John Sosik

John Sosik is a professor of management and organization at Pennsylvania State University, where he has been providing guidance to students, working professionals and organizations since 1995. An internationally renowned expert on leadership, teams and mentoring, John has extensive experience helping organizations reach their full potential.

His research interests span social psychology, transformational leadership, transactional leadership, leadership style and shared leadership. Additionally, he draws upon issues from applied psychology and perception in his work.

Early Life and Education

Many people mistakenly assume that learning only occurs during school years, but it’s essential to remember that children learn a great deal during their formative years (birth through age eight). This period of development is an era of remarkable brain growth for these little ones.

Children learn about their world through play and other creative activities. That is why it’s essential to teach children in an environment that promotes positive learning experiences and motivates them to explore the surroundings.

National University’s BAECE program, for instance, features courses that emphasize teaching through the arts and music. Furthermore, each class assignment incorporates a field experience component.

Professional Career

John Sosik has been teaching and researching management and organizational behavior in Pennsylvania since 1995. He holds a PhD from the State University of New York at Binghamton and currently serves as professor-in-charge of the Master of Leadership Development program at Penn State Great Valley.

His research focuses on Leadership and Mentoring processes in both face-to-face and virtual environments, groups/teams and organizations. As an expert on transformational leadership, he has published over 100 articles, books, book chapters and proceedings as well as delivered 93 academic conference presentations since 1995. Furthermore, he is an award-winning teacher having received Penn State’s prestigious Distinguished Faculty Award and now holds its most esteemed professorship – the esteemed Emeritus Professorship. But most importantly, his true talent lies in helping students reach their career objectives by equipping them with knowledge, skillsets, experience needed to lead others effectively and inspire others with passion.

Achievements and Honors

Sosik has earned an array of academic honors, most recently being named one of 10 distinguished professors at Penn State Great Valley. An internationally renowned authority on leadership, he has authored multiple books, book chapters and articles that address leadership and team effectiveness both face-to-face and virtually. Furthermore, his studies have sought to improve organizational performance through technology enhancement measures.

Sosik has mentored more than 100 graduate students during his time as a faculty member at Penn State. Most notably, he founded the award-winning Master of Leadership Development program which imparts cutting-edge leadership theory and applications to undergraduates preparing for careers in business, government or nonprofit management. Now in its sixth year, this groundbreaking initiative continues to grow and flourish under Sosik’s guidance.

Personal Life

John Sosik left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered throughout his life. He was an adoring husband and father, loving brother and uncle, respected friend, and eloquent public speaker.

He was also a proud grandfather. Survived by his wife Janice, son Joseph J. Sosik and daughter Allyson M. Sosik of New Tripoli, Pennsylvania; three granddaughters Addison, Avery and Emma; brothers Edward Sosik Jr. of Moscow PA; Peter Sosik and Paul Sosik both of Harrisburg PA; sister Grace Sosik of Orefield PA;

Sosik joined Penn State Great Valley on the tenure track in 1995 after earning his doctorate at State University of New York at Binghamton. Since then, he has been providing leadership development workshops to students, working professionals and organizations throughout Philadelphia’s greater region. An expert on transformational leadership, Sosik has authored or co-authored over 100 articles, book chapters and proceedings as well as delivered over 90 academic conference presentations.