Shawn George, Ph.D., LPC, NCC

Experience

• Academic leadership and administration within higher education
• Teaching, curriculum development, and academic program leadership
• Clinical counseling experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor

Biography

Dr. Shawn George serves as Associate Dean for the School of Behavioral Sciences and as Associate Professor of Psychology. In his leadership role, he provides oversight for academic operations, program development, student success initiatives, accreditation activities, and strategic planning across the School of Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. George has extensive experience in higher education administration, teaching, curriculum development, and online education. He has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, counseling, human services, and pastoral counseling, and has also served as a subject-matter expert for numerous academic courses and programs.

Prior to his work in higher education administration, Dr. George worked in behavioral and mental health settings. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor with more than a decade of clinical experience.

Dr. George’s scholarship explores the factors that promote hope and human flourishing, including agency, meaning in life, social connection, time perspective, and person-environment interactions. His broader scholarly interests include gratitude, humility, and the integration of faith and psychology as contributors to personal growth and flourishing. Through teaching, scholarship, and academic leadership, he is committed to advancing student development and excellence in Christian higher education.

Selected Publications

George, S. M., Kelley, B. M., & Piferi, R. L. (2023). Introduction to psychology from a Christian worldview (2nd ed.). Kendall Hunt.

Piferi, R. L., George, S. M., & Kelley, B. M. (2025). Simplψ psψch. Kendall Hunt.

George, S. M. (2023). Cognitive models of hope. In B. Kelley (Ed.), Applied cognitive psychology: A Christian and ethically integrated approach. Kendall Hunt.

George, S. M. (2023). Hope and recovery. In B. Kelley (Ed.), Drug use across the lifespan: A biopsychosocial approach(6th ed.). Kendall Hunt.