Online Faculty Leaders

Executive Director

Kimberly Blanchette is the Executive Director of Business at Southern New Hampshire University’s Global Campus. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Associate Dean

Dr. Zuzana Buzzell currently serves as Faculty Lead for Business at Southern New Hampshire University’s Center for Online and Continuing Education and has been in higher education for the past 13 years. Dr. Buzzell primarily teaches and designs International Business and Finance courses in traditional, hybrid, and online settings. She has 10 years experience in the finance and investment industry. Her current research interests with regard to international business are real estate financing, cryptocurrency hedging and banking systems.

Dr. Buzzell earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies (2000) before moving on to earn her MBA in Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University (2002), Master of Science in Finance from Southern New Hampshire University (2005). She also earned her Ph.D. in International Business from Southern New Hampshire University (2013).

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.

Associate Dean

Dr. Katie Carpen has over 12 years of leadership, management and human resource experience in the consulting, recruitment, mortgage finance and higher education industries. Dr. Carpen also has two years of board advisory experience. She has served in a variety of capacities in higher education, including as Adjunct Faculty, Subject Matter Expert, Faculty Lead and Associate Dean.

Dr. Carpen earned her B.A. in Law & Liberal Arts and her MBA in Organizational Leadership from The University of Findlay. She also earned her Ph.D. in Organization and Management with a specialization in Human Resource Management from Capella University. Dr. Carpen earned the following certificates: Peer Reviewer Course (PRC) from Quality Matters, Strategic Intervention Coach (RMT200) from Robbins-Madanes, Social + Emotional Intelligence Coach (SEIC) from the Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence and Yoga Teacher (RYT200) from Yoga Alliance.

She is also a Board Certified Coach with designations in Executive and Business Coaching through the Center for Credentialing & Education.

Dr. Carpen is a professional member of the following associations: Academy of Management, Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence, Society for Human Resource Management and Yoga Alliance. Dr. Carpen held volunteer positions at Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Utah, United Way and currently volunteers at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens.

Associate Dean

Christina Dumeng serves as Associate Dean of Business Programs at SNHU’s College of Online and Continuing Education (COCE), which offers over 200 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels catering to over 135,000 students in an online environment. She currently provides operational oversight for online undergraduate and graduate business courses including faculty management.

In addition to her role as Associate Dean she has been serving as an adjunct instructor teaching graduate business courses for SNHU since 2010. Prior to her appointment as Associate Dean, she served as a faculty Team Lead for SNHU-COCE by providing course oversight and quality control. Prior to entering academics, she has filled various leadership roles in the housing and finance industries.

Ms. Dumeng currently holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership as well as a certificate in human resource management both received from SNHU in 2009. She is a Ph.D. candidate in management and organizational leadership at Walden University. Her research interests include human behavior in the workplace.

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.

Associate Dean

Keely Griffith is an Associate Dean at Southern New Hampshire University. Ms. Griffith earned her MBA specializing in International Business. She has served in higher education for ten years in both operational and academic roles. Her professional career began in a Business Intelligence (BI) role, providing support to financial departments through data analytics and business process improvements. Her research interests include areas of cultural impact on education, instructional strategies and learning science.

Associate Dean

Dr. Rick L. Mask has been actively involved in business and education for more than 10 years. Dr. Mask has been an adjunct for SNHU at the Salem Center since 2016 and is a member of the Salem Center Faculty Advisory Board. Dr. Mask became an Associate Dean of Business in 2019. Previous to his work with SNHU Dr. Mask held various positions in retail and banking. Serving as an Associate Vice President in the banking industry, Dr. Mask co-created training around enhancing the customer experience in the business environment. Serving as a Senior Operations Manager in big box retail, Dr. Mask also helped to facilitate training initiatives that developed middle managers to increase managerial bench strength and identify key talent. In addition, Dr. Mask is a public speaker, author and small business owner. Dr. Mask also serves as a member of the Nashua Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Advocacy Committee and is passionate about educational legislation and the future of education in an ever-changing digital environment.

Dr. Mask received his Doctorate of Business Administration with a focus in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management from the Department of Business Management at Capella University, a Masters’ Degree in Education from Bethel University and is currently continuing his educational journey by working toward an MBA in Economics from Southern New Hampshire University.

