Online Faculty Leaders

Our online faculty are fiercely committed to our mission of student success. Requiring strong academic credentials, relevant industry experience and a passion for teaching, SNHU holds faculty members to high standards. In a recent 12-month period, we hired just 3% of 27,000 faculty applicants. We’re proud of our rewarding culture that continuously acknowledges the vital role faculty members play in helping every student succeed.

Our subject matter experts can be available for media interviews on a broad range of topics, including business, criminal justice, nursing and healthcare, mental health counseling and more. To book a faculty interview via telephone or video conference, email the Office of External Affairs at media@snhu.edu.

Business

Kimberly L. Blanchette Ed.D.

Executive Director

Kimberly Blanchette is the Executive Director of Business for Southern New Hampshire University’s online programs. Dr. Blanchette has served in training and higher education as an academic leader for over twenty-three years, passionately driven to foster growth in learning and goal achievement of individuals and teams. Her academic focus is centered on curriculum and instructional quality of face-to-face, blended, and online programs. Prior to serving Southern New Hampshire University, she served Daniel Webster College in the capacity of Dean for Academic Support and Faculty Affairs, Assistant Provost, and Associate Dean for the School of Business, Management, and Professional Studies. Early in her career, Dr. Blanchette served Boston University as Manager of Off-campus Programs and as Program Manager for Authorized Education as part of the team that secured the prestigious Microsoft Excellence in Training award.

Her research interests include the challenges and opportunities of rapidly changing markets and industries, managing costs, global competition, and highly mobile and distributed work teams. She has published and presented on the topic of leadership and is particularly interested in multigenerational and technological impacts on leaders and organizations.

Dr. Blanchette earned her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell before moving on to earn a M.S. Administrative Studies in Innovation and Technology Management from Boston University. She also earned her Ed.D.in Educational Leadership from Southern New Hampshire University and possesses a CPC (Certified Professional Coach) from the Center for Coaching Certification.

Dr. Mark Hobson

Senior Associate Dean

Dr. Mark Hobson worked in business and education for more than 35 years and began as an adjunct faculty, teaching in the Master's of Business Administration (MBA) program, with Southern New Hampshire University since 1999. Mark worked as lead faculty in the MBA program in 2014 and became associate dean of business for SNHU Online in 2015. Previous to his work with SNHU, Mark was vice president of human resources and marketing for Saint Mary’s Bank in Manchester, NH. Mark served as the director of administration for the Manchester NH School District and the human resources director for the City of Manchester. Mark also worked for 15 years as the director of administration for Wiggins Airways at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport.

Dr. Hobson possess a doctorate in business administration with a focus in organizational behavior; master's degrees in education and theology, and graduate certificate work in business administration with a concentration in educational administration. Mark recently attained a Certified Professional Coach certificate through the International Coach Federation. Mark is enrolled in the Northeastern University Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Administration program.

Dr. Monique Jordan

Senior Associate Dean

Dr. Monique Jordan has over 20 years of experience in higher education beginning as an adjunct. Dr. Jordan spent over 22 years at The Timberland Company in Stratham, NH growing her career in the Direct-to-Consumer business. She became the Director of Merchandise Planning & Allocation overseeing the North America business and global retail projects. Dr. Jordan also had the opportunity to work out of the Asia and European Headquarters, which allowed her to travel extensively throughout Asia and Europe. From 2016 to 2019, Dr. Jordan was the business department chair at Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth, NH. In 2019, she joined Southern New Hampshire University full-time as a senior associate dean for online business programs.

Dr. Jordan has a BS in Retail Management, an MS in Business Education and an EdD in Educational Leadership. Dr. Jordan also has graduate certificates in International Business and E-Learning & Online Teaching.

Dr. Jessica Rogers

Associate Dean

Dr. Jessica Rogers carries a wealth of experience as a practitioner and professor, having taught both in the undergraduate and graduate space, teaching a variety of courses in management and marketing for over a decade. Dr. Rogers had over 16 years of field experience in operations, management, sales and marketing prior to transitioning into higher education. Jessica is a member of the American Marketing Association and Academy of Marketing Science. She also serves as an editorial board member of The Journal of Education for Business, a reviewer for The Journal of Business Research, and a reviewer for The Journal of Social Media in Society.

Dr. Rogers earned both her BS and MS in Marketing from Texas A&M University-Commerce; and her PhD in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from Northcentral University. She is also the author of “The Digital Marketing Landscape: Creating a Synergistic Consumer Experience” (2021), and she continues to research the digital consumer experience, as well as organic social media marketing engagement and its intersection with brand loyalty and Gen X females.

Dr. Rogers can speak as a subject matter expert about digital marketing, social media marketing, branding, customer experience, higher education and marketing education. Media members interested in interviewing her should email media@snhu.edu.

Dr. Jennifer Varney

Senior Associate Dean

Dr. Jennifer Varney has over twenty years' experience in higher education. Her disciplines include leadership, management and organizational behavior. She has held roles in advising leadership, academic administration, and as a faculty member. Jennifer's publications include servant leadership, proactive advising, adult learning theories, and distance learning. She has presented at OLC, NACADA, ACBSP, ACHE, USDLA and AAC&U. In addition she has also delivered webinars for academic impressions and is a contributing author to NACADA's advising manual.

Jennifer's research interests include: servant leadership, at risk students, faculty development and leadership, and dynamic online learning environments. She has a BS in Business Administration, an MS in Business Education, and a PhD in Organizational Leadership.

Dr. Bernice Bain

Associate Dean

Bernice Bain is an associate dean at SNHU Online. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership, received her master’s degree in leadership and a certification in professional coaching. Bernice has published articles and book chapters in areas of leadership, management and change. Her research interests expand to prosocial behavior, motivation and supporting components in online education.

Bernice has over 15 years combined leadership experience in both higher education and telecommunications. In addition, she has consulted with government agencies and nonprofit organizations pertaining to human relations strategies and business solutions, while applying her passion for learning, research and support of local communities.

She has instructed and served as subject matter expert for a range of courses in leadership, management, change and strategy in face-to-face, hybrid and online environments. Bernice also volunteers and supports local and national veteran organizations and charities.

Zuzana Buzzell

Associate Dean

Dr. Zuzana Buzzell is an associate dean of business for SNHU Global Campus. She began her work with Southern New Hampshire University as an adjunct faculty member in 2005, prior to joining the academic team full time in 2014. She has also held leadership positions at one of the largest financial service companies.

Buzzell’s research interests are digital ethics, fintech, cryptocurrencies, the future state of financial industry and blockchains. She’s also focused on making education – integrated with the industry-recognized certifications and creating verifiable digital microcredentials – aligned to professional associations.

Her publications include journal articles, conference papers and blogs on such topics as the mortgage-backed securities, future of financial institutions, Brexit and fintech.

She has over 15 years of experience developing, training and teaching multiple successful finance, business and economics programs. She’s worked in traditional, hybrid and online settings for academic institutions, government agencies and the private sector.

Buzzell earned her PhD in International Business with a specialization in Finance, MS in Finance and MBA from Southern New Hampshire University.

Dr. Michelle Caron

Associate Dean

Dr. Michelle Caron has 20 years experience developing, training and teaching multiple successful Business, Education, and STEM programs. Her practices cover traditional, hybrid, and online settings for academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. Dr. Caron began her work with SNHU as an adjunct faculty member in 2005 prior to joining SNHU administration as Director & Assistant Dean of Graduate Business in 2014. Michelle has also held leadership positions in two Fortune 500 companies in the transportation and retail industries.

As an experienced international visiting professor, accomplished author, associate editor, reviewer and consultant, she has presented for the DOE, ACBSP, NHBEA, NEA and several colleges. Michelle’s publications include journal articles, conference papers, book chapters and blogs on such topics such as the globalization of education, labor market efficiency, rapidly developing economies, corporate governance and student engagement.

Dr. Caron earned her Ph.D. in International Business with a Strategy minor and M.S. in Business Education from Southern New Hampshire University. Michelle also attained the distinction of a Certified Professional Coach from the International Coach Federation and is a member of the Academy of International Business and New Hampshire Women in Higher Education Leadership. Her current research interests are the Global Education Movement (GEM) and alternative learning pathways such as industry-recognized, verifiable, digital micro credentials aligned to professional associations.

Christina Dumeng

Associate Dean

Christina Dumeng is driven to move the higher education industry forward. She serves as associate dean of business programs and is responsible for supporting operational needs, strategic direction, and initiatives of SNHU’s Global Campus. She is a mission- and culture-driven leader with respect and appreciation for diversity, equity and inclusion.

In addition to her role as associate dean, she serves as a business educator in SNHU’s organizational leadership program. Dumeng is also a global advisory board member of the Future Talent Council, where she collaborates with extraordinary thought leaders across the world that share a passion for shaping the future of higher education, talent and work.

Her current research interests are the future of work, the future of higher education, leadership, and diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom and workplace.

Dumeng currently holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership and a certificate in human resource management, both received from SNHU. She also holds certificates in leading through digital disruption and communication strategies from Harvard University. She is pursuing a PhD in Management at Walden University.

Dumeng can speak as a subject matter expert about business leadership or diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Media members interested in interviewing her should email media@snhu.edu.

Meleena Eaton

Associate Dean

Meleena Eaton has over 15 years of experience working with small businesses and nonprofits to develop and implement marketing strategies and campaigns. Prior to joining SNHU as a Faculty Lead for Undergraduate Marketing, she worked for a mid-sized marketing consulting firm specializing in providing marketing services to financial and nonprofit clients.

Ms. Eaton earned her BS in Communications from Emerson College and her MA in Integrated Marketing Communications from Suffolk University. She is working towards her DBA in Marketing from Northcentral University which she expects to earn in 2019.

Dr. Linda Ellington

Faculty Lead

Dr. Linda Ellington is currently a Faculty Lead at SNHU and an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Adult Vocational Education and Technology (IJAVET); as well as a peer reviewer for many international journals and books. She has extensive experience in faculty development, curriculum design and delivery of those designs. Her book, Strategic Leadership has been adopted as a business textbook for major universities in the United States. In addition, numerous universities worldwide including some Ivy League Universities, such as Harvard, have cataloged her chapters. Linda’s teaching (including teaching via technology) has reached many states in the United States and South Africa. She sits on several doctoral dissertation committees, including the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Linda is the recipient of Dr. Patricia Cranton 2017 award and she has published a strategic leadership book and more than 20 refereed book chapters and journal articles. These publications address higher educational leadership and teaching, as well as strategic leadership and critical thinking within various fields such as higher education, business and health organizations.

Dr. Linda Ellington, conducted her doctoral research at the University of Oxford and the University of Warwick, U.K. in the field of educational leadership.

Clare Greenlaw

Associate Dean

Mr. Greenlaw began his career evaluating clinical molecular immunology research trials at ImmuNet, formerly of Bayer Corp. He served for 4 years as Director of Research and Development at BioDesign International, Inc., a division of Fresenius (EU), after which Mr. Greenlaw began a series of entrepreneurial pursuits. Mr Greenlaw spearheaded the development of several industry leading B2B and B2C internet commerce solutions within several manufacturing and service industries to establish a corporate portfolio employing over 275 individuals with 40M in revenue. He maintains an ongoing relationship with the SME and international business environment as a Partner at Panacea Capital Solutions, Inc., focusing on strategic business model innovation and turnarounds, as well as venture investment risk assessment. He is an avid boater and swimmer and serves as a divisional mentor for FIRST International Robotics Competition the Irish American Society, and the Falmouth Education Association.

Holding various roles within COCE Business programs for over a decade, he shares his passion for learning within the MBA, International MBA, Organizational Leadership and Management programs. He had been awarded Best Reviewer by the Academy of International Business for his work with research authors on strategic management and innovation. In 2014, he was SNHU COCE's Graduate faculty nominee for the ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award. In 2017 he was chosen by students and administrators to receive SNHU COCE's Excellence in Teaching Award.

Mr. Greenlaw holds a BS in Philosophy and Biology from Bates College. Having earned his MBA in management from SNHU, he returned in 2010 to pursue graduate studies in Strategic Management, with a specialty in International Business. He is presently pursuing a micromasters in learning science and instructional design at the University of Maryland.

