• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
  Ph.D., Experimental Psychology, 1997
  M.A., Experimental Psychology, 1995
• Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN
  B.A. Psychology, Minor: French, 1991

Courses Taught: Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science, Social Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology (Study Abroad in Czech Republic and Poland), Child Development, Lifespan Development, Research Design, Seminar in Interpersonal Relationships, Sex & Gender, Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences.

Recent Publications:

• Gaia, A. C. & Leite, M. (2019). International education in the 21^st century: Lessons learned from 9/11 and cautious hope for the future. In M. Finney & M. Shannon (Eds.), 9/11 and the Academy: Responses in the Liberal Arts and the 21st-century world (pp. 275-309). Palgrave McMillan.

• Greenburg, J. & Gaia, A. C. (2019). Stereotype acceptance, gender role beliefs, interpersonal contact, religiosity, and causal attribution as predictors of attitudes toward transgender individuals. Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research, 24. 19-32.

• Leite, M., & Gaia, A. C. (2017). Cross-culture outcomes of a Brazilian professor Fulbright in the USA (English)/Resultados interculturaisde um professor brasileiro Fulbright nos EUA (Portuguese). Revista de Educação do Cogeime, 26 (50), 105-113.

• Gaia, A. C. (2015). Short-term faculty-led study abroad programs enhance cultural exchange and self-awareness. International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives, 14 (1), 21-31.

Recent Presentations:

• Lawson, J. & Gaia, A. C. (2019, March). Predictors of Antitrans Prejudice in College Students. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Jacksonville, FL.

• Gaia, A.C., Shannon, M., Leite, M., & Arnold, D. (2017, September). Bringing Global Home: Technology Bridges the U.S. and Brazil in Core Curriculum and Teacher Preparation. Interactive poster presentation at the annual meeting of the European Association of International Educators, Seville, Spain.

• Gaia, A. C. & Shannon, M. (2016, October). Using high-impact learning practices as bookends of global citizenship education. Paper presentation at the AAC&U Global Learning and the College Curriculum: Nurturing Student Efficacy in a Global World, Denver, CO.

• Greenburg, J. & Gaia, A. C. (2016, March/April). Understanding Attitudes Toward Transgender Individuals. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA.

Recent Student Research Presentations:

• Pullon, E. & Gaia, A. C. (2019, March). The Big Five Factors as predictors of psychological well-being and satisfaction with life. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Jacksonville, FL.

• Widener, K. & Gaia, A. C. (2019, March). Rape myth acceptance, empathy, and sexism as predictors of bystander attitudes toward sexual violence. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Jacksonville, FL.

• *Earl, M. & Gaia, A. C. (2018, March). Parenting styles and adult attachment as predictors of college students’ relationship satisfaction. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Charleston, SC.

• Minton, B. & Gaia, A. C. (2018, March). An analysis of locus of control and intrinsic/extrinsic motivation in an academic setting. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Charleston, SC.

• Renner, S. & Gaia, A. C. (2018, March). Stigmatization of mental health problems in gender-typical and gender-atypical disorders. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Charleston, SC.

• Staiano, M. & Gaia, A. C. (2018, March). The fading coal industry and its impacts on mental health in Southern Appalachia. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Charleston, SC.

• Berry, A. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Relationship Between Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Commitment, Occupational Stress, and Satisfaction with Life in Staff and Faculty Members. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• Harosky, J. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Role of Intimate Partner Violence and Aggression in College Students’ Depression, Anxiety, and Stress. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• *Peters, R. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Role of Perceived Body Image on College Students’ Self-Esteem. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• Renner, S. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Role of Love Styles in Relationship and Life Satisfaction. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• Reynolds, K.G., Young, E., & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Role of Social Media in College Students’ Body Image. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• *Staiano, M. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). Religiosity, Empathy, and Spirituality as Chief Correlates of Altruistic Behavior. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• *Stevens, B. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Role of Parenting Styles and Corporal Punishment in College Students’ Levels of Aggression. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• Taylor, C. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Role of Parent, Peer, and Place Attachment in Adjustment to College Life. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

• Young, E. & Gaia, A. C. (2017, March). The Influence of Patient-Physician Racial and Gender Concordance on Patients’ Perceptions of Physicians. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA.

*Designates winner of the Psi Chi Regional Research Award

• Chair, Department of Psychology, Emory & Henry College, January 2006-present
• Director, Office of International Education, Emory & Henry College, August 2007-present
• Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) administered by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), 2012- present
• Director, General Education Program, Emory & Henry College, January 2006- August 2007
• Professor, Emory & Henry College, 2013 - present
  Courses Taught: Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science, Social Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology (Study Abroad in Czech Republic and Poland), Child Development, Lifespan Development, Research Design, Seminar in Interpersonal Relationships, Sex & Gender; Online courses: Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science, Lifespan Development
• Associate Professor, Emory & Henry College, 2003 – 2013
  Courses Taught: Introduction to Psychology as a Social Science, Social Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology (Study Abroad in Czech Republic and Poland), Child Development, Research Design, Seminar in Interpersonal Relationships, Sex & Gender, Seminar in Memory & Cognition, Western Tradition (General Education Course), Introduction to Collegiate Life
• Director, Western Tradition General Education Program, Emory & Henry College, 2000 – 2005
• Assistant Professor, Emory & Henry College, 1997-2003
• Program Coordinator: Graduate Teaching Mentoring Program - Grant Partnership: University of Tennessee and The Alcoa Foundation, 1995-1997  
• Research Assistant, University of Tennessee, 1995 – 1997, Department of Psychology
• Teaching Associate, University of Tennessee, 1993 – 1996, Department of Psychology
  Courses Taught: General Psychology, Social Psychology
• Teaching Assistant, University of Tennessee, 1992 – 1997, Department of Psychology
  Courses Assisted: Social Psychology, Industrial & Organizational Psychology, Personality Psychology