traditional student that began college in his mid-30’s as a way to further his career at the paper mill. He took every psychology class he could and was so interested in psychology that he eventually quit his job to go to school full time. Mark got his AA in Liberal Studies from Santa Ana Community College in 1997, his BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California at Irvine in 1999, his MA and PhDs in Social Psychology from The Ohio State University.

He is particularly interested in the source of and response to criminal behavior, what makes some people extremely creative while others seem to be less so, and how our motivations affect our perceptions and judgments.

Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Psychology of Adjustment (PSY 2335)
Human Growth and Development (PSY 2340)
Social Psychology (PSY 2325)

Degrees:
A.A., Santa Ana Community College, Liberal Studies
B.A., University of California at Irvine, Psychology and Social Behavior
M.A., Ohio State University, Social Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio State University, Social Psychology

 

Susan Rogers

314 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone:  614-287-3617
FAX:  614-287-5301
E-mail: srogers@cscc.edu

About:
Susan Rogers taught for a number of years in both public and private settings before becoming a psychologist. Though she’s no longer licensed to practice, her experiences with clients in different clinical settings serve her well as a professor of psychology. She began her own college life in a supportive and friendly community college similar to CSCC, and her positive experiences there made every difference in her life. Now she works to inspire students as she was once inspired. She got her BA in Secondary Education from the University of Wyoming, a M.Ed in School Psychology from Southwest Texas State University, and her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Indiana University.

She is particularly interested in the positive perspective of psychology that examines the experiences, assets, and resources that promote optimal human experience; the study of intuition; and models of teaching and learning that emphasize self-direction, collaboration, and compassion rather than competition and control. She especially loves teaching Educational Psychology, which examines different perspectives of teaching and learning.

Regularly Teaches:
Educational Psychology (PSY 2200)

Degrees:

B.A., University of Wyoming, Secondary Education
M.Ed., Southwest Texas State University, School Psychology
Ph.D., Indiana University, Counseling Psychology

 

Michael L. Schumacher

331 Center for Technology and Learning (TL) 
Phone: 614-287-5482
Fax: 614-287-5301 
email:  mschumacher@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.

Regularly Teaches:
Introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)

Degrees:
B.S., Ball State University, Anthropology
M.A., Ball State University, School Psychology
M.Div., Trinity Lutheran University, Theology

 

David Tom

326 Center for Technology and Learning (TL)
Phone: 614-287-5817
Fax: 614-287-5301
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.

Regularly Teaches:
Regularly teaches: introduction to Psychology (PSY 1100)
Abnormal Psychology (PSY 2331)

Degrees:
B.A., Rutgers University, Biology
M.A., Ohio State University, Counseling Psychology
Ph.D., Ohio State University, Counseling Psychology