Dr. Michael Newhouse-Bailey

Associate Dean

Dr. Michael Newhouse-Bailey joined the staff at Southern New Hampshire University after serving as an assistant professor of Sport Management at The University of Evansville. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Newhouse-Bailey served as the interim director of communications for the Stony Brook University athletics department. His professional background also includes experience in sport marketing, sales, and campus recreation. His publications include research on the impact of youth sport and family functioning, international sport delivery systems and intercollegiate athletics policy.

Dr. Newhouse-Bailey earned his B.B.A. in Marketing from The University of Texas at Austin before moving on to earn his M.S.Ed. in Sport Management from Southern Illinois University of Evansville. He also earned his Ph.D. in Sport Management from The University of Texas at Austin.

Kristin Regis

Associate Dean

Kristin Regis began her teaching career as an English instructor at Edogawa University near Tokyo, Japan. Her passion for teaching, and finance, prompted her to teach finance courses part time at SNHU (face-to-face and online) before transitioning into a full-time Finance Faculty Lead role. Prior to working full time for SNHU, Kristin held corporate and municipal leadership positions for over 10 years.

Ms. Regis earned her B.S. in Business Administration, Finance degree from the University of Maine and this degree included a semester of International Business courses at Maastricht University, The Netherlands. She went on to earn her MBA from SNHU, a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate for the opportunity to teach abroad and a M.S. in Financial Planning degree from Bentley University. Kristin is a member of the Financial Planning Association.

Ann Sanok

Faculty Lead

Ann Sanok is a Faculty Lead in the Business Department teaching Business Law at the Graduate and Undergraduate Level. Her teaching experience also includes Criminal Law, Ethics, Tort Law, Administrative Law, Employment Law, Property Law and Constitutional Law. Her experience includes civil litigation representing businesses on various commercial liability matters, contract and licensing, employment law, worker’s compensation, and negligence. Ann also worked as a Legal Editor for Lexis Nexis and is a member of the American Bar Association and the Academy of Legal Studies in Business.

Ms. Sanok was awarded a Juris Doctor in Law from Suffolk University Law School in 1990. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California Irvine.

Mona Stephens

Faculty Lead

Mona Stephens has over 25 years of accounting experience, including 18 years as the Finance and Accounting Administrator for the Sacramento Transportation Authority. She has been teaching accounting for almost 20 years. Mona joined SNHU in 2011 as adjunct faculty before becoming Accounting Faculty Lead in 2014. She teaches financial and managerial accounting.

Ms. Stephens earned both a B.S in Accounting and an M.S in Accountancy from California State University, Sacramento. She is a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor. She is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association, the American Association of Accountants, and the Institute of Management Accountants.

Communication

Composition

Counseling

Metoka L. Welch

Director of Counseling Programs, Learning Environment

Dr. Metoka L. Welch is licensed as a clinical mental health counselor in the State of North Carolina and has been working in the field for over a decade.

Whether as a clinician, a faculty person or an administrator, Welch's passion is counselor education. Throughout her career, Welch has worked in diverse clinical and academic settings that promote collaboration and collegiality. As a clinician, she has worked with victims of sexual abuse and trauma, intensive in-home families, at-risk adolescents in a group home, children in foster care, adults in outpatient therapy, college students, couples, victims of substance abuse and victims of interpersonal violence. She integrates a variety of treatment modalities to meet people where they are as they are and journey with people as they become.

She also has experience providing departmental management and has been instrumental in obtaining and maintaining programmatic accreditation throughout the helping professions. Her interests include spirituality in counseling, programmatic accreditation, program outcomes and the integration of fitness, wellness and behavior therapy.

Welch graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received an Honors BA in English and a BA in Psychology. She received an MA in Community Counseling from Wake Forest University and a PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Kristi Cannon

Director of Counseling Programs, Assessment & Evaluation

Dr. Kristi Cannon is a licensed professional counselor in Texas and a nationally certified counselor. Her clinical experience includes work with a variety of populations, with particular focus on women's issues, adolescent issues and neurofeedback for the treatment of mood disorders.

She has been a counselor educator since 2008, serving as a faculty member at the master’s and doctoral levels, as well as holding administrative roles as the director of field experience and director of assessment and accreditation.

Cannon regularly presents research at the state and national levels and publishes scholarly writings for professional counseling journals and textbooks. Her research interests include counselor development, relational-cultural theory and assessment practices in higher education.

She received an MA in Community Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from St. Mary's University.

Brandon Wilde

Director of Counseling Programs, Counselor Identity

Dr. Brandon Wilde joined SNHU in 2022.

For over a decade, he’s taught clinical mental health, addiction, and marital, couple and family counseling, as well as advised the dissertation research of doctoral students. Wilde holds a license to practice professional counseling in Nevada, Arizona and Utah.

In addition to delivering over 30 presentations at national, regional and state counseling conferences, Wilde has published in The Qualitative Report, Counseling & Values, The Family Journal and The Practitioner Scholar: Journal of Professional Counseling & Psychology. He’s also served as a chapter faculty advisor for Chi Sigma Iota: Academic and Professional Counseling Honor Society, International.

Wilde earned his PhD in Counselor Education and Counseling from Idaho State University and MS in Counseling: Marital, Couple and Family from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Rodney Pennamon headshot

Rodney E. Pennamon

Director of Counseling Programs, Professional Practice

Dr. Rodney E. Pennamon joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in higher education.

Prior to joining SNHU, Pennamon was a faculty member and leadership fellow for a large online counselor education program. He also held positions in health and human services in a variety of community and healthcare settings. As a counselor educator, his research interests are intergroup dialogue, social justice, interpersonal neurobiology and individuals with disabilities.

Pennamon is the co-author of “College Students with Asperger Syndrome: Practical Strategies to Ensure Social and Academic Success.” He was named an Emerging Scholar by the Association for Specialists in Group Work and is active with the American Counseling Association of Georgia.

Pennamon earned his PhD in Counseling & Student Personnel Services (Counselor Education) from the University of Georgia, MEd in Counseling & Psychological Services from Springfield College and BS in Political Science from Illinois State University. He is a National Certified Counselor and a licensed professional counselor.

Dominique Adkins

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Dominique Adkins is a licensed professional counselor in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, as well as an approved clinical supervisor.

Adkins has experience teaching in both clinical mental health counseling master’s programs and counselor education and supervision doctoral programs. She has over 10 years of experience in the counseling field working in both government agencies and private practice with clients of all ages.

Currently, she works with young adults, adolescents and families at her private practice and provides clinical supervision to residents in counseling. Her research interests include spirituality, religiosity, forgiveness, self-forgiveness and multicultural considerations in the counseling, supervision and teaching.

After completing her undergraduate work at Georgetown University, she obtained her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and doctorate in counselor education and supervision at Marymount University.

La Shonda S. Akins

Clinical Faculty

Dr. La Shonda Akins completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, earning a BA in Criminal Justice. She earned an MA in Professional Counseling and an EdD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Argosy University in Atlanta. She is a licensed professional counselor in the State of Maryland and a national certified counselor.

Her clinical experience includes working with diverse populations such as children, adolescents and adults, along with providing inpatient and outpatient clinical addiction services.

Akins’ research and writing interests include the holistic wellness/health paradigm, wellness and self-care practices of African-American women, child & adolescent psychotherapy and addiction and mental health counseling. She frequently presents on the wellness paradigm. She has been an educator for 9 years, with teaching experience across the counseling curriculum.

Rabeena Alli

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Rabeena Alli earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), National Certified Counselor (NCC) and approved clinical supervisor.

Alli has over 22 years of experience in the mental health profession. She has taught as a full time faculty member and adjunct instructor at campus-based and online institutions. In addition, her counseling experience includes working with diverse clients and students in university, public school, hospital and community mental health settings. She has co-written peer-reviewed journal articles, presented at state, regional, national and international conferences, and has served on several local, state and national counseling association committees.

Shanice Armstrong

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Shanice Armstrong received her EdS in Counseling Psychology and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Texas. Armstrong's clinical experiences include working with at-risk youth populations, higher education administration and intensive inpatient and outpatient settings.

As a counselor, counselor educator and advocate, Armstrong fervently believes in counseling as one of the most powerful tools to help transform the lives of others. Her scholarly activities are focused on reducing the stigma and barriers to counseling through a relational cultural lens.

Valerie Balog

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Valerie Balog received her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Virginia, her MEd in Community Counseling from Winthrop University and her BS in Social Work from California University of Pennsylvania. Balog is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS) in the state of North Carolina. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC).

Balog has 13 years of counselor education and supervision experience. She previously served as the Master’ s Program Director and Co-Director of Clinical Placements at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Balog’s clinical experience has focused on: loss and grief, terminal and chronic illness, working with older adults, managing life transitions and crisis counseling. She is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Southern Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (SACES).

Learn more about Balog in this faculty Q&A.

Esther Benoit

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Esther Benoit received her MEd in marriage, couples, and family counseling and PhD in Counselor Education from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has worked as a family, couples, and individual counselor in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area since 2005. As a nationally certified counselor and licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia, she continues to work with at-risk youth and their parents through a grant-based prevention program in both group and family counseling settings.

Benoit has worked in counselor education since 2010 as a faculty member and assessment coordinator. She is an editorial board member of The Family Journal and The Virginia Counselors Journal. Benoit's research and clinical interests include moral development, military families, and counselor education and supervision.

Benoit remains actively involved in identifying and supporting the needs of families and individuals in the greater Hampton Roads community, including work with homeless women and their children.

Susan Blake

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Susan Blake earned her PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where her research focused on the experiences of newer counselors entering community mental health. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and supervisor in North Carolina. Blake completed her MA in Counseling in 2004 from Regent University. She also holds a graduate certificate in student affairs in higher education from East Carolina University.

Blake has worked in many clinical environments, including nonprofit community mental health, private practice, employee assistance and university counseling centers. Her clinical experiences have fueled her desire to prepare and support counselors to make an impact in the real world through strong counselor identity and social justice perspectives. In addition to clinical work, she has been a counselor educator for several years and has provided supervision for counselors-in-training and those pursuing licensure.

Built on over 16 years of clinical experience, Blake’s counseling and teaching approach centers on encouraging others to use self-awareness to realize the power they have to change their lives. She is a proud first-generation student who wants to see others succeed in spite of barriers.

Cheyenne Carter

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Cheyenne Carter is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in North Carolina. She completed her PhD in Counseling at the University of North Texas and her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Tarleton State University. As a generalist, she has worked with ages 3-98 but currently focuses her clinical work with those ages 18+. Her areas of expertise include relationships, infidelity recovery, attachment trauma and life transitions. She is a frequent presenter on topics related to trauma-informed care and attachment. Additional areas of interest include military wellness/families and animal-assisted therapy.

Trinaa' L. Copeland

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Trinaa' L. Copeland is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Michigan. Her fields of expertise are marriage and family counseling and nonprofit management and leadership.

Serving as a catalyst of change for people who, many times, are at their darkest hour, Copeland is best known for her ability to walk others through the pain of their past so they can excel in their future. Working through several different facets and platforms, she works to engage, counsel and teach clients to push past their immediate problems, allowing them to evolve into a better version of themselves. Practicing as a counselor for two decades and now a counselor educator, Copeland’s unique strategy of combining faith-based counseling with mental health treatment has transformed the lives of individuals, couples and small groups alike. This area of work led to her research focus on the Black Church and their beliefs about mental health treatment, which she plans to further explore in future research.

She has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Walden University, a Master of Arts in Community Agency Counseling from Western Michigan University and a BA in Interpersonal Communication from WMU.

Paula Cox

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Paula Cox received an MEd in Counseling, EdS in School Counseling and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Mississippi. She is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor, a national certified counselor and a national certified school counselor.

She began her career as a group therapist in a partial hospitalization program for children and adolescents and as a court-appointed counselor for at-risk teens. She has extensive experience as a school counselor and psychometrist, specializing in behavior and special populations. She also worked as a clinical counselor for a school district conducting functional behavior assessments and writing behavior intervention plans for special needs students. In that same position, she provided counseling services to students at the local juvenile detention center.

She has also operated a private practice since 2007, where she provides LPC supervision, couples counseling, child/adolescent services and counseling for families navigating addictions. She began her work as a counselor educator in 2010 and continues to be passionate about helping students reach their goals.

Damion Cummins

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Damion Cummins has an MEd in Counseling from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of New Orleans. Cummins is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor, licensed marriage and family therapist and a national certified counselor.

