Team Members

Faculty Advisors

Shawn Bergman, Ph.D

Faculty Director & Founder | bergmans@appstate.edu | Website

Shawn received his Ph.D. from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville in I-O Psychology. His teaching focuses on the application of quantitative methods and analytics to solve practical problems. Shawn's students are heavily involved in his research and he has over 60 publications and conference presentations with student co-authors. He is a member of Appalachian State's Faculty Hall of Fame, received the Department of Psychology's Psi Chi Excellence in Teaching Award, and has been awarded the Board of Governors' Excellence in Teaching College Award.

Tim Huelsman, Ph.D

Faculty Lead | huelsmantj@appstate.edu | Website

Tim earned his Ph.D. from Saint Louis University in Organizational Psychology. He is the Director of the Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management master’s program and his professional interests include individual differences in the organization, organizational assessment, organizational culture and climate, program evaluation, and strategic planning. He has been awarded the University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and was inducted into Appalachian State University’s Academy of Outstanding Graduate Mentors.

Kristl Davison, Ph.D

Faculty Lead | davisonhk@appstate.edu | Website

Kristl is an Associate Professor and Assistant Chair of the Management Department at Appalachian State University. She received her M.S. and PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Tulane University. Her research is in the areas of gender and disability discrimination, legal issues in human resources, personnel selection, counterproductive workplace behaviors, and personality testing. Dr. Davison serves as an Action Editor for the journal Human Performance, and is on the Editorial Board for Organizational Research Methods.

Jessica Doll, Ph.D

Faculty Lead | dolljl@appstate.edu | Website

Jessica Doll is an Assistant Professor of Management. She earned a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from Clemson University and a M.A. in I/O-HRM from Appalachian State University. Her research interests include understanding how to better develop diverse and inclusive workspaces, interpersonal relationships at work, and employee well-being.

Timothy Ludwig, Ph.D

Faculty Lead | ludwigtd@appstate.edu | Website

Timothy Ludwig researches the benefits of employee-driven behavioral safety programs and applications to quality and performance improvement. His popular website Safety-Doc.com is a content-rich resource of safety culture stories, blogs, research, videos, and services. Dr. Ludwig serves on the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies’ Behavioral Safety Accreditation Commission that reviews best-in-industry safety practices and offers objective feedback on safety programs. Dr. Ludwig is the author of dozens of scholarly articles that empirically document the successes of methods to improve safety and quality in industry through behavior-based solutions. His books include Intervening to Improve the Safety of Occupational Driving (2001), Behavioral Systems: Understanding Complexity in Organizations (2010), Behavioral Science Approaches to Process Safety: A Response to Industry’s Call (2018), Dysfunctional Practices that Kill your Safety Culture (2018) and, The Science and Best-Practices of Behavioral Safety: The Source for Reducing Injuries on the Front Line (2023). Dr. Ludwig has over 35-years experience in research and practice in behavioral safety where he integrates empirical findings into his safety consulting. Within his consulting practice Dr. Ludwig has helped assess, design, and implement safety and quality improvement programs in over 50 companies. Dr. Ludwig has delivered over 50 of his popular keynote presentations in 15 countries worldwide.

Executive Committee

Madison Culver

Assistant Director | culvermd@appstate.edu

Maddy is a second-year graduate student in the IOHRM program and serves as the Assistant Director of HR Science. She handles administrative and communication tasks for HRS, ensuring the team remains efficient and well-organized. Maddy is enthusiastic about collaborating with and supporting each HRS team member and looks forward to seeing their achievements this year.

Hannah Wallace

Operations Coordinator | wallacehe@appstate.edu

Hannah is a junior majoring in psychology with a concentration in business. She is the operations coordinator for HR science where she is responsible for informative team engagement activities, club liaison, budgeting, and fundraising. Hannah is on the Organizational Cultural Insights (OCI) team where she conducts research.

Nick Rupert

Logistics Coordinator | rupertnt@appstate.edu

Nick is a senior majoring in Psychology with a concentration in Business. He is the logistics coordinator for HR Science where he handles the communication between all the teams, ensuring the calendar invites are accepted, and looping everyone in on new information. Nick joined the Safety team in Spring 2024 where he conducts research.

Dacey Ramroth

Recruitment & Orientation Coordinator | ramrothdf@appstate.edu

Dacey is a Junior majoring in psychology with a concentration in human services. She is the acting recruiter/ orientation coordinator. Her responsibility is to select a talented and determined group of students for the HR Science Team and to ensure their smooth integration into their assigned teams via educational onboarding and orientation activities. Dacey has also been with HR Science's safety team since the fall of 2024. Additionally, she is excited to continue her research with safety and meeting new members.

