Home Degrees & Programs Master's Degrees MA in Ed Leadership - Charter School Leadership Faculty
Faculty Biographies
Ms. Jennifer Allen-San Giovanni
Ms. Allen-San Giovanni is the founding director
of Alder Grove Charter School in Eureka CA. since 2006. She has been a teacher
and administrator in charter schools in California since 1998. She received her
master’s in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Charter School Leadership
from Central Michigan University in 2009 and a certificate in Online Teaching
and Learning from California State University East Bay in 2010. Jenni is excited
to be joining such a dynamic team of educators and is looking forward to
learning from her students!
Dr. Frim Ampaw
Dr. Ampaw is an assistant professor
at Central Michigan University in the Department of Educational Leadership where
she teaches quantitative research, higher education, and college teaching
classes. She has a doctorate from North Carolina State University and a masters
in economics from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research
interests are in graduate education, access, and affordability of college
education and women and minorities in the science and engineering fields.
Dr.
Barbara Appold
Dr. Appold received her Master’s and Educational Specialist from
Saginaw Valley State University, and her doctoral degree in Educational
Leadership and from CMU. Over the course of Dr. Appold’s career, she has had the
opportunity to teach every grade level K-12, alternative education, adult
education, and at the university graduate level. In addition, she has
successfully acted in a variety of leadership roles including school board
member, curriculum development coordinator, professional development
facilitator, program developer, grant collaboration coordinator,
school-community liaison, scholarship coordinator, design and lead
implementer/instructor of a youth leadership academy and mentoring program.
Also, her support and promotion of lifelong learning are evidenced by service on
the board of directors of several non-profit organizations.
Dr. Ben Jankens
Dr.
Jankens is currently with the Center for Charter Schools at Central Michigan
University, after having previously served as a K-12 teacher, principal and
superintendent in Michigan charter schools. Ben earned his master’s in education
administration from Central Michigan University and his doctorate in educational
leadership from Eastern Michigan University.
Dr. Jason Jeffrey
Dr. Jeffrey is
the Assistant Superintendent for General and Career & Technical Education for
the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District in Traverse City, Michigan.
Prior to his current position, he served as a teacher, coach, assistant
principal and principal. Jason has been a professional educator for seventeen
years and earned his doctoral degree in educational leadership from Central
Michigan University. He is excited about the opportunity to work with students
within this program.
Dr. Daniel Kaczynski
Dr. Kaczynski is a professor at
Central Michigan University in the Department of Educational Leadership where he
teaches qualitative research, research methods and program evaluation. He has
administrative experience at high school, central administration, and community
college and university levels. He was recently a visiting professor for two
years in Australia working closely with several universities on doctoral
research and supervision. Dan has a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Michigan
State University.
Dr. Elizabeth Kirby
Dr. Kirby is an experienced K-12 teacher
and administrator. Before joining the Educational Leadership faculty at Central
Michigan University she was the principal of our local high school, Mt. Pleasant
High School. Betty received her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Central
Michigan University.
Ms. Shelly Melton
Shelly Melton is co-founder and the
current Executive Director of Valley Preparatory Charter School in Fresno,
California, a K-8 charter with a strong emphasis in character and civic
education. She received her master’s degree in Educational Leadership with an
emphasis in Charter School Leadership from Central Michigan University and was
an instructor for Cohort #7. Ms. Melton has been involved in California’s
charter school movement since 1999, with leadership experience in charter
programs ranging from independent study coordinator to site administrator.
Dr.
Pat Shannon
Dr. Shannon is an experienced trial lawyer and judge. He has over 25
years of teaching experience at the undergraduate, graduate, law school levels.
Dr. Shannon is the Director of the Bay Mills Charter School Office. Bay Mills
Community College currently charters 44 public school academies in Michigan.
Prior to his current role, Dr. Shannon was an elected prosecuting attorney and
appointed special assistant United States Attorney and special assistant and
counsel to the Michigan Attorney General. Along with his law degree, Dr. Shannon
holds masters in health administration from the University of Michigan and a
Doctorate in Education from Central Michigan University.
Dr. Hosep Torossian
Dr.
Torossian is a high school principal at the Manoogian Charter School in
Southfield, adjacent to Detroit. He began his career as a chemical engineer in
Toronto and Montreal. After a 21 year career in engineering, he switched to
education. Hosep received his Master of Arts and Doctor of Education degrees
from Central Michigan University. Dr. Torossian received a $328,000 charter
school dissemination grant from the Michigan Department of Education in 2009
based on his dissertation on computer adaptive testing and MEAP assessments.
Dr.
Gina Umpstead
Dr. Umpstead is an experienced attorney and scholar. After her
graduation from the University of Michigan Law School, she served as a an
attorney at a private law firm, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of
Michigan, and an instructor at Michigan State University's law school. She then
attended Michigan State University to earn her Doctor of Philosophy degree in
K-12 education policy. She is now a faculty member within Central Michigan
University’s Educational Leadership Department. Gina has a diverse research
agenda focusing on issues of law and education, and one of her newest strands of
research examines cyber charter school legislation across the country.
Dr. David
Whale
Dr. Whale began his career as a high school teacher and after ten years
became a K-12 administrator, also for ten years. He is the program director for
the charter school program. David received his doctorate in educational
administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He joined Central Michigan
University as a faculty member in 1997.