Formed under Public Law 92-463 and 38 U.S.C. § 3121, the 15-member VA VACOR assesses the needs of Veterans with disability by reviewing programs and activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs designed to meet such needs and receiving briefings from subject matter experts (SME). Based upon the needs assessments, review of current services and SME briefings, VA VACOR advises and provides recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on the formulation and administration of Veteran rehabilitation programs.

The U.S. Army's 3rd Medical Recruiting Battalion is tasked with recruiting officers for the U.S. Army's Medical Corps, Veterinary Corps, Dental Corps, Specialist Corps, Medical Service Corps, Nurse Corps, and the Chaplain Corps.As ESS, responsibilities include serving as principal advisor to the Battalion Commander on matters relating to education and the Battalion's liaison to colleges and universities in the states of Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

The Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center of the Veterans Affairs' Northwest Network (VISN 20 NW MIRECC) improves the health and well-being of military veterans by developing, evaluating, and disseminating novel and effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. Responsibilities included:• Developing education curricula, instructional methods, materials, and procedures utilizing adult education principles and theories to address the educational needs of mental health professionals serving the needs of Veterans• Planning, organizing, and managing continuing education courses with VA and community partners• Developing proposals for education program funding• Creating/editing academic manuscripts and education materials• Designing, conducting, and interpreting needs assessments for, and evaluations of, education programs for ongoing quality improvement• Represent the Center at face-to-face, virtual, and telephone meetings with education partners• Guest lecture at community colleges around Portland, Oregon tying in psychological theories and NW MIRECC research with the experiences of active servicemembers and Veterans to illustrate how current research and psychological theories can be used to understand, and intervention tailored to, the active servicemember/Veteran population• Attend professional events around the city of Portland to increase NW MIRECC visibility in the community and inform community of NW MIRECC activities

With an average load of 3 courses per semester, responsibilities consisted of:• Designing course curriculum, structure, and assessments• Meeting with students to provide guidance, tutorial, assess source of, and develop strategies to overcome, difficulties• Delivery of face-to-face courses while maximizing student learning through use of learning theories and principles, methods, practices and techniques of instructional systemCourses taught (times course has been taught): *Military Psych (2): explored the history, structure, culture of the US military, stressors of military service and contribution of stressors in genesis of psychological disorders prevalent among past and present service members*Learning and Memory (8): explored major forms of learning/memory processes and application of theories in problem-solving in various settings*Cognitive Psych (6): explored concepts relating to human perception, e.g., learning and memory, information-processing, perception, memory storage and retrieval*Abnormal Psych (2): explored diagnostic features, biopsychosocial bases, and treatments for abnormal behavior*Alcohol and Substance Abuse (1): examined effects of substance use, models of abuse/addiction, and prevention/treatment*Brain and Behavior (5): explored the structure and function of the nervous system, physiological bases of abnormal behavior, effects of drugs/drug addiction, and treatment *Child/Human Development (2): covers major theories of psychological growth, interactions between heredity and environment, and biopsychosocial domains of development*Introduction to Psych (1): provided a foundational understanding of psychological principles and concepts*Personality and Adjustment (1): explored theories of personality formation and their influence on cooperation or conflict*Personality Theories (5): study of major theories of personality (development, structure and dynamics) and origin of normal and pathological personality development

Assigned an average of twenty-five students per semester, responsibilities included:*Meeting with students to set individualized student goals*Monitoring progress to ensure program compliance relating to academic requirements of the psychology program*Helping students explore career paths*Guiding students in identifying and exploring ways to overcome barriers that hindered academic success

Facilitated student learning through blended course learning model utilizing both face-to-face and online based activities. Courses taught:• Introduction to Psychology• Motivation and Leadership• Culture and Society• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving