Adjunct Directory

Patricia Amborn, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Patricia.Amborn@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Cardinal Stritch University
MSM - Cardinal Stritch University
BA - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

In addition to teaching business related courses, Dr. Patricia Amborn is a business consultant as well as published writer in the wellness field. These areas of interest allow her to look at the activities of business organizations from a holistic perspective, encouraging awareness of people, profit, process, technology, and the global community when assisting in the development of organizational strategy. Dr. Amborn helps organizations create mission statements and develop strategies aligned with their missions while also conducting leadership and entrepreneurial workshops. She is currently working on translating her PhD dissertation into a book.

Christina Anastasia, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: christina.anastasia@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MAOM - University of Phoenix
BBA - Baker University

In addition to running three successful small businesses, Dr. Christina Anastasia is an adjunct professor and a works as a subject matter expert. She has taught at every level on the educational spectrum, from undergraduate to the doctoral research and writing courses. Dr. Anastasia holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy and a D.M. in Executive Leadership.

Dr. Anastasia worked her way through the educational system herself: starting with an Associate’s degree in Business Administration back in 1993, through to her Ph.D. in Philosophy/Organizational Management at Capella, awarded in 2008. She is also an author and has published books such as, Teaching in Pink Fuzzy Slippers: A Real Guide for Online Instruction in 2006 and Karma & the Art of Business in 2003, as well as an Organizational Behavior textbook.

She has hands-on experience in business leadership and start-ups as a successful entrepreneur and has counseled small businesses through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Dr. Anastasia is a certified instructor in the Capsim Business Simulation and has designed curriculum for education partnerships with employers and trade associations to address specific skill sets seen as an immediate need for their workforce development.

Alma Arce, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education and Arts & Sciences

Email: Alma.Arce@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Grand Canyon University
MAEd - Ottawa University
BA - Ottawa University

Instructor Alma Arce, PhD has been teaching for Ottawa University since 2006. Dr. Arce (pronounced “RC”) earned her doctorate in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Instruction at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Dr. Arce began her teaching career in the public education system and a few years later transitioned into higher education. As adjunct faculty for Ottawa, she teaches courses in education, sociology and psychology and has served on committees to enhance the curriculum design and syllabi for the professional education program. Dr. Arce enjoys working with the adult population since her dissertation focused on the academic motivation and degree attainment of the non-traditional student population.
Dr. Arce’s interests lie in animal welfare and volunteer work with several humanitarian organizations. In her free time, Dr. Arce loves to travel, spend time by the ocean, and read travel narratives.

Jennifer Ardellini, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: jennifer.ardellini@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - University of Phoenix
BS - Cardinal Stritch University

Jennifer Ardellini earned her Master of Arts in Organizational Management at the University of Phoenix. She has been an educator for eleven years in the School of Business. She teaches several business courses, such as Organizational Management, Women in Management, Introduction to Management, Business Ethics, and Organizational Behavior. She has served as the Adjunct Faculty Mentor at the Wisconsin Campus. Correlating textbook information with real-world situations, providing stimulating discussions and continual support of the adult learner, is what drives her energy and enthusiasm. She receives outstanding student reviews.

Robert Armbrust, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: robert.armbrust@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - St. Louis University
MBA - University of Louisville
BS - Franklin University

Instructor Bob Armbrust, PhD is an adjunct professor of business at Ottawa University’s Kansas City and online campuses. Dr. Armbrust earned his doctorate from St. Louis University and his MBA from the University of Louisville with an emphasis in Operations Management. His corporate career includes senior leadership positions at Fortune 500 organizations such as H.J. Heinz, Coca-Cola and Perrigo Pharmaceuticals. In 2006, Dr. Armbrust decided to make a career change and enter academia. He has since taught numerous online and local modality courses. His teaching interests include Strategic Planning, Project Management and the MBA Capstone course. In his free time he loves to travel and stays committed to lifelong learning.

Paula Artac, D. Min

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Paula.Artac@ottawa.edu

Education
D.Min - University of Creation Spirituality
MA - Notre Dame de Namur University
BA - California State University

Dr. Paula Artac is a professional watercolor artist, art therapist, university instructor, liturgical art designer, illuminator, and author. She has taken the position of Professor in Charge of the Expressive Arts Therapy concentration at the Ottawa Phoenix campus. Dr. Artac is founder of 2 Dots and A Line non-profit, which utilizes and blends her doctoral study of spirituality, healing and the creative process in workshops, classes and symposiums for adults and children. Since 2014, Paula has successfully developed the Arizona chapter of Episcopal Church & Visual Arts national organization. She is the convener of this chapter, and Curator for EC&VA exhibits.

Denise Atwood, J.D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: denise.atwood@ottawa.edu

Education
JD - Arizona Summit Law School
BSS - Ohio University

Instructor Denise Atwood JD, RN, CPHRM is an Adjunct Professor for Ottawa University’s online campus. Denise earned her Juris Doctor in Law from Arizona Summit Law School in Phoenix, Arizona, and her nursing degree from Moorpark College. She is licensed in Arizona as a lawyer and a registered nurse. She has worked in healthcare since the 1990's and has served as adjunct professor at Ottawa for several years. She enjoys teaching Health Care Law and Ethics!

In her free time, Denise loves to travel, practice yoga and spend time in the mountains or at the beach.

Marcia Baker, MAEd

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Marcia.Baker@ottawa.edu

Education
MAEd - Northern Arizona University
BA - Fort Hays State University

Marcia Baker has spent most of her life in Arizona and Texas. She completed her undergraduate degree at Ft. Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. She moved back to Arizona and completed her graduate degree in Education in Counseling while working in the behavioral health field as a counselor. After completing her graduate degree she continued to work as a counselor and administrator in the behavioral health field for over 30 years. During her 30 years, she began working as an adjunct college professor and still continues this today. She went back to school to complete a PhD in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine and is expected to complete this degree in 2017. She holds many licenses in the behavioral health field and is in private practice in Texas where she lives with her family.

In her free time she is an avid runner, yoga instructor/practitioner and loves spending time outside and with family.

Nicole Baker, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Nicole.Baker@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of Missouri, Kansas City
MA - University of Missouri, Kansas City
BA - Syracuse University

Dr. Nicole Baker grew up in Kansas City, MO and completed her undergraduate degree in English at Syracuse University. She spent the first part of her career teaching K-12 in the suburbs of Kansas City. While teaching high school, she completed her doctoral studies at UMKC with a focus in literacy. Upon completion of her PhD, she decided to make a career change and moved from K-12 to higher education. She has taught with Ottawa University since 2013.

Janet Barrow, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: janet.barrow@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Spalding University
MPA - University of Louisville
BA - Spalding University

Janet Barrow, EdD grew up in Lawrence, KS and completed her undergraduate degree at Spalding University in Louisville, KY. She has devoted her career to human resources and earned an MPA from the University of Louisville and a Doctorate of Leadership Education from Spalding University while serving as Director of HR at Louisville International Airport. She enjoys her return to Kansas and has been an adjunct instructor with Ottawa University since 2009.

Billy Bataille, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Billy.Bataille@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - University of Miami
MS - University of Paris IV, Sorbonne
BA - University of Montreal

Instructor Billy Bataille grew up in Montreal, Canada, but was accepted into the PhD program at the University of Miami where he completed his Master’s degree in Economics. He also completed a Master’s degree in Geography at the University of Paris IV-Sorbonne to complement his global academic knowledge. Billy taught at California State University-Bakersfield, NYIT at their China campus, and at Temple University.

He enjoys learning about the world in general, through cinema and other art forms and through his travels which took him to the Himalayas, the Tropical Rainforest of Borneo, Europe, across all but five U.S. states, and Jerusalem.

Instructor Bataille has enjoyed teaching and interacting with the Ottawa University student body since 2016.

Kathryn Bayne, MAEd

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: kathryn.bayne@ottawa.edu

Education
MAEd - University of Phoenix
BS - Emporia State University

Kate Bayne grew up in Kansas and completed her undergraduate degree at Emporia State University. She has been teaching since twelve years of age when she taught swim lessons for the American Red Cross. Along with swim instruction and coaching, she also worked in the book industry as a corporate trainer. After completing her MAEd, she taught for Bryman School of Arizona and Ottawa University. She has taught with Ottawa University since 2016 and enjoys integrating her background in poetry and literature into Composition courses.

Gary Berg, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Gary.Berg@ottawa.edu

Education
EDD - University of Nebraska
MS - University of North Dakota
BS - Minot State University

Dr. Berg grew up in North Dakota. His experiences are primarily in academic/administrative higher education, entrepreneur/business owner, corporate education/consulting in both domestic and global environments. University academic experiences include full professor & department chairman, Northern State University; Director of Arizona State University Computer Institute; Dean of Academics at Western International University-Phoenix campus and London England campus; multiple Professor-of-the-Year awards; and, textbook author.

Dr. Berg has entrepreneurial experiences owning and operating small businesses including a small manufacturing company, a retail western store, and an assisted living care home. He also worked his way through college in a grocery store and in oil field trucking. He started and continues to operate a grocery store from scratch in a small town with revenues the first year and following years reaching $1 million.

Dr. Berg has worked as a national and global consultant and seminar leader doing seminars through Bottom Line Institute LLC with multiple years as a Strategic Planning in IT seminar leader for American Management Association. Seminars have been held in the USA, Canada, Taiwan, England and Russia in corporate/business/government environments, on these topics: information technology, strategic planning & management, C-Level strategic planning, information management, marketing, leadership, and power & politics.

Dr. Berg has been teaching in Ottawa University’s MBA program since 2006.

Mahdi Bigdely, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: mahdi.bigdely@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - University of Jamestown
MA - Alameh Tabataba'i Universtiy
BS - University of Tehran

Mahdi Bigdely was raised in Tehran, Iran and completed his BA degree in Physical Education at University of Tehran and MA of Sport Management at Allameh Tabataba'i University. He has been actively involved in the sport of wrestling and has coached and competed in elite levels. Mahdi moved to Jamestown, North Dakota to attend another graduate school at University of Jamestown and finished his second MA in Education in 2016. He has been an educator and researcher for 12 years, and enjoys integrating his coaching and competing experience for students within the classroom

Marcia Bigler, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: marci.bigler@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Marquette University
BA - Montreat College

Marci Bigler grew up in Louisville, KY and Jacksonville, FL and completed her undergraduate degree in British and American Literature at Montreat College (NC). Upon completion of her undergraduate degree, Marci began teaching Middle/High School English, where she taught in Milwaukee, WI and at her alma mater in Jacksonville, FL. She then moved back to the Milwaukee area to attend Marquette University for her graduate work in British and American Literature. Marci has taught at Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Concordia University (WI); she's taught writing and literature courses at Ottawa University since 2011. In her free time, Marci enjoys spending time with her husband and three kids playing or watching basketball, baseball, football and soccer. She also loves cheering on her favorite team, the Green Bay Packers.

Gary Binder, MSc

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Binderg@ottawa.edu

Education
MSc - University of Arizona
BS - U. S. Military Academy

Gregory Binder grew up in Madras, Oregon and completed his undergraduate degree at the United States Military Academy, West Point, NY. He was commissioned as an Air Defense Artillery Officer. While in the Army, he pursued his Master of Science degree in Computer Science, at the University of Arizona. Upon completion of his MSc degree, Mr. Binder was assigned to the faculty of the Military Academy, teaching IT courses. Subsequently he served in the Pentagon in the U.S. Army Management Systems Support Agency. In 1980, he joined the City of Phoenix MIS department, where he was employed for 34 years. He has taught at several institutions of higher learning, and has been with Ottawa University since 2003. He focuses on relating his IT experiences to the classroom material as a way to make IT relevant to students within the classroom.

Nicholas Bowersox, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: nicholas.Bowersox@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Trident University International
MS - Minot State University
BS - Wright State University

Dr. Nicholas Bowersox is currently an operations research analyst for the Department of Defense, United States Air Force, Wright Patterson Air Force Base, OH. In this role, he provides statistical and mathematical analyses to analyze the Department of Defense Supply Chain. Additionally, Nicholas is quite active in the academic arena. He has been a college professor for ten years, both teaching and developing courses from the doctoral to undergraduate level in a wide variety of areas such as general management, leadership, strategic management, business policy, organizational behavior, human resources, knowledge/information management, business ethics, business statistics, and algebra. He has taught both traditional and online students of all types, including both military and civilian, as well as traditional and adult learners in accelerated learning formats. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, trail running, disc golf, being outdoors, and spending quality time with his beautiful wife.

Nathan Braun, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: nathan.braun@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - Northcentral University

Nathan Braun is a talented educator with nearly a decade of experience teaching in higher education. His ability to make lasting connections with students is not only impressive, but the measure he uses to gauge his success. Prior to his time in higher education, Nathan served as the IT Director for a national healthcare company and has extensive experience in the world of computer and information security. Nathan looks forward to putting this experience to work for the students of Ottawa University.

Kenneth Bridges, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: kenneth.bridges@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of North Texas
MA - University of North Texas
BA - University of Texas

Dr. Ken Bridges grew up in the Dallas, Texas area and completed his undergraduate degree in history at the University of Texas and completed his MA and PhD at the University of North Texas. He lives in El Dorado, Arkansas, where he teaches, writes, and lives with his wife and six children. Dr. Bridges is the author of the "History Minute" columns which appear in more than 65 newspapers in two states. He is the author of several books. He has taught with Ottawa University since 2011 and enjoys integrating his experience in history for students within the classroom.

Kevin Brown, M.S.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Kevin.Brown@ottawa.edu

Education
MS - Eastern Washington University
BS - Eastern Washington University

Kevin grew up in the pacific northwest and attended Eastern Washington University for both his undergraduate and graduate studies. Upon graduation Kevin moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he has been practicing as a school psychologist since 1997. Additionally, Kevin serves as adjunct faculty for both Ottawa University (since 2012) and Grand Canyon University (since 2009), as well as being a practicum and internship supervisor of school psychology candidates from a variety of universities. Kevin received the Grand Canyon University excellence in teaching award in 2010 and 2012 as well as the Lamp of Learning Award (2017) from Washington Elementary School District and Educator of the Year award from the Arizona Middle Level Association (2016). Kevin has served as the counseling coordinator for Washington Elementary School District’s 32 schools, represented professional service staff with employment dispute resolution, salary and benefits and working condition concerns, and has developed, wrote and implemented district wide programs for dealing with challenging student behaviors. Kevin's various memberships include the Washington District Education Association, Arizona Education Association, Arizona Association of School Psychologists, National Association of School Psychologists and PsiChi, National Honor Society for Psychology.

Eric Bryant, J.D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Eric.Bryant@ottawa.edu

Education
JD - University of Arizona
BA - University of Utah

Judge Bryant is an Administrative Law Judge for the State of Arizona. He started his legal career as a Law Clerk at the Arizona Court of Appeals and then as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Arizona. He was an ALJ with the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings and heard a wide variety of cases from 1997 to 2014. One of his areas of specialty is Special Education Law, as he was one of only two ALJs who heard and decided Special Education cases for the entire State over a fifteen-year period. He is currently an ALJ for the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting. He has taught Legal Assisting classes in almost every area of law for over 20 years. He started teaching Special Education Law at Ottawa in 2014. Judge Bryant also teaches Education Law and US Constitution.

Lisa Buccigrosse, MSEd

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: lisa.buccigrosse@ottawa.edu

Education
MSEd - Saint Joseph's University
BA - Rutger's University

Lisa Buccigrosse is an Ottawa University Faculty Member at the Residential Campus in Surprise, Arizona. She has been with Ottawa University since 2011. She has been an educator in a variety of capacities (teacher, professor, administrator, instructional coach, and mentor) since 2001 at both the elementary (K-8) and higher education levels. She has both online and face-to-face teaching experiences as well as course development and curriculum development for both modalities of instructing and learning. Her Bachelor’s degree is in Spanish, which she received from Rutger’s University. Her Master’s degree is in Elementary Education, which she received from Saint Joseph’s University. She is a National Board Certified Teacher in the area of Early and Middle Childhood with a specialization in English as a New Language. She is certified in the State of Arizona with Principal and Elementary Teaching Certificates and endorsements in Early Childhood, English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education (English/Spanish), and Gifted Education. Lisa also serves as a national presenter on different education topics with the National Education Association.

For fun, Lisa enjoys traveling. She has traveled to over 25 foreign countries to expand her cultural awareness and understanding. Additionally, she enjoys taking care of her adopted rescue animals.

Kimberly Byrd, MACc

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: kimberly.byrd@ottawa.edu

Education

MACc - Auburn University
BACc - Auburn University

Professor Kimberly Byrd is a Full Time Instructor in the School of Business at Ottawa University. She was born in the Republic of Panama and lived there until she was 18 years old. Her family owns several businesses including a construction company, a property management company, and a landscaping company. She is very involved in the PTA at the local schools and work with the teachers and children every week. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with honors. She then tackled the Certified Public Accountant exam and passed. She worked for several years in the business world and decided to take on the challenge of a Master’s Degree in accounting. She felt the best option for her to accomplish this goal was online classes due to her workload, family schedule, and many responsibilities. She knows personally what a sacrifice it is to make the commitment to attend college while having so many other obligations. She also graduated with honors from her Master’s program. Professor Byrd has been in the accounting profession for many years. She has worked in private, public, governmental and non-profit organizations. She has also worked for several accounting firms.

Karen Carr, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Karen.Carr@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - University of South Florida, Tampa
BA - University of South Florida, Tampa

Karen Carr worked for 11 years in health care and human services, holding a variety of professional and management positions within government agencies, as well as private and publically held companies.

In January of 2000, Karen began her career in education by teaching management and information systems courses for the Maricopa Community College system in Phoenix, Arizona. At Grand Canyon University, she taught courses on a part time basis and also held a full time faculty position in the College of Business. Karen has been teaching online courses for Ottawa University since September 2008 and currently teaches Managing Cultural Diversity, Management and Behavior in Organizations. Teaching is her passion and she strives to make concepts meaningful and relevant to her diverse group of students.

In addition to teaching traditional and online courses, Karen has developed online course modules/lecture materials, mentored new online faculty, acted as a peer support reviewer, and served on Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and ACBSP Teaching Effectiveness Assessment committees in preparation for accreditation reviews.

Bruce Carter, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: bruce.carter@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - University of Kansas
MEd - Mid-America Nazarene University
BA - University of Missouri, Kansas City
BA - Fort Hays State University

As a 45-year veteran educator Dr. Bruce Carter has taught all grades except 9th in the K-12 setting. He served as principal and vice-principal of a school that housed grades first through eighth. Dr. Carter served as Associate Professor of Education and as Acting Coordinator of the K-12 Graduate Program at McPherson College.

He been an adjunct professor of education for Ottawa University off and on for the last 15 years.

Dr. Carter has four grown children, four grandchildren and resides in Overland Park, Kansas. He spends his time visiting his children in Durango, Colorado, St. Louis, Missouri, and West Point, New York, where the youngest is finishing his first year at the military academy.

Vicki Carter, PSYD

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Vicki.Carter@ottawa.edu

Education
PSYD - Capella University
MBA - Troy State University
BA - Valdosta State University

Dr. Vicki Carter currently works at Community Health Center where she started in 2008. She is the Behavioral Health Director and Clinician for New London County. Dr. Carter is also the Clinical Coordinator and Trainer on SBIRT within an integrated care environment. Dr. Carter is a licensed clinician and is a clinical consultant for the Office of Public Defenders. Dr. Carter is the proud mother is a nineteen year old son, college sophomore.

Dr. Carter’s teaching philosophy is one scholar-practitioner. This philosophy embraces the integration of academia and work practices as both allow for continued curiosity on education and human behavior.

Mark Cederburg, MSW

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: mark.cederburg@ottawa.edu

Education
MSW - University of Kansas
BA - University of Missouri, Kansas City

Instructor Mark Cederburg grew up in Kansas City and obtained degrees in psychology, sociology, and social work. These degrees prepared him for work in the fields of child welfare, family services, mental health, and disabilities. For the past 15 years, Mr. Cederburg has focused on academia, teaching ground and online classes at several universities. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and experiences with budding human service workers.

Justin Clarke, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: justin.clarke@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of Kansas
MA - University of Kansas
BA - University of Califormia, Berkeley

Instructor Clarke, PhD, grew up in California and completed his undergraduate degree at The University of California, Berkeley. He spent three years in the San Francisco area working for a software company and an advertising agency, before receiving his MA and PhD in Philosophy from The University of Kansas. He works on issues in metaphysics, epistemology and metaethics, and his work has appeared in scholarly journals such as the Southwestern Philosophy Review and Philosophia. Justin has taught at Ottawa since 2015, and lives with his wife and family in Lawrence. He loves to surf, and misses the ocean, but he loves talking about philosophy more.

Patricia Coccoma, EdD

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: patricia.coccoma@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Argosy University
MSW - Adelphi University
BS - St. Joseph's College

Dr. Patricia Coccoma is an adjunct instructor at Ottawa University. Originally from New York and now residing in Southwest Florida, her career has included multiple positions from Staff Social Worker to Assistant Executive Director at a mental health agency. She has been an Associate Professor in Social Work programs at two univiersities. She maintains a private clinical social work practice assisting adults, families and couples. Her research interest is in trauma and has co-published a book as well as multiple journal articles.

Susan Cohen, MSW

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: susan.cohen@ottawa.edu

Education
MSW - University of Illinois
BS - University of Illinois

Sue Cohen earned a BS degree in Psychology and an MSW in Social Work from the University of Illinois. She worked as a therapist for the first ten years of her career and then served as a Program Administrator in a large non-profit organization in Northeast Wisconsin overseeing a variety of services in the areas of crisis intervention, sexual assault, youth prevention, and treatment programs and services for runaway and homeless youth. She has been teaching in undergraduate and graduate programs in Wisconsin for the past 25 years. Currently, she serves as a Supervisor of Initial Assessment Specialists for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. Sue enjoys doing federal grant reviews and spending time with her grandchildren.

Kelly Collum, MEd

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: kelly.collum@ottawa.edu

Education
MEd - University of Central Florida
BS - University of Central Florida

Kelly Collum earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a graduate degree in Elementary Education. For over ten years she has been an enthusiastic teacher who LOVES her job! She truly couldn't ask to work in a better profession. Kelly has worked in a variety of classroom settings such as low-income, title-one, ESE, and ESOL. Kelly feels very passionate about the education of children and strives on a daily basis to ensure that her group of students will impact the world one day. She has also enjoyed teaching at the University level for over five years. She finds it truly amazing how much passion she sees for teaching in each and every one of the courses she teaches.

When not teaching, Kelly is spending time with family. She has a beautiful baby girl who is consuming life with joy and love! She also has a husband who thinks he’s a comedic genius and two crazy dogs. Kelly loves to exercise and is certified as a CRT200 Yoga Instructor and teaches an intense style of yoga called Hot Vinyasa Yoga (which pretty much means you’re getting a cardio workout in a heated room).

Kelly and her family live in Florida, literally a ten-minute drive from the ocean and are surrounded with gorgeous nature trails!

David Cook, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: David.cook@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - California State University
BA - Southern California College

David Cook is an instructor of communication. He received his BA in Organizational Management from Southern California College (Now Vanguard University), and his MA in Human Communication from Cal. State University with concentrations in persuasion/compliance gaining and organizational communication. David has more than 25 years of management experience in the public and private sectors. In 2004 He founded his own communications company providing corporate training and consulting to clients ranging from local pastors to fortune 100 companies. He has taught at Ottawa since 2006.

Bari Courts, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Education
PhD - Capella University
MBA - University of Cincinnati
BA - Kenyon College

Dr. Bari Courts received his PhD from Capella University in Organizational Management and an MBA in Management from the University of Cincinnati. In addition, Dr. Courts has a BS in Mathematics from Kenyon College. He earned his degree from Capella entirely online and is very familiar with the time commitment and other issues associated with completing a degree online; he understands it is not easy but it is very rewarding. Dr. Courts has been teaching online for over 12 years now and has taught courses that include e-Commerce, Economics, Management, Organizational Behavior, Research Methodology, and Statistics. His professional background includes some time in the insurance industry and a position as a project manager for a major ERP software implementation. He also owns a small self-storage business just outside of Cincinnati.

Professionally Dr. Courts is a board member of two organizations, conducts presentations on various topics, and writes course curriculum. His research interests include writing about social media. His most recently published article is titled "The Influence of Social Media on 21st Century Leaders". In his free time Dr. Courts stays active by playing soccer for exercise, and singing in both a barbershop chorus and barbershop quartet.

Keith Crawley, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Keith.Crawley@Ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - University of Northern Colorado
MA - Northern Arizona University
BS - Arizona State University, Flagstaff

Dr. Keith Crawley has been an adjunct professor for several universities in Arizona since 1988. He is an Arizona native with leadership experience in public and private school districts of California, Louisiana and Arizona. He has served as a counselor, dean, assistant principal, principal, district supervisor, and superintendent of schools at all grade levels (K-6, 6-8 and 9-12). At one time in his career he served as Principal (middle school) in East Los Angeles that the United States Department of Education cited as the “Model School of America." He facilitates courses in Social Sciences, Education and MA leadership programs while supervising student teachers and administrative interns.

Lily Davidov, DBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: lily.davidov@ottawa.edu

Education
DBA - University of Phoenix
MBA - University of Phoenix
BS - Arizona State University

Dr. Lily Davidov joined the Ottawa University Department of Business in 2013 as adjunct faculty and in Summer 2017 merged into the Ottawa Surprise Campus as an Adawe Mentor/Faculty. Prior to that, Dr. Davidov was a full time faculty at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Department of Business, Prescott Campus.

Dr. Davidov completed her formal studies of the Doctor of Business of Administration and her dissertation was on Entrepreneurial Orientation as a strategic initiative of the firm. Additionally, she has a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Global Business from Arizona State University. Dr. Davidov comes from a long heritage of international entrepreneurs and is fluent in Russian. While her professional experience includes many years in retail business where she enjoyed running and operating businesses; teaching, mentoring, and coaching is her passion. Area of research: Entrepreneurial Orientation, global perspective, inner wisdom, leadership tactics, auditing, and teaching accounting to iGENERATION.

Krystal Deaton, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Krystal.Parker@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - Ottawa University
BS - University of Kansas

Krystal Deaton is Principle Consultant and owner for Intent and Impact, as well as a adjunct professor for Ottawa University. Deaton began her career in the natural gas industry in 1998 with KN Field Services, which was acquired by ONEOK Field Services in 2001. She held several management and executive positions prior to being appointed to Vice President of Customer Service, where she was responsible for customer service in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas serving 2.1 million customers.

Krystal Deaton currently serves on the Board of Directors for JMJ Pregnancy Centers of Orlando. Past board service includes the governing board of the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce, the development board of the University of Texas at El Paso, the board of the United Way of El Paso, the board of trustees for Las Palmas and Del Sol hospitals, board of directors for Texas 811, and the executive committee of the El Paso Regional Economic Development Corporation.

A Kansas native, Deaton received her MBA with a concentration in Marketing from Ottawa University in 2013 and a Bachelor of General Studies degree with a concentration in Psychology in 2002 from the University of Kansas. In 2013, she received certification from Harvard Business School, Senior Executive Leadership program. In 2010, Deaton attended the New Mexico University School of Rates, Oklahoma State University Executive Leadership program and is a graduate of Leadership.

Jayme Delano, MSW

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: jayme.delano@ottawa.edu

Education
MSW - New York University
BA - Long Island University

Instructor Jayme A. Delano was raised in New York, completed her BA degree in Criminal Justice at Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus and holds a Master of Social Work from New York University. In 2004, Ms. Delano moved to the Washington, DC area to work at the University of Maryland, and then in 2010, she joined the Federal Government to work as a policy analyst for the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program. Her experience spans years working in public health and public safety, and she enjoys sharing these experience with students. She is characterized in multiple areas to include oversight of Federal grant programs; subject matter expert; led daily operations of alternative to incarceration programs for substance use disorder population; hired and supervised management teams that worked with organizations to affect the culture and climate necessary for programmatic success; development and oversight of research activities; provided technical assistance and training to a variety of criminal justice agencies; therapist in community-based clinics; and owned a private practice treating people with varied mental health diagnoses.

In her free time, Ms. Delano loves to travel and cook. She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two dogs (Tibby and Lucy).

Vivian Derby, MAHR

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: vivian.derby@ottawa.edu

Education
MAHR - Ottawa University
BA - Ottawa University

R. Vivian Derby, RN, MAHR has Professor status at National American University and has taught Healthcare Quality Improvement and Risk Management for 14 years. She has been a nurse for 40 years and worked in quality improvement for 20 years. She teaches numerous healthcare courses and has served as adjunct faculty at Ottawa University for several years.

In her free time, Viv likes to go camping, sew quilts, embroider and spend time with grandchildren.

Julie Dilling, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: julie.dilling@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh
BBA - University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

Julie Dilling resides in Wisconsin and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology with an emphasis in Integrating Technology, Learning and Psychology at Grand Canyon University. Julie is a licensed CPA. While working on her Master’s Degree, Julie was a senior manager for an international public accounting firm implementing accounting software and training clients on how to effectively use the software in their organization. After completing her Masters, Julie began teaching undergraduate courses in the Accounting program for a variety of colleges. Her passion for teaching grew, and in 2003 she left the corporate world to become an educator full-time. Julie continues to consult for former clients while teaching full-time at a local community college and enjoys the practical application as well as the opportunity to share business world examples with students. Julie teaches on the Brookfield campus as well as online for Ottawa University, and is committed to supporting student success and promoting meaningful learning.

