Mentors


Our mentor program provides a safe, confidential, and supportive contact for our CMU faculty teaching off-campus who are unable to wander down the hall and discuss their class with a peer. We want our faculty to succeed, and let’s face it, teaching in a compressed or online format with adult students does pose certain challenges, especially if you have only taught undergraduates in a traditional 16 week format or if you have never taught at all.

Dr. Shelly Boardman - (770) 933-7684

Greetings from Atlanta! I have been with CMU Off Campus Programs for 6 years as a full time faculty member in the MA in Education program. I teach most of the courses in the MA degree program. I thoroughly enjoy working with adult learners in a variety of compressed teaching formats. I have had the opportunity to teach in both rural and urban settings for CMU. In order to maximize learning, I utilize authentic assessment methods and technology in all of the courses that I facilitate. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!!!

Dr. Jose R. Mabesa - (248) 526-2645

Dr. Jose R. Mabesa, Jr. has been an adjunct faculty for CMU's Vehicle Engineering Design Technology Program since 2006. Dr. Mabesa earned his BS, MS and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Dr. Mabesa's Ph.D. dissertation is titled "Smart Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Packaging: Utilizing Shape Memory Materials for Increased Device Material Reliability".  Dr. Mabesa has also authored or co-authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications in the field of smart material development, and micro-scale/nano-scale technology for sensor development. Dr. Mabesa is also an active member of  the Tau Phi Chapter of Pi Tau Sigma National Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, as well as the Michigan Epsilon Chapter of Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society. Dr. Mabesa's professional associations include:

Syd Farber - (248) 661-2791

I have been an instructor at Central Michigan University since 1988. I have taught a variety of courses in different formats in the MSA and MA in Education program. I am also an Academic Advisor for the MSA and MA programs. My background includes a number of years as a personnel and labor relations director in the public sector. I have also served as a consultant to both union and management on human resources and labor relations issues. Please feel free to contact me with any issues involving your teaching assignment at Central Michigan University.

Dr. Abdul Q. Shaikh - (202) 628-2394

Dr. Abdul Q. Shaikh, professor, has been teaching and providing mentoring for off-campus faculty at Central Michigan University since 1987. Faculty mentoring consists of both proactive and reactive processes and activities designed to maintain and foster academic quality. Proactive activities include contacting new faculty mentors to offer advice, guidance, and assistance, conducting faculty development seminars, and providing a forum for exchange of information, materials, and resources. He has taught in all MSA formats, weekdays, weekends and alternate weekends and all locations both civilian and military and also in Canada and Mexico.

Rick Sykes - (989) 774-3894

I have been involved with Profed (CMU Off-Campus Programs) for nine years and it has been an enjoyable experience. In addition to teaching graduate courses for Profed, I teach undergraduate courses on the main campus in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. I am a tenured professor at CMU, so I have experienced the challenges of teaching both young adults and mid-career professionals. My Profed career has taken me to centers in Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland and Vancouver B.C. I have taught on military bases, in college classrooms and office buildings. Each location has been a learning experience that has helped me become a better teacher and hopefully a better mentor.

Ronnie D. Wilson - (770) 933-7677

Ronnie has been an attorney for more than 25 years and is recently retired from the U.S. government and the Army Reserves. He is a graduate of the CMU MSA (Health Services) program. Joining the CMU adjunct staff in 1995, Ronnie has taught in many sites around the country, military bases, Veteran’s Administration Hospitals and other settings. He has taught in open enrollment and cohort formats as well as the standard three week-end and extended formats. In August 2005, Ronnie became a full-time faculty member.

Dr. John Zappala - (517) 349-2209, ext. 7 or (248)-889-5783

Dr. John Zappala has been an educator for over 25 years. He has held various teaching positions at the elementary through college levels. He has extensive experience in working with non-traditional adult students at the community college and university level. As a former Dean of Liberal Arts and Continuing Education, John assumed a leadership role in developing relevant programs for the adult learner. He continues to help develop the relevant partnerships as a consultant in the private/public sectors. John's current position is Director of Community Education for the Okemos Public Schools. He's blessed with a creative team, a supportive CEO, and plenty of "learning" organization behavior. John is active in community activities, challenged by the outdoors, and relaxed by a campfire.