Associate Dean

Dr. Jessica Rogers has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses in Marketing for almost a decade, and has 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 B.S. and M.S in Marketing from Texas A&M University-Commerce; and her Ph.D. in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from Northcentral University. Her research centers around organic social media marketing engagement, brand loyalty, and Gen X females.

Associate Dean

Nicole Soto has served with Southern New Hampshire University since 2014, bringing with her a passion for Economics education and teaching. As an adjunct faculty member and as a Faculty Lead, she has sought to find innovative ways to engage students in their coursework, train and motivate fellow faculty members and use course data to improve our pedagogical practices. She leverages her experience outside of academia, working with Fortune 500 companies, where she developed skills in business analytics and project management.

Ms. Soto earned her B.A. in International Relations and Economics from Tufts University, where her area of focus was on Economic Development in Latin America. During that time, she also studied at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid in Madrid, Spain. After her undergraduate work, she continued at Tufts University for her M.A. in Economics. She is the proud mother of 4 children and active in her community, including serving on the town’s appointed Finance Committee.

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.

Faculty Lead

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.

Faculty Lead

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.

Learn more about Newhouse-Bailey in this faculty Q&A.

Finance 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.

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.

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.

Learn more about Stephens in this faculty Q&A.

Technical Program Facilitator, Business

Dr. Sleeman has extensive experience in big data analytics and applied data science, mathematical and statistical modeling and technical research team leadership in commercial, government and academic settings. She is experienced in data mining and machine learning techniques, big data architecture, deep learning and Agile methodologies. She holds a PhD in Mathematics from Drexel University and a MS in Computer Science from Monmouth University. Her PhD concentrations were in applied probability and statistics, stochastic processes, numerical analysis, and real variables.

She began her career as a programmer/analyst for the Enhanced Naval War Gaming System and moved into designing and coding simulations for Anti-Submarine Warfare acoustic data as a computer engineer for the Navy. She secured her PhD and moved into satellite communications with the Iridium project, secure communications, cable system capacity planning, global mobile system deployments for emerging markets, adaptive learning, mobile data insights and financial services data science projects and research team leadership. At Southern New Hampshire University, she’s an adjunct for graduate Data Analytics and a STEM technical program facilitator. She has numerous publications and is the co-author of two books on research methods. She is also member of the Board of Trustees for NorthEast Regional Computing Program (NERCOMP) and serves as their assistant treasurer.

Associate Dean

Karen Wilkinson offers over 30 years of communication, marketing, fundraising, public information and training experience via the corporate and government sectors. She has proudly served SNHU since 2012, becoming a faculty lead for communication in 2014. Karen enjoys finding innovative ways to enlighten her communication students, engage and collaborate with fellow faculty members, and further integrate educational technology into the online learning environment. 

Karen earned a BA in Community Studies (Media Literacy) from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and an MA in English: Technical & Professional Communication from East Carolina University. She is currently pursuing her EdD in Curriculum and Instruction: Educational Technology concentration from the University of South Carolina. She holds a LEAD (Leading, Educating and Developing) Certification from the University of Virginia and Certification in Municipal & County Administration for Government Officials from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Associate Dean

Amanda Groves currently serves as associate dean for composition. She first started with SNHU as an adjunct faculty member in 2012 before stepping into the lead faculty role in 2013. She now works to support both students and faculty within SNHU’s Writing Across the Curriculum initiative and oversees curriculum and instruction for composition courses.

Grove’s academic concentration includes composition and rhetoric and student empowerment through writing, especially in First-Year Composition. Before her time at SNHU, she worked as a writing tutor and instructor, assisting and teaching writers at all academic levels within higher education.

Associate Dean

Hannah Thompson earned her MA in English from Tarleton State University. Her thesis explored ESL teacher qualifications, linguistic imperialism and American language attitudes. She has been working in higher education for over 10 years and has experience both designing and facilitating writing and literature courses. Prior to beginning her teaching career, she worked as a writing center coach and a research assistant. Thompson joined SNHU as an adjunct instructor in 2012.

Director of Counseling Programs, Counselor Identity

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.

Director of Counseling Programs, Learning Environment

Dr. Metoka L. Welch 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. Welch is Licensed as a Professional Counselor in the State of North Carolina, is a National Certified Counselor, 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 (1) meet people where they are as they are and (2) journey with people as they become.

Welch 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, the integration of fitness, wellness, and behavior therapy, programmatic accreditation, and program outcomes.

Director of Counseling Programs, Assessment & Evaluation

Dr. Kristi Cannon received an MA in Community Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision from St. Mary's University. She is a licensed professional counselor 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.

