academic preparation

I hold a doctoral degree in educational leadership with a specialization in curriculum, technology, and higher education from the University of Delaware, a master's degree in instructional technology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, a bachelor's degree in psychology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and an associate's degree in general studies from Pennsylvania College of Technology. My undergraduate studies in psychology and my doctoral fellowship experience in China provide me with a unique understanding of the complexities associated with diverse learner populations. My graduate studies in instructional design and my doctoral studies in educational leadership have bolstered my professional career and teaching practice and have provided me with the background and insight necessary to deftly navigate the intricacies of high-stakes, institutional initiatives in today’s dynamic, technology-driven, higher education environment.

Research – The diversity of my experiences both academically and professionally has fueled my scholarly research endeavors and many of my professional explorations. My research interests include: ePortfolios and curriculum assessment as well as instructional technologies, especially the impact of emerging technologies in online learning environments. I am also very passionate about experiential and service learning and their potential in higher education environments.

Scholarships – I was privileged to receive tuition scholarships and paid assistantships during both my graduate and post graduate study. I was a Project Manager and Lead Developer for Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania's Institute for Interactive Technologies during my graduate studies and I was an Instructional Designer and Faculty Trainer for the University of Delaware's Online Division during my doctoral studies.

Grants – I was the fortunate recipient of numerous grants during my doctoral studies, these include: a University of Delaware Office of Graduate and Professional Education Grant, an E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Grant, a University of Delaware Alumni Enrichment Grant, an Ana-Lab Corporation Grant, and an Art Institute of Philadelphia Faculty Development Grant.

Fellowships – The Fellowship for Enhancing Global Understanding was coordinated by the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence at Michigan State University. I was one of four doctoral students selected to represent the University of Delaware as part of this multi-university fellowship program that included a month-long cultural exchange and exploration of China’s educational systems.

Leader

I have more than 30 years of leadership experience, ranging from not-for-profit organizations to divisions within larger corporations and higher education institutions as well as my own entrepreneurial venture. I have designed and developed a wide range of instructional technology solutions for clients ranging from Fortune 100 corporations to academic institutions and not-for-profit organizations. I have experience in all aspects of instructional technology development, including: project management, needs and performance analyses, instructional design, media production and computer programming. I also have more than 25 years of project management experience leading software development projects and institutional initiatives. I have chaired a variety of committees at numerous postsecondary institutions, including a curriculum committee; a faculty titles and executive promotion board; a Middle States Accreditation steering committee; an academic affairs committee; a technology committee; a persistence committee; and a professional advisory committee.

Educator

I have more than seventeen years of graduate and undergraduate teaching experience in various modalities, including: face-to-face, off campus, online, and hybrid at a wide range of institutions. I have worked with students from a broad array of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds across a number of academic disciplines. I created experiential service learning and professional development opportunities and supervised student teams as they worked on projects for not-for-profit organizations, such as the Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments, Architecture and Design Charter High School of Philadelphia, and others. As an educator, I believe that teachers are mentors and roll models and that our responsibility to our students does not end when the class period is over. My dedication to producing highly collaborative, innovative instructional solutions has earned me numerous accolades, including: a Who’s Who Among American Educators Award, a Most Honored Faculty of the Year Award, and a Teaching Excellence Award.

Advocate

I am passionate about volunteerism. I began volunteering in my community at the age of five and volunteerism has been part of my life ever since. As a teenager, I volunteered in soup kitchens, advocated for the homeless, and worked with the mental health association in my community. As an undergraduate, I was a founding member of the national "Into the Streets" volunteer program and organized events throughout the United States. After graduation, I joined the Pennsylvania Service Corps, which later evolved into AmeriCorps, where I organized more than twenty student groups on the campus of Susquehanna University in their volunteer efforts. As a faculty member, I created service learning opportunities, supported community service projects, and fostered volunteerism in my students. I have continued to work with not-for-profit organizations throughout my professional career offering assistance in a variety of capacities. My experience as a volunteer has taught me that change can happen if we take action and inspire others.

