Leadership, Behavioral Ethics, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Ethics, Ethical Decision-Making, Values
Nick received his BA in Psychology from Hamilton College and received his Masters and PhD in Educational Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin (UT). After his PhD he moved to Japan to teach English for a year as part of the JET Programme. Nick started working at George Mason University in June 2011 and is the Director of the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Office. Nick’s work is focused on ethical leadership. He oversees the LEAD Office which helps students develop as effective, ethical leaders through a series of workshops, conferences, classes, speakers, dialogues, and retreats. LEAD's programs are tailored to students at different levels of leadership development and provide opportunities to develop a strong sense of self, augment critical thinking and interpersonal skills, develop global and cultural competencies, and cultivate organizational skills for transition into the professional world. Nick is an affiliate faculty member with the School of Integrative Studies (SIS) and teaches INTS 404 "Ethics and Leadership." He receive 2 grants to develop a new study abroad course entitled: "Leadership Across Difference: Lessons from Medieval Spain" and took a group of students to a variety of locations in Spain for a 10-day, 3-credit program in May 2022 (see: https://lead.gmu.edu/spain/). He also has taught "Ethical Leadership: Lessons from the Holocaust", a 3-credit course where he has taken a group of students to Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. Nick has traveled extensively in the US, Europe and Asia.
Oct 2022: Revolutionizing Ethical Leadership Development: The Science of Behavioral Ethics. Presentation at the 2022 International Leadership Association (ILA) conference with Cara Biasucci, Creator/Director of Ethics Unwrapped
Oct 2021: Supporting Ethical Decision-Making Across Culture: Leadership Education On-Campus and Abroad. Presentation at the 2021 International Leadership Association (ILA) virtual conference with Graziella McCarron, PhD and Aoi Yamanaka, PhD.
June 2021: Supporting Ethical Decision-Making Across Culture: Leadership Education On-Campus and Abroad. Research Poster at the Association of Leadership Educators (ALE) virtual conference with Graziella McCarron, PhD and Aoi Yamanaka, PhD.
Mar 2021: Supporting Ethical Decision-Making Across Culture: Leadership Education On-Campus and Abroad. Presentation at the 2021 ACPA virtual conference with Graziella McCarron, PhD and Aoi Yamanaka, PhD.
Dec 2020: Supporting Ethical Decision-Making Across Culture: Leadership Education On-Campus and Abroad. Presentation at the 2020 Leadership Educators Institute (LEI) virtual conference with Graziella McCarron, PhD and Aoi Yamanaka, PhD.
Nov 2019: The Four A’s: Essential Components for Developing Ethical Leaders. Presentation at International Leadership Association (ILA) annual international conference in Ottawa, Canada with Mary Gentile, Creator/Director of Giving Voice to Values (GVV) and Cara Biasucci, Creator/Director of Ethics Unwrapped.
Nov 2018: Outstanding Achievement Award. Awarded the George Mason University Outstanding Achievement Award, which celebrates the "hard work, dedication and achievements" of George Mason University’s faculty and staff. A particular focus is on those who support Mason’s values and mission. Award included $1,000 and is given once a year in the fall semester.
Oct 2018: Teaching Excellence Nomination. Nominated for a 2019 George Mason University Teaching Excellence Award
Oct 2018: The Science of Behavioral Ethics: Tools for Leadership Development. Presentation at International Leadership Association (ILA) annual international conference in West Palm Beach, Florida with Cara Biasucci, Creator/Director of Ethics Unwrapped.
Oct 2018: Leading Positive Change? Moving to Ethical Action. Facilitated conference opening for over 100 participants at the Leadership Mason Conference in Fairfax, Virginia
May 2018: Global Education Office (GEO) Course Development Grant. Awarded a $2,000 grant to be used for travel to Spain in order to develop a new course entitled “Leadership Across Difference: Lessons from Medieval Spain”
May 2018: Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) Curriculum Development Grant. Awarded a $1,000 grant to support the development of an undergraduate Ethics and Leadership course that integrates interfaith themes.
Oct 2016: What Would You Do? Tough Decisions and Ethical Activism. Keynote Speaker for over 100 participants at the Leadership Mason Conference in Fairfax, Virginia.
July 2016: Leveraging the Power of the Holocaust to Build Adaptive Leadership Capacity and Moral Decision-Making in Leadership Learners. Association of Leadership Educators (ALE) Annual Conference in Sacramento, California.
May 2016: Why Do Good People Do Bad Things? Lessons from Ordinary People During the Holocaust. Invited as the 2016 Holocaust Ethical Leadership Symposium Keynote Speaker for 100 people at the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Feb 2016: Behavioral Ethics: Lessons from Ordinary People During the Holocaust. Presentation at Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) International Conference in Reston, Virginia.
Sept 2014: EQ-i 2.0 (Emotional Intelligence) Certified Practitioner
Nov 2013: Ethical Decision Making. In W. Wagner, D. Ostick, & Associates. Exploring leadership, facilitation and activity guide: For college students who want to make a difference (pp. 137-145). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Oct 2013: Ethical Leadership and Resilience: Are there Universal Leadership Values, Rights and Responsibilities? Presentation at International Leadership Association (ILA) International Conference in Montréal, Canada.
Oct 2013: Academic and Student Affairs Partnerships for Institutional Transformation. Presentation at International Leadership Association (ILA) International Conference in Montréal, Canada.
Oct 2012: Ethical Leadership Development: Crossing the Great Divide between Theory and Practice. Presentation at International Leadership Association (ILA) International Conference in Denver, Colorado.
Feb 2012: Emerging Strengths: How George Mason University Students Benefit from Strengths Education and Development. Presentation Chair/Moderator at Gallup Strengths in Education Conference: The Impact of Strengths on Hope and Well-Being in Fairfax, Virginia.
Dec 2011: MBTI® (Myers-Briggs) Certified Practitioner
Oct 2011: Teaching Student Leaders and Leadership Studies Students. Presentation Chair/Moderator at International Leadership Association (ILA) International Conference in London, UK.
May 2010: Group Study Exchange (GSE) Travel Grant Award. Rotary Foundation.
Selected as one of four people from the Washington DC and Central Maryland area to participate in a cultural and vocational exchange in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Focused on how leadership is taught and practiced in both cultures. Award covered all travel expenses to Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Nov 2008: Developing Your Leadership Course. Roundtable session at International Leadership Association (ILA) International Conference in Los Angeles.
Nov 2007: Ethical Living, Ethical Leading. Presentation at International Leadership Association (ILA) International Conference in Vancouver, Canada.
Dec 2005: Award Winning Exchange Program Proposal. Leadership and Ethics Exchange Program (LEEP). Proposed an exchange program between Japan and the U.S. focused on leadership, ethics and intercultural communication. Proposal was selected as a winner of the 2005 JETAA Essay Contest. Award included a trip to Japan to present the proposal to Japanese government officials.
Jan 2000: Dissertation. Personal goal system complexity: Effective integration and its relationship to psychological well-being. Conducted an original study about the relationship between progressing towards one’s goals and one’s psychological well-being.
INTS 404 – Ethics and Leadership
INTS 498, INTS 595 - Leadership Across Difference: Lessons from Medieval Spain (Short-term faculty led course in Spain). Cross listed as PSYC 461, HNRS 130, HIST 388, CONF 385, CONF 695
INTS 398, INTS 595 – Ethical Leadership: Lessons from the Holocaust (Short-term faculty led course in Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic). Cross listed as HNRS 130, CONF 385, CONF 399