Cannon has been a counselor educator since 2008, serving as a faculty member at the masters 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. She serves as an editorial board member for the Journal of Humanistic Counseling and the Journal for Creativity in Mental Health. Her research interests include counselor development, Relational-Cultural Theory, and assessment practices in higher education.

Director of Counseling Programs, Professional Practice

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.

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.

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.

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Victoria Austin received an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and an EdD in Counselor Education & Supervision from Marymount University. She is a licensed professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor and a nationally approved clinical supervisor.

Her clinical experience includes working in various settings from domestic violence programs and community mental health to private practice, federal agencies and military installations. She has worked with young adults, adults, couples and active duty military members and their families.

Austin has worked as a counselor educator for over 3 years serving as an adjunct faculty member in traditional and online settings. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association, serving as a proposal reviewer. Her writing and research interests include experiences of military families, body image, young African-American women and body image, grief and loss and trauma.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Michael Jones received an MA in Clinical Pastoral Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, an EdS in Professional Counseling from Harding University and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. Jones is a licensed professional counselor and clinical supervisor in the state of Arkansas. He is a National Certified Counselor, Board Certified TeleMental Health Provider and has been working in the mental health field for nearly two decades.

An active counseling professional, Jones has served as the president of the Arkansas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, president of the Arkansas Counseling Association and member of the American Counseling Association Ethics Committee. In 2018, he received the Rosenthal Award as the Counselor Educator of the Year for the state of Arkansas. He received the SACES Emerging Leader Fellowship in 2014 and the NBCC Doctoral Minority Fellowship in 2013.

His clinical experience includes treating adolescents, adults and military families. He is also a published author on the topics of telemental health counseling, social justice and biracial adults. His research areas include private practice development, clinical supervision, multiculturalism and the utilization of technology in clinical practice.

Clinical Faculty

Dr. John Marszalek received his BA from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. He received an MS in elementary education, MS in counselor education, and PhD in counselor education, all at Mississippi State University. 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 ten years.

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.

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.

Clinical Faculty

Dr. David A. Olges holds an undergraduate degree in Pre-Law (Philosophy) from Indiana University, a master's degree in Counseling from Grace College, a master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Anderson University and a doctoral degree in Counseling Education and Supervision from Regent University. Olges is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the State of Indiana and is a Nationally Certified Psychologist (NCP)

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 20 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.

Olges research interests include international counselor education, counselor education program design and evaluation, spirituality in counseling and treatment modalities for multiple sclerosis.

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.

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.

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.

Clinical Faculty

Dr. Stacee Reicherzer received an MA in Community Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from St. Mary's University. Reicherzer is a licensed professional counselor and licensed counselor supervisor.

Reicherzer has worked extensively in community mental health settings, serving the LGBT community as well as survivors of complex trauma.

As a counselor educator, Reicherzer has taught, supervised and mentored counseling students for over 10 years in both online and in-person forums. She especially enjoys teaching diversity, sexuality, and couple and family courses. She has also engaged in program assessment and leadership, and she has extensive experience in managing educational accreditation efforts.

Reicherzer pioneered new qualitative research practices to explore lived experiences for gay men, drag queens and transsexual women of color. She has published extensively in professional journals and presents frequently at professional conferences. Currently, she is working on a self-help book that addresses how experiences of being made to feel different, or "other," impact each person's life development in our marriages, our parenting and our overall mental health.

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.

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Juris Doctor, Law, Mass School of Law, 2005
Master of Arts, Criminal Justice, Anna Maria College, 1990
Bachelor of Science, Public Administration, University of Lowell, 1983

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.

Associate Dean, Creative Writing

Joan F. Smith has an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and bachelor’s degrees in English and social science from Providence College. Smith is published in fiction, nonfiction and poetry, with expertise in young adult and literary fiction. Her first novel, “The Half Orphan’s Handbook,” is forthcoming from Macmillan’s Imprint in 2021.

In her work in higher education, she has been a key player in program development for SNHU’s online MFA in Creative Writing as well as the MA in English and Creative Writing. She has extensive experience in course design in the areas of writing craft, capstone and the best practices of online teaching. She was nominated for the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2015.

