CMU Faculty

Opeyemi Ogunyomi

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Opeyemi Ogunyomi is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Canadian Mennonite University. He is currently completing his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at Texas Tech University, with a focus on motivation, self-efficacy, and academic engagement among underrepresented students in higher education. He also holds two master’s degrees, one in Educational Psychology from Texas Tech University and another in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Lagos, in addition to a Postgraduate Diploma in Education and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry.

At CMU, Opeyemi teaches courses in Educational and Developmental Psychology, Social Cognition, Research Design, and Health Psychology. His teaching philosophy emphasizes building from the known to the unknown, helping students bridge psychological theory and real-world practice.

Beyond the classroom, his research explores the intersection of motivation, learning, and resilience, with particular interest in how mentoring and supportive environments shape students’ academic journeys. He is passionate about fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and holistic growth in his students, and is deeply committed to making psychology accessible, relevant, and transformative.

Areas of Teaching

My teaching areas include Educational and Developmental Psychology, Social Cognition, Research Design, and Health Psychology. I am particularly interested in motivation, self-efficacy, and academic engagement, and I seek to help students connect psychological theory with real-world application. In my teaching, I aim to build from the known to the unknown, fostering critical thinking, curiosity, and a supportive learning environment where every student can thrive.

Education

1. Ph.D. (in progress), Educational Psychology – Texas Tech University (ABD; expected May 2026) 2. M.Ed., Educational Psychology – Texas Tech University 3. M.Ed., Guidance and Counseling – University of Lagos 4. Postgraduate Diploma in Education – University of Lagos 5. B.Sc., Industrial Chemistry – University of Ilorin

Work in Detail

Teaching

At Canadian Mennonite University, Opeyemi teaches courses that introduce students to core areas of psychology and help them develop both theoretical understanding and practical research skills. His teaching emphasizes building from the known to the unknown, encouraging students to connect prior knowledge with new concepts in ways that foster confidence, curiosity, and critical thinking. He is committed to creating an inclusive classroom that bridges psychological theory with real-world practice, ensuring that every student feels supported and empowered to learn.

Courses Taught at CMU:

• PSYC 2030: Research Design in Psychology

• PSYC 2100: Social Cognition and Influence

• PSYC 2200: Developmental Psychology: Childhood

• PSYC 2010: Introduction to Psychology II

• PSYC 2470: Health Psychology

Research

Opeyemi's research explores the intersection of motivation, self-efficacy, goal orientations, and academic engagement, with particular focus on historically underserved students in higher education. Using mixed methods designs, his work examines how motivational beliefs shape learning, resilience, and adjustment. He also collaborates on projects involving mentorship, adolescent development, and the integration of motivation into social-emotional learning.
 

• Ogunyomi, O. J., & Hershberger, M. A. (2025). Impact of mentorship on the development of research self-efficacy among graduate students. Journal of Educational Thought, 9(1), 362–377. 
• Lawal, K. K., Ogunyomi, O., Adenike, R. F., & Olumuyiwa, A. (2025). Parental neglect on students' academic performance and psychosocial adjustment in Shomolu LGA of Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Educational Thought, 9(1), 99–117. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16745506

 

Manuscripts (In Progress/Under Review)

• Ogunyomi, O.J., Idowu, E. T. (in Progress). The relationship between gender-based violence and Psychosocial Adjustment of Adolescent Girls in Secondary Schools.
• Adeniyi, S.O., Ogunyomi, O.J., Kuku, O. O., Demurin, D. (under review). Exploring the impact of Home Environment and Digital socialization on Self-efficacy and Social Adjustment among Secondary School adolescents in Southwestern, Nigeria. Contemporary Educational Researches Journal.
• Adeniyi, S.O., Ogunyomi, O.J., Kuku, O. O., Demurin, D., Oderinde, B. (under review). Psychosocial predictors of attitude of adolescents with hearing impairment towards teenage pregnancy in Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
• Tetteh, L., Ogunyomi, O.J., Ohidah, E., Duru, H., Awuonda, K., Siwatu, K. (in progress). Generative Learning Self-Efficacy Scale: Instrument Development and Validation.
• Ogunyomi, O.J., Hershberger, M.A., Azeez, T.R., Kehinde, O.J. (in Progress). Integrating Motivation into Social-Emotional Learning: A Systematic Review of Self-Determination Theory in Elementary Education.