Christine Douglass, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: christine.douglass@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Eastern Michigan University
BS - Eatern Michigan University

Christine Douglass grew up in Livonia, Michigan and completed her undergraduate degree at Eastern Michigan with a major in Communication and a minor in Professional Writing. Upon graduation, Christine worked ten years as a Human Resources Manager for a local cable and internet provider. While working, Christine served as a graduate teaching assistant at Eastern Michigan University and graduated with an MA in Communication. Shortly after graduation she made a career change to the academic world and has been teaching online and in the traditional classroom for the past ten years. Christine enjoys being able to integrate her real world experience in her day to day encounters in the classroom. Christine is currently working on a second Masters at Davenport University in Business Management.

Veliota Drakopoulou, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: veliota.drakopoulou@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Walden University
MBA - New York Institute of Technology
BS - State University of New York, SUNY

Dr. Veliota Drakopoulou has a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences from Walden University. She also earned an MBA from New York Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science from the State University of New York at New Paltz. Veliota’s professional experience includes 15+ years in the financial reporting field as NYSE equities day-trader, financial reporting analyst consultant, and construction accountant. Her expertise incorporates fundamental & technical analysis, SEC Edgar filing system, FASB XBRL taxonomy, and FASB Accounting Standards Codification.

She is an editorial board member of the "Journal of Stock and Forex Trading" and the "Journal of Accounting and Finance Research", an External Reviewer and Member of the Corporate Governance Experts Global Repository of Virtus Interpress. Also, Veliota is a member of the American Accounting Association and the Financial Executives International (FERF). Veliota has published extensively in the areas of the effectiveness of fundamental & technical analysis on stock valuation, the corporate risk management strategies under SFAS 133, and the FVO of equity securities under SFAS 159.

Krista Dueringer, M.S.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: krista.dueringer@ottawa.edu

Education
MS - Emporia State University
BS - Kansas State University

Krista Dueringer taught Biology, Anatomy, and AVID and coached softball for 12 years in the Olathe, KS Public School District before accepting an Assistant Principal position with that district. She is beginning her third year as a middle school administrator. She enjoys working with teachers and aspiring teachers to help them create an innovative and engaging classroom while building strong relationships with their students.

Donald Dunn, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: donald.dunn@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MLS - Fort Hays State University
BA - Mid-America Nazarene University

Donald D. Dunn is a faculty member who has taught 33 different courses in leadership, management, ethics, business ethics, and practical ministry for six universities over the last eight years. He holds a BA in Religion from MidAmerica Nazarene University, a Master of Liberal Studies degree in Organizational Leadership from Fort Hays State University, and a PhD in Organization and Management (specializing in Leadership) from Capella University. His subject matter expertise (SME) is in ethical leadership concentrating in business ethics. In addition to his teaching roles, Dr. Dunn offers his research-based The Moldable Model© to help companies design ethical workplaces, committed employees, and competitive advantage. Dunn authored an executive MBA textbook in 2016, published by Business Expert Press entitled: “Designing Ethical Workplaces: The Moldable Model©.” Dr. Dunn has taught for Ottawa University for seven years both in the undergraduate and graduate business programs.

Aurelia Durant, J.D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Education
JD - Rutgers University
MS - Duquesne University
BA - Temple University

Ms. Durant holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Rutgers University School of Law. She also holds a Master of Science degree in Global Leadership from Duquesne University.Currently, she teaches both graduate and undergraduate course at Ottawa University. Ms. Durant has been a practicing international business attorney for the past 17 years with concentrations in business development, cyber law and intellectual property. Additionally, Ms. Durant has spent many years as a technology sector international business consultant. Further, Ms. Durant serves as a non-profit board member for several national organizations and has served as corporate general counsel on several instances. Ms. Durant has authored several business law articles and is a frequent public speaker and conference panelist on legal matters and emerging global economic issues.

Ethan Durguti, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: elhan.durguti@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - University of Phoenix
BA - University of Kansas

Elhan Durguti is from Lawrence, Kansas. He is husband to a beautiful wife, father to a precious newborn daughter, and has a passion for teaching. In the early years of his professional career he worked for the casino and hotel industry promoting gaming and training staff to the new customer relationship management policies. He has also spent time in the pharmaceutical industry educating clients of their medical prescription benefits. Mr. Durguti’s passion for education made the transition to higher education a natural fit. He is currently a senior business faculty at Grantham University where he teaches business courses, ranging from Business Statistics, Principles of Business Management, Ethics and Business, Marketing, Business Negotiations, International Business, and Business Policy and Strategy. In addition to teaching Mr. Durguti manages and mentors faculty and staff, designs business courses, and manages assessment projects for his university. He joined the Ottawa family in 2015 as an adjunct for the School of Business. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, traveling to different countries, reading, writing, and playing golf.

Adjunct Directory

Paul Emeka, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: paul.emeka@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Walden University
MPA - Indiana University
BS - Indiana University

Dr. Paul Emeka grew up in Nigeria, currently living in Gilbert, Arizona. He completed his undergraduate degree as well as Master’s degree in Public Affairs (concentration in Healthcare Administration) at Indiana University. Dr. Emeka spent the majority of his career as Health Facility Administrator in Indiana. While in working as a Health Facility Administrator, he pursued a Master’s degree in Public affairs with a concentration in Healthcare Administration at Indiana University. Upon completion of his Master degree, Dr. Emeka decided to make a career change and enter the insurance and investment business working with American Family Insurance. He completed his Doctoral studies in Public Health with a concentration in Epidemiology with Walden University. He has taught with Ottawa University since 2015 and enjoys integrating his business experience for students within the classroom.

Ron Evans, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: ron.evans@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
MA - Southern Illinois University, Carbondale
BS - Iowa State University

Ron Evans grew up in West Des Moines, Iowa and got his BS in History and Psychology at Iowa State. He then moved on to Southern Illinois where he got his MA in Clinical Psychology and began to focus on an academic career. He did a one year clinical internship at Central Louisiana State Hospital and completed his Ph.D. work in 1976. He joined the faculty at Washburn University, Topeka, KS and achieved the rank of Professor in 1985. He began teaching online in 1999 and retired from Washburn in 2005. Since then, he has been a freelance online instructor and consultant for several universities.

He devotes his free time to gardening, playing guitar and piano, reading, and cycling.

Sarah Everts, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: sally.everts@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MS - Elmira College
BS - SUNY, Geneseo
BS - Empire State College

Instructor Sarah "Sally" Everts was born, raised, and (still) resides in the beautiful Finger Lakes region in upstate New York. She was an elementary teacher for twelve years, a School-To-Work Coordinator for five years, and an elementary principal for sixteen years. Although she recently retired from her administrative position, she stays active and up-to-date with education as a per diem substitute teacher and consultant. Dr. Everts has been an online instructor for bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels of education since 2008. She has been teaching master level courses at Ottawa since 2014.

In her spare time, Dr. Everts and her husband enjoy traveling, camping, boating, golfing, and spending time with her mother, her three grown children (and their spouses) and her six grandchildren. She is honored to be an adjunct instructor for Ottawa University.

Allen Farina, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: allen.farina@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Lynn University
MEd - Lakeland University
BA - Marquette University

Dr. Allen Farina was raised in Wisconsin, but currently resides in Florida. While in Wisconsin, Dr. Farina earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Marquette University and his master’s degree in Education at Lakeland University. In Florida, he pursued doctoral studies in Educational Leadership at Lynn University. Dr. Farina currently works with learners at all levels of education with several universities and colleges. He serves on dissertation committees for students pursuing doctoral degrees in Education, teaches graduate classes in Education, facilitates undergraduate courses in Sociology, and instructs students at the Associate level in Psychology. Curriculum writing and mentoring new online faculty are also current job functions. Past positions include teaching and administration in K-12 and higher education settings. Dr. Farina’s passion is being of service to students with the goal of helping them build bridges to get from “where they are” to “where they want to be." His favorite education mantra from the late and great Mr. Mandela is, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Amy Feliciano, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Amy.Feliciano@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Northern Arizona University
BA - University of Arizona

Instructor Amy Feliciano grew up in Tempe, Arizona and completed her undergraduate degree in humanities at the University of Arizona. She earned a graduate degree in English from Northern Arizona University. She has been an educator for 23 years and has taught junior high language arts as well as freshman through senior high school English. She has been an adjunct professor with Ottawa University since 2012 and is currently teaching junior English and Advanced Placement English Language in the Phoenix Union High School District. She loves to read and looks forward to discussing literary works with future students.

Michelle Flory, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: michelle.flory@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Northern Arizona University
BS - Brigham Young University

Michelle Flory taught in the inner city elementary schools in Phoenix, Arizona before becoming a reading specialist with her master's degree from NAU. She then went on to teach as an adjunct faculty member for seven colleges in Arizona before relocating to Utah with her family. She currently is an adjunct faculty member for five colleges and is completing her PhD with Utah State University in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in Literacy. Her specialties are curriculum, literacy and reading coursework, and children's literature.

Bryan Forsyth, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Bryan.Forsyth@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Walden University
MA - Ottawa University
BS - Southern Illinois University

Dr. Forsyth (Bryan) has worked in a variety of industries including government, food, electronics, telecommunications, transportation, manufacturing, distribution, and education. Bryan’s principal areas of expertise include: knowledge and learning management, organizational and employee development, organizational systems interventions, and leadership development. Bryan has been a professional in the training and development/education arena for approximately 30 years.

Additionally, Bryan is currently teaching business, management and other social science courses for undergraduate, Master of Business Administration, as well as Doctoral studies. Bryan received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Vocational Education from Southern Illinois University, majoring in Education, Training and Development, as well as a Master of Arts degree from Ottawa University specializing in Human Resources and Organizational Change Management, where he graduated at the top of his class. Bryan has completed his doctoral studies at Walden University for a degree in Applied Management and Decision Sciences emphasizing Knowledge and Learning Management where he also graduated at the top of his class. Lastly and most currently, Bryan has completed a Post-Doctoral Degree program in Global Leadership at Colorado Technical University.

Dr. Forsyth has a family of four and an extended family that involves many friends and colleagues around the globe. Traveling and taking a hike in the Rocky Mountains is always fun as is riding the mountain bike and being with family and those friends relaxing and enjoying life whenever possible.

Gary Fortney, M. A.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Gary.fortney@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Wheaton College
BA - Taylor University

Gary Fortney has a Master's Degree in Christian Ministries from Wheaton Graduate School and a Bachelor's degree in Christian Education from Taylor University – Fort Wayne. He has served as an education program director and specialist for over twenty years with the Arizona Department of Education. His experience also includes administration of Christian Schools in the Phoenix area along with being a pulpit supply for several churches. Earlier experience also included serving as a youth pastor. Gary has facilitated virtual classes for seven years total. Facilitating these classes has been answer to prayer and fulfillment of a life-long vision for ministry.

Zachary Fredstrom, MAPC

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: zachary.fredstrom@ottawa.edu

Education
MAPC - Ottawa University
BA - Arizona State University

Instructor Fredstrom grew up in Phoenix with dreams of becoming an airline pilot. Mr. Fredstrom achieved this goal just before 9/11. After a long furlough, he found himself looking to fulfill his renewed life-long purpose: to help people achieve a greater potential. This new passion has led him to a career in education as a teacher, math specialist, instructional coach, and is currently serving as an assistant principal. Additionally, Mr. Fredstrom has used his Masters in Professional Counseling working with mostly children and families. Currently, he is working on his dissertation in Industrial/Organizational psychology at Grand Canyon University. Mr. Fredstrom enjoys integrating these various experiences into his teaching practice here at Ottawa University and is thrilled to help others prepare in finding their significance.

Jaime Fuentes, MET

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Jaime.Fuentes@ottawa.edu

Education
MET - Mid-America Nazarene Univeristy
BS - Park University

Professor Jaime Fuentes completed his undergraduate degree in Information Technology at Park University and his Master’s in Educational Technology at MidAmerica Nazarene University. He has more than 15 years of experience as a college professor teaching a variety of technology subjects. He has held professional positions within corporate and private sectors in Computer Programming and Information Technology departments. His experience as a career advisor, mentor and as a faculty member has enabled him to offer extensive training, knowledge and communication skills in the classroom and professional experience in working collaboratively with successful companies such as Cerner. As an Associate Professor at Ottawa University, he has been actively engaged in helping to develop Engineering classes and designing online courses for teaching that fit the constantly changing technologies.

Professor Fuentes has also been actively involved in Wyandotte Community Service and received recognition and awards. He has been involved in technology organizations, assisted as consultant and advisor, and has applied and received grants for Educational Institutions.

Audra Gardner, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Audra.Gardner@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MA - San Jose State University
BS - San Jose State University

Dr. Audra Gardner was born, raised and currently lives in Silicon Valley. She taught her first chronic disease self-management class on campus for Stanford back in 1995 and fell in love with the online formate after teaching the first online version of this course in 1998. She completed her PhD coursework online, so she understands what it's like to be an online student as well as online professor. Dr. Gardner has a passion for teaching in the online environment and helping students achieve their academic and professional goals. She has taught students with a wide range of academic goals from those wishing to pursue a certificate to resident MD's. Dr. Gardner has also trained many distance educators. She currently teaches various classes at several universities and serves on about a dozen dissertation committees at any given time - and loves every minute of it!

Barbara Gast, D.M.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: barbara.gast@ottawa.edu

Education
DM - University of Phoenix
MAOM - University of Phoenix
MS - Arizona State University
BA - Arizona State University

Barbara Gast, DM, is the Vice President for United Chase Group, an executive recruiting and leadership consultancy group. She is credited with over 35 years of expertise in human resource management, performance consulting and leadership development. She held the title of vice president in the private sector of association management and marketing boards. As an agency director in the public sector, she co-authored the state code of ethics governing licensing of healthcare professionals. Dr. Gast completed her studies including the Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, the Master of Science in Agribusiness Marketing and Management, and the Master of Arts in Organizational Management. She is currently a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and American Society for Training and Development. She served three years on the Arizona Cancer Society’s scientific research task force.

Dr. Gast enjoys hiking around Piestewa Peak Mountain in central Phoenix. She has one son who is an attorney in Tucson.

Robert Geiges, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: robert.geiges@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Cleveland State University
BS - LaSalle University

Instructor Bob Geiges grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed his undergraduate degree in Accounting from La Salle University and his master’s degree from Cleveland State University. Following his bachelors in Accounting, and a tour in the US Army, Bob began working with Deliotte Touche’. Bob successfully passed all four parts of the Certified Public Accountant certification examination on his first sitting. Bob made a career change to private industry as Controller, Corporate Controller, Vice President of Finance General/Division Manager and Chief Financial Officer with various business including Thomson Reuters, Heubcore Communications, Drake International, Prosoft Training, and several smaller startup businesses. Bob decided to return to public accounting in Arizona specializing in public company Security and Exchange Compliance. He is looking forward to facilitating learning with Ottawa University’s Master of Business Administration program. In his free time, Bob enjoys time with his family, golfing, and hiking the natural wonders of Arizona.

