Dr. Nancy Aragon

Dr. Aragon, an adjunct faculty member at Argosy University Online Programs, shares her experiences

I earned my B.A. in Psychology and Mass Communications from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. I completed my M.A. and Ph.D. at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. My graduate degrees are both in the field of Industrial Organizational Psychology and my dissertation dealt with examining working parents’ coping patterns in relation to several outcome variables, such as job and life satisfaction, to determine optimal coping strategies for balancing work and family.

I have held multiple HR positions for a variety of businesses and industries. Along the way, I picked up a few designations, including the SPHR. My HR career has not progressed linearly for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the adoption of four children, in addition to the three I met in the age-old way: In the delivery room.  Part of that non-linear career path trajectory included the opening, running and recent sale of a successful real estate brokerage. I feel that my non-traditional career path helps me better relate to the challenges and trials that my online students are trying to juggle while pursuing advanced degrees, often while simultaneously fulfilling full-time work and family responsibilities.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching the students I've had the privilege to know thus far at AUO. Quite a few have now had multiple classes with me, and the experience is usually akin to running into an old friend again. I truly enjoy the commitment and genuine interest that my students have for the class materials, and I enjoy basking in their enthusiasm. It takes me back to the camaraderie that I enjoyed with my professors and mentors from my own graduate school experiences. I have yet to teach a master’s class at AUO in which I haven't learned at least one new thing from my students. I do my best to make sure they leave the class with an appreciation of how our academic endeavors relate to the day-to-day, hands-on applied aspects of the work environment. I strive to create a classroom environment that stresses a round-table approach. I start every class by telling the students, ‘Hey, we are in this together. I am confident that if we open up and share our insights and comments with each other, we will all be the richer for it.’”

“Nobody who ever gave his (or her) best regretted it.”
- George Halas, 1895 – 1983

“Genius is seldom recognized for what it is: a great capacity for hard work.”
- Henry Ford, 1863 – 1947