She has given presentations on a variety of topics, including transforming the traditional MFA, building a diverse writing community, stripping the power dynamic in the online workshop and establishing an online teaching assistantship at national conferences such as the Association of Writers and Writing Programs and the Online Learning Consortium. Her interests include developing high-quality curriculum, improving the student and faculty educational experience and equipping students with practical skills to supplant creative careers. She is also a professional dance instructor with awards for storytelling, choreography and technique.

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.

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.

Assessment Team Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, Education and Media Design Technology, Full Sail University, 2012
Master of Education, Education, Lesley University, 1996
Bachelor of Arts, Transpersonal Psychology, Vermont College of Norwich University, 1985
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, Education and Media Design Technology, Full Sail University, 2012
Professional Life and Business Coaching Certification, University of New Hampshire, 2004

Associate Dean

Kimberly Salgado brings fifteen plus years’ experience in executive level business administration and operations, holding past positions of general manager, executive vice president of sales and marketing, and also director of operations for three Fortune 500 Companies, Marriott, Hyatt, and O.C. Tanner. Adding to this to this she has over twelve years’ experience in higher education leadership. She has held management roles in enrollment, advising, educational partnership development, academic administration and has taught as a business faculty since 2010.

Ms. Salgado is currently working on her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration and has a B.A. from Northeastern State University, and an MBA from Western International University and most recently has earned a certification in coaching with the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Associate Dean

Sloan Kelly has worked as a graphic designer and educator for over 30 years. Sloan began her career at SNHU as associate dean of graphic design and communication in 2014. She currently serves as the associate dean of fine and applied arts, encompassing programs in the fine arts, art history, digital photography and graphic design.

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Master of Arts, Higher Education, Saint Louis University, 1997
Bachelor of Science, Medical Record Administration, Saint Louis University, 1991
Bachelor of Science, Healthcare Management, Park College, 1989
Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), 1991

Learn more about Branda in this faculty Q&A.

Assessment Team Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Philosophy, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Western Michigan University, 2007
Master of Arts, Public Administration, Oakland University, 2000
Master of Science, Health Services Admin, Central Michigan University, 1997
Bachelor of Science, Nursing, University of Detroit, 1984
Associate Degree, Nursing, Lake Superior State University, 1979

Associate Dean

Dr. Rob Denning earned his MA in History from California State University Sacramento in 2004 and a doctorate in history from The Ohio State University in 2011. He has taught American and world history courses for Columbus State Community College, Columbus State University, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio State and SNHU, where he has taught full time since 2015. He regularly teaches courses on historiography and the capstone research project in the graduate history program.

Dr. Denning’s research interests include the history of American politics, environmental activism and regulation, immigration, race, the American war in Vietnam, and the American West. Recently, he has become interested in digital history and new ways to present historical information to large audiences, including podcasts and video. This interest has led him to create a biweekly podcast series on history-related careers and to serve as an editor for H-Net.

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.

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.

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.

Assessment Team Lead

Degrees, Certifications
MBA, Marketing, Westminster College, 2002
Bachelor of Science, Political Science, Idaho State University, 1997

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Southern New Hampshire University
Master of Science in Nursing, University of Massachusetts
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Boston College
Certificate in American Sign Language

Clinical Faculty

Degrees, Certifications 
Doctorate in Nursing Practice, George Mason University
Master of Science in Nursing, George Mason University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, George Mason University
Diploma in Nursing, Beth Israel School of Nursing

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Philosophy, Nursing, University of Phoenix
Post Master’s Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, University of Massachusetts-Boston
Master of Science in Nursing, University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, West Virginia University

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctorate in Leadership, University of Missouri
Master of Science in Nursing, University of North Dakota
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Missouri
Certified Nurse Educator

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Master of Science in Nursing, California State University
Bachelor of Science in Biology, University of New Hampshire
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of New Hampshire
Certified Nurse Educator

Learn more about Goss in this faculty Q&A.

Clinical Faculty

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Education, Capella University
Master of Science in Nursing, Villanova University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, LaSalle University
Certified Nurse Educator

Associate Dean

Dr. Rosenberg joined SNHU as an adjunct faculty in 2014. She became a Faculty Lead in the Graduate Nursing Program in 2015. She transitioned to the role of Associate Dean early in 2018. She is a Board Certified Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS-BC) and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). Stacey has clinical experience in acute care and community/public health. Dr. Rosenberg has taught both online, hybrid, and in face to face settings at various educational levels. She has extensive knowledge and experience in curriculum and program development and accreditation.

