KENNESAW, Ga. | Jul 17, 2026

Jennifer Willard, Ph.D., to Serve as Interim Chair of the Department of Psychological Science

Dean Catherine (Katie) Kaukinen has announced that beginning August 1st, Corinne McNamara, Ph.D., will assume the role of Interim Associate Dean of Student Success and Engagement for the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences, while Jennifer Willard, Ph.D., will step into the role of Interim Chair of the Department of Psychological Science.

"Radow College’s Student Success and Engagement initiatives and responsibilities have grown significantly during the past several years and require strong leadership as the college continues to center student success as its priority,” said Dean Kaukinen. “Dr. McNamara’s leadership and administrative skills will ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the college’s Student Success and Engagement portfolio. I am also excited to announce that Dr. Jennifer Willard, who is currently the Associate Chair of the Department of Psychological Science, will become the Interim Department Chair,” the dean added.

The Associate Dean for Student Success and Engagement’s portfolio includes coordinating all student-facing events throughout the academic year, tracking and reporting data pertaining to attendance/engagement at events, as well as ensuring the academic progress of Radow College students via tracking midterm grades, early alerts, and faculty engagement with Simple Syllabus. The portfolio also includes collaborating with the college’s academic departments and schools on their student success initiatives.

“Student success remains central to our mission, and it is fundamentally a collective endeavor that relies on the shared commitment of students, faculty, and partners across the university,” said McNamara. “I am honored to serve as Interim Associate Dean of Student Success and Engagement and to help advance this important work by building on the strong foundation and momentum already in place, while supporting our faculty and unit leaders in meaningful and impactful ways. This transition is further strengthened by Dr. Willard’s leadership; she has been an exceptional partner and a dedicated
advocate for our students, faculty, and staff, and I am confident in her ability to guide the Department of Psychological Science during this interim period.”

The Department of Psychological Science offers programs that challenge students in the study of behavior and mental processes through promoting scientific thinking, research, rigorous scholarly activity, and evidence-based teaching. The department graduates students with a BS in Psychology who are equipped with skills that position them as confident leaders, skilled researchers, and conscientious global citizens. The department also offers a minor in psychology.

“I have greatly valued the opportunity to work closely with Dr. McNamara in advancing the department’s mission and supporting initiatives that enhance student success, faculty achievement, and departmental growth,” said Willard. “Our department is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. We strive to help students develop critical thinking, effective communication, and adaptability while learning alongside faculty whose scholarship
advances psychological science and addresses important societal issues. I look forward to building on the department’s many strengths and supporting the success of our faculty, staff, and students during this transition.”

Additionally, Daniel Rogers, Ph. D, who joined the KSU faculty in the fall of 2005 and who previously served in the role of Associate Chair of the department, will once again serve in that capacity. Dr. Rogers has held various leadership roles in the Georgia Psychological Association and as a Court Appointed
Special Advocate. He earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and has taught a variety of courses including PSYC 2210 Careers in Psychology and PSYC 4430 Psychopathology. “We look forward to what I am sure will be a successful academic year with Drs. McNamara, Willard, and Rogers in their respective positions. Congratulations to all three on their new roles,” said Dean Kaukinen.

Dr. McNamara is currently chair of and a professor in the Department of Psychological Science. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Mississippi. After earning her MA in neuroscience from Baylor University, she returned to the University of Mississippi, where she earned her Ph.D. in experimental psychology. She teaches online and in-person classes on the introduction of psychology, research methodology, physiological psychology, and the psychology of love. Her primary research interest is centered on interpersonal violence and trauma-informed leadership. She has been published extensively, most recently in the journal The Department Chair, where she had four articles published in the past two years, Military Medicine, and The American Journal on Addictions.

Dr. Jennifer Willard’s research focuses on social psychology, specifically how individual beliefs and expectations shape social reality. She has an expertise in legal psychology as it relates to the intersection between social psychology and the legal system, including research into false confessions. When it comes to academic leadership, she has delved deeply into higher education teaching and learning strategies, including combatting cheating and onboarding contingent faculty. She is a trained social psychologist who has had her research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, European Journal of Social Psychology, and Behavioral Sciences and the Law. Additionally, she was named KSU’s Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor in 2020. Willard is currently the associate chair of and a professor in the Department of Psychological Science.