Faculty Advisory Board | Center for Teaching & Learning Excellence

	Charlotte Braziel Charlotte Braziel is an instructor in the Criminal Justice Program where she teaches criminalist courses. Dr. Braziel is a retired FBI agent, having served over 25 years.
	Lisa Delgado Brown, Ph.D. Lisa Delgado Brown is an Associate Professor of Undergraduate Education at Saint Leo. She specializes in the impact of language and literacy development on student learning, multimodal literacy development, and the use of technology to motivate and engage literacy learners. Dr. Delgado Brown's current research explores the impacts of hybrid teaching on perceived K-12 student learning.
	Michael Campbell, Ph.D., MSW Michael Campbell has a Doctorate in Public Affairs from the University of Central Florida, a Master’s in Social Work, and a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Florida State University. He is currently a full-time Associate Professor and the Associate Director of the Graduate Social Work program at Saint Leo University in Dade City, Florida. Dr. Campbell worked in various clinical and administrative roles, currently serving as a Master Trainer and Consultant with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation leading efforts to develop integrated Behavioral Health services to address comorbid Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.
	Christina Cazanave, MSW Christina Cazanave is the Director of Field Education and Instructor of Undergraduate Social Work at Saint Leo University. Before becoming a faculty member, she worked as a social work practitioner for ten years, primarily with at-risk children and teens in the educational system. Ms. Cazanave’s concentration of studies includes macro social work – community and organizational change. Her focus includes initiatives within the social work profession to combat social injustices using advocacy and public policy.
	Amy Harris, MLS Amy Harris is an Assistant Professor and the Instruction & Assessment Librarian of the Cannon Memorial Library at Saint Leo University. She has her Master of Library Science from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Her research interests include information literacy instruction, active learning outcomes assessment, and digital librarianship.
	C'Lamt Ho, DBA C'Lamt Ho is a full-time Assistant Professor of Accounting in Donald R. Tapia College of Business. He works remotely from Tampa Education Center. Dr. Ho teaches undergraduate courses and graduate classes in the MAcc and MBA program.
	Keith Jones, Ph.D. Keith Jones joined the Saint Leo family in 2013. He is an avid case writer and enjoys using cases within the learning environment. Dr. Jones is also known as 'the Lego guy' in the College of Business. He has close to a million Lego bricks in his office, and has incorporated Lego projects into several of his Marketing courses.
	Valerie Kasper, Ph.D. Valerie Kasper is an assistant professor at Saint Leo University. She earned her BS in Journalism from the University of Florida, her MA in Mass Communication from the University of South Florida, and her Ph.D. in the digital humanities from the University of Central Florida. Her interests lie at the crossroads of journalism, African American literature, and history. For the past ten years, she’s been researching African American newspapers by using data mining tools within the digital humanities (geolocation and topic modeling) to research how African American newspapers use their rhetorical power to battle the inequalities of their time periods.
	Monika Kiss, Ph.D. Monika Kiss is a Professor of Mathematics and Interim Chair of the Mathematics Department. She earned her B.A. in Mathematics from Kean University, M.A., and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Kiss began her career at Saint Leo University in 2003. She is involved in improving the perception of mathematics among our students and engaging students with mathematical projects and internships.
	Audrey Koke, MLS Audrey Koke is an Assistant Professor at the Cannon Memorial Library, Main Campus. Her title is Serials, E-Resources & Instructional Librarian. She possesses an M.A. in History from the University of Maine, Orono, and an M.L.S. from the State University of New York at Albany. Ms. Koke is interested in sharing and learning about providing the best research resources and strategies to the Saint Leo University community.
	Khalilah Louis-Carnes, LCSW Khalilah Caines is a Licensed Clinical Social worker and the Director of Field Education and Instructor for the Graduate Social Work Program. She is a doctoral candidate in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida and utilizes her research to improve the lives and communities of underserved and marginalized individuals, families, and communities. As a practitioner, she has more than 20 years of experience working with adolescents and families impacted by trauma and uses this experience in her work as an educator to provide a holistic and student-centered approach to teaching and learning.
