Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Department of Psychology faculty involved in industrial and organizational research: 

Dr. Nicolette Hass, Professor of Practice and I/O Program Director

Prior to joining UTA in 2007, Dr. Hass consulted for several years for a large multinational aeronautics organization. That experience was integral to the formation of her teaching and mentoring philosophy, which ultimately led to her current role as professor of practice. With a focus on the application of I/O, one of her primary roles is serving as director of The Industrial and Organizational Psychology Center, which connects the business community with UTA students in the I/O master’s program. Faculty and graduate students associated with The Center have collaborated with organizations on projects such as employee attitudes assessment, organizational change implementation, performance management system improvement, and leadership training and development. Past collaborators include:

  • Dallas County Medical Reserve Corps
  • Tarrant County Mental Health Services
  • CompuCom
  • Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses

Dr. Logan Watts, Assistant Professor

Dr. Watts's research focuses on the topics of leadership, ethics, and creativity/innovation in organizations. For example, he studies the processes by which leaders impact ethical decision making and creative problem solving, as well as depictions of leadership and creativity in popular media. He has also worked with a variety of organizations in functions related to culture assessment, talent management, and training and development. Research interests include:

  • Leadership
  • Ethical decision making
  • Creative problem solving

Prof. Rachel Baldridge, Assistant Professor of Instruction

Prof. Baldridge’s primary interests include competency modeling development and applications, personnel selection, as well as intergroup contact. Currently, her primary focus is the development of partnerships with organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for giving students the invaluable opportunity of applied experience during their time at UTA. In addition, she serves as the graduate advisor for the I/O master's program.


Dr. Paul Paulus, Professor Emeritus

Dr. Paulus has done extensive research on group and team creativity and innovation. He has conducted a number of workshops on these issues and can facilitate applied projects with organizations in these areas. He is also an expert on environmental design. He has consulted in the past with a number of national and international organizations on both environmental design and innovation processes. Research interests include:

  • Creativity and innovation
  • Group processes