Gordon Simerson

Education

Ph.D., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Wayne State University (1984)

M.A., Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Wayne State University (1982)

B.A. with Distinction, Psychology, University of Delaware (1979) 

Courses Taught

Dr. Simerson teaches primarily in the graduate program for I/O Psychology, but also offers courses for the MBA and other business programs, and for the doctoral program in Management Systems. These courses include:

P 640 Industrial Motivation and Morale
P 645 Seminar in I/O Psychology (Ldrshp/Grp Dynmcs, Consmr Psy, Adv Stats)
P 619 Organizational Behavior
P 642 Organizational Change and Development
P 620 Industrial Psychology

Dr. Simerson also supervises theses, dissertations, internships/practica, and independent studies.

Other

Dr. Gordon Simerson received his doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Wayne State University in 1984. His dissertation focused on the effects of one's level on job involvement and work involvement on the way they are evaluated by supervisors.

Prior to his graduate education, Dr. Simerson held a variety of jobs, ranging from the peculiar to the mundane-- hearse driver, parking garage operator, stage electrician, mechanic, delicatessen cook, janitor, forktruck driver, machine operator, and apartment manager, to name a few. More recently, his work history has shifted to include professor, consumer arbitrator, consultant, and administrator.

Currently, Dr. Simerson's research interests focus on the management of those in creative functions; application of the "Big 5" model of personality to understanding work-related attitudes; procedural justice and organizational ethics; and spirituality in the workplace.

Dr. Simerson's consulting interests lie primarily in the domain of organizational development-- one engagement involved working with the engineering staff of a manufacturing organization in order to resolve internal disputes and develop a stronger working relationship with management and with the shop floor. Other engagements have focused on market research, departmental mergers, and on the validity and fairness of selection/promotion systems.

Dr. Simerson belongs to the following professional organizations: the American Psychological Association, American Psychological Society, Academy of Management, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Metropolitan New York Association for Applied Psychologists, Organizational Behavior Teaching Society, and the Eastern Academy of Management. He is also a frequent contributor to the OD and OB internet newsgroups.

In the Fall of 1998, Dr. Simerson was appointed to the position of University Accreditation Officer, and was responsible for maintaining the University's accreditation status, and that of its programs, with the State of Connecticut and with various regional and professional accreditation agencies.

In June 2001, Dr. Simerson assumed the position of Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. In August 2006, he was appointed to the position of Associate Provost for Undergraduate Studies, Assessment and Accreditation.

On the personal side, Dr. Simerson is a champion amateur pool player; former UNH racquetball champion; a golfer; a home brewer, handyman, and hiker. Some of his spare time lately has been consumed researching his Scottish and German genealogical heritage.