	Robert Lucio, Ph.D., LCSW Rob Lucio is an Associate Professor in the Graduate Social Work Program. He has over 18 years of experience working directly with youth “at-risk” of adverse behavioral, academic, and mental health outcomes. Dr. Lucio is experienced at developing models of risk and protective factors in youth, providing trainings on advocacy, data-informed decision making, and cultural diversity.
	Helen MacLennan, Ph.D. Helen MacLennan is an Associate Professor of Management and the Associate Department Chair of Management & Operations. She joined Saint Leo University in 2015 and teaches a variety of business management, research methods, and entrepreneurship courses. Dr. MacLennan has published research in the Journal of Conflict Management, International Journal of Doctoral Studies, Journal of Excellence in Business Education, Southeast Case Research Journal, and the Journal of Transportation Management.
	Rev. Sha’Leda Mirra, Ph.D., MS, MSW, M.Div, LCSW, CAP Sha'Leda Mirra is a Faculty of Undergraduate Social Work with Saint Leo University and an Ordained Pastor specializing in the following disciplines: Spirituality, Religion, and Faith-Based Counseling; Maternal Mental Health; Mental Health Counseling; Substance Abuse; Life and Faith-Based Coaching; Social Work Practice with Veterans; Social Work and Social Justice; Forensic Social Work; Social Work practice with children and adolescents; and Community Advocacy. She is also a published author and motivational speaker who has traveled around the United States hosting workshops on self-actualization, authenticity, and self-care.
	Leon Mohan, Ph.D. Dr. Leon Mohan is a Professor of Sport Business in the Donald R. Tapia College of Business. He started at Saint Leo University in 2015. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in person, online, and in the hybrid format.
	Francis Orlando Frank Orlando is an instructor of political science. In addition to serving as the Director of the Saint Leo Polling Institute, he teaches courses on American politics, including Congress, campaigns, elections, and public opinion. Mr. Orlando strives to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.
	Harsha Kalpanie Perera, Ph.D Harsha Kalpanie is an Assistant Professor of Physics in the Natural Sciences Department. She teaches general physics lectures and laboratory courses for undergraduate students. Her research interests are related to theoretical astrophysics, including cutoff frequencies for Alfven waves in the solar atmosphere.
	LaQue Thornton Perkins, PMP LaQue Perkins is an Assistant Professor of Project Management & Management in Saint Leo's Tapia College of Business. She has presented and published on military leadership, human resource concepts, and other management topics. Dr. Perkins serves on the Teaching Professor Conference Advisory Board, as a reviewer for a few journals, and previously, Assistant Vice President, Project Management Institute Atlanta - Certification and Education.
	Debra Peterson Ph.D., RN, CNE Deb Peterson is an associate professor and Chair of Nursing in the College of Health Professions. She has over 25 years of experience as a nurse educator in both the hospital and academic settings. Dr. Peterson has taught at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and was an Associate Dean of Nursing. Additionally, she is a Certified Academic Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing which signifies expertise in the nurse educator role.
	Patrick Sheridan, Ph.D. Patrick Sheridan is an Associate Professor of Chemistry. His background is in the design and synthesis of medicinally important compounds. Dr. Sheridan is interested in K-12 STEM education and outreach activities, as well as performing chemistry demonstrations.
	Marcela van Olphen, Ph.D. Dr. Marcela van Olphen is a Professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Saint Leo University. She has received teaching awards from Saint Leo University, Purdue University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Irving Wershow Award for Excellence in Leadership in the Profession (Florida Foreign Language Association). Her research focuses on teaching and learning languages, faculty development, social justice, and transformative education.
	Jacquelyn White, Ph.D. Jacci White is a professor of mathematics on University Campus. She has taught at Saint Leo for 25 years and has been developing online courses for SLU since the last century. Dr. White enjoys the flexibility, but especially the individualization that computer technology brings to the mathematics classroom.
	Kate Wittrock Kate Wittrock received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Saint Thomas, and an M.A. in TESOL from Hamline University. Ms. Wittrock specializes in the field of ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and training pre-service teachers to teach English Language Learners, recently arrived immigrants and refugees in K-12 schools. When she is not in the classroom, her research interests include teacher preparation and endorsement in ESOL, Photo Voice, and the use of technology in teaching English Language Learners.

