Dr. Sam J. Holley is a professor in the College of Aeronautics and a senior consultant specializing in human performance, organizational assessment and psychological services. His clients include the United Nations and leading aerospace and aircraft manufacturing companies.
At Embry-Riddle, Dr. Holley’s academic focus includes human factors performance and engineering, aviation and aerospace operations, and research methodologies. He has also served as Director of Academics and as an elected member of the Faculty Senate.
A licensed psychologist and Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Medicine, Dr. Holley’s research interests span neuronal regulation, clinical hypnosis, memory and cognitive processing overload. Over his career, he has taught psychology, aeronautical science, ethics, human resources, management, and human factors at both undergraduate and graduate levels across 14 institutions.
Before joining academia, Dr. Holley served as a senior officer in the U.S. Army and as Chief of the Special Actions Branch at the Pentagon. His federal service included executive roles within the Departments of Transportation, Labor and Defense, as well as several years as Assistant Director of the White House Situation Room. In the private sector, he was an executive with Union Pacific Railroad, where he developed an international crisis response and post-trauma program later adopted by law enforcement agencies and corporations worldwide.
An accomplished aviator with more than 16,000 flight hours in helicopters and multi-engine airplanes, Dr. Holley holds instrument instructor certifications for both and has served as Chief Pilot, Chief Flight Instructor and Director of Flight Operations for several aeromedical, corporate and commercial flight organizations.
Dr. Holley has been featured as an on-air commentator for national radio and television, including CNN, and has served on numerous boards, including United Health and the Short Line Railroad Association. His extensive publications cover topics such as human factors in accident causation, crisis management, operator fatigue, and cognitive performance. He remains active in collaborative research with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital and continues his long-standing advisory work in behavioral health for several Native American tribes.
Dr. Holley is married to Dr. Lyn Meridew Holley, an international consultant with the United Nations and Professor of Gerontology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. They have one son.
Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Education, University of Southern California
M.A.S. - Master of Aeronautical Science in Aviation Aerospace Management, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ
M.Ed. - Master of Education in Counselor Education, Florida Atlantic University
B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
​Dr. Holley received an award from the U.S. Congress for developing crisis management procedures and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Award for best industry practices.
Dr. Holley was awarded Researcher of the Year (2017) for the College of Aeronautics, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Worldwide.
Dr. Holley received the Latitude Award (2014) for Models of Innovation, College of Aeronautics, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Worldwide
Dr. Holley received the Eagle Award for Excellence in Teaching, Service, and Administration (2010-2011, Central Region) ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Worldwide
Dr. Holley was selected for Faculty of the Year Award (Offutt Campus) ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Worldwide (2007)
Dr. Holley received the Faculty Select Award, Memory Research and Curriculum Project, National Science Foundation and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ Worldwide, 2003