Professor
Psychology

Professor
Department Head
Psychology

Originally from the Big Sky state, Maj. Gornick earned her bachelor's (2007), master's (2010) and doctorate (2013) degrees from the University of Montana in Missoula. Maj. Gornick’s interests in psychology revolve around research psychology in general (focus on research methods and statistics) and social psychology (emphasis on political psychology). Before joining the faculty ranks at VMI, she taught courses and conducted research at the University of Montana, University of Texas: El Paso, and Roanoke College. While she has taught Introductory Psychology, Social Psychology, Statistics, and Research Methods; her favorite courses are Political Psychology and Psychology of Genocide. At VMI, she is currently specializing in PS 344: Leadership in Organizations. When not teaching, researching, mentoring, advising, etc., Maj. Gornick is a prolific knitter, enthusiastic tabletop/RPG gamer, exuberant corgi owner, an avid hiker, and somewhat successful baker. She also believes that hedgehogs are awesome.

Assistant Professor
Psychology

Professor
Psychology

Dr. LaRocca is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, and he earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Alabama. A licensed clinical psychologist, he completed his clinical psychology internship at the Veterans' Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, followed by conducting psychological assessments and PTSD research at the War Related Illness & Injury Study Center as a part of a VA Palo Alto-Stanford University postdoctoral fellowship. Dr. LaRocca is interested in interpersonal influences such as leadership and social support, and how they may impact psychological well-being among veterans and other populations. More generally, Dr. LaRocca’s research has encompassed the impact of socio-behavioral influences on mental health in middle and older adulthood. His research interests also extend to positive psychology, including posttraumatic growth and its relation to other measures of well-being. Dr. LaRocca draws from his prior experience as an Army officer, as well as his training in psychology and leadership to contribute to the education and professional development of cadets at VMI.

Jillian O’Rourke Stuart is an assistant professor of psychology at Virginia Military Institute.  She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington and her doctorate in Social Psychology at the University of Iowa.  Major Stuart primarily teaches courses on research methods and statistics but also hopes to offer courses in her areas of specialization, social cognition, and decision making.  Her research focuses on social and motivational influences on decision making. 

Assistant Professor
Psychology

Associate Professor
Psychology

Assistant Professor
Psychology

Dr. Whitehead holds an undergraduate degree in nursing, and a B.A. in psychology from the University of Buffalo. Upon graduation, he completed Air Force Officer Training School and commissioned as a second lieutenant. After earning his Master's in human resource development, Dr. Whitehead served as assistant professor of aerospace studies (AFROTC) at The Ohio State University. Since leaving the military, he has held several executive and senior positions for large government contractors and the Federal Government (U.S. Department of State and U.S. Office of Personnel Management). While in the government, Dr. Whitehead examined solutions for the country's struggle to find qualified, interested, college-educated applicants for STEM positions. For his efforts, he was named a President Management Council fellow, handpicked to serve as NASA's Federal STEM Education project lead, and appointed to President Obama's Committee on STEM Education's subcommittee on communications. He subsequently earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology from George Mason University.

His research focuses on the effect of close social groups (i.e., family, friends, and educators) on undergraduates' selection of, and persistence in, STEM majors. Dr. Whitehead has presented nationally and internationally, and published articles and chapters on these areas. He has developed and taught courses on motivation, educational psychology, college transition, and self-regulated learning. Dr.  Whitehead also serves as the chair for the American Educational Research Association's special interest group on self-regulated learning.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Dr. Whitehead and his wife, Terese, live in Tyson's Corner, Virginia. They have two kids in college (VCU and Colorado State), and a rescue dog named Petey. With his "copious" free time, he enjoys video games (ex., Fallout 4 and Civ 5), old-school games (like crosswords and Scrabble), and riding his Peloton.