Faculty
Shannon Flynt
Associate Professor
Credentials:
Shannon Flynt, MS Counseling Psychology, is an Associate Professor of Psychology of the Behavioral and Social Sciences Department. She joined Salt Lake Community College full-time in the Fall of 2008 after serving as a visiting instructor for three years at Arkansas Tech University (ATU). Prior to teaching full-time she worked as a Research Assistant/Field Trainer in ATU’s Child Welfare Office coordinating training events for the Division of Children and Family Services staff and foster parents in 14 counties in central and north central Arkansas. Training included one-on-one training for frontline Child Protection Service workers for the first year of their employment as well as advanced training for seasoned workers. She is currently the Faculty Advisor for the SLCC Psychology Club and Co-Advisor for the SLCC chapter of Psi Beta national honor society in psychology. The purpose of both clubs is to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in the discipline and science of psychology; to promote the mission, values and goals of Salt Lake Community College; to provide members opportunities to engage in psychological research and present findings (yearly) at state and regional psychology conferences, and to provide opportunities to engage in community and college service.
Education
BS Psychology, Arkansas Tech University
MS Counseling Psychology, University of Central Arkansas
Expertise
- Individual, family, and group counseling with an emphasis in child maltreatment/welfare issues.
- Crisis intervention, disaster and trauma management.
- Assessment techniques in counseling.
- Training and retention services for Department of Children and Family Services Family Service Workers.
- Training and support services for foster and therapeutic foster parents.
Courses Taught
- PSY1010 Introduction to Psychology
- PSY1100 Lifespan Human Development
- PSY2000 Cooperative Education
- PSY2300 Abnormal Psychology
- PSY2900 Special Topics in Psychology
Thomas Hanson
Associate Professor
Credentials:
Master of Science in Experimental Psychology, Western Illinois University
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science, Marquette University
Graduate Certificate in Organizational Consulting and Change, University of Missouri
Biography:
Tom Hanson is an assistant professor of psychology, teaching online and traditional classes in general psychology, lifespan human development, and personality theory. He joined Salt Lake Community College as an adjunct faculty member in January 2015 and was hired full-time later that spring. Prior to his current position, Tom taught psychology courses at a two-year college in Wisconsin, as well as middle school math, science, and reading through the Teach for America program in Phoenix, where he also worked as a high needs case manager for youth.
Tom also serves as advisor for the SLCC chapter of Psi Beta, the national honor society for psychology students at community colleges. He enjoys collaborating with Psi Beta and Psychology Club students on research projects, as well as various campus programs and events aimed at promoting psychological science. In his spare time, Tom enjoys reading, skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and golfing.
Courses Taught:
- PSY 1010 – General Psychology
- PSY 1100 – Lifespan Human Development
- PSY 2250 – Personality Theory
Expertise:
Tom’s graduate research and master’s thesis examined evolutionary influences on interpersonal attraction, mating, and jealousy. While he still has an affinity for evolutionary social psychology, Tom’s current area of interest involves identity and personality development in adulthood, particularly how these processes relate to one’s meaning in life and academic achievement.
Karen Kwan
Full Professor
Credentials:
Ed.D., University of Utah
Justice Morath
Associate Professor
Credentials:
Fort Lewis College- B.A. in Psychology w/ Philosophy minor
Northern Arizona University- M.A. in Psychological Sciences
Bio:
In seventh grade, Justice had a parent-teacher conference for quoting the Dead Kennedys in a school presentation. These days he is Associate Professor of Psychology and the Faculty Association President and he still quotes his favorite music when applicable. Along with teaching psychology to community college students, his passion is in science communication and outreach. Or, to quote the hip-hop group The Coup, “…science for the people...”
Over the years, this included co-organizing the Utah March for Science, judging and mentoring K-12 science fairs, teaching at the Utah State Prison, serving two years as the Associate Director of SLCC’s Community Writing Center, being a regular storyteller at The Bee story slams, co-founding Science On Tap- SLC, and being the current executive director of STEAMpunk Academy.
Courses Taught:
- PSY 1010: General Psychology: Face-to-face, Online, and at the Utah State Prison
- PSY 2010: Psychology as a Science and Profession: Face-to-face
- PSY 2710: Brain and Behavior: Face-to-face, Online
- PSY 2400: Eco-Psychology: Face-to-face/field study
Expertise:
- Science Communication
- Animal Behavior and Cognition
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Environmental Psychology
- Research Methods
Emily Putnam
Assistant Professor
Credentials:
PhD, Brigham Young University
Katerina Calderone Salini
Professor
Credentials:
Master of Science in Developmental Psychology, University of Utah
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of New Mexico
Biography
Katerina Calderone Salini has a B.S. in Psychology from the University of New Mexico and an M.S. in Psychology from the University of Utah. Her dedication to a lifelong practice of being a quality teacher led her to complete a third degree in education from Westminster College (Salt Lake City) and ACUE’s year-long “Effective Teaching Practices” College Teaching Credential. Katerina has been teaching Psychology full-time at Salt Lake Community College since 2002 (adjunct since 1998), received tenure in 2009, and was awarded the rank of Full Professor in 2016. She has served several terms in SLCC’s Faculty Senate as a Senator and Tenure Committee Chair. She served as Faculty Senate President from 2019-2021 and has served as a co-lead for SLCC Pathways CWT: Implantation Planning. She is a trained facilitator in authenticity in community practices with SLCC’s Center for Authentic Leadership. She won the SLCC Foundation’s Teaching Excellence Award for Full-time Faculty in 2013.
Courses Taught:
- PSY 1010: General Psychology
- PSY 1010: Lifespan Human Growth and Development
- PSY 2500: Social Psychology
- PSY 1210: Personal Growth and Development
Cindy O. Fierros
Assistant Professor