Jessica Mesmer Magnus

Dr. Magnus has been with UNCW since 2005. Prior to returning to academia, she worked as a human resources generalist for a national environmental engineering consulting firm and was based in Newport News, Virginia. She earned her PhD in Organizational Psychology from Florida International University, a post-graduate certificate in Human Resource Management from Old Dominion University, an MS in Applied Psychology from Christopher Newport University, and a BS in Psychology with a minor in mathematics from University of Florida. Dr. Magnus has held senior-level certifications in human resources since 2001 from the Human Resource Management Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and made over 100 invited presentations nationally and internationally related to her research. Her research, which focuses on team cognition and management, organizational mindfulness, and supervisor use of humor in the workplace, has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Army Research Institute, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Currently, Dr. Magnus serves the Department Chair for the Cameron School’s Department of Management, which houses business concentrations in Human Resource Management, Management & Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Business Development, as well as the interdisciplinary concentration in International Business. She is also the coordinator of the new post-graduate certificate in Human Resource Management.

Education

Ph.D. Psychology (Industrial/Organizational), Florida International University, 2005
Post-Graduate Certificate Strategic Human Resource Management, Old Dominion University, 2001
M.S. Applied Psychology, Christopher Newport University, 2000
B.S. Psychology with a minor Mathematics, University of Florida, 1999
SPHR Senior Professional in Human Resource Management (Active since 2001), Human Resource Certification Institute
SHRM – SCP SHRM Senior Certified Professional (Active since 2015), Society for Human Resource Management
MBSR Teacher in Training, Mindful Academy Solterreno
Organizational Mindfulness Teacher/Facilitator, Institute for Organizational Science & Mindfulness
Certificate, People Analytics, Society for Human Resource Management
200-Hour Yoga Teacher & Mindfulness Facilitator (2024), Breathe for Change, B4C

Specialization in Teaching

Human Resource Management, Staffing & Selection, Total Rewards, International HR, HR Analytics
Organizational Behavior, Managerial Skills

Research Interests

Team cognition & information sharing
Organizational mindfulness
Supervisor use of humor
Work/family conflict

Honors & Awards

Cameron School of Business Distinguished Research Award (2019)
Recipient, UNCW Distinguished Teaching Professorship (2016)
Recipient, UNCW Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award (2012)
Scott Fraser Award (2005) – Academic Excellence in I/O Psychology