Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership

Antecedent Departments

Psychology (1956–1958)
Leadership Studies, under Commandant (1958–1961)
Psychology (1961–1962)
Behavioral Sciences (1962–1965)
Psychology and Leadership (1965–1971)
Life and Behavioral Sciences (1971–1975)
Behavioral Sciences and Leadership (1975–Present)

Department Heads 1956–1958 Lt Col Fred E. Holdrege Jr. 1958–1961 Lt Col Gabriel D. Ofiesh 1961–1964 Col Herman F. Smith 1964–1968 Col Henry E. Wojdyla 1968–1970 Col Joseph M. Madden 1970–1971 Col Robert E. Stackhouse 1971–1975 Col Peter B. Carter 1975–1985 Col John L. Williams Jr. 1985–1992 Col Richard L. Hughes 1992–1993 Col David B. Porter 1993–1995 Col Hughes 1995–2001 Col Porter 2001–2002 Lt Col Robert J. Jackson 2002–2004 Col Dana H. Born 2004–2010 Col Gary A. Packard Jr. Spring 2011 Col Randall W. Gibb 2011–2016 Col Packard 2016– Col Joseph D. Looney		Permanent Professors Pete Carter John Williams   Rich Hughes Dave Porter   Dana Born Gary Packard

The Department Today:

The study of Behavioral Sciences lays the scientific foundation for understanding of self and one’s ability to work with others. This understanding is conveyed to cadets through study of behavior and mental processes across diverse levels of analyses, emphasized through topics such as perception, cognition, learning, memory, social interactions, mental health issues, and the biological basis of behavior. Majors choose concentration in one of several areas: Clinical/Counseling Psychology, Experimental Psychology, Leadership, Sociocultural, Human Factors, or Health Professions.

Curriculum:

The department offers 25 courses in Behavioral Sciences and supports courses in Social Sciences.
    Core Courses: 
         Officership 100-400. Leadership
         Beh Sci 110. Introduction to Behavioral Science
         Beh Sci 231. Basic Research Methods and Statistical Tools (core option)
         Beh Sci 360. Sociology (Advanced Sociocultural Choice)
    Majors:  Behavioral Sciences
         Systems Engineering (Interdisciplinary)

Noteworthy:

The department is a national leader in the areas of respect for human dignity, diversity, inclusion, gender equity, and race relations. They have contributed to the national dialogue in multiple social justice arenas such as religious respect, sexual assault prevention, racial equality, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal, and transgender military service. The Warfighter Effectiveness Research Center, the research arm of the department, is dedicated to facilitating faculty and cadet research in the behavioral sciences that enhance warfighter effectiveness. Collaborators include government laboratories, academia, industry, and military operators. The department is a leader in the Air Officer Commanding Master’s Degree Program (through partnership with the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs) and the Cadet Commander’s Leadership Enrichment Seminar (partnered with the Center for Character and Leadership Development).