Dr. Whittaker has served as Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), National Defense University, Ft. Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. since July, 2006.

Following his appointment to NDU in 1990, Dr. Whittaker has served as Director of Exercises and Simulations, Director of Regional Studies, and Chairman of the Department of National Security Studies. His teaching areas have included International Relations, USG inter-agency dynamics, US National Security Strategy and Policy, Political Psychology, and Ethno-Political Conflict. His current research interests include understanding how cultural and psychological factors contribute to problems in international relations; intra- and international conflict prevention, management and resolution; psychological assessments of political leaders and leadership groups, and the psychology of terrorists and terrorist groups.

His most recent publication is an annual report on: “The National Security Policy Process: The National Security Council and Inter-agency System” which is used at the White House, State Department, in the USG’s war college system, and at numerous colleges and universities. The report is available on the ICAF website homepage. Prior to his appointment at NDU, Dr. Whittaker worked as a political psychologist and intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency. At the CIA, Dr. Whittaker worked on psychological analyses of foreign leaders and leadership groups in the USSR, China, and Eastern Europe, international politics and conflict, international negotiations, and cross-cultural psychological differences.

During his government career, Dr. Whittaker has served on the Intelligence Community Staff, as an advisor for summit meetings, bi-lateral and multi-lateral negotiations, and inter-state and ethnic conflict working groups, as well as testifying before the U.S. Congress. His awards include CIA, Intelligence Community Staff, and National Defense University citations for Exceptional Accomplishment and Exceptional Performance, and the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Institute’s Adjunct Faculty Award. Dr. Whittaker was named NDU’s “Professor of the Year” at ICAF in 2004.

Dr. Whittaker holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology (University of North Texas), a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology (Southern Methodist University), a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology and a Ph.D. in International Studies (University of South Carolina). He is a member of the American Psychological Association and other professional organizations, including having served on the Executive Committee and the Governing Council of the International Society of Political Psychology.

07/21/2009