Cummins has over 14 years of clinical experience with nonprofit, university, outpatient, substance abuse, inpatient and private practice clinics. Cummins has extensive experience treating children, the chronic mentally ill, families, couples, sexually abused, veterans and individuals with addiction, anger issues, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation. He has over 10 years of supervisory and leadership experience.

Cummins has more than seven years of experience in teaching, and he has designed and taught a variety of online, hybrid and face-to-face courses at the master's and doctoral levels. As a clinical director, Cummins successfully led the development and implementation of training sites and ongoing coordination of graduate student internships. He keeps active in advising students, research, participating on dissertation committees, presenting on numerous state, regional and national clinical topics, and he has a strong emphasis on service to the university and surrounding community.

Learn more about Cummins in this faculty Q&A.

Tiffany Darby

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Tiffany Darby is a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervisor designation and a licensed school counselor.

Throughout her over 20 years of mental health work, Darby has worked in a variety of settings, including partial-hospitalization, residential, college counseling, outpatient, school and community based. She has worked mostly with diverse youth who display behavior concerns and their families. Darby has an online private practice where she provides counseling services to adults and couples. She implements cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused therapy (SFT) practices when working with clients and emotion-focused therapy (EFT) with couples.

She has been working as a counselor educator since 2014 at both the master’s and doctoral levels. She has also served in an administrative role as a director of doctoral field experiences. Her research interests include culturally responsive counseling and supervision practices, as well as telehealth.

Darby earned a PhD in Counseling and Human Development Services, an MEd in Community Counseling and a BA in Psychology, all from Kent State University.

Ryan Day

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Ryan Day comes to Southern New Hampshire University with over 13 years of clinical counseling experience working in a variety of settings. He is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), certified school counselor and a certified clinical trauma professional, Level-II (CCTP-II). His clinical work specializes in trauma treatment, couples and families, and career counseling services.

Day was selected as the 2016 Counselor Educator of the Year by the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of Georgia and as the 2016-2017 College of Education and Helping Professions Distinguished Teacher of the Year at Columbus State University. Prior to teaching graduate school, he served as a middle school special education teacher.

He made a guest appearance conducting a live counseling session on the VH1 reality show "K. Michelle: My Life." He was also in the March 2019 Counseling Today special edition on “Touched by Trauma,” which featured his personal story as a trauma survivor and professional work as a trauma therapist.

Day earned his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Auburn University, an MA in Community Counseling from Argosy University Atlanta and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from Columbus State University.

Christian J. Dean

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Christian J. Dean received an MEd in Human Services Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of New Orleans. He is licensed as a professional counselor/board approved supervisor (LPC-S) and as a marriage and family therapist/board approved supervisor candidate (LMFT-SC) in Louisiana. He also holds the national certified counselor credential.

Dr. Dean’s clinical practice experience involves working with individuals, couples and families. He is a 21+ year member of the Army National Guard and currently serves as Deputy Commander-Administration for the Louisiana Medical Detachment. He is also a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. Dean is on the editorial board of the Journal of Military and Government Counseling and the Therapeutic Speakeasy Quarterly.

Dr. Dean participated as a collaborative investigator for the DSM-5 Field Trials in Routine Clinical Practice Settings. He has published and presented on numerous topics including military systems and culture, infidelity-related trauma and grieving, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, ethical considerations and ethical decision-making, differential diagnosis and assessment, the use of metaphors in counseling and counselor education, couples counseling and behavioral modification.

Darleen Dempster

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Darleen Dempster is a licensed professional counselor supervisor and a national certified counselor who has been providing clinical services since 2000. She received her master’s degree from Mississippi State University and her PhD with honors from the University of Mississippi. Along with her work on multiple college campuses, Dempster has worked in a state agency, nonprofit organizations, residential facilities/group homes and the public school system.

She has served in various roles within the field, including counselor, play therapist, associate director and interim director, substance abuse prevention coordinator and sexual assault coordinator. She also has extensive experience in supervising both counselors-in-training in their practicum and internship experiences, as well as counselors working toward licensure.

Dempster has been continually teaching university courses since 2005. She has served on thesis and dissertation committees and has advised final research projects.

Dempster is a generalist who utilizes an integrated and client-directed approach that incorporates evidence-based treatment for a wide variety of conditions, with particular emphasis on crisis counseling, post-traumatic stress, family of origin issues and LGBTQIA+ support and advocacy. She is deeply committed to her students, and seeks to encourage and empower them to reach their highest potential.

Abby Dougherty

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Abby Dougherty joined Southern New Hampshire University from Drexel University, where she oversaw the counseling curriculum for the creative art therapies department. She’s also worked as a college counselor and taught at several colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area.

Dougherty has a small private supervision practice, supporting counselors in training toward receiving their Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certification. She conducted her doctoral research exploring the lived experiences of counselor educators with mindfulness practice in the classroom with culturally diverse students.

She is the past president for the Greater Philadelphia Pennsylvania Counseling Association and current Emerging Leader chair for ACES emerging leaders. Her interests include examining the use of creative arts in college counseling and counseling supervision, virtual reality (VR) and immersive technologies in counseling and counselor education, simulation education, relational-cultural theory, and mindfulness and contemplative tools in counselor education.

Dougherty received her doctorate in counselor education and supervision and her master’s in mental health counseling, both from Walden University.

Mark P. Eades

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Mark P. Eades is a licensed mental health counselor supervisor (LMHCS) in North Carolina.

Prior to joining SNHU in 2021, Eades worked in two university counseling centers, as both an internship coordinator and as a group therapy coordinator, for 10 years.

As a clinician, Eades has a special interest in working with anxiety disorders, men’s issues, grief and loss, and personality disorders. His research interests include best practices in university counseling centers, men’s issues, assessment of counselors-in-training and the use of technology in counseling, supervision and teaching.

In addition to working as a clinician, Eades has been teaching and supervising counselors-in-training since 2011. He has worked as an adjunct professor as several online universities, primarily providing clinical supervision to counselors-in-training. Currently, he operates a small private practice that focuses primarily on providing supervision to associate level counselor, both in person and online.

Eades earned his PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Prior to that, he received his master’s degree from Wake Forest University and his bachelor’s from North Carolina State University.

Brenda J. Edwards

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Brenda J. Edwards received an MA in Professional Counseling from Georgia State University and an EdD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Argosy University-Atlanta. She is a licensed professional counselor, a national certified counselor, a certified professional counselor supervisor, a master addictions counselor and a national certified addiction counselor.

Her clinical experience includes treating adolescents, adults and couples in community-based and private settings. Her specialty is treating addictions using a harm reduction approach.

Dr. Edwards has been an educator for 7 years, serving as a senior contributing and adjunct faculty member with teaching experience across the counseling curriculum. Her writing and research interests include substance-related issues. She also frequently presents on addictions and other substance-related issues at various professional conferences.

Matt Glowiak

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Matt Glowiak completed his masters in Mental Health Counseling and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University. His dissertation examined veteran educators' perceptions of the Internet's impact on K-8 learning and social development. Glowiak is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Advanced Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CAADC), and National Certified Counselor (NCC).

Glowiak served as contributing faculty in the BS of Human Services and Psychology Programs at Walden University and as Assistant Professor of the Masters of Clinical Psychology program at Benedictine University. He has an emerging record of scholarship as outlined through refereed journal publications, magazine and newsletter articles, several book chapters, and multiple presentations.

As an entrepreneur, Glowiak is co-founder of "counseling speaks" in Park Ridge, Deerfield, and Chicago, Illinois--a practice focused on clinical counseling, consultation, coaching, supervision, crisis intervention, and psychoeducational services and products. Clinically, he has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults. Glowiak has worked with clients who present a variety of concerns and issues such as substance use disorder, domestic violence, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, sexual trauma, and bipolar disorder.

Learn more about Glowiak in this faculty Q&A.

Earl Grey-Brooks

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Earl Grey earned an MA in Community Counseling from West Virginia University and a PhD in Counseling Studies from Capella University. He is a licensed mental health counselor, a licensed professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor, an approved clinical supervisor, a certified clinical mental health counselor, a certified sexual assault counselor, a certified EMDR therapist, and an EMDR-approved consultant and trainer.

As a clinician, Grey has expertise with children, adults, couples and families facing depression, PTSD, LGBTQIA development and HIV management concerns. He is a nationally recognized expert in EMDR therapy.

Grey has been working as an educator for two decades. He has educated students in preschool through graduate school in a variety of educational settings. He has extensive teaching experience across the counseling curriculum including practicum and internship coordination and supervision. Grey has given numerous professional presentations and published extensively in the counseling field. He served as a regional coordinator for the EMDR International Association and as a research board member for the Association of Creative Counseling. He currently serves on the editorial board for the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. His research interests include couples counseling and family issues, neuroscience, LGBTQIA, cultural humility, treatment efficacy and quality assurance.

Dana A. Griffin

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Dana A. Griffin received an MA in Professional Counseling and an EdD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Argosy University, Atlanta. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor in the state of Georgia. Her 16-year clinical experience includes treating adolescents, adults, couples and families, specializing in severe mental health issues. In her private practice, she strives to assist her clients in realizing their purpose and moving forward towards mental, physical, and spiritual wellness.

Griffin has been an educator for seven years, serving as a faculty member and adjunct instructor. Her research interests include the violence against the LGBTQ community in the Caribbean, the wellness of counselors, effective supervision for post-masters counselors, and the advancement of women of color in academia. Additionally, she volunteers with Give an Hour where she provides free counseling services to veterans and their families.

Laura Haddock

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Laura Haddock received her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Mississippi. Haddock has been a counselor educator since 2001, supported by more than two decades of work as a clinical mental health counselor. She is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor, national certified counselor and approved clinical supervisor.

An active counseling professional, Haddock has served on the Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners and the executive boards for Mississippi Counseling Association and Mississippi Licensed Professional Counselors Association. She serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Counseling Research and Practice, The Journal of Social, Behavioral and Health Sciences, The Journal of At Risk Issues and the Tennessee Counseling Association Journal. Her clinical practice includes work with a variety of populations, with a particular focus on women's issues. The recipient of the 2017 Distinguished Professional Service Award for Counselor Educator by the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, she routinely presents and publishes counseling research. Her interests include counselor wellness, sexuality, cultural diversity, supervision, and professional gatekeeping.

Penny Lane Hamblin

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Penny Lane Hamblin received a MA in Mental Health Counseling and an EdD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida. She is a licensed professional counselor supervisor and nationally certified counselor. She is also certified in EMDR and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

Her clinical experience includes treating children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, specializing in trauma treatment of adolescents utilizing EMDR primarily in practice. She has been in counseling practice for 11 years and currently practices privately in North Carolina.

Hamblin is currently working on a publication including therapeutic memoirs of treating trauma. She presents trauma-informed care workshops across the eastern part of North Carolina. Hamblin is also currently working on a podcast focusing on trauma treatment and counseling treatment topics.

Tamara Harris

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Tamara Harris is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) who has been in private practice for over 15 years. She also worked as a high school counselor for seven years.

Harris is a mental performance consultant in a career field recognized through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP): She specializes in helping athletes overcome mental health issues and mental blocks that prevent them from reaching their full potential and optimal performance. Through mental performance training, she also assists business individuals, exercise enthusiasts and non-sport performers in reaching and maintaining optimal performance as they strive to meet their unique goals for overall success.

In addition to AASP, Harris is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association’s Division 47: Society for Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology. She serves as mentor and academic advisor for students who would like to pursue a career in the fields of sport and exercise psychology and/or mental health counseling.

Her research interests include exercise psychology, positive psychology, health and wellness challenges in women of color, compassion fatigue, self-compassion and self-care among counselors in training, intimate partner violence and youth homelessness.

Harris earned her PhD in Counselor Education from Sam Houston State University and her MA in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University.

Karena J. Heyward

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Karena J. Heyward received an MEd in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The College of William and Mary. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia and a national certified counselor. Her clinical experience includes work with a variety of populations and presenting concerns, specializing in couples and family counseling.

Heyward has held faculty and administrative positions. She previously served as the president of the Virginia Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling and in various roles with the Virginia Association of Couples and Family Counseling. She is also a trained member of the Red Cross Disaster Action Team and Disaster Mental Health Team.