Alvero Gonzalez, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Alvaro.Gonzalez@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - DeVry College
BS - State University of New York

Instructor Alvaro Gonzalez has over ten years of experience working in the areas of human resource management, business and public administration in various positions such as Human Capital Program Manager, Human Resources Specialists, Operations and Training Officer, among others for various private and public organizations. He is an Army veteran and has been a college instructor since 2008 teaching online, traditional and blended undergraduate and graduate courses for various colleges and universities in the United States and abroad.

Besides completing his doctoral dissertation work, in his free time he enjoys traveling, reading and spending time with his 4 year old and wife. He has run several 10K races and is an avid soccer fan.

James-Etta Goodloe, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: james-etta.goodloe@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Walden University
MEd - Carroll University
BA - Ottawa University

James-Etta Goodloe, EdD is an Adjunct Faculty member at Ottawa University’s Indiana campus. Dr. James-Etta earned her doctorate in Education and Adult Learning at Walden University. She teaches liberal arts capstone courses and has served as a Subject Matter Expert for Ottawa's Online division. As a student, Dr. James-Etta earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Management at Ottawa's Wisconsin Campus. While in Wisconsin she went on to earn her Master of Education degree from Carroll University. She has taught for Ottawa University since 2008 and enjoys guiding students through the same courses she once took as an OU student.

Judy Grady, MSW

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Education
MSW - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
BSW - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Judy Grady, MSW, is an adjunct professor at Ottawa University's Wisconsin campus. She has been a practicing psychotherapist for over 30 years and currently maintains a private practice in addition to teaching. Judy's current area of interest is in the area of neurobiology as it applies to mental wellness, and the use of mindfulness meditation and yoga as healing tools.

Judy is a Wisconsin native. When not in the classroom or therapy office, she can be found wandering the globe, sewing in her studio, experimenting with new recipes in her kitchen, or on the yoga mat.

Leanna Graham, EdS

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: leanna.graham@ottawa.edu

Education
EdS - University of Missouri, Kansas City
MA - University of Missouri, Kansas City
BA - Christopher Newport University

Instructor Leanna Graham grew up in the greater Kansas City area and is an adjunct professor at the Overland Park campus. She earned her Educational Specialist and Master's degree in Reading Education from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. She has been an educator for twenty years teaching everything from early childhood through graduate level students all with outstanding student reviews. She uses real-life examples to make coursework applicable to daily living and is passionate about truly making a positive difference in the lives of everyone around her. At Ottawa University she has taught liberal arts and education courses since fall 2013.

In her free time, Professor Graham loves to support the KC Royals, travel, camp, and spend time in or on the water.

Earl Greenia, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Earl.greenia@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of Southern California
MHA - University of Southern California
BA - University of Vermont

Originally from Vermont, Dr. Greenia moved to California to earn the MHA degree in 1991. Since that time he has spent his life in the warmer weather offered by the West Coast. Dr. Greenia has over twenty years of diverse experience in healthcare operations, quality management and strategic planning. He has worked in several settings, including government, for-profit, not-for-profit, academic medical centers as well as a children’s hospital. Dr. Greenia is board-certified in healthcare management and is a Fellow of the American Colleges of Healthcare Executives.

Mary Alice Grosser, MSW

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: maryalice.grosser@ottawa.edu

Education
MSW - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
BSW - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Mary Alice Grosser, MSW, has been with Ottawa since 2003, first as an Adjunct Instructor in Human Services and then as the Professor in Charge of Human Services (APGS) since October of 2016. Mary Alice has been a Social Worker and Supervisor in the Child Protective Service field for over 30 years. She has practiced Social Work both in Wisconsin and California where she lived for 20 years. Ms. Grosser first became invested in working with students as a field instructor for interns placed at the agency she worked. Eventually she became the supervisor in charge of the Social Work Internship program with San Bernardino County Child and Family Services. While working in Southern California, Ms. Grosser also specialized in forensic interviewing of child sexual abuse victims; providing training in this area for Police and Attorneys as well as Social Work professionals. She loves teaching the next generation of Human Services Workers.

Eric Habrel, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Eric.Habrel@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Saint Louis University
MA - Saint Louis University
BS - University of Wisconsin

Dr. Eric Habrel is an adjunct instructor at Ottawa University and teaches courses in the Master of Arts in Counseling program. Dr. Habrel taught at the graduate level in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee for over 20 years and has been an adjunct faculty member at Ottawa University - Wisconsin since 2012. He has also served as a faculty member and approved supervisor with the Family Therapy Training Institute since 1988 and provides consultation services to Aurora Family Service and Recovery Point. Dr. Habrel has been in private practice as a Psychologist in Southeastern Wisconsin since 1986. His expertise in marital and family therapy is used in his clinical work, consulting and seminar presentations as well as in the teaching, supervising and training of other mental health professionals throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.

Mary Haines, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Mary.Haines@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - Western Illinois University
BA - Western Illinois University

After a career in corporate accounting with firms such as Standard Oil in Chicago, The John Connolly Group in Iowa, and Kindercare Learning Centers in Alabama, Professor Mary Haines has served in such positions as Operations Controller, Assistant Director of Finance, Accounting Manager, and Controller. Mary has been bringing her accounting experience and passion for learning to the classroom for 18 years as an adjunct instructor for Huntingdon College and currently Ottawa University. When not teaching, Mary works part-time coordinating fundraising events to raise support for seminary student education. Most recently, she worked for a local CPA firm during tax season, redesigning their website and assisting in their conversion to a paperless environment. Active in her community, she serves on the executive board of a local non-profit and High School PTO. She resides with her husband and two sons in Overland Park, Kansas.

Amy Hankins, MLA

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Amy.Hankins@ottawa.edu

Education
MAEd - University of Kansas
MLA - Baker University
BSE - Missouri State University

Instructor Hankins grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and completed her undergraduate degree at Missouri State University. She began her career as a high school English teacher, teaching literature and composition courses, while pursuing her MLA, with a concentration in Literature. Upon completion of her MLA degree, Instructor Hankins decided to make a career change from secondary education to post-secondary education. She completed her MAEd with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas in 2017. She has taught with Ottawa University since 2010.

In her spare time, Instructor Hankins enjoys running, reading and spending time with her family.

Ann Hanridge, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: amy.hanridge@ottawa.edu

Education
MFA - Spalding University
MA - University of Iowa
BA - University of Chicago

Instructor Amy Hanridge was born and raised in Nebraska and completed her BA degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago and her MA degree in Anthropology from the University of Iowa. She completed Master’s field research in a neonatal nursery in New Delhi, India, comparing crisis medical decision-making there with similar decision-making in hospitals in the United States. As a cultural anthropologist, Instructor Hanridge has worked as a cross-cultural consultant with police departments and in teacher-training programs. She has assisted with research on immigrant expert scholars in the United States. Instructor Hanridge completed her MFA in Writing at Spalding University. As a writer, she has published short stories, essays, editorials and book reviews. Her short story, “Starter,” was published in 2014 in the anthology, Living in the Land of Limbo: Fiction and Poetry about Family Caregiving, printed by Vanderbilt University Press and edited by Carol Levine. Instructor Hanridge has taught online for Ottawa University since 2012 and she teaches a broad variety of liberal arts and writing courses.

Michael Hardy, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Michael.Hardy@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - University of Missouri, Columbia
EdS - Northwest Missouri State University
MS - Northwest Missouri State University
BS - Northwest Missouri State University

Dr. Michael Hardy grew up in the Maryville, Missouri area and completed his undergraduate degree at Northwest Missouri State University. He has spent a number of years in the K-12 arena and higher education. Dr. Hardy completed his Doctorate of Education with the University of Missouri in Colombia, Missouri. He has taught with Ottawa University since 2014 and enjoys working with students at OU, sharing his experiences from the education world.

Richard Hardy, J.D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: richard.hardy@ottawa.edu

Education
JD - University of Tulsa
MA - Texas Tech University
BA - Texas Tech University
BS - University of Colorado

Rich Hardy grew up in Texas and served with the Navy right out of high school. Then he earned two degrees in Comparative Literature from Texas Tech and taught for a while. Then he earned a degree in Physics and Geophysics from the University of Colorado and served as a Research Geophysicist for an oil company. While working full time in the oil business, he earned a Juris Doctorate degree in Law from the University of Tulsa and then he practiced Health Law in Oklahoma for a number of years. In 2001, his wife and he went to an MD Medical School to teach and take courses; she took the courses for real and he took most of them as a hobby; he also completed a Masters program in Hyperbaric Medicine. Then he began teaching for Ottawa in 2004. His wife practices Hospital Medicine and Clinical Medicine. They live in Grove, Oklahoma.

Janet Haynes, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: janet.haynes@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Fielding Graduate University
MA - Fielding Graduate University
BA - Alaska Pacific University

Janet grew up in Kentucky and completed the BA degree in Organizational/HR Administration at Alaska Pacific University. While living in Anchorage, Alaska she began graduate studies at Fielding Graduate University; completing the Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Change in 2002, area of specialization leadership and change management. Dr. Haynes' work includes the following: real estate broker, human resource/risk management, aircraft and freight movement management, social services and behavioral health credentialing facilitator, behavioral health center service delivery development, curriculum reviewer and grant writing. She has taught professional development/licensure credentialing, undergraduate and graduate students; also serving on doctoral dissertation committees. In her spare time she enjoys travel and community service projects. Dr. Haynes considers teaching at Ottawa University a privilege because of the student body and staff.

Justin Henry, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Justin.Henry@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - University of Kansas
MS - Emporia State University
BS - Sterling College

Dr. Justin Henry grew up in Sterling, Kansas and completed his undergraduate degrees at Sterling College. While teaching high school Chemistry and Physics at Ottawa High School, he completed his Master's of Science from Emporia State University. After completing this degree, Dr. Henry served three years as an assistant principal at Ottawa High and three years as the principal while earning his Doctorate of Education at the University of Kansas.

Dr. Henry has served as a Kansas superintendent for over a decade, first serving four years in the Southeast of Saline School district and currently in USD 265, Goddard Public Schools. In addition to serving as a superintendent, Dr. Henry is a consultant for the McPherson and Jacobson Executive Search Firm, teaches at Ottawa University and is active in multiple professional organizations including the Kansas School Superintendents Association, the American Association of School Administrators, Suburban School Superintendents, and the Mid-American Association of School Superintendents.

Michael Henry, MSEd

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Michael.Henry@ottawa.edu

Education
MSEd - University of Kansas
BA - University of Wisconsin

Michael Henry grew up in Los Angeles, California and completed his undergraduate degree in Communications at University of Wisconsin, Madison. He worked in television production at WHA-TV in Madison, as well as corporate video production in Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles, he received a Career Technical Education Teaching Credential from UCLA in Television Production and taught through the Regional Occupational Program in Los Angeles County. He earned his Master’s in Education from KU and has taught Public Relations, Organizational Communications, Media Writing and Media Production. He has taught with Ottawa University since 2010 and enjoys integrating his multimedia and travel experiences for students within the classroom.

Diane Hobson, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Diane.Hobson@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Nova Southeastern University
MA - Ohio University
BS - Ohio State University, Athens

Instructor Diane Hobson, Ed. D, was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio and moved to Athens, OH to complete her BS degree in Secondary Education (English, Speech, Journalism, Reading) and her MA in Educational Technology. For her doctorate work, she opted for a combined online and face-to-face format and earned an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Distance Education. Her dissertation work focused on learning styles and learning preferences of low socioeconomic students in a technology setting. She continues to be interested in research that deals with determining factors that improve online education, instructional design that compliments the learning styles of online students, and the globalization of education due to virtual learning. She has several articles published in Distance Learning magazine regarding quality in online instruction. She has been involved in education since 1992 and has taught English and reading to middle school students, reading and math to gifted students, educational technology courses, and serves as the director of curriculum and testing for a local school district. She has also worked as an adjunct instructor for Ottawa University since 2009 teaching courses for the Master of Arts in Education program.

Wayne Hollman, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: wayne.hollman@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Walden University
MBA - California State University, Dominguez Hills
BA - San Diego State University

Dr. Hollman lives and originates from Southern California. He completed his undergraduate degree in Economics at San Diego State University. After earning his MBA at California State University-Dominguez Hills, he attended Walden University where he earned a PhD in Finance. His professional experience centers on finance and financial management. He has spent over twenty-five years working as a Financial Advisor, Analyst and Manager at some of the nation’s largest financial institutions. He has been teaching and providing online education since 2005. He has been with Ottawa University since 2009.

Allison Hubley-Patterson, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: allison.hubleypatter@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - Wayne State University
BA - Oakland University

Allison Hubley completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. She spent the early years of her career working in various positions with the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan, and served as the Chief Operating Officer of Quality Healthcare Providers, P.C. in Dearborn, Michigan. She then transitioned into higher education on a fulltime basis in 2003. While working as a project manager at HFHS, Ms. Hubley earned a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University. She also holds a post-baccalaureate certificate in forensic accounting and fraud examination and works in a volunteer capacity with law enforcement. She enjoys conducting seminars to senior citizens and small business owners on fraud awareness and fraud prevention; she is the author of a bi-monthly "Scam Alert" column for a senior services newsletter. Ms. Hubley has been with Ottawa University since 2007 and teaches online courses as well as in-class courses at the Phoenix Campus.

Michael Huff, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: michael.huff@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Pepperdine University
BA - University of California

Micheal earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from UCLA and his Master's Degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University. He teaches several different psychology courses at Ottawa University. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he currently works with adolescents at a high school in a counseling and teaching capacity. He is interested in the way gender influences behavior and his emphasis is in counseling and diagnosing mental disorders as well as human sexuality. He also has a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA to aid his students in their future academic goals.

In Michael’s free time he enjoys cooking, bowling, spending time with his family, and of course, talking about psychology!

Jeff Hynes, Ed. D.

Adjunct Faculty in Arts & Sciences

Email: Jeff.hynes@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Northern Arizona University
MEd - Northern Arizona University
BS - Northern Arizona University

Dr. Jeffeory G. Hynes, EdD is a retired Phoenix Police Commander, retiring September 9th, 2011 after a 32 year Law Enforcement career. His next career transition was to the Glendale Community College (GCC) as a full-time professor. Currently serving as the Department Chair for the Public Safety Sciences Department, which includes the disciplines of, Administration of Justice Studies, Emergency Medical Technician, Fire Science and Automotive Department. In addition, he is now working part-time (eight hours per week) as the Professor in Charge of the Department Public Safety for Ottawa University and has been an adjunct instructor with OU for the past 17 years.