Charlotte

Charlotte Braziel

Charlotte Braziel is an instructor in the Criminal Justice Program where she teaches criminalist courses. Dr. Braziel is a retired FBI agent, having served over 25 years.

Lisa Delgado Brown

Lisa Delgado Brown, Ph.D.

Lisa Delgado Brown is an Associate Professor of Undergraduate Education at Saint Leo. She specializes in the impact of language and literacy development on student learning, multimodal literacy development, and the use of technology to motivate and engage literacy learners. Dr. Delgado Brown's current research explores the impacts of hybrid teaching on perceived K-12 student learning.

Michael

Michael Campbell, Ph.D., MSW

Michael Campbell has a Doctorate in Public Affairs from the University of Central Florida, a Master’s in Social Work, and a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Florida State University. He is currently a full-time Associate Professor and the Associate Director of the Graduate Social Work program at Saint Leo University in Dade City, Florida. Dr. Campbell worked in various clinical and administrative roles, currently serving as a Master Trainer and Consultant with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation leading efforts to develop integrated Behavioral Health services to address comorbid Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.

Christina Cazanave

Christina Cazanave, MSW

Christina Cazanave is the Director of Field Education and Instructor of Undergraduate Social Work at Saint Leo University. Before becoming a faculty member, she worked as a social work practitioner for ten years, primarily with at-risk children and teens in the educational system. Ms. Cazanave’s concentration of studies includes macro social work – community and organizational change. Her focus includes initiatives within the social work profession to combat social injustices using advocacy and public policy.

Amy

Amy Harris, MLS

Amy Harris is an Assistant Professor and the Instruction & Assessment Librarian of the Cannon Memorial Library at Saint Leo University. She has her Master of Library Science from Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Her research interests include information literacy instruction, active learning outcomes assessment, and digital librarianship.

C-Lamt Ho

C'Lamt Ho, DBA

C'Lamt Ho is a full-time Assistant Professor of Accounting in Donald R. Tapia College of Business. He works remotely from Tampa Education Center. Dr. Ho teaches undergraduate courses and graduate classes in the MAcc and MBA program.

Keith

Keith Jones, Ph.D.

Keith Jones joined the Saint Leo family in 2013. He is an avid case writer and enjoys using cases within the learning environment. Dr. Jones is also known as 'the Lego guy' in the College of Business. He has close to a million Lego bricks in his office, and has incorporated Lego projects into several of his Marketing courses.

Valerie

Valerie Kasper, Ph.D.

Valerie Kasper is an assistant professor at Saint Leo University. She earned her BS in Journalism from the University of Florida, her MA in Mass Communication from the University of South Florida, and her Ph.D. in the digital humanities from the University of Central Florida. Her interests lie at the crossroads of journalism, African American literature, and history. For the past ten years, she’s been researching African American newspapers by using data mining tools within the digital humanities (geolocation and topic modeling) to research how African American newspapers use their rhetorical power to battle the inequalities of their time periods.

Monika

Monika Kiss, Ph.D.

Monika Kiss is a Professor of Mathematics and Interim Chair of the Mathematics Department. She earned her B.A. in Mathematics from Kean University, M.A., and Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dr. Kiss began her career at Saint Leo University in 2003. She is involved in improving the perception of mathematics among our students and engaging students with mathematical projects and internships.

Audrey Koke

Audrey Koke, MLS

Audrey Koke is an Assistant Professor at the Cannon Memorial Library, Main Campus. Her title is Serials, E-Resources & Instructional Librarian. She possesses an M.A. in History from the University of Maine, Orono, and an M.L.S. from the State University of New York at Albany. Ms. Koke is interested in sharing and learning about providing the best research resources and strategies to the Saint Leo University community.

Khalilah

Khalilah Louis-Carnes, LCSW

Khalilah Caines is a Licensed Clinical Social worker and the Director of Field Education and Instructor for the Graduate Social Work Program. She is a doctoral candidate in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida and utilizes her research to improve the lives and communities of underserved and marginalized individuals, families, and communities. As a practitioner, she has more than 20 years of experience working with adolescents and families impacted by trauma and uses this experience in her work as an educator to provide a holistic and student-centered approach to teaching and learning.

Rob

Robert Lucio, Ph.D., LCSW

Rob Lucio is an Associate Professor in the Graduate Social Work Program. He has over 18 years of experience working directly with youth “at-risk” of adverse behavioral, academic, and mental health outcomes. Dr. Lucio is experienced at developing models of risk and protective factors in youth, providing trainings on advocacy, data-informed decision making, and cultural diversity.