Heyward engages in continued scholarship, presenting at the state, regional and national levels. Her research interests include: body psychotherapy and somatic counseling, transpersonal psychology, sexuality counseling, the experiences of military personnel and their families, and international perspectives on the counseling profession.

Mary Hinson

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Mary Hinson has 15 years of individual, group and family counseling experience, working with populations from early adolescence through adulthood, in a variety of therapeutic settings. She also specializes in couples work, training extensively in emotionally focused therapy and as a facilitator for the Prepare/Enrich program. Her credentials include Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor and Certified Custody Mediator.

With certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University, Hinson consults with organizations and groups on ways to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. She has created trainings tailored to the needs of clinicians and communities of color.

Her research focuses on social justice advocacy work among practicing counselors. She has also published in the Counselor Education and Supervision Journal and presented at several conferences nationally.

As an agent of change in her own community, Hinson started the nonprofit organization Pickens Peace Project to improve the relationships of youth involved with the legal system and their caregivers using an attachment framework.

Hinson earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from The College of William & Mary, and an MA in Counseling, a BS in Criminal Justice and a BA in Psychology from North Carolina Central University.

Eleni Maria Honderich

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Eleni Maria Honderich, PhD, NCC, MAC, LCPC, received her master’s degree in community counseling and doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from the College of William and Mary in 2006 and 2014, respectively. With over 15 years of clinical practice, primarily in the addictions sector, and 7 years of experience within the academic sector, Honderich remains vested in and impassioned by ethical practice and aspirational conceptualization/implication of subsequent codes, prioritization of client care and rights, delivery of quality education and supervision adherent to national standards (e.g., CACREP), and best practice approaches – all of which assist in grounding a professional clinical mental health counseling identity.

Kimberly Jenkins-Richardson

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Kimberly Jenkins-Richardson is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor in the state of Alabama and is a National Certified Counselor.

Jenkins-Richardson has nearly two decades of clinical experience working in community mental health centers, university counseling centers and substance abuse agencies. She operates a group private practice, where she works with young adults, couples and families. Her research areas include pedagogical practices in counselor education programs, mental health disparities in minority populations, minority student mental health in higher education, and racism and race-related stress.

Jenkins-Richardson has taught and supervised students in both clinical mental health counseling master’s programs and counselor education and supervision doctoral programs. Additionally, she provides clinical supervision for individuals seeking licensure in the state.

She received her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and an educational specialist degree in counselor education from the University of Alabama, an MS in Community and Agency Counseling from Jacksonville State University, and a BA in Psychology from the University of Alabama.

Eric Jett

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Eric Jett is currently a licensed counselor in the states of Oklahoma and Missouri, where he is also an approved license supervisor. He is a National Certified Counselor, as well as a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor.

Jett graduated with his Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2010, and completed his PhD, in 2015, in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University. Jett has focused most of his career in counseling in two primary areas, trauma-focused treatment and substance abuse treatment services. With a history of working with a wide range of ages, he specializes in working with children and adolescents. As an academic and researcher, Jett has focused his analytic interests on the area of counseling supervision, more specifically counseling supervisor wellness and the impact of tertiary trauma on counseling supervisors.

Learn more about Jett in this faculty Q&A.

Robyn Lowery

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Robyn Lowery has over 15 years of experience teaching in counselor education programs – mostly in distance learning instruction.

She is the owner of Mecklenburg Wellness, a small private practice in Charlotte, NC, providing reproductive, pregnancy and postpartum counseling services. She serves as an advisory council member for a nonprofit organization that provides nutrition and breastfeeding education. Lowery also serves as an inaugural member of the justice, equity, inclusion and diversity committee for a local public elementary school.

Lowery’s current research interests include disrespect and abuse within maternal healthcare settings, racial disparities within maternal health, and complementary and alternative practices in counseling.

She received a PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from The George Washington University. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional.

John Marszalek

Clinical Faculty

Dr. John Marszalek is a national certified counselor and licensed professional counselor in Mississippi.

He has been a counselor educator for over 15 years and a counselor for over 20 years, maintaining private practices in Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans and Mississippi. Marszalek also previously worked in psychiatric and community counseling settings and taught elementary education.

His research interests include gay, lesbian and bisexual identity development theory and factors promoting and inhibiting long-term, same-sex relationships in small towns and rural areas in the South. He served on the editorial board of the Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling for over 10 years.

He is the author of “Coming Out of the Magnolia Closet: Same Sex Couples in Mississippi,” which was the 2020 Digital Book World’s Best Book Published by a University Press.

Marszalek earned his MS in elementary education, MS in counselor education and PhD in counselor education at Mississippi State University. Previously, he had received his BA from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.

Anne Metz

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Anne Metz completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and PhD in counselor education and supervision at James Madison University in Virginia. She is a licensed professional counselor and registered supervisor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

During her residency, Metz worked in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She is a state-certified evaluator for the civil commitment process. She also served as the mental health liaison for the Staunton-Augusta Therapeutic Docket, a post-plea program designed to divert individuals with behavioral health issues from incarceration into community-based treatment.

Her research focuses on the intersection of mental health and the law with an emphasis on criminal justice reform. Prior to joining the SNHU faculty, Metz completed postdoctoral work at the University of Virginia School of Law, where her interdisciplinary empirical research examined sentencing practices for nonviolent drug offenders. Her advocacy interests include climate change, public policy, and the decriminalization of behavioral health issues.

Lotes Nelson

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Lotes Nelson received an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Walden University. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), a nationally certified counselor (NCC), and an approved clinical supervisor (ACS).

Her clinical experience includes treating children, adolescents, adults, couples and families, specializing in eating disorder/disordered eating, body image concerns, trauma counseling, depression, anxiety, relational issues, and cultural adjustment concerns, utilizing a variety of theoretical techniques.

Nelson maintains her strong advocacy involvement in her immediate community and nationally, to continue to raise mental health awareness by profoundly engaging in professional conference presentations and providing mental health wellness workshops. She serves on the board of directors for the Licensed Professional Counselor Association of North Carolina and holds an active role with varying organizations, such as the American Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota, and the National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation.

Rhonda Neswald

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Rhonda Neswald received an MA in Student Personnel Services: Counseling from Northwestern State University and a PhD in Counseling from the University of New Mexico. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of New Mexico and an approved clinical supervisor (ACS) through the NBCC. Her clinical experience includes treating a broad range of mental health concerns with a special interest in expressive arts in counseling and supervision.

Neswald has been an educator for 18 years, serving as a faculty member, program coordinator and clinical director. She has taught counseling courses throughout the master’s and doctoral level counseling curriculum. She presents and publishes nationally and internationally. Her work focuses on expressive arts in counseling and supervision as well as the employment of expressive modalities in the treatment of post-traumatic stress and vicarious trauma.

David Olges

Clinical Faculty

Dr. David A. Olges is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Indiana.

Prior to SNHU, Olges taught in the Big 10, the Big East and with several private colleges. He also teaches internationally in Ukraine, Scotland and England. He especially enjoys teaching courses involving marriage and couples counseling, research methods and clinical skill development.

Olges has more than 25 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings, including private practice, residential programs, university counseling centers, inpatient hospitals, intensive outpatient settings, nonprofit organizations and internationally. He served on the board of an international charitable foundation where he developed and managed the clinical counseling center in Zhytomyr, Ukraine.

His research interests include international counselor education, counselor education program design and evaluation, clinical program design and evaluation and spirituality in counseling.

Olges holds an undergraduate degree in pre-law (philosophy) from Indiana University, a master's degree in counseling from Grace College, an MBA from Anderson University and a PhD in Counseling Education and Supervision from Regent University.

Heather Paessler-Chesterton

Clinical Faculty

As a counselor educator, Dr. Heather Paessler-Chesterton has been a part of the higher education community since 2009 at both the master’s and doctoral levels. She has held various leadership roles, such as program director and field experience director, as well as CACREP and NBCC liaison. She has a passion for the helping professions and feels called to supporting other people helpers.

With about 20 years of clinical experience, Chesterton’s specializations include the treatment of children and adolescents, as well as women’s issues from a trauma and attachment orientation. She has presented at state, national and international levels, and she has published work on at-risk youth populations and violence in schools.

Her research interests include qualitative methodologies, child and adolescent counseling, counselor development, online counselor preparation and spirituality issues in counseling. She is also a disaster relief volunteer and previously served on the board for the North Atlantic Region of ACES (NARACES).

She maintains a private practice in her home community in Western New York, and she is actively involved with the NY Emotional PPE Project and other pro bono counseling initiatives serving first responders and those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paessler-Chesterton earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and an MA in Community and School Counseling from Regent University. She is a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (NY) and holds school counseling credentials in three states.

Shawn Parmanand

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Shawn Parmanand received both his Master of Counseling and his PhD in Counselor Education & Counseling from Idaho State University. His master's degree focused on clinical work with marriages, families, and couples. Dr. Parmanand is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, a nationally approved clinical supervisor, and a certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.

He maintains a small private practice where he meets with a variety of client populations, with a specialty in working with children who have survived sexual abuse. A majority of his clients are couples, with an emphasis in working with those who are experiencing difficulties related to infertility.

Parmanand has worked in counselor education as a faculty members since 2010. He has served in leadership roles as both the Membership Chair and Treasurer for the Idaho Counseling Association.

Parmanand regularly presents at the state and national level. In addition, he has published a number of journal articles and book chapters. His research interests include Emotionally Focused Therapy with couples, infertility issues, group treatment modalities, and incorporating lived experience into counselor education.

Caroline Perjessy

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Caroline Perjessy obtained an MSEd in Community Counseling and Higher Education Student Affairs from Youngstown State University and a PhD in Counseling and Human Development Services from Kent State University, a CACREP-Accredited program, in Kent, Ohio. She is a licensed mental health counselor in the states of Georgia and Florida, is a Qualified Supervisor in Florida and has been a licensed clinician for 15 years.

As a counselor, Perjessy has expertise in working with adults, adolescents, college students and couples, using humanistic, postmodern approaches to therapy. Additionally, she is also trained in dialectical behavior therapy and conducts DBT groups with adolescents and adults. Thus, her clinical interest areas relate to trauma, career counseling, group work and women’s issues.

Perjessy has been teaching at the graduate level for over 15 years in master’s and doctoral programs. She has been a doctoral program coordinator, director of field placement, and has held a variety of administrative roles during her career. Her scholarly areas of interest include narrative/postmodern approaches to pedagogy and supervision, doctoral education, online education.

Currently, she is serving as past president for the Florida Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (FACES) and is actively involved with the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) as the Women’s Interest Network co-chair and is the awards co-chair for the Association of Humanistic Counseling.

Eric Perry

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Eric Perry earned an MA in Community Counseling from Slippery Rock University and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University. His dissertation examined the perceptions of Counselor Educators related to online education and the expansion of online pedagogy. He is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), with most of his experience in community counseling and K-12 treatment settings.

Perry has over 15 years of experience as a classroom and online instructor, working first to train background investigators and then serving as a trainer, instructional designer and curriculum developer for a large mental health service provider in Pittsburgh, PA as well as for other mental health service agencies, educational institutions and training providers. Most recently, Perry has served as a faculty member and program coordinator in an online and hybrid counselor education program before becoming a Clinical Faculty member at SNHU.

Perry is highly involved in service activities and currently serves as the Social Media and Web Manager for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) as well as Technology Coordinator for the North Atlantic Region of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES). Perry continues to work toward research related to the development and research of online pedagogy specific to counselor education.

Torey Portrie-Bethke

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Torey Portrie-Bethke earned her masters and PhD in Counseling Education from Idaho State University. A National Certified Counselor, she is dedicated and enthusiastic in her role as a counselor educator and as a mental health and family counselor working toward empowering students and clients in the direction of positive growth and development.

She provides clinical supervision for master’s practicum and internship students. In her strength-based supervision role, she works to enhance students’ self-efficacy through creating a bridge between counselor development and emerging counseling skills/techniques/theory. She promotes students’ professional identity and advocates for the profession by utilizing networking techniques such as student inclusion in presentations and professional publications. Portrie-Bethke is a frequent presenter in the areas of Adventure Based Counseling, abuse/trauma, play therapy, counseling supervision, and group counseling.

Portrie-Bethke’s research interests include Adventure-based counseling; group counseling; counseling supervision; online counselor education; childhood trauma; vicarious trauma; mothering development.

