Dr. Chun received his B.S. in 2001 at Rutgers University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in 2010 at the University of California at Davis. His research interest primarily focuses on emotion, cognition, and their applications in attachment theory. In particular, he is interested in the cognitive processes underlying avoidant defenses and their impact on health and overall well-being. Dr. Chun teaches General Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Cultural Psychology.
Kathleen Hickey
B.A. – Queens College, CUNY
M.S. – Queens College, CUNY
Ed.D. – Teachers College, Columbia University
As an educator for 40 years, Professor Hickey has taught a variety of students, ranging from traditional-aged students to returning adults, both undergraduate and graduate students. In 2023, Kathleen was appointed as the University’s Director of the Humanities and Social Sciences Division. Her research interests include reading and writing with special emphasis on “remedial” work at the college level. She was instrumental in revamping Dominican University’s Freshmen Writing Sequence to accelerate students with their remediation so they could swiftly proceed with their college careers.
Additional research interests span the gamut from at-risk students to multicultural aspects of literature. She is a member of NCTE—National Council of Teachers of English, the NYCLA—New York College Learning Association, and NADE—the National Association of Developmental Educators. Yearly, she judges The Global Undergraduate Awards, an international competition of undergraduate papers from around the world. Additionally, each fall, she participates in the NCTE Day of Writing, submitting entries for their National Day of Writing.
Her outside interests include traveling, attending plays, reading, listening to all genres of music, and generally being active.
Melody L. Hyppolite
Melody L. Hyppolite, Ph.D., MSW, Director of Field Education and Associate Professor of Social Work earned her B.S. in Psychology, Kentucky Wesleyan College, her M.S.W. from Spalding University.
Teaching areas include:
Research Methods, Macro Practice,
Social Work Practice,
Social Work Theory/HBSE
Paul Bonk
Dr. Bonk received his Ph.D. in Comparative Politics from Rutgers University, an M.A. in International Relations from University of Toronto, and a B.A. in English Literature from University of Toronto. His research interests include ethnic conflict; economic development; African history, culture, and politics; and the historical evolution of the interstate system. Dr. Bonk teaches a range of courses, including the Origins of Modern Africa, World Politics, Introduction to Sociology, American National Government, and Global Interdependence.
Maureen Aitchison
Kelly M. Johnson
Dr. Johnson received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from University of Delaware, an M.A. in General Experimental Psychology from California State University, Northridge, and a B.S. in International Finance from University of Southern California. Her research interests involve Intergroup Relations, particularly as anxiety and control are involved, and more recently, the effect of re-testing on students’ retention of course material. Among the courses Dr. Johnson teaches are Psychological Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Experimental Psychology and Social Psychology.
Christopher G. Libertini
Dr. Libertini has earned four degrees from Boston College, including a Ph.D. in Medieval History from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, an M.Ed. in Secondary Teaching from the Graduate School of Education, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the School of Management. His areas of concentration include Ancient and Medieval Europe with a particular concentration in the Crusades. Dr. Libertini has presented papers at international conferences based on his dissertation, “Decision at Damietta: The Transformation of the Crusades 1095-1221.” More recently, his research projects have focused on the legacy of crusading and the modern world. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Libertini serves the Dominican University community as the faculty advisor to the school’s Debating Society, which competes as a member of the Public Forum Debate League against other area colleges. He is also an officer in the United States Army Reserves and served on active duty for a homeland defense mission as part of Operation Noble Eagle II.
Tara Parrello
Tara Parrello is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology and the Coordinator of Criminal Justice Studies. Dr. Parrello has earned two degrees from Fordham University, including a Ph.D. and a M.A. in Sociology. She completed her undergraduate studies at Manhattanville College, earning a B.A. in Sociology. Her areas of concentration include: criminology, gender, deviance, popular culture and body modification with a particular concentration in plastic surgery. Dr. Parrello has presented papers at national sociology and criminology conferences based on her dissertation, Look This Way: The Growth and Diversity of Plastic Surgery in Contemporary America and her research on juvenile crime and ethnic gangs.
Blair Hoplight
Blair Hoplight received his BS in Biology, and a BA in Psychology from the State University of New York at Potsdam. He received his Masters and Ph.D. in Bio Behavioral Sciences at the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Currently his research includes studies of witness identification in lineups and the efficacy of games as learning and memory tools. Among the courses Dr. Hoplight teaches are Quantitative Research Methods, Psychology of Gender, Criminal Psychology and Senior Seminar for the Social Sciences. In addition, Dr. Hoplight coordinates the Psychology Club.