Helen

Helen MacLennan, Ph.D.

Helen MacLennan is an Associate Professor of Management and the Associate Department Chair of Management & Operations. She joined Saint Leo University in 2015 and teaches a variety of business management, research methods, and entrepreneurship courses. Dr. MacLennan has published research in the Journal of Conflict Management, International Journal of Doctoral Studies, Journal of Excellence in Business Education, Southeast Case Research Journal, and the Journal of Transportation Management.

Shaleda Mirra

Rev. Sha’Leda Mirra, Ph.D., MS, MSW, M.Div, LCSW, CAP

Sha'Leda Mirra is a Faculty of Undergraduate Social Work with Saint Leo University and an Ordained Pastor specializing in the following disciplines: Spirituality, Religion, and Faith-Based Counseling; Maternal Mental Health; Mental Health Counseling; Substance Abuse; Life and Faith-Based Coaching; Social Work Practice with Veterans; Social Work and Social Justice; Forensic Social Work; Social Work practice with children and adolescents; and Community Advocacy. She is also a published author and motivational speaker who has traveled around the United States hosting workshops on self-actualization, authenticity, and self-care.

Leon

Leon Mohan, Ph.D.

Dr. Leon Mohan is a Professor of Sport Business in the Donald R. Tapia College of Business. He started at Saint Leo University in 2015. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in person, online, and in the hybrid format.

Frank

Francis Orlando

Frank Orlando is an instructor of political science. In addition to serving as the Director of the Saint Leo Polling Institute, he teaches courses on American politics, including Congress, campaigns, elections, and public opinion. Mr. Orlando strives to provide experiential learning opportunities for students.

Harsha

Harsha Kalpanie Perera, Ph.D

Harsha Kalpanie is an Assistant Professor of Physics in the Natural Sciences Department. She teaches general physics lectures and laboratory courses for undergraduate students. Her research interests are related to theoretical astrophysics, including cutoff frequencies for Alfven waves in the solar atmosphere.

Laque Perkins

LaQue Thornton Perkins, PMP

LaQue Perkins is an Assistant Professor of Project Management & Management in Saint Leo's Tapia College of Business. She has presented and published on military leadership, human resource concepts, and other management topics. Dr. Perkins serves on the Teaching Professor Conference Advisory Board, as a reviewer for a few journals, and previously, Assistant Vice President, Project Management Institute Atlanta - Certification and Education.

Deb Peterson

Debra Peterson Ph.D., RN, CNE

Deb Peterson is an associate professor and Chair of Nursing in the College of Health Professions. She has over 25 years of experience as a nurse educator in both the hospital and academic settings. Dr. Peterson has taught at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels and was an Associate Dean of Nursing. Additionally, she is a Certified Academic Nurse Educator (CNE) through the National League for Nursing which signifies expertise in the nurse educator role.

Patrick

Patrick Sheridan, Ph.D.

Patrick Sheridan is an Associate Professor of Chemistry. His background is in the design and synthesis of medicinally important compounds. Dr. Sheridan is interested in K-12 STEM education and outreach activities, as well as performing chemistry demonstrations.

Marcela

Marcela van Olphen, Ph.D.

Dr. Marcela van Olphen is a Professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Saint Leo University. She has received teaching awards from Saint Leo University, Purdue University, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the Irving Wershow Award for Excellence in Leadership in the Profession (Florida Foreign Language Association). Her research focuses on teaching and learning languages, faculty development, social justice, and transformative education.

Jacci

Jacquelyn White, Ph.D.

Jacci White is a professor of mathematics on University Campus. She has taught at Saint Leo for 25 years and has been developing online courses for SLU since the last century. Dr. White enjoys the flexibility, but especially the individualization that computer technology brings to the mathematics classroom.

Kate

Kate Wittrock

Kate Wittrock received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Saint Thomas, and an M.A. in TESOL from Hamline University. Ms. Wittrock specializes in the field of ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) and training pre-service teachers to teach English Language Learners, recently arrived immigrants and refugees in K-12 schools. When she is not in the classroom, her research interests include teacher preparation and endorsement in ESOL, Photo Voice, and the use of technology in teaching English Language Learners.