Team Leads

Abigail Branco

Project Lead - EBP | brancoam@appstate.edu

Abigail is a second-year graduate student in the Psychological Science M.A. and Sociology Certificate programs. In her current position on the EBP Team, she oversees the development and maintenance of the Eugene platform, a website created by Dr. Bergman that informs undergraduate students of the jobs they are qualified for post-graduation. She has been a member of EBP for six semesters and is thrilled to have developed from an undergraduate assistant to a team lead.

Oliver Sullivan

Project Lead - EBP | sullivanom@appstate.edu

Oliver is a second-year graduate student in the IOHRM and Business Analytics Graduate Certificate programs. He co-leads the EBP team and has been a member of HR Science since 2023. With a background in psychology, Oliver is deeply committed to the EBP team’s research efforts, which are impactful in supporting undergraduate psychology students at App State.

Firzana Syazania

Project Lead - Safety | syazaniaf@appstate.edu

Firzana is a second-year, dual-degree graduate student in the IOHRM and MSADA program. She is the Team Lead for the Safety Analytics Research Team and has been a member of HR Science since Fall 2023. The team collaborates and analyzes data from a variety of client organizations, to predict and prevent injuries in the workplace. Firzana is excited to work with new and returning members, to continue another great semester of research and professional development.

Natalee Jamerson

Project Lead - OCI | jamersonnr@appstate.edu

Natalee is a second-year graduate student in the IOHRM and MSADA program. She co-leads the Organizational Cultural Insights (OCI) team and has been an active member of HRS since the fall of 2023. The OCI team conducts research dedicated towards improving and advancing organizational culture. Natalee is thrilled to collaborate with returning and new team members to advance research in the field and further professional development.

Cassidy Zekas

Project Lead - OCI | zekascd@appstate.edu

Cassidy is a second-year, dual-degree master's student in the IOHRM and MBA programs. He co-leads the Organizational Cultural Insights (OCI) team and has been an active member of HRS since Fall 2023. Additionally, Cassidy serves as the Psychology Career Advisor within the Department of Psychology. With a professional background in human resources, K-12 education, and community outreach, Cassidy is committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility within organizations, employees, communities, youth, and families.

Hunter Bass

Project Lead/Advisor - OCI | basshw@appstate.edu

Hunter is the Education Abroad Financial Specialist at Appalachian State University. He is also a student in the M.S. in Accounting Analytics program. He earned his MBA in Human Resource Management and BSBA in Accounting and Labor Studies from Appalachian State University. His human resource interests revolve around labor relations, organizational inclusivity, and the total organizational effects of human resource strategies. Hunter has been involved with HRS on the OCI team since the Fall of 2023 and is looking forward to continuing to support the team's endeavors.

Research Associates

Taylor Brynds
Drew Sipe
Brenna Mcnamara
Madhu Sukumar
Lauryn Womble
Rachel Weaver
Michaela Sutherland
Ethan Fountain
Allison Renegar
Camila Yamaleyeva
Levering White
Elizabeth Arnold
Niasia Jones
Sarah Powell
Alana Olson
Leah Uteg
Claire Parson
Erin Lally
Amy Hu
Madalyn Stephens
Tony Grebentsov
Brody Behm

Photo Galleries

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Lorin Farr, Cheryl Nickel, and Aimee Wood Present at RCIO Conference

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HR Science Research Team

Testimonials

"I am so thankful for my time at Appalachian State, and for the opportunities that the IOHRM program afforded me. The faculty are top notch and treat students as colleagues. Through my coursework, I gained an appreciation for the significance of my profession. The application of this knowledge during my internship and practicum experiences helped to prepare me for my current role and beyond."

Amanda Eberhardt '14

"The two years I spent in this program led to friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that will never fade. The success I've experienced so far in my career, I owe to the program and the faculty that prepared me for the real world!"

Elma Dostovic '12

"The IOHRM degree from ASU has been extremely beneficial to my career in human resources. The dual concentration in business and psychology opened doors I didn't realize could be opened in our field."

Elizabeth Schmidt '04

"“The IOHRM program had a profound impact on my life in more ways than I can count. From professors who supported my personal and professional development, to cohort-mates who became lifelong friends, there just aren't enough words to describe what my time in Boone meant to me.""

Erin Marion (Class of 2020)

""The IOHRM Alumni Mentor Program provides students with the unique opportunity to view how their classroom experiences translate into real-world job roles. That's why the IOHRM program at App excels in general - it puts students in positions to gain job skills before they're officially in the job market.""

Austin Mezer (Class of 2021)

""I chose to pursue a PhD after my time in the IOHRM program, and the skills and knowledge (e.g., research, statistics, public speaking, applied business and consulting knowledge) I developed during my time at App State have continually set me apart from my peers""

Maria Ezerins (Class of 2020)

"ASU’s I/O program provided me with access to peers, teachers and resources from two different colleges. The result was more developmental opportunities and a breadth of perspective that I may have missed had I attended a more traditional I/O program."

Brett Cooksey

"The IOHRM program at ASU has exposed me to different ways of thinking and analyzing behavior within the workplace, which has benefited me in becoming well-rounded HR professional."