Adjunct Directory

William Jackson, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: william.jackson@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Syracuse University
MA - Penn State University
BA - Brigham Young University

W. Kesler Jackson has taught American history, international relations, Western civilization, world history, Asian history, South Asian religion-and-politics, Middle East history, 19th-century European imperialism, and historiography at multiple colleges and universities. Among other things, his research focuses on a major religio-political schism within South Asian revivalist Islam and its impact on the making of modern India and Pakistan. Before his graduate studies, he worked as a South Asia analyst in the Washington, DC area. The author of multiple books and articles, he is currently working on two monographs: a history of the Deobandi-Barelvi rivalry in Pakistan and a history of the weeks leading up to the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

Jennifer Johnson, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Jennifer.Johnson@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of South Florida
EdS - University of South Florida
MA - University of South Florida
BA - Arizona State University

Dr. Jennifer Johnson is an Adjunct Instructor within Ottawa University's Arizona-based School Psychology program. Dr. Johnson, a recipient of Arizona State University's Leadership Scholarship, earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1992 and, from there, relocated to Florida. While in Florida, she earned her masters, specialist and doctoral degrees in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in School Psychology from the University of South Florida. Following the completion of her program, she returned to Arizona to be closer to family. She has now been a practitioner for over 20 years and currently serves as the Director of Psychological Services for Edkey, Inc./Sequoia Charter schools which maintains sites throughout the state of Arizona. Dr. Johnson is a former president of the Arizona Association of School Psychologists and remains an active member in both her state and national professional organizations. Her professional interests include consultation, special education law and program development. In her free time, Dr. Johnson enjoys reading, exercising, writing, and spending time with her family and pets.

Todd Kane, MSIT

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: todd.kane@ottawa.edu

Education
MSIT - Kaplan University
MEd - Northcentral University
MBA - Northcentral University
BBA - Northcentral University

Todd Kane’s experience in business, healthcare and healthcare administration spans 25 years during which time he has served as: the president and CEO of a multi-million dollar private national healthcare recruitment and outsourcing firm for more than a decade; the vice president of a publically traded healthcare staffing and outsourcing firm; and in various other leadership positions including chief operating officer, regional vice president, regional director, and more. In 2009, Todd decided to share his experiences with others through teaching and mentoring undergraduate, graduate, and certificate learners at a variety of universities and other institutions of higher learning.

Marjorie Kaplan, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Marjorie.Kaplan@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Arizona State University
MA - Arizona State University
BA - Smith College

Marjorie Kaplan, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Professor in the Educational Leadership Department at Ottawa in Phoenix. Dr. Kaplan earned her doctorate in Educational Administration at Arizona State University. She has been a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent. Most of her experience has been in Arizona, except for 16 years when she served as superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas. In Phoenix, she was superintendent of Paradise Valley Unified for eight years and assistant superintendent there for three years. She lives in the Phoenix area and, most recently, was director of a training program for principals at Arizona State University. She was an Adjunct Professor at ASU for 15 years and has taught at Ottawa for 24 years. She has been honored as Arizona Superintendent of the Year.

Sean Keelan, M.M.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Sean.Keelan@ottawa.edu

Education
MM - University of Maryland, College Park
BM - Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music

Michael Keelan is music director at Kansas Public Radio, a news/classical NPR network in the greater Kansas City area. He hosts recordings, interviews, and live performances weekdays from 9 AM-noon. Previously he hosted Nebraska Concerts on NET Radio in Lincoln.

Keelan began his career as a violinist with the Lincoln Symphony and his own musical family. He attended Baldwin Wallace Conservatory near Cleveland, and was a member of the Fairfax (VA) Symphony outside Washington, D.C., while earning a master’s degree at the University of Maryland-College Park. He served as full-time artist/instructor of upper strings at the Wausau (WI) Conservatory of Music from 2004-08, also conducting the Wausau Area Youth Symphony. In 2004 he began playing as concertmaster of the Green Bay Symphony, continuing until 2013, where he worked with numerous international soloists. While there, he conducted for the symphony’s youth orchestra program. In the summers of 2010 and 2011 he taught and conducted at Baldwin Wallace’s Summer Music Institute, and he returned in 2014 as recitalist for the university’s nationally known festival of J.S. Bach’s music. In 2011, he was soloist with the Sioux City (IA) Symphony in John Corigliano's Red Violin Chaconne, and in 2012 served as guest concertmaster of Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra for the convention of the International Clarinet Association. From 2011-15 he played extensively for the Omaha Symphony and became a member, concurrently teaching strings at Concordia University-Nebraska. He worked regularly as a coach and adjudicator with Omaha and Nebraska all-state youth orchestras.

Kent Kessinger, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: kent.kessinger@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Minnesota State University, Mankato
BA - Bethany College

Kent Kessinger grew up in Lindsborg, KS and completed his undergraduate degree at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS. His teaching career and coaching career has taken him from Kansas, to Minnesota, to South Dakota and back to Kansas. While at Minnesota State University Mr. Kessinger obtained a master’s degree in the MSUM Department of Human Performance in Physical Education with a concentration in Preventative and Rehabilitative Cardiovascular Health. The majority of his teaching experience has been at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD and Ottawa University. While at both institutions he has taught a number of courses in the Physical Education and Exercise Science majors. Mr. Kessinger’s teaching experience includes: Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Introduction to Stress Management, Psychology and Sociology of Sport, and Sports Nutrition. Mr. Kessinger is currently pursuing his Ph.D in Exercise Science at Concordia University in Chicago.

Anna Koch, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: anna.koch@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Texas Tech University
PhD - University of Iowa
MSEd - University of Nebraska, Kearney
BA - University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Anna Koch, PhD is an adjunct instructor at Ottawa University teaching online Addiction Counseling courses. She is a licensed independent counselor in Texas and New Mexico. Dr. Koch’s research focuses on addictions, counselor supervision, veterans, and rehabilitation. Dr. Koch loves to travel, go fishing, go hiking with her family and two dogs, and crossfit.

Aaron Konkol, J.D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Aaron.Konkol@ottawa.edu

Education
JD - Thomas M. Cooley Law School
MS - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
BS - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Aaron grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin and completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He completed his law degree at Thomas M. Cooley Law School while living in Lansing, Michigan. Upon returning to Wisconsin, he worked as legal counsel for Milwaukee County's Child Support Enforcement Division. Aaron left the County to pursue dual masters programs, obtaining an MS in Health Care Management and an LLM in Health Law simultaneously at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Graduate School of Business and at DePaul University's College of Law. Upon completion of these degrees, Aaron worked in the private sector as a litigation attorney in various areas, including, but not limited to: health care law, insurance defense, plaintiff's personal injury, and employment law. Aaron left the private sector to work as a prosecuting attorney with a Wisconsin state agency pursuing complaints against physicians, nurses and other various health care professionals on behalf of their respective licensing boards.

For the past four years, Aaron has been working as an administrative law judge (ALJ) hearing cases with a high volume calendar resolving disputes between applicants, respondents and insurance carriers. Aaron also proudly serves his country as a Captain in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, serving as a JAG officer. Aaron has taught at a number of Universities for the past 12 years and has been an instructor with Ottawa since 2009. Aaron enjoys bringing his experience in both the private and public sectors to his students in a practical manner.

Alana Kopp, M. Ed.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Alana.Kopp@ottawa.edu

Education
MEd - Azusa Pacific University
BS - Winona State University

Instructor Alana Kopp grew up an Air Force brat and finished her high school years on the family's historical farm in Kimball, Minnesota. She completed her Associate of Arts and Bachelor degrees in Rochester, Minnesota. In the early 1990's she moved to the west coast to begin her teaching career in San Bernardino, California and pursued her master degree in pupil personnel services. Alana has spent over 25 years in education within the public schools as classroom teacher, instructional coach (including turn-around coaching with Arizona Department of Education) and elementary school counselor. Alana began teaching with Ottawa in the Master of Arts in Education in the School Counseling program in 2017 and wishes she had begun this endeavor earlier. She is a pastor's wife and mother of two young men. Ministry and family keep her active and she loves relaxing at the beach.

Tina Lamb, Ph D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: tina.lamb@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MBA - Strayer University
MBA - Indiana Wesleyan University
BBA - Marian College

Instructor Tina Lamb grew up in Michigan, but currently lives in Central Wisconsin. During and after eight and a half years of service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Dr. Lamb continued her education, obtaining an Associates' degree in Liberal Arts, a BBA in Human Resource Management, an MBA in General Business, an MBA in Marketing, and a PhD in Organization and Management. Upon completion of her PhD degree in Organization & Management with Capella University, Dr. Lamb decided to make a career change and enter academia. She has taught with Ottawa University since 2014 and enjoys integrating her business experience for students within the classroom. Dr. Lamb also teaches business courses for other online universities across the country.

Elizabeth Lemp, MSW

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: elizabeth.lemp@ottawa.edu

Education
MSW - University of Iowa
BA - Ottawa University

Elizabeth Lemp is an Adjunct Instructor of Human Services at Ottawa University. She graduated from Ottawa University with a double major in Human Services and Sociology in 1998, and has nearly 20 years’ experience in serving children and families. Her service has included work in community mental health, early care and education, medical social work, non-profit management and community development in Kansas and Iowa. While in Iowa, Elizabeth completed a Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in Family Centered Practice from the University of Iowa. During this time, she conducted primary research on the relationship between mindfulness and empathy in the helping profession and contributed to academic research on postsecondary social work education and social work policy.

Elizabeth is a Licensed Master of Social Work in Kansas and serves as a staff clinician and member of the Trauma Informed Care Team at Family Service and Guidance Center in Topeka, KS. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the International Association of Trauma Professionals. As a practitioner, Elizabeth’s approach is authentic, client-centered and strength based. She brings these same traits to the classroom along with a focus on best practice, high ethical standards and cultural humility as she helps to prepare students to serve in our changing world.

Aline Lindermann, MLS

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: aline.lindemann@ottawa.edu

Education
MLS - Arizona State University
BA - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Aline Lindemann divides her time between Phoenix, Arizona and Cape Cod, Massachusets. She teaches for Ottawa University Online, and for the Masters of Liberal Studies program at Arizona State University. Aline is also a freelance writer; her work appears within Harvard Divinity School's Religious Literacy Project website, and in various magazines. Current research focuses on the intersection of spirituality and natural environments. When she isn't writing or teaching, Aline is happiest traveling or spending time outdoors hiking, gardening or standup paddling.

Geffery Luttrell, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: geffery.luttrell@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Oklahoma State University
MS - Pittsburg State University
BS - Pittsburg State University

Dr. Luttrell has taught as an Ottawa University adjunct since 2010. He earned BS and MS degrees in Biology (Aquatic Emphasis) from Pittsburg State University and a PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology from Oklahoma State University. Dr. Luttrell has spent most of his career researching fish ecology in midwestern aquatic ecosystems and enjoys integrating his extensive ecological consulting experience into biology classroom and laboratory activities.

A.J. Lutz, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: aj.lutz@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - Avila University
BS - Kansas State University

A.J. Lutz has been an adjunct instructor at several Universities in the Kansas City metropolitan area since 1993. He has complimented his academic success with real-world experience and application which he draws on from his private sector experience. Working for several small area companies, as well as seven years as an account representative with Fortune Brands, A.J. developed a foundation for running a small business for over twenty years.

In his personal life, A.J. enjoys sports and movies, as well as cooking and grilling out.

Chris Magnuson, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: chris.magnuson@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
MS - Springfield College
BS - Upper Iowa University

Dr. Magnuson has been a lifelong resident of Wisconsin and earned his baccalaureate in Psychology at Upper Iowa University. He earned his Master's degree in Community Psychology with a focus on Medicine, Society and Culture at Springfield University. After earning his Master’s degree, Dr. Magnuson began teaching psychology and statistics for the social science courses. He has taught with Ottawa University since 2005.

Dr. Magnuson earned his Doctoral degree in Cultural Anthropology with a minor in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Christopher enjoys working with people who have a vested interest in changing the world through education. His teaching techniques may best be summed up as “outside of the box” and he loves learning from new experiences. He believes that you should enjoy your work and that work should be interesting and challenging.

Kathy Markley, MAT

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Kathy.Markley@ottawa.edu

Education
MAT - Webster University
BA - University of Iowa

Kathy Markley grew up near Chicago, Illinois and completed her undergraduate degree (BA) at the University of Iowa. For 5 years she taught 6th grade in Des Moines, before moving to Overland Park. She taught in Center School District for 25 years, and during that time taught some seminars on Fred Jones’ Tools for Teaching classroom management at Baker University. Professor Markley also received her MAT degree during this time from Webster University. After retirement she became an adjunct supervisor for Ottawa University’s education program and is still very involved. In her free time she travels with her husband and enjoys spending time with her daughter and grandson.

Hatshepsitu Massey, M. S.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Hatshepsitu.Massey@ottawa.edu

Education
MS - University of Maryland
BS - Spelman College

Hatshepsitu Massey was born and raised in Washington, DC. (Yes, she is one of the few who is not a transplant. :-) She loves attending music concerts and plays and has a passion for food: cooking shows, learning new recipes, eating at the different restaurants like all of the trendy and new food trucks in the Washington, DC area.

Hatshepsitu received her Bachelor’s in Mathematics from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA and decided to return home for graduate school afterwards. She received her Master’s in Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computation from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has been a tutor since her freshman year in college, so it was a natural fit for her to be a teaching assistant in graduate school. There Hatschepsitu really discovered that her passion was helping others better understand math and helping them discover that math can actually be fun. In addition, Hatshepsitu has been a mathematics tutor for students ranging in ages from elementary school through college for over 15 years. "

Philip McClintock, MEd

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: philip.mcclintock@ottawa.edu

Education
MEd - William Woods University
BS - Ottawa University

Instructor McClintock grew up in Neosho, Missouri and completed his undergraduate degree at Ottawa University. He played basketball and graduated with a degree in Physical Education while at Ottawa. Phil then moved to Fulton, Missouri to serve as a Graduate Assistant Men’s Basketball coach at William Woods University for two years. While coaching, he completed his master’s degree in athletic administration. After those two years, Phil took a head high school coaching position at Salem High School in Salem, Missouri. In addition to coaching basketball, he was a middle school Health and Physical Education teacher. He also coached golf, cross country, and middle school girls basketball. In 2015, he came back to Ottawa University to serve as Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach and Instructor in the School of Education.

Brendon McGonigle, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business and Arts & Sciences

Email: Brendon.McGonigle@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - Ottawa University
BS - Southern Polytechnic State University

Brendon McGonigle grew up in Atlanta, GA and completed his undergraduate degree at Southern Polytechnic State University. He then moved to Ottawa in the summer of 2013 to become the Graduate Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at Ottawa University. After two years in that role and finishing his MBA, he was hired almost immediately as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at OU in the summer of 2015. He has been teaching courses in the School of Business and Physical Education.