Julie Robinson

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Julie Robinson’s doctorate in counselor education is from the University of North Texas, where she specialized in play therapy under Dr. Garry Landreth, a world-renowned play therapist. Robinson has been teaching in counselor education CACREP-accredited programs for over 20 years. Most recently she served as the counselor education program department chair at Argosy University.

Robinson’s research interests include play therapy with chronically and terminally ill children, and counselor education training. Her service to the profession of counselor education has included serving as a two-time president of the Illinois Counselor Educators and Supervisors Division of ICA, founder and two-time president of the Illinois Child and Adolescent Counseling Division of ICA and president of the North Central Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.

Victoria Sepulveda

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Sepulveda earned her MA in Community Counseling from Central Michigan University and her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Toledo. She is a licensed professional counselor, clinical substance abuse counselor, and national certified counselor. Sepulveda has been in the counseling profession for nearly 20 years and maintains a private practice in Wisconsin where she counsels children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families from all walks of life while incorporating a strength-based, culturally-affirming approach. She has served in agencies providing alcohol and drug counseling, family preservation and reunification services, intimate partner violence treatment, grant-writing and professional consultation.

Sepulveda has over a decade of online and classroom counselor education experience and has served in several leadership roles in various state, regional and national counseling organizations, including president of the Wisconsin Counseling Association (2017-2018). Sepulveda is also past-chair of the Midwest Region of the American Counseling Association.

Sepulveda's dissertation focused on the incorporation of psychopharmacology in CACREP-accredited counselor education programs. Her research interests include psychopharmacology in counselor education, professional training and development of licensed professional counselors, multicultural counseling best practices, assessing the needs of sexually- and gender-diverse youth and adolescents, intimate partner violence and treatment of substance use disorders.

Rebecca Sheffield

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Rebecca Sheffield is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in Virginia. She has over a decade of clinical experience working with individuals, couples and families in a variety of settings, including community agencies, schools and private practice.

Sheffield's clinical work is informed by a systemic perspective, which considers family strengths and challenges within the larger context of family and community and recognizes the power of family members in supporting emotional health. Her research interests include culturally informed and responsive counseling for diverse populations and family structures.

She is committed to social justice and stays active in advocacy work for marginalized and underserved populations. Most recently, she directed a nonprofit counseling center that provided counseling at no cost to individuals and families for whom mental health care was financially out of reach.

Sheffield earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and an MEd in Couples and Family Therapy from the College of William and Mary.

Ljubica Spiro

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Ljubica Spiro received a MEd in Community Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Kent State University. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor in the state of Ohio, a licensed professional counselor and a certified professional clinical supervisor in the state of Georgia. Her clinical experience includes treating adolescents, adults, couples and families, specializing in the treatment of severe and persistent mental health issues.

Spiro has been an educator for over a decade, serving as a faculty member, faculty support development coordinator, student development coordinator, and associate department chair. She has taught counseling courses in the USA and abroad. Her research interests include multicultural issues in counseling and supervision, international counseling, and cross-cultural mentoring. Spiro is very active in professional counseling associations. She attends and presents at state, regional, and national counseling associations every year, often co-presenting with colleagues and students.

Ami Cleary-Trombly

Field Experience Administrator

Ami Cleary-Trombly has over 10 years of experience working and supporting students. She joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2014 as a graduate business academic advisor. In 2018, she joined the MA Counseling academic advising team.

In September 2021, she became a part of the MA Counseling field experience team. In this role, she supports the field experience students, faculty and director of counseling programs and professional practice.

Cleary-Trombly received a BA in History with a minor in Africana Studies from SUNY Potsdam and an MA in Education from Southern New Hampshire University.

Meg Straughn

Assistant Director of Counseling Programs, Operations & Residencies

In April 2022, Meg Straughn joined the counseling academics team and is responsible for the planning and successful implementation of the counseling program’s in-person residencies, as well as collaborating on strategic plan initiatives and program growth strategies.

She joined Southern New Hampshire University as an academic advisor in November 2017. In October 2019, she began working with the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling academic advising team, supporting counseling students through their academic experience.

Prior to joining SNHU, Straughn worked at a technology company in Boston selling software, supporting clients, managing internal company projects and planning company events.

She earned a BA in Communication with a minor in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire.

Criminal Justice

English

Derrick Craigie

Sr. Associate Dean, Liberal Arts

Derrick Craigie earned his BA in English from the University of New Hampshire and his MFA in Fiction Writing from SNHU’s low-residency program. He self-published his first novel, “Broken Justice,” and has been published in “Collective Fallout,” “The Tower Journal,” “Shroud,” and “Assignment.” He is currently working on his second novel and a novella.

Craigie serves as senior associate dean at SNHU. He entered higher education administration 14 years ago, holding positions in admission, advising and campus leadership at his previous institution. He has taught writing for the last 11 years and remains active in the online classroom in addition to his duties as senior associate dean.

Craigie is a speculative fiction writer who attempts to combine the compelling imagery of fantasy with the thoughtfulness and introspection of science fiction. His stories focus on complex characters that reflect our own human condition. His dedication to writing carries him forward in his own craft, his teaching and his duties as a dean.

Paul Witcover

Associate Dean, Online MFA

Paul Witcover is the author of the novels “Waking Beauty,” “Tumbling After,” “Dracula: Asylum,” “The Emperor of All Things,” “The Watchman of Eternity” and “Lincolnstein.” His short fiction is collected in “Everland and Other Stories.” He has been a finalist for the Nebula, World Fantasy and Shirley Jackson awards, and he has served on the jury for the Jackson and Philip K. Dick awards. His book reviews and critical essays have appeared in Realms of Fantasy and Locus magazines, among other publications. He co-created and co-wrote the DC Comic Anima.

Witcover has an MA in Creative Writing from the City College of New York and is a graduate of the Clarion Writing Workshop. He is a recipient of a Hawthornden Fellowship.

Witcover was deeply involved in the program development for SNHU’s online MFA in Creative Writing. He has taught as an adjunct in SNHU’s MA and MFA in Creative Writing programs since 2013 and is committed to providing guidance, knowledge and opportunity to all online MFA students. Witcover lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Twitter: @PaulWitcover

Dr. Christopher Lee

Associate Dean

Dr. Christopher Lee has taught literature, English and composition online at SNHU since 2003. He completed his PhD in English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University where he specialized in medieval literature. His academic interests in the Medieval and Early Modern periods include women and marginalized groups, drama and performance, short forms and humor, and semiotics and pedagogy. As a comparatist, he has focused on texts from medieval England, France and Spain.

Dr. Lee has extended his interest in the pedagogy of the Middle Ages to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, particularly the role of technology and learning science in effective college teaching today. He has presented papers and workshops on tech tools for classroom management, using wikis, graphically enhanced syllabi, and audio feedback in both online and face-to-face environments. In addition, he regularly applies his findings to course design and his own instructive practices. In his spare time, Dr. Lee enjoys exploring the history of male fashion and writes articles on menswear.

Jacob Powers

Associate Dean, Creative Writing

Jacob Powers earned an MFA in Creative Writing-Fiction from Boise State University in 2010 and a BA in Creative Writing with a minor in English Literature from Grand Valley State University in 2006. For the past 15 years, he has worked as a professional writing tutor, both face-to-face and online. He has consulted with developmental writing classes and collaborated on program curriculum design, worked as a writing and literature instructor at a community college in Florida and served as a content writer for a third-party company that developed Common Core interactive lesson scripts for the Florida Department of Education’s Race to the Top project.

Since 2014, Powers has worked at SNHU, first as an adjunct and team lead in English Composition, and then as a faculty lead for the creative writing department. He has been published in Narrative and Out of Stock magazines. Most recently, he has worked on a diversity project for the undergraduate creative writing courses and currently oversees the graduate creative writing program. His interests include fiction, nonfiction, diversity, inclusion, empathy and supporting students with an array of learning techniques. He lives in New England with his family.

First Year Experience

General Education

Graphic Design & Media Arts, Game Art & Development

Health Information Management

History

Liberal Arts

Dr. Ruth Lahti

AVP of Counseling, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Dr. Ruth Lahti has been in education and administration for over a decade. She earned her PhD in Literature from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where she taught both online and onsite courses in the English department. She also a visiting faculty member in English at Siena College in Albany, NY. Her specific research areas are American war fiction, trauma theory and transnational studies, which culminated in her dissertation “Transnational Gestures: Rethinking Trauma in U.S. War Fiction.” Ruth joined SNHU in 2015 as Associate Dean of Composition, and has served as an executive director since 2016.

Carole Beauchemin

Executive Director of Liberal Arts

Dr. Carole Beauchemin came to SNHU from Granite State College, where she served for over 3 years as vice provost for academic affairs and was responsible for oversight of the college’s undergraduate programs, prior learning assessment initiatives and community college and military academic partnerships. Beauchemin has extensive higher education experience in academic administration, advising and admission from a number of schools, including Northeastern University, Rivier University and the former Notre Dame College. As a corporate account manager at Boston University’s Corporate Education Center, Beauchemin offered IT and management training program options to students and corporate clients in the Boston area, where she ultimately got recruited by one of her clients – Ropes & Gray LLP in Boston – into the role of organizational development manager for the firm’s non-legal staff across the country.

Beauchemin received her EdD from Northeastern University, MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and BS in Business from Trinity College of Vermont.

Julie Minnaugh

Sr. Associate Dean of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

With more than 10 years of experience in higher education, Julie Minnaugh oversees and provides training support for the composition courses while contributing to writing across the curriculum projects within SNHU.

While her career history includes teaching academic writing face to face and online, she has held a variety of roles within advising, admission, faculty leadership, student community and co-curricular management and curriculum design. Her broad experience with online modalities includes paced, direct-assessment and competency-based education. She joined SNHU in 2016 as a curriculum designer.

Minnaugh received an MAT in English Education from Boston University. Her interests include fostering creativity and community among faculty members, exploring emerging practices in composition instruction and assessment for adult students and adapting writing across the curriculum principles for online delivery modalities.

Nursing

Margaret (Peggy) Moriarty-Litz, EdD, MS, RN, CNE

Chief Nursing Administrator/Executive Director

Dr. Margaret (Peggy) Moriarty-Litz joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2014. Since then, she’s held progressive roles in nursing academic leadership, continually collaborating with stakeholders across teams to create greater opportunities for nursing education. Her work has produced high-quality nursing programs, accreditation for undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, and the establishment of the nursing continuing professional development team.

Throughout her career, Moriarty-Litz has worked in both clinical practice and nursing education settings, teaching non-traditional students throughout several levels of academic preparation. Her areas of research interest are professional identity and stress in pre-licensure nursing students.

Moriarty-Litz completed the Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program at the Parkinson’s Foundation and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Her experience allows her to speak as an expert about nursing education, leadership and Parkinson’s disease.

Moriarty-Litz received her EdD in Education and Leadership with a specialization in Nursing from Rivier University, MA in Nursing Administration from the University of New Hampshire and BSN from Saint Anselm College. She is a Certified Nurse Educator.

Moriarty-Litz can speak as a subject matter expert about nursing education, leadership, and Parkinson’s disease. Media members interested in interviewing her should email media@snhu.edu.

Dr. Lisa Urban, PhD, MSN, RN

Associate Chief Nursing Administrator

Dr. Lisa Urban joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2018. She helps develop academic-business partnerships and supports program marketing and student recruitment efforts. In addition, she develops new nursing and allied health programs using a variety of platforms to meet current practice and accreditation requirements.

Urban is an experienced higher education leader, educator and researcher who has extensive experience as a course and program developer. She’s devoted her research to online teaching best practices, creating healthy work environments, improving interprofessional communication and building an academic framework for information literacy. Throughout her 30-plus years in the higher education space, she’s continued to maintain her clinical practice presence.

She’s spoken on leadership at numerous events, including the Nurses Association Annual Convention and National Student Nurses’ Association. She is an active member of the American Nurses Association, Maryland Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, The National Education Progression in Nursing, and the Quality and Safety Education in Nursing Academic Task Force.

Urban earned her PhD in Education with a specialization in Leadership in Higher Education from Capella University, MSN from Columbia University and BSN from Russell Sage College.

Dr. Urban can speak as a subject matter expert about all aspects of the nursing profession, nursing education, job market outlook, nursing leaders and how to prepare to be a nursing administrator. Media members interested in interviewing her should email media@snhu.edu.