	Joshua Adams, DIT Joshua Adams is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Information Security. He is currently working on projects to provide hands-on learning for students in software engineering and cloud computing curriculum. Joshua’s current research interests are information systems, cybersecurity and interoperability of health information systems, Health Systems (understanding strategies in implementation for his doctoral study), and cloud computing.
	Jacob B. Aguilar, Ph.D. Jacob Aguilar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Sciences at Saint Leo University. His research is centered on the derivation and mathematical analysis of epidemiological models that estimate the transmission dynamics behind various infectious diseases.
	Lara Ault, Ph.D. Lara Ault is a social psychologist who teaches graduate and undergraduate online courses in research methods and social psychology at Saint Leo. She earned her Ph.D. in 2002 from the University of Louisville in KY in experimental psychology and has been teaching at Saint Leo University since 2011. Lara’s research interests involve social perceptions, close relationships, and pretty much anything my students are interested in.
	Michelle Boone-Thornton, Ed.D., QMHP-C Michelle Boone-Thornton joined Saint Leo University as an adjunct in the Undergraduate Human Services program in 2015. She became a full-time professor in 2017 and was promoted to associate chair in 2020. As a practitioner, Michelle has provided mental health services in an array of settings to include community, residential, juvenile courts, and school-based programs in a direct service and administrative capacity. She also teaches graduate Human Services courses and enjoys integrating her 25 years of experience as a practitioner across classroom settings.
	Christina Cazanave, MSW Christina Cazanave is the Director of Field Education and Instructor of Undergraduate Social Work at Saint Leo University. Before becoming a faculty member, she worked as a social work practitioner for ten years, primarily with at-risk children and teens in the educational systems. Christina’s concentration of studies includes macro social work – community and organizational change. Her focus includes initiatives within the social work profession to combat social injustices using advocacy and public policy.
	Lisa Delgado Brown, Ph.D. Lisa Delgado Brown is an Associate Professor of Undergraduate Education at Saint Leo. She specializes in the impact of language and literacy development on student learning, multimodal literacy development, and the use of technology to motivate and engage literacy learners. Lisa's current research is exploring the impacts of hybrid teaching on perceived K-12 student learning.
	Kenneth Embry, Ph.D. Kenny Embry is an Associate Communication Professor at Saint Leo. He specializes in online communication and teaches several courses including podcasting and digital literacy. His main areas of focus are both the production and theory behind how people create and consume online content.
	Angelia Griffin, DM Angelia Griffin has 25+ years serving as an Executive Level Management professional. She has a BS in Education, an MBA in Business Administration, DM in Management and Organization Leadership, and Completed 50% of the curriculum for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Services with a concentration in Nonprofit Agency Management. Angelia’s research interests include management, leadership development, nonprofit agency management, organizational behavior, and criminal justice-related topics.
	C'Lamt Ho, DBA C'Lamt Ho is a full-time Assistant Professor of Accounting in Donald R. Tapia College of Business. He works remotely from Tampa Education Center. He teaches undergraduate courses and graduate classes in the MAcc and MBA program.
	Audrey Koke, MLS Audrey Koke is an Assistant Professor at the Cannon Memorial Library, Main Campus. Her title is Serials, E-Resources & Instructional Librarian. Audrey possesses an M.A. in History from the University of Maine, Orono, and an M.L.S. from the State University of New York at Albany. She is interested in sharing and learning about providing the best research resources and strategies to the Saint Leo University community.
	Tamika Lett, Ph.D. Tamika Lett is an adjunct at two universities where she facilitates courses in human services, sociology, and criminal justice. In addition, she is a clinical supervisor over a substance abuse case management and jail re-entry program. She has a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University, a Master of Science from the University of Cincinnati, and a Ph.D. in human services from Walden University. Her research interest includes domestic violence, substance abuse, restorative justice, adult learners, leadership, and study abroad.
	Rev. Sha’Leda Mirra, Ph.D., MS, MSW, M.Div, LCSW, CAP Sha'Leda Mirra is a Faculty of Undergraduate Social Work with Saint Leo University and an Ordained Pastor specializing in the following disciplines: Spirituality, Religion, and Faith-Based Counseling; Maternal Mental Health; Mental Health Counseling; Substance Abuse; Life and Faith-Based Coaching; Social Work Practice with Veterans; Social Work and Social Justice; Forensic Social Work; Social Work practice with children and adolescents; and Community Advocacy. She is also a published author, and motivational speaker who has traveled around the United States hosting workshops on self-actualization, authenticity, and self-care.
	LaQue Thornton Perkins, PMP LaQue Perkins is an Assistant Professor of Project Management & Management in Saint Leo's Tapia College of Business. She has presented and published on military leadership, human resource concepts, and other management topics. LaQue serves on the Teaching Professor Conference Advisory Board, as a reviewer for a few journals, and previously, Assistant Vice President, Project Management Institute Atlanta - Certification and Education.
	Christine Picot, Ph.D. Christine Joseph Picot is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Social Services. Her research interests include disciplinary literacy with a focus on academic vocabulary and mathematics instruction. This disciplinary literacy focus has led to the development of numerous publications, conference presentations, global work, and professional development. Christine’s work with pre-service and in-service teachers includes coaching and mentoring in cross-curricular connections for teaching and learning.
	Brandy Pollicita, M.S. Brandy Pollicita is an Instructor of Health & Wellness. She has a passion for educating students and faculty on health and wellness topics. Prior to her position in higher education, she held management positions at several corporate wellness facilities. An adjunct faculty member at the University of South Florida since 2007, Brandy came to Saint Leo University in 2016.
	Debra E. Thrower, MSW, Ph.D. Candidate in Social Work Debra E. Thrower is an Undergraduate Social Work Instructor in the College of Education and Social Services. She has a master’s degree in clinical social work and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work. Debra is actively involved with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence to enhance her teaching skills to engage, support, and retain undergraduate social work students for professional practice.
	Tammy Lowery Zacchilli, Ph.D., MSID Tammy Zacchilli is a Professor of Psychology in the Social Sciences Department. She enjoys course development and received a degree in Instructional Design from Saint Leo University in 2016. Tammy teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate psychology courses. Her research interests include close relationships, social media use, the teaching of psychology, and bullying.