Robert Meehan, DPS

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Robert.Meehan@ottawa.edu

Education
DPS - Pace University
MA - Fairleigh Dickinson University
BA - Montclair University

Dr. Meehan has spent most of his career in the financial services, electric utility, consumer electronics, and high-tech industries, working in various human resources and consulting roles. He has had leadership responsibility for talent management, HRIS, compensation, and benefits. In academia, he was an adjunct Associate Professor of Management at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business and has taught at Ottawa University since 2009. He is a member of WorldatWork; he served on their seminar faculty for 20 years, is a former Committee Chair and Board member, and holds both Compensation and Benefits certifications. Dr. Meehan is a Founding Board Member of the Arizona Total Rewards Association. He also served on the Society for Human Resources Management’s Compensation and Benefits Committee. Dr. Meehan has published extensively with over 20 articles, book chapters, case studies, and conference presentations to his credit.

Russ Meek, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Russ.Meek@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
MA - Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
BA - Henderson State University

Dr. Meek earned a BA in History and Spanish from Henderson State University, an MA in Biblical Languages from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a PhD in Biblical Studies (Old Testament) from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has authored, co-authored and edited numerous books, journal articles and essays. His primary research interest is in Old Testament Wisdom literature, particularly the book of Ecclesiastes.

Susan Melford, M.S.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: susan.mefford@ottawa.edu

Education

MS - Regis University
BS - Ball State University

Susan Mefford was raised in Indiana and moved to Colorado after graduation. She completed her MS degree in Organizational Leadership/Project Management at Regis University. She has worked in business as a project manager for over 25 years. She is a retired Certified Project Manager and a past Board of Director member for a local community. For the last five years and counting, she volunteers at a local hospital. She has been teaching business ethics at Ottawa University for the past seven years as an adjunct instructor. Her passion is to help adult learners understand book concepts, so that they can be adapted to everyday life and business situations.
In her free time, her activities are golf and keeping up with her husband and six grand-children.

Arian Moore, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: arian.moore@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Regent University
BA - Howard University

Instructor Arian Moore was raised in Atlanta, GA. She completed her undergraduate studies at Howard University's School of Communication in Washington, DC and later completed graduate school, receiving a Masters of Arts in Journalism from Regent University. She is both an entrepreneur and a writer. She has experience in print, radio and television having worked for organizations such as FOX 5 in Atlanta and WHUR 96.3 in Washington, DC. She has written and published two books and is Editor for a fitness magazine. Additionally, she owns a media company that helps small businesses with their unique marketing needs. Professor Moore is passionate about teaching and preparing the next generation of communication professionals.

Jonathan Moore, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: jonathan.moore@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Arizona State University
MEd - Arizona State University
BA - Loyola University, Chicago

Dr. Moore entered the field of education as a 2007 Teach For America Corps Member, where he taught middle school in South Phoenix. After his time in the classroom, Dr. Moore became a Reading Specialist where he assisted his colleagues in implementing effective reading instruction. In 2012, he transitioned to school administration, where he most recently served as Principal of one of the largest K-8 schools in South Phoenix. He also began serving at Ottawa University as an adjunct instructor in 2012 and has taught a multitude of courses ranging from Philosophy, Accountability, and Change to Educational Statistical Methods. In 2016, Dr. Moore became the Deputy Associate Superintendent of K-12 Academic Standards at the Arizona Department of Education. When not working on behalf of the students and educators in Arizona, Dr. Moore enjoys time on the tennis court and traveling.

Dena Morgan, MAED

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: dena.morgan@ottawa.edu

Education
MAED - Ottawa University
MA - Argosy University
BA - Western Maryland University

Instructor Dena Morgan grew up in New Jersey and completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Western Maryland College. In 2001, she relocated to Arizona and pursued her MA – Education with a concentration in school counseling. She was a school counselor for 12 years and has worked with all K-12 age groups specializing in Conflict Resolution, Anti-Bullying, Crisis Intervention, and Trauma and Grief Counseling. In 2010, Ms. Morgan decided to make a career change with the intent of working in the juvenile court system. She completed a second graduate degree in Forensic Psychology in 2013 with Argosy University and left the school counseling realm in 2014 to work with Pinal County Juvenile Court as a Dependency Mediator and Integrated Family Court Coordinator. She was then offered a Clinical Supervisor position through Pinal County Conciliation Court. In her current position as Clinical Supervisor, Ms. Morgan oversees a team of clinicians, conducts family assessments to provide recommendations to the Court on custody matters such as legal decision-making and parenting time, as well as other services to help families experiencing separation or divorce. She has been teaching with Ottawa University in Arizona as an Adjunct since 2009 in the Masters of Education – School Counseling program, and is a member of Ottawa University’s School Guidance Advisory Board. In her free time, Ms. Morgan loves to travel, run, hike and spend time with her family.

Daniel Mudge, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: daniel.mudge@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - National University
MS - Troy State University
MPA - Troy State University
BS - US Merchant Marine Academy

Daniel Mudge has served as visiting and adjunct faculty at several different universities earning recognition as one of Ohio’s top educators in 2007. Dan’s academic credentials include a Masters in Public Administration as well as a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Troy University. Additionally, he possesses a Master of Business Administration from National University. His undergraduate work was completed at the United States Merchant Marine Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering. Dan’s professional credentials include licensure as a U.S. Merchant Marine Officer and designation as a Power Engineer.

His full time job is with the Federal government and, like Forrest Gump, that is all he can say about that. Prior to that, Dan flew F-14 TOMCAT aircraft for the U.S. Navy with subsequent assignments to garden spots such as the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Rebecca Mullane, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: rebecca.mullane@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
MA - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
BS - University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Instructor Dr. Rebecca Mullane grew up in Necedah, Wisconsin and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. After graduation, she worked in the Marketing Department for an insurance company before starting in Admissions and Recruitment at the University of Wisconsin - Waukesha. While workinig at UW-Waukesha, she returned to school in the evenings and online to complete her Master's Degree in Communication from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. Shortly after, she transferred to the University of Wisconsin - Sheboygan to work as a Student Success Coordinator with at-risk students. During this time, she returned to school again in the evenings and online to complete her Doctorate in Communication from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. For the past five years she has taught Communication courses full-time at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She has taught as an adjunct for Ottawa University since early 2016 and enjoys working with students taking online courses.

Tony Muscia, DBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Musicat@ottawa.edu

Education
DBA - Nova Southeastern University
MBA - Western International University
MA - Duquesne University
BA - Duquesne University

Dr. Tony Muscia is President and CEO of Global Communication Alliance which specializes in educational consulting and seminar development. His background includes a unique blend of corporate, entrepreneurial and educational experience combined with extensive classroom teaching.
Previously, Dr. Muscia served as a Consulting Advisor for the Portman Institute of Technology in Singapore. He was also Executive Director of the International MBA Program and Director of International Business Programs at Arcadia University. Prior to his tenure at Arcadia, he served in a dual role as Director of Graduate Business Studies and Director of Enrollment Management at Ottawa University.

Dr. Muscia has owned and operated ten businesses, and his corporate experience includes serving as Chief Executive Officer at the Speakers Academy, Inc. as well as senior management positions in several multi-million dollar companies. He was also a marketing and management strategist for the Small Business Development Center in Arizona.

In addition, Dr. Muscia was Director of the Small Business Management Program and the Casino Management Program at Scottsdale Community College. While at Western International University, he was appointed Chair of Graduate Business Programs and Chair of the Marketing Department.

Adjunct Directory

Rachel Nally, M.S.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: rachel.nally@ottawa.edu

Education
MS - Pittsburg State University
BS - Missouri Southern State University

Rachel Nally was born in Miami, Oklahoma and raised in Parsons, Kansas. She started her teaching career in Coffeyville, Kansas at Field Kindley High School in 1996. She taught at Independence High School for two years before moving to the Goddard School District in 2001. After nine years in the classroom, Rachel completed her Master's Degree and received her license in Library Science from PSU. She moved from the classroom to the library in the fall of 2005. Rachel opened the new Eisenhower High School Library in 2011.

In her free time, she loves to read and spend time with family. She has been an adjunct instructor with Ottawa University since 2010.

Jane Nelson, EDS

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: jane.nelson@ottawa.edu

Education
EDS - Northwest Missouri State University
MLS - University of California, Fullerton
BS - Florida State University

Jane Nelson grew up in the panhandle of Florida and completed her BS degree in Elementary Education from Florida State University. She received an MLS degree from University of California in Library Science and then attended Northwest Missouri State University and received her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Administration. She has taught all grade levels from kindergarten to high school and has teaching experience in Georgia, Florida, California, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. She has also served as an adjunct instructor at Iowa Western Junior College and Red Oak Junior College in Iowa. She has taught at Ottawa University since 2003 and enjoys sharing her educational experiences and knowledge of curriculum with students within the classroom.

In her free time, she loves to read and spend time training her Labrador Retriever for field trails.

John Nemecek, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: jack.nemecek@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Walden University
MBA - National University
BBA - National University

Dr. Jack Nemecek is a full-time university professor who has completed two careers, one in healthcare administration and one in public health. He holds a PhD in Public Health from Walden University, an MBA and BBA in Healthcare Administration from National University, and an AS in Allied Health from George Washington University.

Dr. Nemecek has taught nearly all course offerings that are healthcare administration and/or public health related, at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level. He also has experience mentoring doctoral students as committee Chairperson, and committee member. He is an expert at course development, serving as a subject matter expert on numerous university committees.

Dr. Nemecek began his career in military medicine as an Independent Duty Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. After 12 years as an enlisted man, he was Commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps as a healthcare administrator. He served on active duty for 22 years, serving in numerous capacities as a senior level healthcare administrator, to include: Director of Human Resources, Director of Education/Training, Director of Operations, Director of Administration, and Director of U. S. Navy Healthcare Construction West Coast Operations.

Upon his retirement from the U. S. Navy, Dr. Nemecek began another career as a Public Health Advisor with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For another 20 years, he served in numerous capacities including grants management and as Deputy Branch Chief for the Education, Information and Partnership Branch of the National Immunization Program.

Dr. Nemecek was born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio. He is married with three sons and four grandchildren, residing in Ft. Myers, Florida. In his leisure time he golfs, gardens and reads for pleasure.

Jon Niccum

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: jon.niccum@ottawa.edu

Education
BS - University of Kansas

Jon Niccum is an award-winning journalist, author and screenwriter. Since 2011, he has been an entertainment writer and critic for the Kansas City Star. Prior to that he spent 10 years as an editor at the Lawrence Journal-World and its website Lawrence.com, and seven years as an editor at The Pitch, the Kansas City alt-weekly newspaper.

He is the author of “The Worst Gig: From Psycho Fans to Stage Riots, Famous Musicians Tell All.”

He graduated KU’s film department in 1989. He has taught journalism and film at KU since 2013 and at Ottawa University since 2015.

Edward Nielsen, Ed. S.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: edward.nielsen@ottawa.edu

Education
EdS - Idaho State University
MEd - Idaho State University
BA - Utah State University

Instructor Edward (Dane) Nielsen was raised in Cedar Hills, Utah. He began attending Utah State University in 1998 and studied Sociology and Spanish. During his time at Utah State University, Instructor Nielsen spent two years living in Guayaquil, Ecuador, as an ecclesiastical missionary for his church. After graduating in 2004 with a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish, he spent 3 years working in the business and real estate industry. His parents were both educators and he always wanted to work in education so he began attending Idaho State University to become a school psychologist in 2007. After two years of graduate work and a one year internship, Instructor Nielsen graduated with honors with a Master's of Education in Human Exceptionality and an Educator Specialist Degree in School Psychology. He moved his family to Lehi, Utah, and worked for Alpine School District as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. While working in Utah he also taught in the Behavioral Sciences Department for Utah Valley University as an adjunct professor. After four years he moved his family to Gilbert, Arizona, where he currently lives.

Mr. Nielsen has been working as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist for the past four years at Balsz School District in Phoenix. He has taught online for the past three years for Grand Canyon University and Brigham Young University. He has also been teaching in Ottawa University's School Psychology graduate program for the past two years. He really enjoys using real world experiences in his classroom teaching. He has spoken and presented at a number of different districts and universities on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and has interest in the treatment of childhood trauma in schools. He loves spending time with his three young children and wife, having BBQ's and going to the movies. His dream vacation would be a cross country road trip with his family, stopping at numerous restaurants featured on the Food Networks Diners, Drive-ins and Dives television show.

Brigit Olsen, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Brigit.Olsen@ottawa.edu

Education

PhD - Walden University
MBA - North Park University
BS - North Park University

Brigit Olsen, PhD completed her BA in Business Administration and Youth Ministry at North Park University in Chicago, IL and then completed her MBA at North Park's School of Business. She went on to pursue her PhD in Psychology from Walden University. Brigit has been an adjunct faculty member with Ottawa University's online campus since 2011 and currently resides in Brookfield, WI. She also owns a consulting firm and works throughout the Midwest on organizational development projects in a variety of industries including education, health care, construction, and more. Brigit has held leadership positions in both the academic and corporate realms, and currently enjoys teaching courses in Organizational Psychology, Human Resources and Leadership, balancing this work with her consulting clients. Brigit's approach keeps her balanced in both areas; consulting gives her current applications and exciting examples to bring into the classroom and in turn, staying current in the classroom helps her bring innovative research to her clients. In her spare time, Brigit enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and outdoor activities with her family.

Angie Parker, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: angie.parker@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Arizona State University
MEd - Arizona State University
BA - Arizona State University

Dr. Angie Parker is originally from Colorado, but spent 20 years in Phoenix, Arizona. Her Bachelor’s degree allowed her the opportunity to teach K-8 in Phoenix. She has a Master’s degree in Educational Technology and often works with teachers in the integration of technology. In 2009 she was awarded a Fulbright Senior Research Scholarship to continue her research in South Africa. The research was based on the Eastern Cape of South Africa where she lectured and did research on distance learning at the five major universities in that location.

Linda Passamaneck, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: linda.passamaneck@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MEd - Colorado State University
BS - Colorado State University

Linda Passamaneck, PhD appreciates the increasing convergence of business, education and technology and the impact the knowledge age has on organizations, teams and individuals. She received a BS in Psychology and an MEd in Adult and Vocational Education from Colorado State University, and her PhD in Business Management from Capella University. She has been working for over 20 years to develop models to support innovative lifelong learning in higher education and corporate settings throughout the United States. She has consulted with numerous organizations, non-profits, and universities to start and successfully grow their eLearning programs, build innovative curriculum, support student retention, and coach others as they become practitioners in adult and organizational learning.

James Patterson, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: james.patterson@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - University of Michigan
BA - Oakland University

James (Jim) Patterson completed a BA in Psychology at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. He has worked for major Property & Casualty Insurance Companies in Claims Management for over thirty years. Mr. Patterson completed an MBA with a concentration in Finance at University of Michigan. He has taught courses in finance, risk management, insurance and management for over twenty years. Mr. Patterson enjoys merging real world business knowledge with academic theory to enhance the student experience.

