Dana Dillard

Dana Dillard, PhD

Program Chair

College
College of Arts and Sciences
Field
Social & Behavioral Science
"Education does more than open doors – it creates paths we never could have imagined."

Education

  • PhD, Psychology, Walden University

    Minneapolis, MN, United States, 2019

  • MS, Psychology

    University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, United States, 2011

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association

  • European Health Psychology Society

  • International Positive Psychology Association

  • Society for the Teaching of Psychology

  • Society of Police and Criminal Psychology

Honors and Awards

  • Harold L. Hodgkinson Award for Outstanding Dissertation

    Walden University, 2020

  • College of Health, Human Services, and Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award

    Ashford University, 2018

Contact

Biography

Dr. Dana Dillard did not take a traditional path to the world of academia. After two failed attempts at college, she finally found her “why” when she realized her son needed a stronger and better-informed advocate. Completed entirely in the online environment, she earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and attained her Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University. In 2012, Dr. Dillard joined UAGC as associate faculty and found a passion for helping non-traditional adult learners. Dr. Dillard transitioned from associate faculty to core faculty to program chair for the Master and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology programs and could not be happier to call UAGC home. In addition to teaching, Dr. Dillard serves as faculty advisor on the UAGC Psych Club. She also teaches introductory psychology courses for a dual-credit program through her community college in northwest Illinois, giving rural high school students the opportunity to earn college credits that otherwise would be inaccessible.

Dr. Dillard’s research interests are diverse, having published articles and chapters on psychoneuroimmunology, stress, mindfulness, nutrition, fertility, epigenetics and intergenerational transmission of health risk, evidence-based practices, and more, but all of which are rooted in health psychology – the intersection of behavior and well-being. Her 2019 dissertation focused on developing a predictive model of posttraumatic distress in emergency communications personnel. She is also a certified holistic stress management instructor, drum circle facilitator, and Reiki practitioner.

In her previous life, Dr. Dillard was a police dispatcher, which fostered her teaching philosophy that students are masters of their own lives and those lived experiences can bring insight and understanding into the classroom, which can, with support and nurturing, fuel the change that is needed in the world. In essence, Dr. Dillard believes that every classroom interaction is a chance to grow together.

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Are you currently a licensed RN?

This program requires you to be a current licensed registered nurse. Please check out other programs to reach your education goals such as the BA in Health and Wellness.

Are you a member of the military?

We are currently not accepting new enrollments in the state of North Carolina.