 

Conference Presentations

• Ogunyomi, O.J., Hershberger, M.A. Self-Efficacy, Goal Orientations, and Academic Engagement Among Graduate Students of Color: A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Study. Accepted for poster presentation at the 2025 conference of The Scholarly Consortium for Innovative Psychology in Education, University of Oklahoma, OKC, United States.
• Hershberger, M.A., Ogunyomi, O.J. Ethical Use of Generative AI in Educational Psychology Classrooms. Accepted for poster presentation at the 2025 conference of The Scholarly Consortium for Innovative Psychology in Education, University of Oklahoma, OKC, United States.
• Ogunyomi, O.J., Hershberger, M.A. The impact of mentorship on the development of research self- efficacy among graduate students. Poster presentation at the 2025 convention of American Psychological Association, Denver, Co, United States.

• Ogunyomi, O.J. The Relationship between Gender-Based Violence and Psychosocial Adjustment of Adolescent Girls in Secondary Schools. Presented at the Research-in-Progress Roundtable Series (RIPRS) session at the 2025 annual meeting of American Educational Research Association, Denver, Co, United States.
• Tetteh, L., Ogunyomi, O.J., Ohidah, E., Duru, H., & Awuonda, K., Siwatu, K. Generative Learning Self-Efficacy Scale: Instrument Development and Validation. Presented at the 2025 Southwest Educational Research Association Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX, United States.
• Ogunyomi, O.J. The Impact of Mentorship on the development of Research Self-Efficacy among Graduate Students. Presented at the Research-in-Progress Roundtable Series (RIPRS) session at the 2024 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
• Ogunyomi, O.J., Ohidah, E. The Influence of Sexual Abuse on Deviant Behaviors among Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Emotions. Presented at the 2023 Education Graduate Student Organization Education Research Conference, Lubbock, TX, United States.
• Ohidah, E., Ogunyomi, O.J. Preservice Teachers' Perception of Computational Thinking: A Mixed- Method Approach. Presented at the 2023 Education Graduate Student Organization Education Research Conference, Lubbock, TX, United States.

Performance

Opeyemi's teaching has been consistently rated highly by students for clarity, organization, and ability to make complex concepts accessible. Student Learning Experience Questionnaires regularly reflect strong scores in areas such as "Instructor's effectiveness in communicating course material" and "Creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment," with several ratings exceeding departmental averages.

Qualitative feedback highlights his engaging teaching style, emphasis on real-world applications, and genuine care for student success. Students have described him as "approachable and supportive," "a professor who challenges us to think critically," and "someone who makes psychology meaningful and practical."

His research performance is reflected in peer-reviewed publications, multiple manuscripts under review, and conference presentations at AERA, APA, and SERA. He also contributes to the profession as a peer-reviewer for APA and AERA conferences.

Recognition of his academic contributions includes the Outstanding Graduate Student Paper Award (2025) from the Southwest Educational Research Association, as well as several leadership and mentorship honors.

Applied

Opeyemi's work extends beyond academic research and teaching into applied contexts where psychology and education meet practice. In Nigeria, he served as a school counselor and Director of Studies, where he applied psychological principles to support student adjustment, design guidance programs, and improve academic planning. He also founded the Teens Leadership Institute, which mentors adolescents in leadership, resilience, and personal development, and has authored a book (Dear Teenager) to further this mission.

At the professional level, he has contributed to applied research in educational assessment and accreditation at Texas Tech University, supporting data-driven decision-making and institutional improvement. He also provides applied expertise through peer-reviewing for APA and AERA conferences and serving on research committees, ensuring that psychological and educational research informs policy and practice.

Opeyemi's applied contributions are guided by a passion for integrating motivation and self-efficacy research into real-world settings, from supporting underserved students to shaping leadership development initiatives for youth.

Community

At Canadian Mennonite University, Opeyemi looks forward to continuing his commitment to community engagement by fostering inclusive spaces where students feel supported academically, socially, and personally. He is passionate about mentorship and service that bridge academic work with holistic student development.

During his doctoral studies at Texas Tech University, he served as President of the Nigerian Students Association (2023–2025) and as Graduate Student Representative on the College of Education Research Committee. In these roles, he organized cultural, academic, and mentorship programs that strengthened belonging, advocacy, and collaboration among diverse student groups.

Beyond the university, Opeyemi founded the Teens Leadership Institute, a platform dedicated to equipping adolescents with leadership, resilience, and personal growth skills. His mentorship and faith-based initiatives have impacted hundreds of young people, earning him recognition as a Foremost Teens Coach (2019) and Learning Hero of the Year (2019).

He also contributes to the professional community through peer-reviewing for APA and AERA conferences, serving as a Student Ambassador for APA Division 15, and being an active member of organizations such as the National Society of Leadership and Success, Association of Professional Counsellors in Nigeria, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

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