Marcia Pitts, EdS

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Marcia.Pitts@ottawa.edu

Education
EdS - William Woods University
MAEd - William Woods University
MAEd - University of Missouri, Kansas City
BS - Park College

Instructor Marcia Pitts grew up in Kansas City, MO. She completed her undergrad work in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, while teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten in an urban setting. Upon completing the course work for a Master's degree in Curriculum, she went into a number of positions in the school setting. She has taught all grades from Pre-K to tenth grade. Her tenure in public school has been as a successful reading instructor, writing instructor, classroom teacher, instructional facillator, new teacher mentor, liaison to the MO State Legislature, and Professional Development Member. After completing the coursework in Educational Administration, she worked as Assistant Principal and Summer School Principal. Instructor Pitts has a love and passion for teaching and new teachers. She has brought her passion and love for successful teaching to Ottawa University for 18 years.

Laura Pogue, DM

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: laura.pogue@ottawa.edu

Education
DM - University of Phoenix
MBA - University of Michigan, Flint
BBA - University of Michigan, Dearborn

As a dedicated business educator for over 20 years, Dr. Laura Pogue is a subject matter expert within the business and management-related course areas. She has been teaching at Ottawa University since 2011. She started her career at General Motors and transitioned into the world of academia and small business ownership in 2000. Over the last several years, Dr. Pogue has served on numerous public for-profit and private boards in addition to publishing and presenting academic articles in the areas of leadership, management, executive compensation, and international trade. Dr. Pogue enjoys reading everything from business publications to best-sellers. She is an avid Wall Street Journal and New York Times reader and loves to follow Major League Baseball. Her hobby is aviation.

Jerry Pollock, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: jerry.pollock@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - University of Chicago
BS - Illinois State University

Instructor Pollock grew up in Chicago, Illinois and completed his undergraduate degree at Illinois State University. He spent the majority of his career at Illinois Tool Works, in Chicago working in product development and brand management, and Reebok International in Boston, Massachusetts working in brand marketing, national account marketing and strategic planning. While in Chicago, Instructor Pollock pursued his MBA with a concentration in marketing, strategic management and finance at the University of Chicago, while working for Illinois Tool Works. Upon completion of his MBA degree, Instructor Pollock decided to make a change from business-to-business marketing at Illinois Tools Works to consumer marketing at Reebok, International. After working as VP Marketing at St. Louis Music, in St. Louis, Missouri, Instructor Pollock started his own marketing consulting firm and began his career as an adjunct instructor at Maryville University in St. Louis. He has taught with Ottawa University since 2015 and enjoys integrating his business and consulting experience for students within the classroom.

Keith Rieger, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: keith.rieger@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - University of Alabama
BA - University of New Mexico

Professor Keith Rieger earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of New Mexico, his master’s degree in Marketing from the University of Alabama, and completed his PhD Marketing coursework at Texas Tech University. Intertwined with his education he has gained 15+ years experience as an executive & consultant for numerous companies & organizations around the world.

He has been a business professor since 2008, instructing 100+ undergraduate & graduate – online & on-campus – business courses. In addition, he is a full-time Marketing Consultant & Executive Coach helping others to optimize their lives, careers and businesses. Finally, he is the author of several books, including the following:

- You Inc. - A Step-by-Step Guide to Marketing Yourself and Developing Your Dream Career
- Optimized Marketing - A Step-by-Step Guide for Developing an Efficient, Effective, and Economical Marketing Plan for your Company
- Optimized Runner - Learn the 10 Keys to Becoming an Optimized Runner from an XTERRA Trail Running World Champion

Most importantly, he is passionate about learning and sharing knowledge to help others be successful and achieve their goals.

Suzanne Richins, DHA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Suzanne.richins@ottawa.edu

Education
DHA - Medical University of South Carolina
MBA - Utah State University
ADN - Weber State University

Dr. Suzanne Richins is known as an early adopter of technology and innovation. As a senior leader in healthcare, she was one of the first to look at using analytics to structure staffing schedules based on patient arrival acuity to the Emergency Department for her masters’ thesis. The methodology was adopted throughout Intermountain Healthcare and various other well-known healthcare systems. While serving on an American Hospital Association-PMG Board and the Joint Commission Professional and Technical Advisory Committee, she conducted her dissertation on patient satisfaction prior to the adoption of these standards by both of these respected organizations. Her latest work is in using analytics to predict patient outcomes and improve quality. She also teaches DBA, MBA, DHA, MHA, and DNP students for various universities while conducting her own research projects. Her first book on healthcare innovation and her second book on emerging technology were published in 2015.

Dr. Richins teaches Strategic Planning and Budgeting and Managing Integration of Health Care Systems Managing Integration of Health Care Systems at Ottawa University.

Arthur Romero, MBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: arthur.romero@ottawa.edu

Education
MBA - Ottawa University
BA - Ottawa University

Instructor Arthur Romero is a native to Arizona and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Barry Goldwater High School in North Phoenix. After four years of honorably serving both in country and overseas, he attended Ottawa University and received his BA in Psychology. He primarily worked in materials management at St. Joseph’s Hospital during this time and went back to Ottawa University for his MBA. He has taught both graduate and undergraduate coursework since 2010 at Ottawa, has worked in launching a law firm, worked as the HR and Operations Director for a large local church, and currently works in IT-Environment Management at CSAA Insurance Group (aka AAA) while also obtaining his Real Estate License in Arizona in 2017.

He is a proud husband and father of three children – Payten (oldest Daughter), and twins – Jack and Rane.

Amber Romero, MSP

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: amber.romero@ottawa.edu

Education
MSP - University of Phoenix
BA - Ottawa University

Instructor Romero grew up in Phoenix, AZ; however, was born in Springfield, MO. She carries a Dual BA in both Psychology and Management. During this period and while in pursuit of her MSP (Master of Science of Psychology) she spent over 20 years working in the Behavioral Health field. Amber spent the majority of her time working with highly acute populations within the Maricopa County Community as well as partnered with several government agencies (FBI, CIA, Governor's office, etc) working with their Priority Populations. At this time Amber teaches both online and ground Psychology and Liberal Arts Courses for Ottawa University and absolutely loves it! On her off time she is comfortably consumed by her beautiful family consisting of three children (a set of young twins and a teenager), a spectacular husband and there might be a few animals running around too.

Adjunct Directory

Margi Schultz, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Margi.Schultz@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MSN - University of Phoenix
BSN - University of Phoenix

Adjunct instructor Margi Schultz, PhD, RN, earned her PhD from Capella University with a specialty in online education and is excited to work with students in the nursing program at Ottawa University. Dr. Schultz is the Administrator for MaricopaNursing a consortium of eight community colleges in Phoenix, AZ. Ottawa University partners with MaricopaNursing for the Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP), providing the Bachelor's degree components along with the prelicensure RN program for MaricopaNursing students. Dr. Schultz worked in ICU and neurotrauma nursing for several years before moving into higher education. Her passions (other than her family and the White Mountains of Arizona!) include nursing research, promoting culturally sensitive care, and nursing leadership topics.

Adam Schwartz, Ed, D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: adam.schwartz@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Northern Arizona University
MEd - Northern Arizona University
MEd - Arizona State University
BS - University of Arizona

Professor Schwartz has been a member of the adjunct faculty at Ottawa University since 2012. He teaches within the Educational Leadership Program for the School of Education.

Annie Shebanow, DSS

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: annie.shebanow@ottawa.edu

Education
DSS - Colorado Technical University
MS - Colorado Technical University
BA - University of California, Berkeley

Dr. Annie Shebanow lives in California and she has been teaching technology online courses for Ottawa University since 2014. She has over 20 years of Engineering and Business Leadership industry experience. Annie has published and presented in conferences in areas of cloud computing, big data analytics, and technical innovation management. She has founded five Internet companies in the past, and currently is working on her next venture building a Cloud computing migration application.

Leslie Sherlin, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Leslie.Sherlin@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Capella University
MS - Capella University
BA - University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Leslie Sherlin, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Ottawa’s Surprise campus. He completed his bachelors degree in psychology, masters degree in clinical psychology and with an emphasis in clinical psychology he finished his PhD in psychology. In 2013 he completed a re-specialization and post doctoral fellowship in sport psychology. Dr. Sherlin is one of the world’s leading experts on the neuroscience of high performance. He has founded a number of different companies pioneering services and tools in the psychology and psychophysiology markets. He is a leader in the research and use of neuroscience for improving human performance. He has led research partnerships with Red Bull’s High Performance Center, USA Track & Field, US military Special Operations Forces, professional teams in multiple sports in many countries, to discover what the brains of the most high performing people were doing and help them do more of it. He has published this work in the academic literature and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, BBC, Sports Illustrated, CNN, ESPN, CBS, Popular Science, Outdoor Magazine and more.

He joined Ottawa University full time in 2017 at the opening of the Surprise campus in Arizona after having been an adjunct faculty. He continues to keep his hands in the trenches providing sport and performance consulting services to individuals and teams. Dr. Sherlin is listed in the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology and Mental Training Registry. He is a Certified Consultant by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, certified by the International Board of Quantitative Electrophysiology, certified at the Diplomat level in quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) and is BCIA Board Certified both in Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. He has served on the board of directors for both the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research and the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance in a number of elected positions including the president/chairman.

Jeff Shirley

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: jeff.shirley@ottawa.edu

Education
BA - University of North Texas

Jeff Shirley was raised in Missouri and completed his BA degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas. Guitar instructor Jeff Shirley has been playing jazz professionally for over twenty years, and in addition to being an avid performer, he is also a composer, arranger, electronic musician, and producer. He has released 2 albums, with a third being recorded right now, and has appeared on many other musicans’ recordings. When he is not teaching, you can find him performing with his quartet or playing with great Kansas City musicians at a variety of venues. He is an expert at taking students from point A to point B in challenging but fast and fun ways. He loves seeing Ottawa University students accomplish their goals, and respects anyone that loves to learn.

Jaime Shockley, M. A.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Jaime.Shockley@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - University of Louisville
MBA - Webster University
BS - Indiana University, Southeast

Instructor Jaime Shockley was raised in Indiana and completed her BS degree in Political Science at Indiana University Southeast. In addition, she has completed a MBA and MA in Political Science. She is working on completing her PhD in Nonprofit Management and currently in the dissertation phase of the degree. She has been employed with United Parcel Service since 1991 primarily working in multiple management roles within International Operations, Finance and Accounting, and Industrial Engineering functions. She has also worked in real estate as well as maintains a direct sales business. She has volunteered for several local nonprofit organizations. She was recently voted to serve a three year term on the Board of Directors for the Housing Partnership of Louisville. She has held previous board positions with Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, Women of the Moose-Sellersburg, and Business and Professional Women-New Albany. Finally, she has been teaching as an adjunct instructor since 2005 for Ottawa University Indiana ground campus as well as Online. She has previously taught for the University of Phoenix as well. She spends any available free time camping with her husband and stepson in their new RV, reading, or crafting.

Janet Simon, MHSA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Janet.Simon@ottawa.edu

Education
MHSA - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
BA - University of Detroit

Jan Simon is Professor in Charge of Health Care Management with Ottawa University. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan and attended Michigan State University for two years to study Vocal Music Education before transferring to the University of Detroit/Mercy to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in English, Theater and Music with a teacher certification. After teaching in public and private schools, Jan returned to school to become a Registered Nurse. After earning her Associate’s Degree in Nursing, she completed the additional classes in the BSN curriculum. She then earned her Master’s in Health Services Administration from the Public Health School at U of M. In addition, Jan has earned certificates in Parish Nursing, Holistic Nursing and Wellness Coaching. She has been in Health Care Administration roles for 30 years, leading programs in quality improvement, case management and population health management. She served as Program Director for the Improving Performance in Practice study while working at the American Board of Medical Specialties and has published on this and other innovations in healthcare delivery. She began teaching at Ottawa University in 2001.

Jan and her husband divide their time between their Wisconsin and Chicago homes and enjoy visiting their three children in Washington, DC, Chapel Hill, NC and Los Angeles, CA.

Elizabeth Skwiot, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Elizabeth.Skwiot@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of California, Davis
MA - University of California, Davis
BA - University of Wisconsin, Madison

Elizabeth Skwiot earned her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature with a Designated Emphasis in Feminist Theory and Research from the University of California-Davis. She teaches a variety of literature courses at Ottawa University and wrote the online course on Literary Criticism. Having performed in the circus between getting her M.A. and Ph.D., Dr. Skwiot's research interests include the intersections between art and performance in all areas of society.

Garth Smith, MPA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: garth.smith@ottawa.edu

Education
MPA - University of Missouri, Kansas City
BA - Baker University

Adjunct instructor Garth Smith grew up in Kansas City, MO and lived in Saudi Arabia for 11 years working for an airline with a contract to train employees of Saudi Arabian Airlines to operate the airline self-sufficiently. He was a human resources manager and then the overall project manager for the airline. Since that time he has made a career in the behavioral health field as Director of Network Operations for New Directions Behavioral Health, an organization owed by several Blue Cross insurance plans. His expertise in negotiating contracts with health care providers, developing educational workshops, profiling professionals, and analyzing specialty needs for individuals in need of health services has given him a rich background for instructing in the areas of management, social services and health care on both undergraduate and graduate levels.

Debra Smith, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Debra.Smith@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - University of Kansas
MS - Emporia State University
BS - Friends University

Dr. Debbie Smith and her husband relocated a couple of years ago to Oklahoma to be near their daughter and granddaughter. She currently works online for several universities and loves what she does! Prior to teaching online, she served over 20 years in higher education administration. She holds an Ed.D. from the University of Kansas in Educational Leadership and Policy, with a concentration in Higher Education Administration and a focus area in evaluation and assessment. For the past 11 years, she has taught graduate level online courses focusing on education, educational research, comps preparation and the dissertation process. She has been with Ottawa University since 2004. Her research interests include the areas of assessment, accreditation and faculty development, where she has published and presented nationally. Dr. Debbie is an ever-positive professor eager to help students grow and develop a love for lifelong learning.

Margaret Smith, EdD

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Margaret.Smith@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - University of Massachusetts, Amherst
MA - Boston College
BA - Clark University

Dr. Margaret Smith earned her BA in Psychology and certificate in Gerontology from Clark University, her MA in Counseling Psychology from Boston College, and her EdD in Education (focusing on alcohol and other drugs in higher education) from University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her research focuses on high risk drinking among college students with a focus on college women. She has worked as a case manager for elders, an alcohol and other drug counselor in a hospital based clinic (while also serving as an addiction consultant on the psychiatric center), Coordinator of GLBT programming at Dartmouth College, an alcohol and other drug educator at Dartmouth College, and now a tenured, full professor at Keene State College in Health Science/Addictions. She earned her MLADC in alcohol and drug counseling in New Hampshire and is a presenter at national and regional conferences. She is the President of INCASE (International Coalition of Addiction Studies) and an active member of NAADAC (the Association for Addiction Professionals). Her areas of expertise include addiction, GLBT counseling and culture, co-occurring disorders, gerontology, and women. Dr. Smith loves camping, fireflies on a hot summer's night, reading, learning, and working with students!