Joshua Adams, DIT

Joshua Adams is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Information Security. He is currently working on projects to provide hands-on learning for students in software engineering and cloud computing curriculum. Joshua’s current research interests are information systems, cybersecurity and interoperability of health information systems, Health Systems (understanding strategies in implementation for his doctoral study), and cloud computing.

Jacob B. Aguilar, Ph.D.

Jacob Aguilar is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Sciences at Saint Leo University. His research is centered on the derivation and mathematical analysis of epidemiological models that estimate the transmission dynamics behind various infectious diseases.

Lara Ault, Ph.D.

Lara Ault is a social psychologist who teaches graduate and undergraduate online courses in research methods and social psychology at Saint Leo. She earned her Ph.D. in 2002 from the University of Louisville in KY in experimental psychology and has been teaching at Saint Leo University since 2011. Lara’s research interests involve social perceptions, close relationships, and pretty much anything my students are interested in.

Michelle Boone-Thornton, Ed.D., QMHP-C

Michelle Boone-Thornton joined Saint Leo University as an adjunct in the Undergraduate Human Services program in 2015. She became a full-time professor in 2017 and was promoted to associate chair in 2020. As a practitioner, Michelle has provided mental health services in an array of settings to include community, residential, juvenile courts, and school-based programs in a direct service and administrative capacity. She also teaches graduate Human Services courses and enjoys integrating her 25 years of experience as a practitioner across classroom settings.

Keith Burton, Ph.D.

Keith Burton is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Associate Chair in the Department of Social Sciences. His teaching and research interests focus on methodology, emotion, motivation, and positive psychology. He teaches entirely online for Saint Leo.

Kenneth Embry, Ph.D.

Kenny Embry is an Associate Communication Professor at Saint Leo. He specializes in online communication and teaches several courses including podcasting and digital literacy. His main areas of focus are both the production and theory behind how people create and consume online content.

Angelia Griffin, DM

Angelia Griffin has 25+ years serving as an Executive Level Management professional. She has a BS in Education, an MBA in Business Administration, DM in Management and Organization Leadership, and Completed 50% of the curriculum for a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Services with a concentration in Nonprofit Agency Management. Angelia’s research interests include management, leadership development, nonprofit agency management, organizational behavior, and criminal justice-related topics.

