Erik C. SimmonsCurriculum Vitae

May 2015

2266 Purple and Gold Way 20029 Giantstep TerraceHarrisonburg, VA 22801 Montgomery Village, MD 20886

(301) 503- 6587 (301) 503- 6587simmonec@dukes.jmu.edu simmonec@dukes.jmu.edu

EDUCATION2011- 2015

Degree: Bachelor of Arts 2015Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VAMajor: Psychology Major GPA: 3.86Minor: Writing Rhetoric and Technical Communication

Cum. GPA: 3.68

June- July 2014Location: Vienna, AustriaCourse of Study: Summer Session Abroad Cross- cultural Psychological Studies

________________________________________________________________________________________________PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

Virginia Psychology Association (student affiliate)Phi Beta Kappa Society (student member)

________________________________________________________________________________________________AWARDS AND HONORS:

Awarded Jerry O. Haynes Memorial Award for Outstanding Seniors Spring 2015 This award is named after faculty member Jerry O. Haynes, and honors graduating seniors who

possess outstanding records of achievement in academics, service, and research.Inducted Phi Beta Kappa Spring 2015

The nations oldest and most widely known Academic Honor SocietyAwarded Phi Sigma Pi, National Co- ed Honor Fraternity Service Key Fall 2014

Recognized for exceptional service to the chapter across the span of four years. This honor is only awarded to two seniors every year

Elected Initiate Advisor of Phi Sigma Pi, National Co- ed Honor Fraternity Fall 2014 A position within the organization that fosters the next generation of future brothers

Awarded Research Grants, James Madison University Psychology Dept. Fall 2014 Received grant for $500 to conduct a project examining stress in the workplace through observing

biological feedback Awarded Travel Grant, James Madison University Psychology Dept. Summer 2014

Received grants to cover travel expenses incurred to present their research at professional conferences

Awarded LeAnn Whitlock Memorial Scholarship Spring 2014 Recognized for distinguished academic performance and service to the university by a minority

student whose talents skills, and abilities enable them to enrich the JMU community.Awarded Junior Award for Achievement in Research Spring 2014

This award is given to two juniors annually who have demonstrated significant achievement in undergraduate research projects.

Awarded Outstanding Achievement in Statistics and Research Methods Spring 2014 This award is given to students who showed significant talent in the methods courses through

research creativity and diligence about good research design and data analysis strategies.

James Madison University President’s List Spring 2014, Fall 2014 To qualify for the honor of being placed on the President’s List, a student must earn a grade point

average of 3.900 or above and carry a course load of at least twelve graded credit hoursInducted into Psi Chi, the Psychology Honors Fraternity Spring 2014

Psi Chi is the national honor society in Psychology. Its purpose is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain scholarship in Psychology and to promote scientific advancement in the field

Inducted as a Brother of Phi Sigma Pi, National Co-ed Honor Fraternity Spring 2012 Phi Sigma Pi is built on a Tripod of three ideals: Scholarship, Leadership and Fellowship. This Tripod

provides direction in our organization, our programming and in our actions as MembersJames Madison University Dean’s List Fall 2011, Spring 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014

To qualify for the Dean’s list, a student must carry a course load of at least twelve graded credit hours and earn a grade point average of 3.500-3.890

Awarded Madison Achievement Scholarship Fall 2011 The Madison Achievement Scholarships are merit-based awards that recognize a broad spectrum of

accomplishment and potential. _____________________________________________________________________________________________RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Fall 2014- Spring 2015Position: Research Assistant, Behavioral Learning LaboratorySupervisor: Daniel Holt, Ph.D.Location: James Madison UniversityDescription: A pioneer investigation into reinforcement schedules, completed as an independent project with the intent to submit in a peer reviewed journal.Skills Obtained: Programming data collection apparatus using Media Lab software, using SPSS to run appropriate statistics, and the application of cognitive theory to devise novel interventions

Fall 2014Position: Research Assistant, Critical Thinking LaboratorySupervisor: Richard West, Ph.D.Location: James Madison UniversityDescription: The goal of this research is to advance our understanding of what critical thinking is and the factors that influence its development. This research was completed as a 403 lab for course credit.Skills Obtained: test and debrief participants, and management of participant sign-up systems

May 2014- August 2014Position: Research Assistant, Summer Team Based LearningSupervisor: Krisztina V. Jakobsen, Ph.D.Location: James Madison UniversityDescription: An assessment of the effectiveness of resources utilized in a team- based learning classroom. This research was completed as a 403 lab for course credit and presented at the EToP conference (see below).Skills Obtained: creating and collecting survey data using Qualtrics software, developing a poster for presentation based on Spearman rho SPSS output, and implementing findings as practical classroom interventions to aid students

Fall 2013- Spring 2015Position: Primary Investigator, James Madison University Writing Center Research and Assessment TeamSupervisor: Laura Schubert, Ph.D candidate.Location: James Madison UniversityDescription: To investigate the presence of stress in the workplace by measuring cortisol within a participant. This research was completed individually across the span of four semesters. Research was completed through funding and support of James Madison University Learning Centers. Research was presented at MAWCA (see below) and is in prep for publication.

