By Appointment or Online (via Zoom)

PSY 2012E Intro to Psych •  Online
INP2002E Industrial-Organizational Psych •  Online

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Dr. Felicia Swafford is an organizational psychologist, researcher, educator, and strategic leader with extensive experience in organizational behavior, diversity science, and user experience research. Her career spans academia, corporate innovation, and nonprofit leadership, with a focus on advancing inclusive practices, understanding human behavior, and translating research into meaningful organizational solutions.

Her scholarly research examines multiracial identity, colorism, workplace discrimination, and identity negotiation. She has published peer-reviewed research, presented at national conferences, and secured $90,000 in research funding.

Her professional experience includes leadership and research roles with Microsoft, Ipsos, and the American Psychological Association. She has directed international research initiatives supporting organizations including Meta, Google, PayPal, and American Express, while contributing to advancements in artificial intelligence and human-centered technology.

A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Swafford has taught psychology and research methodology at the higher education level. She has also held numerous leadership positions with the Association of Black Psychologists and remains actively engaged in professional and community service.

Through her scholarship, leadership, and mentorship, Dr. Swafford is committed to advancing psychological science, fostering organizational excellence, and empowering future generations.

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• Industrial and Organizational Psychology – Employee behavior, workplace effectiveness, organizational culture, and performance.
  
  

• Leadership and Organizational Development – Leadership effectiveness, organizational change, and professional development.
  
  

• Social Identity and Multiracial Psychology – Multiracial identity, colorism, identity negotiation, and workplace experiences.
  
  

• Human-Centered Design and User Experience Research – Understanding human behavior to improve technology, products, and services.
  
  

• Artificial Intelligence and Human Behavior – Human interaction with AI, emerging technologies, and organizational innovation.

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TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Professor • Present
  Florida A&M University (FAMU), Tallahassee, FL
  
  
• Adjunct Professor • Aug 2018 – May 2025
  Cincinnati State, Cincinnati, OH (Remote)
  
  
• Undergraduate Psychology Instructor • Jan 2016 – May 2018
  University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
  
  
• Adjunct Professor • Aug 2014 – Aug 2015
  University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

• Senior User Experience Researcher •
  Sept 2023 – July 2024
  Microsoft
  
  
• Director of User Experience Research •
  May 2022 – May 2023
  Ipsos
  
  
• Senior User Experience Research Program Manager •
  Oct 2021 – Mar 2022
  Microsoft

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GRANTS AWARDED

• Procter & Gamble Grant August 2015 – 2020
  Principal Investigator
  
  - Received $50,000 in funding to explore multiracial employees and the impact of race identity on workplace outcomes.
  National Institute of Health (NIH) Grant-Marc U* Star August 2010 – May 2013
  
  - Received $40,000 in NIH funding to conduct research on SAMHSA's Indicators and Measures for Drug Abuse Treatment Program for Black Women and their Children.
  
  

PUBLICATIONS

• Swafford, F., & Owens, S. (2026, January 30). African American Mental Health: Mindful Ways to Manage Mental Health in
  the New Year. Association of Black Psychologists, Psych Discourse.
  
  

• Key, A., & Swafford, F. (2025, September 29). Strong but Sinking: The Hidden Toll of Family Strain, Incarceration, and Suicide among Black Men in the African Diaspora. Association of Black Psychologists, Psych Discourse.
  
  

• Franco, M., Holmes, O. L., Swafford, F., Krueger, N., & Rice, K. (2019). Black people's racial identity and their acceptance of
  Black-White Multiracial people. Group Processes & Intergroup Relations Journal, 22(8).
  
  

• Andoh, E., Swafford, F. D., & Varner, K. (2012). Report of the American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on
  Colored Immigration Executive Summary. Crosswords: The Psychology of Immigration in the New Century. American
  Psychological Association.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

• Wilbourn, M., Swafford, F., Gibson, L., & Hope, E. (2026). Professional Development Panel: Diverse Pathways in Psychology.
  Panel at Black Graduate Conference in Psychology. University of Illinois.
  
  

• Sellers, R., Swafford, F., Anderson, R., & Brown, J. (2025). Professional Development Panel: Diverse Pathways in Psychology.
  
  

• Panel at Black Graduate Conference in Psychology. Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
  Swafford, F. (2022). The Unmasking of a Chameleon: The Role of Race Discrepancy on Multiracial Employees' Professional
  Image.
  
  

• Poster at Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychologists Conference. Seattle, WA.
  Krueger, N., & Swafford, F. (2019). Exploring the Lived Experience of Having a Biracial Identity in a Monoracial Society.
   

• Symposium at Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Conference. San Diego, CA.
  Staten, S., DiFrancesco, D., & Swafford, F. (2018). Positive Psychology: Increasing Employee Performance Through
  Encouragement. Proposal Poster at University of Cincinnati Research Conference.
   

• Swafford, F., & Krueger, N. (2018). Exploring the Lived Experience of Having a Biracial Identity in a Monoracial Society.
  Poster at Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Pittsburgh, PA.
   

• Swafford, F., & Mitchell, T. (2018). Exploring the Lived Experience of Having a Biracial Identity in a Monoracial Society.
  Poster at The Association of Black Psychologists Conference. Oakland, CA.
   

• Swafford, F. (2018). The Cost of the Switch: The Impact of Identity Negotiation on Multiracial Employees' Professional Image. Poster at Black Graduate Conference in Psychology. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
   

• Swafford, F., & Furst-Holloway, S. (2017, August). Multiracial Employees: The Effects of Identity Shifting & Race Discrepancy on Workplace Outcomes. Poster at The Association of Black Psychologists Conference. Houston, TX.
   

• Swafford, F., Johnson, L., & Furst-Holloway, S. (2016). The Effect of Light Skinned Privilege and Colorism in the Workplace.
  Poster at Black Graduate Conference in Psychology. University of Miami, FL.
   

• Swafford, F., Furst-Holloway, S., & Johnson. (2015). The Effect of Colorism in the Workplace. Poster at The Association of Black Psychology Conference. Washington, DC.
   

• Grady, V., & Swafford, F. (2015, August). Power from the Playground to the Boardroom: Exploring Bullying and Social
  Learning Theory in Children and Adults. Paper Presentation at The Psychology and Humanities International Conference.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

• Convention Co-Chair, Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi)
• General Assembly Co-Chair, ABPsi
• Vice President, University of Cincinnati Chapter, ABPsi
• Student Circle Chair, ABPsi
• Student Eastern Regional Representative, ABPsi
• Charter Member, ABPsi Washington, D.C. Chapter
• Research Methods Judge, Papers and Posters — Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society Conference
• Philactor, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
• Parliamentarian, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi)
• Society of Industrial & Organizational Psychology (SIOP)
• Academy of Management (AoM)
• Psychologists for Social Responsibility
• National Science Foundation
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated

HONORS & MEMBERSHIPS

• MARC U*Star Honors Scholar
• Psi Chi International Honor Society
• Beta Kappa Chi Honor Society

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• PSY 2012E Intro to Psych • Online
• INP 2002E Industrial-Organizational Psych • Online
• EXP 3413E Theories of Learning • Online

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• Felicia Swafford | LinkedIn