Nancy Smith, MEd

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: nancy.smith@ottawa.edu

Education
MEd - University of Nebraska, Omaha
BA - University of Nebraska, Omaha

Instructor Smith grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and now lives in Olathe, KS with her husband and five boys. She currently teaches first grade with the Olathe Public Schools and serves as Adjunct Faculty for Ottawa University in the Education department. She obtained her National Board Certification in 2014 and serves on many committees within her school and school district. Writing and receiving grants for furthering STEM education and Project Based Learning is one of her passions. She is the recipient of many awards including the Olathe Public Schools Foundation educator excellence award, the Kansas society of Professional Engineers Kansas Teacher of the Year and a Kansas finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science.

Ruth Soles, MAED

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: ruth.soles@ottawa.edu

Education
MAED - Northern Arizona University
BA - University of Massachusetts

Ruth Soles was born and grew up on the East coast, New Jersey-Maine. Early on in her career she had the opportunity to teach for the Department of Defense Schools in Germany. Ruth moved to Arizona in 1980 and now calls the valley home. She taught in the public school system at a primary school for 28 years. She was fortunate to be able to take a core group of students from Pre K all the way through to third grade after teaching pre-first for nine years. She then went to Special Ed. Her last eight years, she has spent teaching Kindergarten. She still substitutes frequently and enjoys spending time in different classrooms.

Ruth has a, BA in Early Childhood Education from University of Massachusetts and MAED from Northern Arizona University. She is certified in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education and has endorsements for Reading Specialist, and ESL. She is also a certified Educational Therapist. When she is not working, she enjoys reading, crafting, and sewing. She sews many different things but her favorite things to sew are clothes for American Girl size dolls. Ruth has two grown children, both married and living in the valley. She has three beautiful granddaughters ages 8, 12, and 15.

Jennifer Stephens, EJD

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: Jennifer.Stephens@ottawa.edu

Education
EJD - Concord Law School
MBA - University of Phoenix
BS - University of Louisville

Instructor Jennifer Stephens has been teaching in higher education for the last 12 years and recently retired from the Army. She was a transportation officer while in the service and has had two decades of wonderful and exciting jobs. She is a Demonstrated Master Logistician (DML) and her favorite job was when she was the commander of a boat company in Pearl Harbor. Instructor Stephens’s last job was a Battalion Executive Officer in Kansas City where she absolutely loved her job and was sad to leave.
Jennifer has taught Leadership, Ethics, Law, Management, Supply, Logistics, Decision Making and many other areas over the years. She taught at major universities and colleges, both online and brick and mortar and loves to coach, teach and mentor students.
She received her BS in Finance from the University of Louisville, MBA from the University of Phoenix, Law Degree from Concord Law School from Concord Law School and ABD on her PhD from Northcentral University. In 2016, Jennifer completed her continuing education with the Harvard School of Business and that was one of her bucket list items. She is a lifelong learner and loves to share that passion with her students.

She has published work in a few areas including the Army Logistician and has two books coming out: one is with Dr. Stephen Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) called “Success Simplified” and the other is “Roadmap to Success” with Ken Blanchard (The One Minute Manager). In 2012 I had a couple of books come out with Jack Canfield (The Secret and Chicken Soup for the Soul) and Dr. Robert Fuller so I am pretty excited about that.

In addition to academics she is an avid Green Bay Packer fanatic (also a Brett Favre fan – Don’t mention the Vikings!!!) and enjoys spending time with her three young children.

Kendra Stewart, DBH

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Kendra.Stewart@ottawa.edu

Education
DBH - Arizona State University
MA - Webster University
BS - University of Central Missouri

Instructor Kendra Stewart-Nelson is an adjunct faculty member that teaches in the Master of Arts in Professional Counseling program. Dr. Stewart-Nelson earned her doctorate degree in Behavioral Health at Arizona State University. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years. She brings private practice and clinical setting expertise into her classrooms. She has taught with Ottawa University since 2016. With each teaching moment, Dr. Stewart-Nelson looks forward to integrating innovation and creativity with her students. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, writing and being outdoors.

Harvey Tidwell, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Harvey.Tidwell@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Argosy University
MA - California Luthren University
BA - Chapman University

Instructor Harvey E. Tidwell was raised in California and completed his BA degree in Education at Chapman University. He attended graduate school at California Lutheran University, completing his Master’s in Educational Administration in 1986 and finished his Doctorate in Education Leadership in 2007. Professor Tidwell is both an academic and life-long educator that has taught at every level of education. He is currently teaching at the high school level and still continues to teach at university level, which spans over the last decade. He is a veteran in the classroom with outstanding student reviews and has achieved Faculty-of-the-Year honors at another prestigious university. In the classroom, Dr. Tidwell uses his in-depth experience to make education real and understandable for his students and is excited to devote his energy, passion and leadership to Ottawa University, which is a truly special place to him. Dr. Tidwell is a person who is driven to excel and radiates a passion for teaching and learning, a person who is enthusiastic to see his students achieve in their fields of expertise.

Kimarie Tryon, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Kimarie.Tryon@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - Ottawa University
BA - Arizona State University

Kimarie Tryon was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona and has always enjoyed learning from a young age. She has worked in the field of Education for over 10 years. She has enjoyed fulfilling many roles within Education working with Elementary, Middle School, and High school students. She obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from Arizona State University in 2008 as well as completed certification for teaching high school mathematics. She completed her graduate studies with Ottawa University earning a Master of Arts in school counseling in 2011. Currently she is a full time high school academic counselor with an online school, Insight Academy of Arizona. She also enjoys helping prepare future school counselors by teaching as a part-time adjunct instructor for Ottawa University. She has been married for 10 years and has two adorable boys and a girl on the way in August 2017. She enjoys learning, helping students, and spending time with her family.

Jan Tucker, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: jan.tucker@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Northcentral University
MBA - Florida Institute of Technology
BA - Auburn University

Jan Tucker, PhD is an adjunct instructor in business for Ottawa University’s online program. Dr. Tucker earned her doctorate in Business Administration at Northcentral University. She has been an educator for 25 years and works as a consultant in higher education and human resource management. In her free time, Dr. Tucker enjoys boating, fishing and scuba diving with her family.

Carla Vause, MSW

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Carla.Vause@ottawa.edu

Education
MSW - Washington University

Instructor Carla Vause, LSCSW, LCSW was raised in the Kansas City area and completed her undergraduate degree at Mid-America Nazarene College. After completing her MSW at Washington University, she spent two years in supervision working on the eating disorder unit at Baptist Hospital in Kansas City to earn her clinical degree. Since the year 2000, she has enjoyed her private practice in Overland Park, KS with a specialty in Families in Crisis. In 1995 she taught her first class at Ottawa University. She is excited to be a part of the Human and Social Services team.

Janet Velasco, Ed. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: Janet.Velasco@ottawa.edu

Education
EdD - Northern Arizona University
MA - Arizona State University
BA - Arizona State University

Janet Velasco has been with OU for approximately 20+ years working as an Adjunct faculty member teaching classes and supervising student teachers in the field. She earned her B.A. and M.A. at ASU, doctorate at NAU in Ed. Administration with emphasis in Curriculum and Supervision. Janet worked for the Tempe Union High School District teaching science and then as an Assistant Principal. She has been trained in Staff Development and Conflict Management. She has worked with students, teachers, and parents in many capacities.

Janet prefers to spend her time with family and friends and is an avid reader. She also enjoys movies and attending concerts and plays. Her favorite pastime is grooming horses and playing with her dogs. Mother Teresa is Professor Velasco’s role model as she tries to instill her philosophy into all of her daily routines.

Mary Vorsten, M. Div

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Mary.Vorsten@ottawa.edu

Education
M. Div - Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
MA - University of Missouri, Kansas City
BS - Oklahoma Baptist University

Mary Vorsten grew up in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. Her undergraduate degree is in biology. Between undergraduate and graduate school she lived and worked in the Spanish speaking community of Chicago. Her master’s degree is in counseling psychology and the focus of her degree in theology was family ministry. Mary has worked in the mental health and addictions treatment field for over thirty years. She has taught for Ottawa University since 1993 in the areas of human resources, human services, psychology and addiction studies. She integrates a spiritual focus in her teaching process to assist the student in defining the importance of their spiritual understandings as they prepare for their career. Mary has a private counseling practice in the Kansas City community.

Karly Way, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: karly.way@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - American University
MA - Goddard College
BS - University of Utah

Karly Way Schauwecker, Ph.D. describes herself as a lifelong learner, and this love was instilled early on, growing up in the small ski town of Killington, Vermont. In addition to skiing, her family nurtured a wide range of creative interests, from arts and crafts, to music and drama while volunteering in the local summer playhouse. Her academic interests are wide-ranging as well, with degrees in three fields: Communication, Psychology & Counseling, and Sociology. Karly is also a certified yoga instructor and trainer, and continues to take classes of all types (you may even find her in a few at Ottawa). An online adjunct instructor since 2015, she teaches undergrad and graduate classes in Sociology, Psychology and Counseling.

Lisa Weiss, M.A.

Adjunct Professor in Arts & Sciences

Email: Lisa.Weiss@ottawa.edu

Education
MA - University of North Dakota
BA - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Instructor Lisa Weiss earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology in 2007 from the University of North Dakota and further completed all PhD coursework in the program. She has four years of counseling experience, five years of research experience and six years of teaching experience.

She has counseled a wide range of individuals from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds, as well as military, grade school-aged and community populations. Lisa has held several advocacy positions working with traditionally underserved populations and completed several undergraduate programs of this type in her educational endeavors.

Currently, Lisa teaches psychology and human services courses as well as research methods, statistics and physiology for the social sciences at Ottawa University and Upper Iowa University, where she has also been a subject matter expert (SME) for senior projects for Psychology and Human Services majors. In addition to teaching, Lisa is a graduate writing tutor for online students at Herzing University.

Joyce Werner, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: joyce.werner@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - Arizona State University
MEd - University of Arizona
BA - University of Arizona

Dr. Joyce Werner has been an Adjunct Instructor at Ottawa University Phoenix for the past twenty-two years in the area of Education and Special Education. Dr. Werner presently holds eight Arizona Teaching Certificates in the areas of: Music, Elementary Education, Secondary Education in Music, Special Education, English as a Second Language, Elementary and Secondary Supervisor, Elementary and Secondary Principal and Superintendent. Most of her teaching and supervision experiences, apart from Ottawa University, has been in Public Education in the areas of Elementary, Secondary and Special Education. Her philosophy is that one is a lifelong learner and encourages her students to achieve their dreams and goals.

Dave White, J.D.

Adjumct Professor in Business and Arts & Sciences

Email: Dave.White@ottawa.edu

Education
JD - University of Missouri, Kansas City
MA - Kansas State University
BA - Pittsburg State University

David White grew up in Overland Park, Kansas. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in History, from Pittsburg State University in 1972. He then received his Master of Arts degree, also in History, from Kansas State University in 1973. After serving on active duty in the U. S. Army, he entered law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1982.

Mr. White has been a practicing civil litigator in the Greater Kansas City area for over 35 years. Most recently, he retired as a principal with the law firm of Foland, Wickens, Eisfelder, Roper & Hofer, P. C. in Kansas City, Missouri, and now continues with that firm as Of Counsel concentrating his practice on mediation and arbitration.

In addition to his law career, Mr. White served 27 years in the U. S. Army and Army Reserve as a military intelligence and logistics officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1999. He has served as a member of the Overland Park City Council since 2005.

Mary Whitman, DBA

Adjunct Professor in Business and Arts & Sciences

Email: Mary.Whitman@ottawa.edu

Education
DBA - University of Sarasota
MSW - University of Minnesota
BA - University of Minnesota

Dr. Mary F. Whitman grew up in Minnesota and now resides in Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology with a criminology concentration, and a MSW (Master in Social Work) from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Whitman also holds a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) from the University of Sarasota. She has worked in all three sectors (for profit, not for profit and government) and has been a fulltime professor and higher education administrator for the past eighteen years. Her diverse background includes work in the social work/human services field as well as business in human resources. Whitman’s research interests include expatriate and repatriate adjustment, motivation, and job satisfaction. She has also worked on research exploring personality factors with both organizational and self-identified expatriates. Her research participants include expatriates and repatriates from around the world.

Ann Williams, Ph. D.

Adjunct Professor in Business and Arts & Sciences

Email: ann.williams@ottawa.edu

Education
PhD - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
MBA - University of Wisconsin, Whitewater
BS - University of Wisconsin, Madison

Ann Williams has more than 30 years of experience in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Her service as socio-economist volunteer for the United States Peace Corps in Nepal is characteristic of her willingness to engage with the unknown. After working for more than 15 years as a marketing executive, she turned her focus to education. A social anthropologist, she now works as program evaluation consultant with nonprofits and universities which train entrepreneurial sustainable farmers. She has taught business and liberal arts subjects at Ottawa University since 2001. In addition, she teaches marketing in the Lubar School of Business at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Doula Zaharopoulos, DBA

Adjunct Professor in Business

Email: doula.zaharopoulos@ottawa.edu

Education
DBA - Grand Canyon University
MBA - University of Wisconsin
BA - University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Dr. Doula Zaharopoulos has 28 years of experience as a business owner and 18 years as a college professor. She founded and ran three successful small businesses including an online retail business. She is full time faculty for the Maricopa Community College district where she teaches business courses including accounting, marketing and business law. She developed several online courses for Ottawa University from 2001-2010, and more recently, 16 online courses that have passed Quality Matters Review standards for Maricopa Community Colleges. She is a dedicated teacher, business consultant and researcher. Dr. Zaharopoulos holds a Doctorate of Business Administration from Grand Canyon University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin. She teaches a variety of business law courses and is a licensed real estate broker in the state of Arizona.

She resides in Scottsdale and enjoys spending time playing tennis, swimming, learning new languages, attending the symphony, and serving as Publicity Chairperson for the Greater Phoenix Greek Festival.

Jill Zitt, MSEd

Adjunct Professor in Education

Email: jill.zitt@ottawa.edu

Education
MSEd - University of Wisconsin
BS - University of Wisconsin

Jill Zitt, adjunct professor in the School Guidance Counseling Program in Phoenix, earned her BS from the University of Wisconsin- Stout and MSEd in School Counseling from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She was a school counselor in Wisconsin and Arizona for 20+years, at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and is a passionate advocate for the school counseling profession. She is a National Certified Counselor and a National Certified School Counselor. She was recognized by the College Board’s National Office of School Counselor Advocacy in 2013 for her work related to College & Career Readiness Counseling and was Arizona’s 2014 School Counselor of the Year. She also is currently a facilitator for Arizona’s Career Ready Project and the College Access Professionals training.