Judy Holcomb, Ph.D.

Judy Holcomb is an Associate Professor in International Hospitality Management. She has been a member of the Saint Leo community since 2011. Judy received her Ph.D. in hospitality education from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. She has spent over 25 years in the hospitality industry, 13 of those in the hotel industry in the Central Florida area, and over 12 years in various other segments of hospitality such as contract food service, restaurants, and private clubs.

Padraig Lawlor, Ph.D.

Pádraig Lawlor is an Assistant Professor of History at Saint Leo University, having earned his Ph.D. in European History at Purdue University. His scholarship and teaching interests focus on medieval and early modern Europe.

Tamika Lett, Ph.D.

Tamika Lett is an adjunct at two universities where she facilitates courses in human services, sociology, and criminal justice. In addition, she is a clinical supervisor over a substance abuse case management and jail re-entry program. She has a Bachelor of Science from Old Dominion University, a Master of Science from the University of Cincinnati, and a Ph.D. in human services from Walden University. Her research interest includes domestic violence, substance abuse, restorative justice, adult learners, leadership, and study abroad.

Debra Mims, DBA

Debra Mims is an Assistant Professor/Instructor of Criminal Justice and a member of the Saint Leo community since 2011. She earned her doctorate degree from Northcentral University researching Forensic Investigators’ Perceptions of Animal Assisted Intervention during Investigations of Child Sexual Abuse. Debra is a retired Tampa Police officer where she served on the Mounted Patrol Unit, Bicycle Unit, worked as an Undercover and Community Service Officer. Her research passion is the animal/human bond and animal-assisted interventions that contribute to the health and well-being in the lives of individuals, both young and old.

Christine Picot, Ph.D.

Christine Joseph Picot is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Social Services. Her research interests include disciplinary literacy with a focus on academic vocabulary and mathematics instruction. This disciplinary literacy focus has led to the development of numerous publications, conference presentations, global work, and professional development. Christine’s work with pre-service and in-service teachers includes coaching and mentoring in cross-curricular connections for teaching and learning.

Brandy Pollicita, M.S.

Brandy Pollicita is an Instructor of Health & Wellness. She has a passion for educating students and faculty on health and wellness topics. Prior to her position in higher education, she held management positions at several corporate wellness facilities. An adjunct faculty member at the University of South Florida since 2007, Brandy came to Saint Leo University in 2016.

Iona Sarieva, Ph.D.

Iona Sarieva is an Associate Professor and the Bridge Program Director. She is responsible for developing the program curriculum and serves as an academic advisor for all Bridge students during their studies in the Program. Iona's research agenda is focused on student-centered approaches to language teaching, teacher training, intercultural communication, and computer-assisted learning.

Zachary Smith, Ph.D.

Zachary Smith is an Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance. After serving four years in the United States Marine Corps, Zachary joined Merrill Lynch. After six years at Merrill Lynch, he decided to transition to academia and obtained a full-time position at Saint Leo University. He also earned his MBA and Ph.D. with concentrations in Finance. Zachary’s primary research interest is focused on evaluating financial market anomalies, investment performance, and topics related to economics/finance in general.

Lionel Thomas, Ph.D.

Lionel Thomas is an Associate Professor in the Department of International Hospitality, Hotels, and Event Management at Saint Leo University. His research/research interests are centered on tipping, Foodies, and safety and security in the hospitality work environment. Lionel teaches courses in Lodging Management, Event Planning, Foodservice, and Guest Service Management.

Debra Thrower

Debra E. Thrower, MSW, Ph.D. Candidate in Social Work

Debra E. Thrower is an Undergraduate Social Work Instructor in the College of Education and Social Services. She has a master’s degree in clinical social work and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work. Debra is actively involved with the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence to enhance her teaching skills to engage, support, and retain undergraduate social work students for professional practice.

Tammy Zacchilli

Tammy Lowery Zacchilli, Ph.D., MSID

Tammy Zacchilli is a Professor of Psychology in the Social Sciences Department. She enjoys course development and received a degree in Instructional Design from Saint Leo University in 2016. Tammy teaches a variety of undergraduate and graduate psychology courses. Her research interests include close relationships, social media use, the teaching of psychology, and bullying.

CTLE Faculty Advisory Board

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