About
Goga is a Pittsburgh area native. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University and completed his graduate studies in psychology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
​He devoted much of his career as a licensed psychologist offering mental health services to children, adolescents, and families. He later transitioned into an administrative role as the CEO of a rural behavioral health center in Central Pennsylvania. Under his leadership, the facility was recognized as the Outstanding Rural Behavior Health Center for service excellence.
Aside from publications in professional journals, he served on a variety of advisory boards including a regional hospice program, Board of Directors for the Commonwealth’s professional trade association, and has taught at both the high school and college levels. He participated in local radio programming to promote access and availability of regional behavioral health services.
Volunteerism in support of valued community programs has been a mainstay throughout his life and beyond his professional career.
The uptick in mass shootings and in particular school gun violence took on special meaning for Goga after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida. His younger sibling, a Stoneman Douglas faculty member at the time, was exposed to this horrific act and became one of its many trauma survivors. For her as well as her colleagues and students, the journey of recovery and healing continues through this day. Much of his own inspiration in pursuing this as a subject worthy of study and writing about, emanated from this tragic event.
Goga and his wife now reside in State College, Pennsylvania and take advantage of the many regional and University-related offerings. The couple has two adult children and one perfect granddaughter, Addie Madison.