Sociology

Professor John Morra has 40 years of teaching experience. Educated at the University of Hartford and Vanderbilt University in Sociology. He is currently a Sociology Professor at the University of Hartford, Quinnipiac University, University of Saint Joseph and Charter Oak State College.

He has developed and taught 18 different Sociology classes, in addition to a wide variety of corporate seminars and workshops. Professor Morra has over 10 years of experience as a Director of Human Resources and also served as a Training Consultant to: Department of Defense (Navy), Bell South, State of Ohio, City of Philadelphia, and the State of New Hampshire.

An enthusiastic and engaging teacher, Professor Morra also has extensive experience utilizing technology in teaching and training, as well as computer-based training methods. He has been teaching online classes for over 14 years and usually teaches around 15 online course per year.

His hobbies include sports, cooking, tennis, and playing the guitar.

Gaylynn Moore-Collins, PhD., joined Charter Oak State College in 2010. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Lamar University, M.Ed. in Secondary Education from Texas Southern University, M.A., in Sociology from Prairie View A& M University and a PhD in Education from Capella University. Currently she teaches Sociology and Social / Behavioral Science Capstone courses for Charter Oak State College. She has taught in higher education for the last twenty years and served in numerous professional roles at institutions, including University of Saint Joseph, Husson University and most recently New Mexico State University. Her teaching focus has been on courses related to sociology, race and ethnicity, sociology of work, leadership, psychology of women, sociology of education social problems and youth and society.

While attending Capella University her research examined the relationship between reentry women’s participation in postsecondary schooling and perception of self-efficacy, empowerment in the workplace, and relationship with significant others. Dr. Moore-Collins vision of empowerment of women proved there is a relationship between overcoming everyday challenges and the need to be connected to community for support and well-ness.

In her spare time, she enjoys weekend travel adventures with her husband Roy where they reside in the town of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Dr. Orlando Wright holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. in Human Behavior from Capella University. Dr. Wright is the Director of Partnerships and Innovation at the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). Previously, he facilitated inter-agency collaboration across hospitals, community-based organizations, and the Local Behavioral Health Authorities to optimize and develop behavioral health resources within Montgomery and Prince George County, Maryland.

Dr. Wright is a board licensed clinical social worker and supervisor in Maryland, USA. He has over 20 + years of experience in management, behavioral health systems, & partnership development. He enjoys innovation within the behavioral health space and continues to optimize, drive, and facilitate groundbreaking ideas in the field of behavioral health.

Dr. Wright authored, “Parenting Status Offending Youth: Parent’s Perceptions of Diversionary Services in the Juvenile Justice System,” and co-authored, “Soaring into Greatness.” Dr. Wright is married and he is the father of two lovely girls. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, outdoor activities, and mentorship.