DR. GREGORY J. PRIVITERA
Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Gregory J. Privitera served active duty in the U.S.. Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999 and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. His military education consisted of the Basic Security Guard Course, the Marksmanship Instructor Course, and the Corporal Course (leadership).
During his time in the military, Dr. Privitera was stationed at the Marine Corps Security Force Company, Kingsbay, Ga., and the 3D BN, 3D MAR DIV, Marine Corps Base, Hawaii. He held the positions of 0311 Rifleman Infantry and 8152 Marine Corps Security Guard. His military decorations include the Overseas Service Ribbon (1999), the Good Conduct Medal (1998), the Meritorious Unit Commendation (1997), and the National Defense Service Medal (1995).
After leaving the Marines, Dr. Privitera enrolled in the State University at Buffalo, earning his B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology, behavioral neuroscience. Prior to his arrival at St. Bonaventure University in 2009, Dr. Privitera completed a postdoctoral position at Arizona State University.
Dr. Privitera is known for his ability to bring scholarship and research into the classroom. He involves students in research projects, helping them publish research papers specific to their career interests before ever leaving St. Bonaventure, a rare opportunity for undergraduate students.
His enthusiasm for teaching has been called contagious, and his classes are among the first to fill up each semester at registration.
An expert on psychological issues pertaining to food and eating, Dr. Privitera is in demand as a speaker on the topic, particularly about the relation between depression, weight loss and weight gain.
Dr. Privitera received coveted awards for "professional excellence" from St. Bonaventure two years in a row: the Junior Faculty Award for Professional Excellence in 2013, and the Professional Excellence in Teaching award in 2014.
He is the author of four books, three study guides and nearly two dozen professional articles in his areas of scholarly expertise. His research is featured regularly in major media publications such as the Wall Street Journal and popular health magazines.
He has written two textbooks: "Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences," which was so successful that it went to a second edition; and "Research Methods for the Behavioral Sciences," winner of the 2014 Most Promising New Textbook Award form the Text and Academic Authors Association.
Outside of the classroom, Dr. Privitera is a proud member of the American Legion, a member of the advisory board for the Olean YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, chairperson for the Public Relations Committee for the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (Division 2 of the American Psychological Association), and secretary of Board of Trustees at Olean's Southern Tier Catholic School (elementary school) and Archbishop Walsh Academy (high school).
He lives in Olean with his wife, Alisha, their son, Aiden, and their daughter, Grace.