Professional Experience

My academic preparation and scholarly research combined with my comprehensive blend of professional, higher education, and entrepreneurial experience preeminently equips me for leadership positions within colleges and universities. My depth of knowledge in instructional design and instructional technology as well as my extensive experience with performance and needs analyses, curriculum design and evaluation, and project management enable me to successfully lead curricular development and assessment efforts within postsecondary institutions. My teaching and faculty development experience allow me to more effectively engage, communicate, and collaborate with university faculty. My entrepreneurial experience, senior management experience, and higher education administration experience allow me to successfully guide the strategic vision and growth of academic institutions.

  • Higher Ed Leadership

    I am currently engaged as a strategic consultant with a number of higher education institutions. My previous academic leadership position was as an Assistant Provost at Otis College of Art and Design. Prior to that, I was Director of Distance Learning at California State University, Northridge’s Tseng College. Additionally, I was the Assistant Director of Volunteer Services at Susquehanna University and the Assistant Director of Orientation Services at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.

  • Faculty

    I have more than seventeen years of online, hybrid, and face-to-face teaching experience, at a variety of schools ranging from small, art colleges to large, research universities. I created numerous experiential and service learning opportunities for my students, including the development of more than 100 community service projects for various not-for-profit organizations. I also have extensive experience designing and developing faculty orientation and professional development programs.

  • Entrepreneurial

    I was the Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of Macroform Technologies, Inc., a consulting firm and boutique interactive media production house that specialized in continuing medical education programs for physicians. These programs were developed in partnership with accredited medical institutions under grants from the pharmaceutical industry.

  • Management

    In addition to my higher education and entrepreneurial experiences, is more than twenty-five years of project management experience in varied industries. I have also held a number of management positions, including: Director of Development for CT Technologies, Inc., Project Manager for Icon Services, Inc., and Assistant Director of the Bloomsburg Health Care Center.

  • Consulting

    I have more than twenty years of instructional design and technology consulting experience in a diverse array of industries, including: pharmaceutical, healthcare, retail, finance, and higher education. I am currently engaged with a wide range of clients providing consultative services relating to the higher education sector, including: corporate partnerships, campus business incubation, online education, and learning management systems. My recent higher education clients include: Stanford University, Otis College of Art and Design, and Lamar University. I also consult with organizations seeking to partner with colleges and universities, such as Story+Structure, Inc. and L.A. CleanTech Incubator.

  • Volunteerism

    I have provided pro-bono consultative services for numerous not-for-profit organizations and government agencies over the years, including: the Philadelphia Police Department, the Philadelphia Fire Department, the Independence Visitor Center and National Park Service, the Architecture and Design Charter High School of Philadelphia, Canine Partners for Life, Quest Therapeutic Services, the Philadelphia Hall of Fame, the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center, the Abington YMCA, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Sunshine Foundation, the International Visitors Council of Philadelphia, the Girl Scouts of America, the Lansdale Boys and Girls Club, the Delaware Valley Stroke Council, and the Urban League of Philadelphia.

Personal Philosophy

As a longtime student of psychology, I have participated in a variety of personality assessments over the years, including the well-established and highly-respected Myers-Briggs personality assessment. My Myers-Briggs personality type is ENFJ. 16personalities.com, a popular Myers-Briggs personality assessment website, describes the ENFJ personality type as follows: “ENFJs are natural-born leaders, full of passion and charisma. Forming around two percent of the population, they are oftentimes our politicians, our coaches and our teachers, reaching out and inspiring others to achieve and to do good in the world. With a natural confidence that begets influence, ENFJs take a great deal of pride and joy in guiding others to work together to improve themselves and their community.” This description not only accurately describes my personality traits, but also speaks to my personal philosophy and beliefs.  I have always been compelled to help others and I take great joy in inspiring young people to "be the change they wish to see in the world", as the venerable Mahatma Gandhi espoused.  These traits and ideals have permeated every aspect of my life and professional career, fundamentally influencing my perspective on the world.  As Margaret Mead once said, “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has”—I wholeheartedly believe this sentiment and have dedicated my life to fullfilling it.