Dr. Rosenberg's professional interests include: community partnerships and global health interests. Her capstone project within her DNP program was entitled "An Educational Intervention Addressing Nurses' Cultural Competence." She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society and serves on the CNE Test Item Writing Committee for the National League for Nursing.

Degrees, Certifications
Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Winona State University
Master of Science in Nursing, Winona State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Iowa
Applied Science Degree-Nursing, North Iowa Area Community College
Certified Nurse Educator
Board Certified Adult Health CNS
Advanced Teaching Online, San Diego State University

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Juris Doctor, Temple University 
Doctor of Education, Temple University 
Master of Science in Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Millersville University

Associate Dean, Nursing

Dr. Blevins joined SNHU in 2017 as Clinical Faculty in the Graduate Nursing Program. In 2019, she transitioned to the Associate Dean, Nursing role. Dr Blevins is a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN). Her experience includes medical-surgical, critical care, and women’s health nursing. She has taught at the associate, bachelor's, and master's degree levels in the online, onsite, and clinical settings. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, American Nurses Association, and Manuscript Reviewer for MEDSURG Nursing. In addition, she serves as a member of the South Carolina Board of Directors for the South Carolina League for Nursing. Her areas of interest include online education, simulation, and mentoring nurse educators

Degrees, Certifications
Doctorate of Nursing Practice, University of South Alabama
Masters of Science, Syracuse University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Clemson University
Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN)

Clinical Faculty

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Nursing Practice, University of New Hampshire
Master of Science in Nurse Midwifery, University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Saint Anselm College
Clinical Nurse Leader 
Certified Nurse Midwife

Clinical Faculty

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Duquesne University
Master of Science in Nursing, South University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, South University
Diploma in Nursing, Baptist Medical System School of Nursing

Assessment Team Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Master of Business Administration, Franklin University, 2004
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, University of Phoenix, 1999

Assessment Team Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Master of Science, Management, Kaplan University, 2011
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Central Connecticut State University, 2004

Faculty

Jonathan Wesley joined SNHU in July 2018 as an instructor of philosophy/religion and social sciences. Now as the senior director of diversity and inclusion in academics, he works with faculty, staff and administration to improve retention, policies and procedures from a DEI lens. 

Wesley is a queer, ordained clergy and has published a best-selling book, “You Said One Thing…God Said Differently,” about the reconciliation of sexual orientation and spirituality. 

He has worked in higher education since 2008 at various institutions in roles across enrollment management and student and academic affairs. He also worked in a variety of community and faith organizations including the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice and The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta.

Wesley holds a Master of Education from Columbia College, a Master in Religion and Public Life from Emory University-Candler School of Theology and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Claflin University. He plans to earn his PhD from Georgia State University in 2021.

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology, Capella University, 2013
Master of Education, Secondary Education, Holy Family University, 2006
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Holy Family University, 2004

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology, Northcentral University, 2004
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, School Psychology, Norwich University, 1999
Master of Arts, Counseling/Psychology, Norwich University, 1997
Bachelor of Science, Humanities, Springfield College

Assessment Team Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Education, Organizational Leadership, Argosy University, 2003
Master of Arts, Mental Health Counseling, Webster University, 1996
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Indiana University of PA, 1993

Faculty Lead

Degrees, Certifications
Doctor of Philosophy, Sociology, University Southern California, 1984
Master of Arts, Sociology, University Southern California, 1981
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, University of Ca Los Angeles, 1968

Associate Vice President, STEM Professions and Business

Dr. Gwen Britton has over 25 years in private industry and academia within the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (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.

Dr. Britton’s expertise is in the area of leadership, STEM education and administration. She has served as the associate vice president of STEM programs at SNHU for the past six years, and is passionate about expanding and growing STEM access for individuals who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. 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.

As a strong advocate of women in technical fields, Dr. Britton and her team also took a group of graduate and undergraduate women to the Grace Hopper and Women in Cyber Security conferences for the past several years. This initiative has helped shape and expand the pipeline of future technology and cyber security graduates.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Associate Dean of STEM Foundations

Daniel Gannon is an innovative educator who has held many university positions over the past six 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 has been focused on supporting new and underserved student populations through the development and implementation of high-impact practices in the classroom.

Daniel 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.

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.

Senior Associate Dean (Interim)

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 six 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 STEM educational events including FIRST Robotics, Seaperch and Civil Air Patrol. Dave is dedicated to providing increased opportunities for women in technology.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.