Mark Garland is a U.S. Army disabled veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, where he served as a paratrooper with A Battery, 1/319th Field Artillery, attached to the 1/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment as a "supergrunt." He describes himself simply as a soldier who loved his country, did his job, and was injured in the line of duty—with no regrets.

Today, Mark is an entrepreneur, Industrial & Organizational (I-O) consultant, SPHR Candidate, and PhD Candidate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (expected August 2026), with over two decades of leadership experience. He holds a Master of Science in Leadership from Grand Canyon University, owns and leads firms specializing in insurance, risk management, and I-O consulting, and serves as a faculty member in the College of Business at a leading Christian university. During his undergraduate studies, Mark interned for a Democratic U.S. Congressman, an experience that deepened his understanding of public service and the complex challenges facing those who serve their communities.

But Mark's most important work was born from profound loss. The death of his son, Branden, to suicide following an adverse interaction with law enforcement, became the catalyst for his doctoral research and life's mission: to advance evidence-based strategies for PTSD prevention and recovery in those who serve under extraordinary pressure.

Mark is developing the APLRS 2.0 (Adaptive Perseverance & Learning Resilience Scale), a next-generation assessment tool designed to improve upon current resilience, grit, and growth mindset measures. He collaborates on national and international research with renowned scholars, including Dr. Edward Maguire, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University and Director of the Public Safety Innovation Lab, studying adaptive performance and resilience among entrepreneurs, first responders, law enforcement personnel, and Tier 1 military operators.

His research agenda centers on populations historically underserved in mainstream psychological research: military veterans, law enforcement officers, first responders, and entrepreneurs—communities that face unique occupational stressors yet often lack access to evidence-based mental health interventions tailored to their specific contexts. Mark is deeply committed to advancing justice for those whose service protects others, translating rigorous academic research into practical applications that address systemic gaps in organizational support and mental health resources.

Mentorship is central to Mark's professional identity. He is passionate about creating pathways for students from underrepresented backgrounds—particularly veterans transitioning to academia, first-generation college students, and those from working-class communities—to succeed in graduate education and professional practice. Mark understands firsthand the barriers faced by non-traditional students and is committed to providing the academic guidance, professional development, and personal support that transform potential into achievement. He believes mentorship is not simply advising, but advocacy—opening doors, making connections, and ensuring that diverse voices shape the future of I-O psychology.

Mark's collaborative approach bridges academic rigor with real-world impact. He values collegial partnerships across disciplines and is committed to fostering learning environments where diverse perspectives—including those shaped by military service, faith traditions, and lived experience with trauma—contribute to richer scholarship and more effective interventions. His work demonstrates that commitment to traditional values and commitment to inclusive, evidence-based practice are not opposing forces but complementary pathways toward human flourishing.

His work is built on three foundational pillars: resilience, grit, and a growth mindset. Known as "The GritDoc," Mark integrates faith, science, and practice to deliver actionable strategies grounded in both empirical evidence and the recognition that meaning-making, purpose, and transcendent values play crucial roles in psychological resilience. He believes effective scholarship requires open exchange of ideas, innovation in methodology, and unwavering commitment to serving populations whose experiences demand our attention and our best work.

Mark's approach honors the dignity of every individual while recognizing that different communities face distinct challenges requiring tailored solutions. His research serves those who serve others, advancing both scientific knowledge and social impact in communities that bear disproportionate burdens of occupational stress and trauma.