Full-Time Faculty

Katherine Aumer, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology

Ph.D. - University of Texas, Austin

Courses taught at HPU: Introduction to Psychology, Social Psychology, Human Sexuality, Lifespan Developmental Psychology, Psychology of Dreams

Office: 1166 Fort Street Mall -- FS Building, Room 309
Phone: (808) 544-0804
E-mail: kaumer@hpu.edu

Research interests: Has conducted research in the areas of emotions, relationship satisfaction, and racial identity. Dr. Aumer is currently conducting research in sexual identity and personality in long term relationships.

Patricia "Trish" Ellerson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Assisstant Dean in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Ph.D. - University of California-Santa Barbara

Office: 1166 Fort Street Mall -- FS Building, Room 211
Phone: (808) 566-2467
E-mail: pellerson@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Research Methods in Psychology, Research Seminar, Social Psychology, Evolutionary Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Lifespan Developmental Psychology

Research interests: Has conducted research in the areas of intimate partner violence, child abuse, jealousy, and academic achievement in middle childhood; is currently interested in the evolutionary origins of psychological phenomena and personal relationships

Michael Erickson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology and Psychology Department Chair

Ph.D. - Indiana University

Office: 1166 Fort Street Mall -- FS Building, Room 201-A
Phone: (808) 356-5211
E-mail: merickson@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Introduction to Psychology, Statistics in Psychology, Cognitive Psychology

Research interests: Has conducted basic research to understand how the brain coordinates multiple systems in learning, reasoning, memory, and attention by investigating phenomena such as category learning, positive and negative priming, and working memory. He utilizes careful empirical studies as well as computational and mathematical models of behavior. He also conducts applied research in eyewitness identification and is interested in health psychology.

William "Doug" Hall, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology

MSCP - Chaminade University
Ph.D. - Saybrook University

Office: 1188 Fort Street Mall -- MP Building, Room 407
Phone: (808) 544-0218
E-mail: dhall@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Introduction to Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Biopsychology, Abnormal Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Psychology of Music, History & Systems of Psychology

Research interests: Has conducted research on the effectiveness of unconventional therapy interventions, the role of cultural traits in musical performance and motivation, and the kinesthetic perception of music. He is also interested in cross-disciplinary research in human performance, aesthetics, and creativity.

Howard Markowitz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology

M.S. - Suffolk University
Ph.D. - Union Institute & University

Office: 1166 Fort Street Mall -- FS Building, Room 309
Phone: (808) 566-2485
E-mail: hmarkowitz@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Introduction to Psychology (traditional & online), Social Psychology, Lifespan Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology (traditional & online),Personality (traditional & online), History & Systems of Psychology, Well-Being & Positive Psychology

Research interests: Will continue to train students to use microskills in counseling and to explore the psychological and cultural factors leading to healthy lifestyles among university students; through the Peer Support Counseling Program, offers students an opportunity to become student advocates/peer educators

Brian Metcalf, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology

Ph.D. - University of Georgia

Office: 1132 Bishop St -- MP Building, Room 407
Phone: (808) 544-1473
E-mail: bmetcalf@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Introduction to Psychology, Statistics in Psychology, Research Methods in Psychology, Biopsychology, Social Psychology, and History & Systems of Psychology

Research interests: Has wide-ranging interests in psychology; has conducted research incorporating Chaos Theory to schedule-induced operant behaviors in rats, the effects of physiological and social stressors in hamsters, the stimulus properties of "club-drugs" such as gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and eyewitness and "false" memories

Jeffrey Stern, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology

Ph.D. - University of Hawaii at Manoa

Office: 1166 Fort Street Mall -- FS Building, Room 201
Phone: (808) 566-2481
Email: jstern@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Ethical and Professional Issues in CMHC, Clinical Practice and Supervision.  Will teach research methods, and child and adolescent assessment and treatment. 

Research interests: Has conducted reserach in the area of developmental clinical psychology, and clinical assessment of hearing-impaired children.  Dr. Stern is currently conducting research on measures of ADHD.

Vincent Tsushima, J.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology

Ph. D. - St. John's University
J.D. - Fordham University Law School

Office: 1188 Fort Street Mall -- MP Building, Room 407
Phone: (808) 544-1410
E-mail: vtsushima@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Introduction To Psychology, Research Methods In Psychology, Human Sexuality, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Group Counseling, Forensic Psychology, Tests and Measurements, Abnormal Psychology, and Psychotherapies

Research interests: Has conducted research in the areas of behavioral medicine and forensic psychology; is currently conducting research in neuropsychological assessment

Susan B. Watson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology and MA-CMHC Program Director

Ph.D. - University of Hawai`i Manoa

Office: 1166 Fort Street Mall -- FS Building, Room 309
Phone: (808) 566-2464
E-mail: swatson@hpu.edu

Courses taught at HPU: Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Tests & Measurements, Counseling/Community Practicum, Psychology of Substance Abuse, Abnormal Psychology, Psychotherapies

Research interests: Has conducted research in the areas of cognitive-behavioral interventions and clinical assessment, particularly as related to traumatized and eating-disordered populations. Dr. Watson is currently conducting research on trauma history and associated symptoms in college students.