Carlton Brunson '11

"The IOHRM program not only granted me the opportunity to connect with future HR professionals from various backgrounds, but also provided me with a more comprehensive foundation necessary to pursue a career in HR with my Psychology background."

Ashley Rankin (Class of 2022)

"The cross-disciplinary aspect of the program was the primary reason that I looked at attending App for my graduate studies. I absolutely loved my HRM courses and deeply valued each of them."

Kerry Talbert '12

"No other Master's program (that I know of) has such a unique composition of curriculum. When I obtain a diploma from ASU's IOHRM program, employers will immediately have a good idea what kind of training I received."

Jason Copeland ‘13

"I am thankful for my time there. The exceptional faculty, environment, curricula, and fellow students of the ASU IOHRM Program prepared me for adding evidence-based value to a variety of talent initiatives. I have yet to experience a day of work that is not positively impacted by the learning and development delivered through the ASU IOHRM Program."

Ryan Felty '12

"I was among the first graduates in I/O Psychology. The program provided a wonderful blend of Psychology, Business and Human Resources courses. The degree has been helpful in landing career positions and I have used what I learned in every job I have had since I graduated."

Laverne (Hales) Hibbett '84

"This unique program prepares you for success in a number of different positions including as a generalist across all the fields of HR and OD or as a specialist. The foundation you receive in measurement and analytics as well as making sound decisions based on the data is applicable to any practitioner regardless of discipline."

Amber (Boyles) Harrison '09

"The IOHRM program creates the conditions for students to thrive. The faculty is truly dedicated to providing each student with the enriching coursework, experience, and mentorship that they need to accomplish their unique goals. In addition to the professional benefits, the program has created a strong familial culture that extends support even after graduation."

Darby Ford (Class of 2020)

"Being able to integrate my existing business experience into a psychology degree through the dual-teaching of I/O Psych with HRM was the number one reason I elected ASU for furthering my graduate education."

Kate Thompson ‘14

"The masters program in IOHRM at Appalachian State University provided me with both the theoretical foundation and applied experience to excel in my career. Not only did the program prepare me for doctoral studies, it also equipped me to be an effective practitioner upon graduation. The distinct program format provides non-business degree majors with a unique opportunity to bridge the social sciences with business education. I give the IOHRM Program my very highest recommendation for the program – it changed my life!"

William Sparks, Ph.D '96

"What we have on our resume is not specific classes we take, it is the degree we have. Therefore, when applying for an HR position, having the HRM part on the resume will make it more relevant for a person who doesn't know what courses are taken in a given program."

Yalcin Acikgoz ‘13

"The HRM part of the degree has been critical to my success. It is what got me in the door for several interviews. It is absolutely essential to my current job and career path. Having the HR foundation allows the I/O to have context."

Ariel Grosshuesch ‘10

"Appalachian's IOHRM program more than prepared me for my career. The consulting experiences I had with leaders of large organizations, and the knowledge I gained through the rigorous coursework allowed me to enter my position prepared for what I needed to accomplish."

Kristin Berglund '07

"This hybrid I-O program, which seeks to bridge the scientist-practitioner divide, had the perfect appeal to me. Indeed, this was the only such program I applied for, because there were no other I-O programs that excited me like ASU’s."

Ricky Carroll '13

"What I gained from my time in the App State IOHRM program from 2001-2003 goes beyond the technical curriculum knowledge that I learned; "softer" skills of critical thinking, debate preparation and engagement, leadership, and more have proved just as valuable post-graduation. This comprehensive program has proven to be a lifelong investment as I continually apply lessons and knowledge gained from those fulfilling 3 years."

Nicholas Graham '03

"The HRM component of my degree was extremely important when I entered the job market. The psychology courses I took within the program helped me solidify my research skills and perspectives on human behavior but the HRM courses really got down to what businesses want from HR/IO employees."

Dagmara Pawlowska '11

"Being part of the IOHRM program at Appalachian State was a remarkable experience. I received terrific guidance and mentoring from my professors in both the psychology and business areas of my coursework. The coursework was challenging but enriching, and I grew in both my appreciation and understanding for the I/O discipline within psychology."

Andrew Smith '08

"It only took seeing the curriculum and meeting the program director for me to know that ASU's IOHRM program would fully prepare me to begin a career with all of the tools I will need to be successful."

Kate Thompson ‘14

"I have been so fortunate to have built cross-functional expertise even beyond my time at ASU. That vast experience would not have been possible without the strong foundation I received through ASU's IOHRM program."

Cynthia Miller ‘01

"The coursework and experience with client-facing, applied projects equipped me with a solid foundation for succeeding in a corporate setting."

Danielle Kretschmer '15

"“I wouldn’t be where I am today without IOHRM. No matter what career you choose, the principles and foundations learned will set you apart and accelerate your career.” "

Michael Boitnott (Class of 2012)