Lyndsay Goss DNP, RN, CNE, NPD-BC

Director of Continuing Professional Development, Nursing

Dr. Lyndsay Goss joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2013. Prior to her current role, Goss worked as a faculty member in the university’s undergraduate nursing program and Master of Public Health program, supporting students and adjunct faculty and assisting with curricular design.

Goss is passionate about providing innovative career development for health professionals, and she believes in the value of collaboration between academic teams to provide high-quality, interprofessional education. Beyond academia, Goss has several years of clinical experience, including community health, ambulatory care, outpatient gastroenterology and rehabilitation nursing.

In addition to serving as board secretary for New Hampshire Nurses Association, Goss also sits on the implementation committee for the Association for Nursing Professional Development. Her published works can be found in Perspectives in Psychiatric Care and Research in Science & Technological Education.

Goss earned her DNP with a concentration in Public Health Nurse Leadership at the University of Massachusetts, MSN from California State University, and BS in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology and BA in Psychology from the University of New Hampshire. She is a Certified Nurse Educator and is board certified in nursing professional development.

Learn more about Goss in this faculty Q&A.

Dr. Debra Murray, DNP, PHCNS-BC, CPNP-PC, CNE

Program Director, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Debra Murray joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2018 with nearly a decade of experience in nursing education and administrative leadership roles. During this time, she’s taught classes, designed graduate clinical nurse specialist programs and accelerated second degree programs.

Murray also has extensive experience in clinical settings. She is a board-certified Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and a certified Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. Her clinical practice has spanned primary care and ambulatory care for civilians and military personnel.

In both 2017 and 2018, Murray received the Sentara Top Performing Provider Award. She’s an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and has conducted several presentations related to improving student understanding of competencies in education and community adherence to preventative care.

Murray earned her DNP and MSN from the University of Virginia, MA in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma and BSN from Pennsylvania State University. She holds a certification in Quality Matters Course Design and is a Certified Nurse Educator.

Dr. Murray can speak as a subject matter expert about nurse practitioner practice, military nursing, role of APRNs, autonomous practice, pediatrics, vaccines, telehealth and public health. Media members interested in interviewing her should email media@snhu.edu.

Stacy L. Rosenberg, DNP, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE

Undergraduate Program Nursing Director

For over 20 years, Dr. Stacey L. Rosenberg has been in higher education. She joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2014 as adjunct graduate faculty. Her focus centers on emerging credentials and flexible learning models to meet the needs of today’s learners.

Rosenberg has taught at a myriad of education levels and is extensively experienced in curriculum development and accreditation. She is also a board-certified Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist and a Certified Nurse Educator who has a clinical history in acute and skilled care, as well as employee, community and public health.

Rosenberg is co-chair and co-creator of the award-winning Higher Education and Real-World Training (HEaRT) experiential learning model. She designs and implements stackable badging for undergraduate and graduate curricula. Additionally, she serves as an international speaker with a focus on nursing education.

Rosenberg earned her DNP and MSN from Winona State University, BSN from the University of Iowa and AAS from North Iowa Area Community College.

Sonya Blevins DNP, RN, CMSRN, CNE

Associate Dean, Nursing

Dr. Sonya Blevins’ time in higher education began in 2002. She joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2017 as clinical faculty in the graduate nursing program and, just two years later, transitioned to associate dean.

Over the years, Blevins has taught at the associate, bachelor's and master's degree levels in clinical, onsite and online settings. Her areas of interest include online education, simulation and mentoring nurse educators. In addition to her work as a Certified Nurse Educator, Blevins is a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse. Her clinical experience has been in critical care, medical-surgical and women’s health nursing.

Blevins is a member of the American Nurses Association, South Carolina Board of Directors for the South Carolina League for Nursing and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She’s a manuscript reviewer for MEDSURG Nursing and has several publications focusing on the nurse educator role in the same journal.

Blevins earned her DNP from the University of South Alabama, MSN from Syracuse University and BSN from Clemson University.

Christina Nieves, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Associate Dean, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Christina Nieves joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2021 as an associate dean.

Prior to her time at SNHU, Nieves spent several years in academic administration developing curriculum for a range of nursing programs, in addition to teaching graduate students in clinical, lab and online settings. Nieves is also an experienced family nurse practitioner and the owner of a private practice. As a nurse, she spent 15 years honing her skills in adult critical care trauma, home care, medical surgical and geriatrics.

Nieves is a three-time Pinnacle Award recipient and published author in “The HeArt of Nursing: Expressions of Creative Art in Nursing,” editions one and two. Further, she is a peer reviewer for Fairfield University and judge for Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Nieves earned her DNP from Kent State University, Expressive Arts in Healthcare Certificate from Salve Regina University, MSN with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration and BSN from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and ADN from Palm Beach State College.

Carol Allen EdD, RN

Faculty Lead, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Carol Allen joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2012 as assistant dean of nursing. In her current position, she teaches patient-centered assessment and health literacy and mentors fellow faculty in best practices for online course delivery.

Prior to her time at SNHU, Allen worked as a senior lecturer for the University of Massachusetts Boston’s RN-BS program for over three years. She also spent nearly two decades as a registered nurse at Franciscan Hospital for Children in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

In 2021, Allen received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. She currently serves as the chair of commission on nursing practice for New Hampshire Nurses Association and is an advisory board member for A.T. Still University’s MED/EdD Council.

Allen earned her EdD in Educational Leadership from SNHU, MSN from the University of Massachusetts Boston, BSN from Boston College and certification in American Sign Language from Northeastern University.

Lokelani Ahyo DNP, RN,CNE

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Dr. Lokelani Ahyo joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2016 as an adjunct professor and team lead in the undergraduate nursing program. She transitioned in 2018 to her current position, where she’s been instrumental in the continued development of the university’s nursing program.

Ahyo’s clinical specialty is in women’s health and obstetrics. Before her time at SNHU, she was a nurse specialist in perinatology and nurse manager. Ahyo was also a clinical adjunct professor at Arizona Western College who taught students about obstetrics nursing.

In 2021, Ahyo received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. She has presented on topics like individualizing online education and using creativity to address workplace stress.

Ahyo earned her DNP with an emphasis in Nursing Education Leadership, MSN and BSN from Grand Canyon University, in addition to her ASN from Arizona Western College. She is a Certified Nurse Educator.

Lisa E. Bechok DNP, RN, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Dr. Lisa Bechok joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2015 with a demonstrated history of higher education experience.

Bechok’s background includes a doctoral education with a specialization in educational theory, foundation and adult learning. She is highly skilled in adult learning, educational theory and foundation, curriculum development and more.

In 2019, Bechok was one of eight doctoral students in the nation selected to receive the NLN Faculty Educator Scholarship Award. She was the recipient of the Clint Jones New Hampshire Nurse of the Year Award in 2006.

Bechok earned her DNP and MSN from the University of New Hampshire. She holds a BS in Behavioral Science from Granite State College and is a Certified Nurse Educator.

Mandy T. Bell DNP, MSN, BSN, RN

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Mandy T. Bell joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2018 with over 15 years’ experience in higher education. Since her start at the university, she has also taken on the role of MSN capstone coordinator.

Bell has been a registered nurse since 1979. Her clinical practice experience encompasses several leadership and system management roles, like clinical coordinator and director of maternal child health and pediatrics.

Over the span of her career, Bell has been nominated for a myriad of awards, including March of Dimes Nurse of the Year and Faculty of the Year from Northern Virginia Community College.

Bell earned her DNP, MSN and BSN from George Mason University, along with her Diploma in Nursing from Beth Israel School of Nursing.

Debra Blackwell PhD, WHNP-BC, RNC-OB, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Dr. Deborah Blackwell has over 25 years of experience in healthcare and education. In 2018, she joined Southern New Hampshire University.

Before her time at SNHU, Blackwell taught at Capella University, Northeastern University and the University of South Carolina. She was also dean of School of Nursing at Carolinas College of Health Sciences for nearly 15 years. Though Blackwell is certified in several areas of nursing, her areas of specialization are maternal-neonatal and women’s health nursing.

Blackwell has been named one of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina.

Blackwell earned her PhD in Parent-Child Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin,
post-master’s certificate in women’s health care nurse practitioner from the University of South Carolina, MS in Maternal-Child Nursing from the University of Delaware and BSN from Radford University. She holds a certificate in nursing education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a Certified Nurse Educator, Certified Inpatient Obstetric Nurse and Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.

Jacquelyne Bodea, DNP, RN, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Jacquelyne Bodea has over a decade of experience in higher education. She joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2022 and greatly enjoys mentoring future generations of nurses.

Bodea has provided women’s health and midwifery care to residents of her home state of Georgia, in addition to native Alaskan women and families. Currently, Bodea offers mental healthcare to people of all ages in rural Georgia.

In 2017, Bodea was the recipient of Frontier Nursing University’s Circle of Caring Award. She’s a member of both the American Psychiatric Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Bodea earned her post-graduate certificate in psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner from Liberty University, DNP from Augusta University, Certified-Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from Frontier Nursing University, MS in Midwifery from Thomas Jefferson University, BSN from Augusta University and ADN from Clayton State University. She is a Certified Nurse Educator, Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.

Emily Bombard DNP, RN, CNL, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Emily Bombard joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2020. She supports students and adjunct faculty, evaluates and creates curriculum, and helped develop the MSN Nurse Educator track.

Bombard’s clinical practice background is in acute care lactation consulting, maternal newborn care, and labor and delivery. She worked at Exeter Hospital for nearly 15 years as both a nurse clinical leader and lactation consultant.

Bombard was honored with the New Hampshire Breastfeeding Task Force Recognition Award. She’s an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the National League for Nursing.

Bombard earned her DNP and MSN from the University of New Hampshire and BS in Biology from Framingham State College. She is a Clinical Nurse Leader and Certified Nurse Educator.

Karen Brooks Esq., EdD, MSN, RN

Faculty Lead, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Karen Brooks joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2013.

In 2021, Brooks was appointed to the New Mexico Board of Nursing for a four-year term by the governor of New Mexico. She serves as co-liaison to the Nursing Education Advisory Committee, a standing statutory committee of the New Mexico Board of Nursing.

Brooks earned her JD and EdD from Temple University, MSN from the University of Pennsylvania and BSN from Millersville University.

Barbara Brophy DNP, MSN, MHA, RN

Faculty Lead, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Barbara Brophy has nearly a decade of experience in higher education. She joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2018, and she sits on the program accreditation committee.

Brophy’s primary clinical background is in women’s and children’s health and the emergency department, though she has worked in a multitude of settings. Before becoming a teacher, she was a nurse manager, responsible for the operation of acute care for inpatients and outpatients. One of her greatest passions is giving people a sense of control over their own health destiny through patient teaching.

Advisership is another area of Brophy’s expertise: She’s a mentor for both the Higher Education and Real-World Training (HEaRT) Global Challenge and the capstone.

Brophy earned her DNP from Chamberlain University, MSN and Master of Healthcare Administration from University of Phoenix, BSN from Prairie View A&M University and ADN from Excelsior University.

Learn more about Dr. Brophy in this faculty Q&A.

Dr. Nicholas Carte, PhD, AGNP-CAPRN

Faculty Lead, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Nicholas Carte has over a decade of experience in higher education, joining Southern New Hampshire University in 2012.

Before SNHU, Carte taught at several institutions, including Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Northern Essex Community College and Labouré College of Healthcare. He also held positions as a nurse practitioner and staff nurse. At present, he is certified as a nurse practitioner to treat opioid addiction and an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.

Journal of Emergency Medicine Forecast and Journal of Intensive Critical Care Nursing are just two of many publications in which Carte has authored works. He’s been a reviewer for Nursing Education Perspective since 2018.

Carte earned his PhD in Nursing from University of Phoenix, PMC in Patient Safety and Quality from Southern New Hampshire University, post-master’s certificate in adult-gerontology nurse practitioner from the University of Massachusetts Boston, MSN from University of Phoenix and BSN from West Virginia University.

Dr. Carte can speak as a subject matter expert about the role of nurse practitioners in healthcare, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and advanced health assessment. Media members interested in interviewing him should email media@snhu.edu.