Skills Obtained: creating and submitting all IRB and departmental grant forms, collecting salivary samples from participants and adequately storing the samples, processing samples using an ELISA Salimetric kit in a biological research lab, interpreting delta cortisol level data, and leading the creation of a panel presentation

Fall 2013- Spring 2015Position: Research Assistant, Social Psychology LaboratorySupervisor: Jaime L. Kurtz, Ph.D.Location: James Madison UniversityDescription: Investigating potential behavior interventions to improve freshmen year roommate satisfaction and communication in college. This research was completed as a 403 lab for course credit and presented at the VPA conference (see below).Skills Obtained: assisting in the creation and execution of study protocols, creating formal presentations of results based on SPSS outputs, and facilitating discussion of data interpretation in a academic team based setting.

Fall 2013- Spring 2015Position: Research Assistant, Social Psychology LaboratorySupervisor: Jaime L. Kurtz, Ph.D.Location: James Madison UniversityDescription: An empirical implementation and behavioral interventions to foster an increased degree of savoring within James Madison University students. This research was completed as a 403 lab for course credit and presented at the SPA conference (see below).Skills Obtained: developing and using strict research protocol, coding qualitative data, proficiently utilizing Qualtrics, and the development of professional writing skills for regional conference proposals.

________________________________________________________________________________________________PUBLICATIONS

Kurtz, J. L. & Simmons, E. (in press). Savouring leisure places. In S. M. Gammon (Ed.). Landscapes in leisure: Space, place and identities. Palgrave.

Simmons, E. C. (2012). Transcend From the Depths. E- Vision: A Journal of First Year Writing.

________________________________________________________________________________________________POSTER AND PANEL PRESENTATIONS

Simmons, E., Welch, C. A., Bivens, D., Erlemeier, J., Klingenberg, J., Morse, A., & Kurtz, J. L. (March, 2015). Can an experimental intervention improve communication in freshman roommate pairs? Poster presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association, Hilton Head, SC. 

Welch, C. A., Simmons, E., Bivens, D., Erlemeier, J., Klingenberg, J., Morse, A., DiFazio, K., & Kurtz, J. L. (April, 2015). A familiar roommate is related to enhanced satisfaction at the beginning of college. Poster presented at the Virginia Psychological Association, Virginia Beach, VA.  

Welch, C. A., Bivens, D., Klingenberg, J., Morse, A., Piotrowski, A., Simmons, E. & Kurtz, J.L. (April, 2015). Locus of Control in College Students. Poster presented at the Showcase of Graduate Scholarship and Creative Activity Research Symposium, Harrisonburg, VA. 

Simmons, E., Prengergast, C., (April, 2015). Sharing of Academic Disciplines in the Writing Center. Panel accepted and presented at Mid- Atlantic Writing Conference Association, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

Simmons, E., Welch, C. A., Bivens, D., Erlemeier, J., Klingenberg, J., Morse, A., & Kurtz, J. L. (March, 2015). Can an Experimental Intervention Improve Communication in Freshman Roommate Pairs? Poster accepted and presented at the Southeastern Psychological Association, Hilton Head, SC.

Schubert, L., Prendergast, C., Simmons, E., Mcguigan, C., Deitrick, C. (October, 2014). Psychologizing the Writing Center: Three Studies that Investigate Writing Center Lore. Panel accepted at International Writing Centers Association / National Conference on Peer Tutoring in Writing Joint Conference, Orlando, Florida.

Simmons, E., Knetemann, M., Jakobsen, K. V. (June, 2014). Impact of Instructor Provided Resources on Student Performance and Perception. Poster accepted and presented at Eastern Conference on the Teaching of Psychology, Staunton, Virginia.

Bivens, D., Deitrick, C., Donovan, C., Erlemeier, J., Morse, A., Simmons, E., Kurtz, J. (April, 2014). Can Freshman Roommate Relationships Be Improved? Applying Research on Capitalization. Poster accepted and presented at Virginia Psychological Association Spring Convention, Norfolk, Virginia.

Bivens, D., Morse, A., Simmons, E., Undemir, F. (April, 2014). Can Seeing Through the Eyes of a Newcomer Promote Savoring? Poster presented at the annual Department of Psychology Student Symposium, James Madison University.

Bivens, D., Deitrick, C., Donovan, C., Erlemeier, J., Morse, A., Simmons, E., Kurtz, J. (April, 2014). Can Freshman Roommate Relationships Be Improved? Applying Research on Capitalization. Poster presented at the annual Department of Psychology Student Symposium, James Madison University.