Elizabeth Christman DNP, RN, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Dr. Elizabeth Christman joined Southern New Hampshire University part time as adjunct faculty in 2016. She transitioned into her current role in 2018. Behind the scenes, Christman serves on the nursing continuing professional development team and leads pilot initiatives to support students.

Prior to SNHU, Christman worked as an educator for Wisconsin Technical College System. Her clinical practice background is in cardiac critical care and post-anesthesia care.

In 2020, Christman received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty.

Christman earned her DNP from Liberty University and MSN and BSN from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She is a Certified Nurse Educator.

Kristi Dalby DNP, RN, CNE

Faculty Lead, Undergraduate Nursing

Dr. Kristi Dalby has been in higher education for over a decade, joining Southern New Hampshire University in 2015.

From 2001 until 2012, Dalby was a staff and charge nurse in a multitude of acute care settings, including the intensive care unit, stepdown unit and emergency department. She began her teaching journey at College of the Sequoias and Western Governors University.

Over the years, Dalby has received multiple awards, including the D2L Excellence Award from Higher Education and Real-World Training’s (HEaRT) and the Advisors Recognizing Excellence Award from SNHU. She has presented at University Professional Continuing Education Association Regions Week and the International Webinar on Nursing Education and Practice.

Dalby earned her DNP and BSN from the University of Missouri and MSN from the University of North Dakota. She is a Certified Nurse Educator.

Kelsey Deters MSN, FNP-C, RN

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Kelsey Deters joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2016 with nearly a decade of experience in higher education.

Deters was previously a course instructor at Maryville University. She also worked for over five years as a nurse practitioner and RN in healthcare facilities throughout St. Louis, Missouri.

Deters has received the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty and was awarded Rookie of the Year by Western Governors University.

Deters earned her MSN-FNP and BSN from Maryville University. She’s currently pursuing her DNP with a concentration in Nurse Education from Regis College.

Kimberly Gibbons DNP, RN, CNM, CNL, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Kimberly Gibbons joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2018 with nearly 15 years of experience in higher education. She also serves as MSN-CNL coordinator and team lead for graduate nursing faculty.

Before SNHU, Gibbons taught at the University of New Hampshire. She also spent nearly two decades working in Exeter Hospital’s Family Center as both a staff nurse and Clinical Nurse Leader.

In 2020, Gibbons was recognized for her outstanding contributions and commitment to SNHU nursing with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty.

Gibbons earned her DNP from the University of New Hampshire, MS in Nurse Midwifery from University of Minnesota and BSN from Saint Anselm College. She is also a Certified Nurse Midwife and Certified Nurse Educator.

Crissy A. Hunter DNP, RN, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Chrissy Hunter has over a decade of experience in higher education.

Hunter previously taught at Boise State University and Sheridan College. She’s active in volunteer work, having served as an RN for Kanakuk Ministries since 2015 and a disaster health services lead for the American Red Cross since 2020.

Hunter earned her DNP in Educational Leadership from American Sentinel University, MSN in Nursing Education from the University of Wyoming, BSN from University of Phoenix and ADN from Maric College. She is a Certified Nurse Educator and Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator.

Esther M. Johnstone DNP, MSN, RN, CNOR

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Esther M. Johnstone joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2019. She coordinates curriculum and supports MSN-level learners.

Prior to SNHU, Johnstone was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, where she instructed undergraduates pursuing a BSN. She was also a DNP capstone mentor at Capella University and online academic nursing coach for Instructional Connections.

Johnstone is a member of Golden Key International Honour Society and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She’s a peer reviewer for multitude of publications, including the Journal of Professional Nursing, and has been published in AORN Journal.

Johnstone earned her DNP from Walden University, MSN from University of Phoenix, Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from St. Joseph’s College and AAS from Raritan Valley Community College.

Maude McGill PhD, MSN, RN-BC, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Maude McGill has over a decade of experience in higher education. In 2019, she joined Southern New Hampshire University.

McGill’s history in academia includes the roles of chief nurse administrator and assistant professor of nursing at Regent University, as well as director of nursing at ECPI University and assistant professor of nursing at William Carey University. Since 2018, she has served as the director of operations for McGill Ministries, a nonprofit community operant in Mississippi, and is regularly responsible for grants that allocate funds to food pantries and missions.

The peer-reviewed journal American Nurse Today has repeatedly published McGill’s works. She is a constituent league advisor and Committee Member for the National League for Nursing’s CCL National Division.

McGill earned her PhD in Nursing Education and Administration and MSN and BSN from William Carey University. She holds a certification in gerontology nursing and is a Certified Nurse Educator.

Katina Schwartzhoff, MSN, RN

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Katina Schwartzhoff joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2019 as adjunct faculty.

Prior to her time at SNHU, Schwartzhoff worked at the Mayo Clinic Health System as a Certified Nurse Educator. She also spent several years as a home health and community care RN at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Schwartzhoff earned her MSN in Nursing Education from SNHU and BSN from Viterbo University. She is a doctoral candidate at Capella University.

Debra K. Sowell DNP, RN

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

Dr. Debra K. Sowell joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2016 as adjunct faculty, bringing with her decades of experience in healthcare and higher education. In 2018, she transitioned to her current position.

Sowell previously taught at Stephen F. Austin State University, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and Angelina College. She also worked in a clinical setting for nearly 20 years at St. Joseph’s Mercy Health Center.

To help others improve the quality and safety of healthcare delivery, Sowell serves as a patient safety quality capstone coordinator.

Sowell earned her DNP from Duquesne University, MSN and BSN from South University and Diploma in Nursing from Baptist Medical System School of Nursing.

Sandy Strouse DNP, MSN, RN

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Dr. Sandy Strouse joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2018 as adjunct faculty with a demonstrated history in higher education. A year later, she transitioned to her current role.

In addition to her work at SNHU, Strouse has been a charge nurse in the post-anesthesia care unit at Riverside Regional Medical Center since 2020. Before that, she spent several years as both an emergency department charge nurse and medical/surgical charge nurse.

Strouse is an accomplished conference speaker and organizer. She has presented at events like SNHU’s Gather Conference and Riverside College’s Professional Enrichment Workshop.

Strouse earned her DNP in Educational Leadership from American Sentinel University, MS in Nursing Education from Walden University and Diploma in Nursing from Riverside School of Professional Nursing.

AnnMarie Vang DNP, RN-BC, CNE

Clinical Faculty, Undergraduate Nursing

Dr. AnnMarie Vang has over a decade of experience in higher education. She joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2017 as adjunct faculty, transitioning to her current role in 2020.

Vang is highly skilled in curriculum development, team leadership and accreditation. Prior to SNHU, she was a program manager at Western Governors University for nearly seven years. Vang also has a demonstrated history in healthcare, having worked as a clinical nurse at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation.

Vang earned her DNP from Aspen University, MSN and BSN from Western Governors University and ADN from Central Lakes College. She is a Certified Nurse Educator and holds a certification in nursing professional development.

Alana Wood, DNP, RN

Clinical Faculty, Graduate Nursing

In 2021, Dr. Alana Wood joined Southern New Hampshire University, bringing with her over a decade of experience in teaching and higher education.

Wood is well practiced in clinical settings, having spent time as both an RN and APRN.

Wood earned her DNP from Purdue University, MSN from Herzing University, BSN from Kaplan University and ASN from Advent University (formerly Florida Hospital College). She also holds a MEd from the University of Central Florida and BS in Biology-Chemistry from College of Mount St. Joseph. Wood is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner through American Nurses Credentialing Center.

Laura Beaudoin, MEd

Clinical Experiences and Health Professions Process Manager

Laura Beaudoin joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2011 as a graduate academic advisor for MBA programs. After several years in advising, Beaudoin became the primary advisor for healthcare and nursing programs. She joined the nursing academic team in 2014 as clinical placement facilitator and transitioned to her current role in 2018.

Beaudoin is an experienced secondary educator and has contributed to SNHU as an adjunct instructor since 2014. She also supports compliance, accreditation and continuing education efforts for the nursing team.

Prior to her time at SNHU, Beaudoin was a high school English and humanities teacher.

In 2019, Beaudoin was awarded the Sonia Pioneer Award by Sonia Clinical Tracking Systems for her unique contributions in the areas of training, processes and student engagement. She has also received the University Mover & Shaker Award from the University of New Hampshire.

Beaudoin earned her MEd in Secondary Education and BA in English Teaching from the University of New Hampshire. She also holds an Experienced Educator Certificate from the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Kelsey Butler, BS

Clinical Placement Facilitator

Kelsey Butler joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2012 as an academic advisor. After dedicating eight years to the position, she transitioned to her current role.

Butler earned her BS in Marketing from the University of Tampa.

Jequie Dixon, DNP, MSN, RN, PMC

MSN Clinical Coordinator

Dr. Jequie Dixon joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2017 with a demonstrated history in education.

In addition to teaching, Dixon is an active hospitalist nurse practitioner in Georgia. She’s worked in a variety of healthcare settings over the years, including the Air Force, where she was both a clinical nurse and disease manager.

Dixon earned her DNP and post-master’s certificate in nursing education from Duke University, MSN in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and BSN from the University of South Alabama.

Stacey Pippenger, MEd, BA

Clinical Placement Facilitator

Stacey Pippenger first joined Southern New Hampshire University as an academic advisor in 2010. She moved to her current position in 2021.

For nearly two decades, Pippenger has held roles in higher education administration. Prior to SNHU, Pippenger worked at DeVry University, University of New Hampshire School of Law, Daniel Webster College and Bridgewater State College.

Pippenger earned her MA in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University and BA in English from Bridgewater State University.

Lynell U. Rogers, MSN, RN, CLNC

Nursing Affiliates Contract Manager

Lynell U. Rogers joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2020 with several years of higher education experience.

In addition to teaching, Rogers also has a storied history in healthcare. She began her career in Hawaii at Wahiawa General Hospital and later moved to the continental United States, where she worked at the University of Alabama Medical Center.

In 2009, she received Gamma Psi Chapter-At-Large Sigma Theta Tau’s Educator of the Year Award.

Rogers earned her MSN, BSN and ASN from University of Phoenix. She completed Med-Assist School of Hawaii’s CMA program and the American Red Cross’ CNA program. Rogers is pursuing her DNP from Chaminade University.

Philosophy

Psychology

Sociology

STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Dr. Susan McKenzie

Senior Associate Dean

Dr. Susan McKenzie has worked in the advancement of STEM fields for over thirty years, focused on reducing the barriers that inhibit the learning and application of math and science. Susan completed her MS in Experimental Physical Chemistry at Boston College and published her dissertation on “Gas Phase Kinetics of Halomethane Gases with Boron Atoms.” Prior to working in the field of education, she worked as a program director in the wireless and airline industry, and as a senior scientist for the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Susan completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership at SNHU and published her dissertation on “Factors in Engineering Educational Persistence: The Correlation Between Identity and Self-Efficacy.” She currently holds the position of sr. associate dean of programs for mathematics, science and data analytics. In this role, Susan is responsible for defining and developing new and current programs and courses. She ensures that programs and courses are high-quality with clear and relevant outcomes, assessments and student learning pathways.

Dr. Ann Marie Moynihan

Associate Dean

Dr. Ann Marie Moynihan is an associate dean on the STEM team at Southern New Hampshire University where she oversees Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Management Information Systems courses. Dr. Moynihan earned her PhD at Nova Southeastern University, where she specialized in conflict analysis and resolution. She holds an MBA and a MS in Business Education from New Hampshire College, now known as Southern New Hampshire University, and a BS in Business Administration from Merrimack College.

She has worked in several industries including high-tech, medical devices, industrial lighting, textile, toys, real estate and property management. She has experience teaching both on ground and online at Southern New Hampshire University and other institutions.

Dr. Moynihan’s special interests include Women in STEM, cybersecurity and conflict management systems. Her dissertation is an autoethnographical exploration which focuses on structural violence in the New Hampshire Family Court System. Her dedication to removing structural barriers for individuals, groups and women in STEM aligns with SNHU’s mission to expand access to education while empowering our students to transform their lives and the lives of those around them.

Cheryl Frederick

Executive Director, STEM (Interim)

Cheryl Frederick joined SNHU in 2014 and has worked in online higher education since 2005. In her leadership in online higher education, she has worked in team management, curriculum design, faculty management and student support. She conceptualizes and develops industry-relevant curriculum that drives student success. She is skilled in systems thinking, academic administration, agile methodologies and competency-based education.

Prior to working in higher education, Cheryl worked in software development for a variety of industries, including aerospace, telecommunications and televised sports.

She holds a BS and MS in Computer Engineering from the University of Central Florida. Cheryl is earning her PhD in Educational Technology with a planned graduation date in 2021. Her special interests include active learning, adaptive learning technologies, women in STEM and digital credentials.

Curtis George

Technical Program Facilitator for Computer Science, STEM

Curtis George brings over 20 years of experience as a senior engineer working on various projects, from embedded systems for military aircraft to enterprise software for NASA/NOAA. Before working for SNHU, Curtis worked as a senior software engineer for the NOAA Comprehensive Large Array-data Stewardship System (CLASS) project. Curtis also worked as a senior applications engineer with NASA to create software for satellites for predicting hazardous weather patterns (GOES-R and JPSS), developed a roleplaying game to acclimate international students to American campuses and even created an award-winning Spanish verb conjugation mobile application.

Curtis started his career in the Navy on a special operations boat where he earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal, National Defense Service medal, Navy Expeditionary medal and a Meritorious Unit Commendation medal.

He earned his BS in Computer Science from Chapman University and his MS in Computer Science from Nova Southeastern University. Curtis is now working towards his PhD in Computer Science from Northcentral University, which he expects to finish in 2020.

Daniel Gannon

Associate Dean of STEM Foundations

Daniel Gannon is an innovative educator who has held many university positions over the past 6 years at SNHU, and is currently serving as the associate dean of STEM foundations. He holds degrees from Keene State College and Northeastern University and has been working in academia since 2011. His work focuses on supporting new and underserved student populations through the development and implementation of high-impact practices in the classroom.

Gannon is always searching for intersections between civic engagement, leadership development and post-secondary education. He believes that it is through these pathways which individuals are able to develop new perspectives on their identity and their role in society while leveraging their newfound professional skills for the betterment of their community.

Gannon can speak as a subject matter expert about education policy, supporting underserved student populations, supporting student success in STEM and STEM education. Media members interested in interviewing him should email media@snhu.edu.

Jonathan Kamyck

Associate Dean

Jonathan Kamyck earned MS degrees in both information assurance and organizational leadership, and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He currently serves as associate dean for cybersecurity in the STEM professions at Southern New Hampshire University.

Dave Numme

Senior Associate Dean

Dave Numme has over 20 years of experience in a wide variety of IT roles in different sectors. Over a dozen of those years have been spent in higher education including ten years in online education. As an adult learner, he is familiar with the challenges that students face and knows what it takes to be successful. Outside of his work, he can be found volunteering at various educational events including FIRST Robotics and the Global Mentorship Initiative. Dave is dedicated to providing increased opportunities for the under-represented in technology.

Dr. David Sze

Technical Program Facilitator – Mathematics

David Sze is a technical program facilitator in mathematics. His responsibilities include supporting the ongoing development and improvement of mathematics, statistics and related courses. He has taught online at SNHU since 2007. He has also taught for a number of other universities – both online and on campus – and has contributed to several mathematics and statistics textbooks.

Prior to his academic career, David worked in technology consulting. He managed a consulting practice that provided planning, testing, and systems integration services to clients in the US, Canada and Mexico. He started his career in constructing stochastic models for large queuing networks.

David has a PhD in Mathematics and a MS in Statistics from the University of Chicago. He also has an AB in Mathematics from Harvard University.

Mark Gruen

Associate Dean

Mark Gruen has been with SNHU since 2013, working with students of all ages and experiences. Prior to coming to SNHU, Gruen taught physics and mathematics in the Boston Public Schools, where he was a part of the initial group of teachers in Boston’s first fully inclusive high school.

While at SNHU, Gruen was selected as part of ACHE’s (American College of Healthcare Executives) first class for its Emerging Leaders Institute. He is a Certified Professional Coach and an active foster parent in the Manchester area.

Gruen received his MEd in Physics Education from the University of Massachusetts-Boston and his BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University.

Jane Morgan

Associate Dean of STEM

Jane Morgan has been teaching at SNHU since 2014 and began as a team lead in 2017. Her diverse background in medical device engineering, teaching and administration has been important and formative as she shares her passion for math and engineering with faculty and students at SNHU. She came to SNHU after working at several independent high schools teaching math as well as serving as dean of studies.

Jane earned both her BS and MS in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. Her Master’s research work focused on the mechanical properties of brittle bone cements. She is active in her community serving on both the School Committee and Town Meeting.

Max Callahan

Associate Dean of STEM, Game Art & Development

Max Callahan received a Master of Design in Digital Design from Philadelphia University and a BA in Integrative Arts (Film/Art) from Pennsylvania State University. His master’s thesis explored narrative animation for the full-dome format exhibited in planetariums and science centers.

Callahan has over 15 years of experience as a classroom and online instructor and subject matter expert. He began his career as an art director and prop master in the independent film industry in Los Angeles before transitioning to 3D modeling and animation and game production. He ran the character department at an animation firm in Philadelphia and now works as a freelance artist on various animation and game production projects as a character designer, modeler, rigger, animator and motion-capture specialist.

Learn more about Callahan in this faculty Q&A.

Jill Nugent

Associate Dean

Jill Nugent serves as associate dean for science. She has twenty years of experience in science and science education in a variety of environments including a natural science museum, a large public school district and three universities. She is a contributing author for the NSTA Press publication Citizen Science: 15 lessons that bring biology to life, and writes a monthly column on Citizen Science.

Jill serves on the university’s sustainability committee, and also serves as a project leader for SNHU’s annual Global Days of Service. She is dedicated to bringing authentic science engagement opportunities to the curricular and co-curricular learning landscape.

Ben Tasker

Technical Program Facilitator

Ben Tasker joined Southern New Hampshire University in 2020 as a technical program facilitator. In addition, he owns a consulting business, solving data science problems for Fortune 500 companies, small business and even the White House.

Prior to joining SNHU, Tasker was the manager of analytics and data warehousing for the College System of New Hampshire where he led data scientists and helped develop an algorithm that flagged students at risk of failure. He also holds a clinical professorship there as an instructor of data science.

Tasker earned his Master of Science in Data Analytics and Data Science from the University of New Hampshire.

Dr. Kelly Thrippleton-Hunter

Technical Program Facilitator, Math

Degrees, Certifications
Master of Arts in Teaching in Science, Western Governors University, 2015
Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental Toxicology, University of California Riverside, 2009
Bachelor of Science, Environmental Biology and Ecology, California State University Long Beach, 2002
Bachelor of Science, Zoology, California State University, Long Beach, 2002

Dr. Scott P. Overmyer

Associate Dean

Dr. Overmyer started his career in the software field in 1983 with TRW, Inc. as a user interface designer and requirements engineer on the Space Defense Operations Center project in Colorado's Cheyenne Mountain NORAD Complex. After completing several government projects with TRW, he was appointed manager of TRW's Research and Technology Center in Virginia. He earned a PhD in Information Technology (IT), while appointed as research instructor in George Mason University's Center of Excellent in Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence.

Dr. Overmyer has nearly 10 years of industrial experience, followed by nearly 30 years of academic experience. He was also awarded 2 summer faculty fellowships at NASA's Johnson Space Center, and has been a PI or co-PI on several National Science Foundation research grants. While an associate professor at Drexel University, he was also the founding director of the Pennsylvania Governor's School for Information Technology, a 5-week summer residential program for talented high school students.

Dr. Sharon Kibbe

Associate Dean, STEM

Dr. Sharon Kibbe has served in higher education as an academic leader for over twenty-five years. She is focused on technology integration, immersive/virtual world environments, mobile deployment, online education, early college high school programs and military programs. Prior to coming to Southern New Hampshire University, Dr. Kibbe served East Carolina University as the director of the Early College High School program, the project manager of Virtual/Immersive World Programs, and the project director of Saba, Moodle and Blackboard.

She developed faculty training programs for online teaching/learning, and provided expertise in web development through a variety of platforms. She is a book author, chapter author, published in national publications and presented at national, state and regional conferences. Dr. Kibbe serves as an adjunct faculty, team lead, and now the associate dean for SNHU.

Dr. Kibbe earned her PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences with a concentration in information systems management from Walden University. She holds a MaED in Instructional Technology from East Carolina University, and a BS in Business from the University of Mount Olive. Her research centers on the use of virtual worlds as a system for enhancing e-learning.

Staff

Dr. Gwen Britton

Vice President of Product Strategy

Dr. Britton has 30-plus years in both private industry and academia within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) space. She has worked in varying positions spanning a gamut of content areas including software engineering, systems administration, network administration, data analysis, database administration and design, web development engineering, cyber-defense, mathematics and computer science. Her expertise is around strategic opportunity, active management, engaged leadership and higher education administration.

In her current role, Dr. Britton is mission-driven and passionate about identifying and evaluating innovative educational opportunities and technologies that support diverse leaners in achieving their goals personalized to best suit their needs.

Previously she served as the associate vice president of both business and STEM for SNHU’s online programs. She has helped grow opportunities for non-traditional university students from under-represented populations by spearheading virtual and experiential learning opportunities and competitions in technology certification preparation, data analysis, internet of things and capture the flag. She has also helped organize and has participated in events focused on under-represented k-12 student populations and works to engage and interest future STEM students through events such as FIRST Robotics, the hour of code, girls in technology day and the science of soccer.

Media members interested in interviewing Dr. Britton should email media@snhu.edu.

Dr. Faby Gagné

Executive Director, SNHU Labs

Dr. Gagné is the founding executive director of Southern New Hampshire University’s research and development unit, SNHU Labs. She oversees a team committed to surfacing the requirements needed to build the 2030 learner-centered ecosystem by experimenting with emerging technology and new learning models. She joined SNHU in 2015 as the institutional research analyst for College for America, the university’s competency-based program, after 15 years of teaching and engaging in research.

Dr. Gagné holds a PhD in experimental social psychology from McGill University. Her teaching career began in 2001 at Marianopolis College located in the heart of Montreal. This was followed by a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship and visiting scholar position at Wellesley College where she examined personality differences and social support in goal pursuit strategies.

In 2015, she was awarded the Distinguished Faculty Award by the University System of New Hampshire. She was recently recognized as a New Hampshire Innovator by the Union Leader and her team’s innovative work has received several awards. Her academic work on decision-making and goal implementation won the Society of Experimental Social Psychology Dissertation Award, was recognized by the John Templeton Foundation and the Canadian Psychological Association, was published in top-tier journals such as the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin and the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology and was featured in The New Yorker and The Chronicle of Higher Education. The work has been supported by Google.org, the Hewlett Foundation, the March of Dimes Foundation, the Canadian Institute for Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) and the Fonds pour la Formation de Chercheurs et l’Aide à la Recherche (FCAR).

Dr. Gagné can speak as a subject matter expert in the future of higher education, digital credentials and assessments, AI and higher education, VR/AR in higher education, the importance of cultural inclusivity and learning environment in fostering learner identity, sense of self and motivation to persist. Media members interested in contacting her for an interview should email media@snhu.edu.

Dr. Jan Wyatt

Associate Vice President, Global Campus

In his current role as associate vice president of Southern New Hampshire University’s Global Campus, Dr. Jan Wyatt focuses on student outcomes, academic quality, effectiveness and efficiency, fiscal responsibility and creating appropriate and engaging learner experiences.

Wyatt leads based on the principle that organizational success is inextricably dependent on the success of the people and teams within the organization. As a result, he works to build highly engaged, motivated, results-oriented teams that drive the organization to fulfill its mission of learner transformation.

Wyatt earned his PhD in Organization and Management from Capella University, an MBA from SNHU, an MS in Higher Education Administration from Kaplan University and a BS in Marketing from Florida International University.

He has also completed leadership development and executive training programs, studying negotiations at Harvard University Law and leading innovation and change at University of California Berkeley Online.

Wyatt can speak as a subject expert on focusing on execution and results and creating value for students in online programs. Media members interested in an interview should email media@snhu.edu.

Contact Us

Siobhan Lopez

Assistant Director of Media Relations

603.567.4589

Libby May

Senior VP, External Relations and Communications

603.645.9698

Lauren Keane

Assistant Vice President, Communications

603.645.9789

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