______________________________________________________________________________________________TEACHING EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

Spring 2014 – Spring 2015 Position: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Developmental Psychology Supervisor: Krisztina V. Jakobsen, Ph.D. Course: Developmental PsychologyLocation: James Madison University, Psychology Department Skills Obtained: attending weekly meetings to amend resources, creating classroom activities, grading exams, discussing how to enhance the learning environment in the class, and helping the professor to facilitate intra- and inter-team discussions

Fall 2014Position: Undergraduate Teaching Assistant for Psychological Measurement and StatisticsSupervisor: Kevin Apple, Ph.D.Course: Psychological Measurement and StatisticsLocation: James Madison University, Psychology DepartmentSkills Obtained: tutoring students who need assistance outside of the classroom, focusing on building supplemental materials for Psychological Measurement and Statistics Course.

________________________________________________________________________________________________WORK EXPERIENCE

Spring 2014Position: Writing FellowSupervisor: Laura Schubert, Ph.D. candidate.Location: James Madison UniversitySkills Obtained: taking the role of an embedded, specialized tutor in an individual classroom, delivering occasional mini- lessons on writing skills, holding office hours and meeting for personal consultations, and meeting with the professor to specialize mini- lessons and classroom interactions.

Fall 2013- PresentPosition: Peer TutorSupervisor: Jared Featherstone, Ph.D.Location: James Madison University Writing CenterSkills Obtained: meeting with students one on one for help with their writing craft, weekly professional development meetings to discuss extra projects—as well as foster the improvement of the tutoring craft, and engaging in professional development projects that were research based in nature.

Fall 2012- Spring 2015Position: Assistant Head Wrestling CoachSupervisor: Darrel WilsonLocation: Harrisonburg High SchoolSkills Obtained: teaching the team about the sport of wrestling, creating a safe environment for extracurricular activity, supervising study hall and grades of student- athletes to determine eligibility, corresponding with the school athletic director, scheduling of transportation and tournament schedule, and developing leadership skills in a mentorship position.

________________________________________________________________________________________________Relevant Coursework

Psyc 210: Psychology measurements and statistics [Equivalent to 2 units at UQ] o This course provides an introduction to statistical techniques used by psychologists in measuring

behavior. Fundamental measures and theory of descriptive and inferential statistics will be discussed. The use of computers for data analysis will be introduced. (Assessment includes a final paper analysing a statistical dataset).

Psyc 211: Psychological Research Methods [Equivalent to 2 units at UQ] o This course provides an introduction to the application of scientific methodology to investigate

psychological phenomenon. Through lecture and laboratory, attention is given to choosing research questions, developing hypotheses, designing and conducting research, describing, analyzing and evaluating data and effectively communicating research findings. (Assessment includes a final research paper written with a research partner but graded independently)

Psyc 403: Independent Research Lab- Critical Thinking [Equivalent to 2 units at UQ] o An opportunity to apply classroom learning to practical problems and to expand the scope of

knowledge in psychology to areas not emphasized in the course work we offer. May include research, service learning, internship, directed readings, serving as a teaching assistant or a combination of these activities. (Research with Richard West)

Psyc 402, Psyc 402, & Psyc 403: Independent Research Lab- Positive Psychology [Each equivalent to 1.5-2 units at UQ]

o An opportunity to apply classroom learning to practical problems and to expand the scope of knowledge in psychology to areas not emphasized in the course work we offer. May include research, service learning, internship, directed readings, serving as a teaching assistant or a combination of these activities. (Research with Jaime Kurtz)

Psyc 402: Independent Research Lab- Teaching Developmental Psychology [Equivalent to 2 units at UQ] o An opportunity to apply classroom learning to practical problems and to expand the scope of knowledge

in psychology to areas not emphasized in the course work we offer. May include research, service learning, internship, directed readings, serving as a teaching assistant or a combination of these activities. (Research with Krisztina Jakobsen)

Psyc 497: Senior Seminar- Work- Life Integration [Equivalent to 2 units at UQ] o The Psychology of Work/Life Integration (WLI) will focus on how the dynamics among work, family, and

individual responsibilities and goals relate to mental and physical health, public policy, family functioning, and discrimination, among other topics. This class will highlight historical changes in family structure, international variation in work/life integration issues, socioecomonic influences, and ideas for solving problems related to work/life integration. (Assessment is a written report on the results from an experiment designed by the student).

REFERENCESKrisztina V. Jakobsen, Ph.D.Assistant Professor, Psychology DepartmentJames Madison UniversityDepartment of Psychology91 E. Grace Street, MSC 7704James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA 22807jakobskv@jmu.edu

Jaime L. Kurtz, Ph.D.Associate Professor, Psychology DepartmentJames Madison UniversityDepartment of Psychology91 E. Grace Street, MSC 7704James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA 22807kurtzjl@jmu.edu

William Evans, Ph.D.Professor, Psychology Department James Madison UniversityDepartment of Psychology91 E. Grace Street, MSC 7704James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA 22807evanswf@jmu.edu