The Wise Leader Virtual Summit 

About Dr. Ken Shaw 

President, Southern Adventist University

Dr. Shaw is the 27th president of Southern Adventist University (SAU). He is SAU's first alum to return as president. He previously served for seven years as president of Southwestern Adventist University. Prior to that he worked at Florida State University for 25 years in various capacities, from assistant professor of mathematics education to campus dean of FSU Panama City and dean of the College of Applied Studies. His track record as a higher education leader includes increasing enrollment, establishing new academic programs, and improving institutional financial stability.

About Dr. Ericka Hollis 

Assistant Provost, Regis University

Dr. Hollis currently serves as the Assistant Provost of Academic Innovation and Faculty Development at Regis College. Prior to joining Regis, Hollis held positions at Harvard Graduate School of Education as an Assistant Director of Learning Design in the Teaching and Learning Lab and at the University of Kentucky as the Director of Online Learning and Lecturer in the College of Education. Her teaching and learning philosophy is undergirded by over twelve years of instructional design and technology experience both in academia and in the private sector.

About Dr. Anthony Pina 

Associate Provost, Sullivan University

Dr. Piña is the Associate Provost for Teaching and Learning and Distinguished Lecturer at Sullivan University. He has had a notable career as a leader in online/distance learning at public and private higher education institutions. He has been a consultant to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses, local government agencies, non-profit organizations, the U.S. Department of Defense and numerous educational institutions. He published six books and he is editor of the book series “Leadership and Best Practices in Educational Technology Management.

Dr. Peter Makiriyado

President/Rector, Nehemiah Gateway University 

Dr. Makiriyado is the President/Rector of Nehemiah Gateway University, Albania and former Academic Dean/Head of Faculty and Assistant Professor of Business. He earned a PhD from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), a MBA from Governors State University (GSU), and a MA from Kentucky Christian University. He served as Department Chair of Business with Morthland College and Systems Administrator and Microcomputer Specialist with GSU. He founded ACTIVE Ministry, a 501 c 3 non-profit organization, and he is in the process of building a theological and vocational training college in Zimbabwe.

About Dr. Jean Mandernach

Executive Director, Grand Canyon University

Dr. Mandernach is the Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching at Grand Canyon University.  She is a keynote speaker, presenter and consultant in online education and she serves on various editorial boards including the Journal of Educators Online. She authored many journal articles and book chapters, and co-authored (with Tobin and Taylor) the book, Evaluating Online Teaching: Implementing Best Practices. She holds a MS in experimental psychology from Western Illinois University and PhD in social psychology from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

About Dr. Shermaine Barrett 

Dean, University of Technology, Jamaica

Dr. Barrett is Dean of the Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies at the University of Technology, Jamaica and Professor of Adult Education and Workforce Development. She holds a PhD in Adult Education from the University of Minnesota, USA and a Masters in Adult Education from Mount Saint Vincent University, Canada. She researches adult online teaching and learning, workforce education, STEM education, and teacher professional development. She completed many articles, a book, book chapters, presentations and commissioned studies both locally and overseas.

About Dr. Rohan Jowallah

Instructional Designer, University of Central Florida

Dr. Rohan Jowallah has worked in education for over twenty years. He taught in the Caribbean, England, and the USA, and he is an Instructional Designer at the University of Central Florida. He has been a keynote speaker at many international conferences. He is also an author with a passion for addressing issues in social justice, inclusion, diversity, and critical issues in education. He holds an EdD in Language and Literacy in Education from the University of Sheffield in England and a MEd in Special Needs and Inclusion Studies from The Open University in England.

About Dr. Boaz Johnson

Professor, North Park University

Dr. Rajkumar Boaz Johnson is a Professor of Hebrew, Bible and Theological Studies at North Park University. He holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible/Theological Studies from Trinity International University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a MDiv in New Testament Studies from Union Biblical Seminary, India. Early in his life, he wrestled with the dichotomy of poverty and injustice and that of high-caste Hindu learning. During his search, his encounter with Jesus answered the questions that plagued his mind, and it informs his life and work on the relationship of evangelical Christianity to world religions.

About Dr. Melony Shemberger

Associate Professor, Murray State University

Dr. Melony Shemberger is an Associate Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication at MSU. She has many publications and book chapters and has been an invited speaker at conferences. Her awards include: Outstanding Researcher and Scripps Howard Academic Leadership Academy Fellow. She was Interim Director of the Faculty Development Center and Vice President of the Faculty Senate at MSU. She earned a master's in Mass Communication from MSU, a master’s in Management from APSU, and a doctorate in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State.

About Dr. Carl S. Moore

Associate Vice President, University of the District of Columbia

Dr. Moore is the Associate Vice President for Learning and Engagement at the University of the District of Columbia. He is a frequently-invited speaker and consultant on inclusion, leadership, faculty development, teaching, and learning. He has a PhD in Urban Education from Temple University (TU) and a MA from The Ohio State University in Higher Education Administration. He taught for over 14 years in tenured and non-tenured faculty roles. He taught at The Ohio State University, Temple University, Cabrini College, and Arcadia University. He was a Department Chair at UDC, and Assistant Director of the Teaching and Learning Center at TU.

About Dr. Colleen Scott

Associate Professor,
Mississippi State University

Dr. Scott is a sought-after researcher and educator who currently serves as an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Mississippi State University. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Scott Graduated from Auburn University with a BSc in Chemistry (cum laude), and she earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh. Her research includes the design and synthesis of organic compounds and materials with desired properties and functions. She has also completed several remarkable presentations and publications.

About Firm Faith, Your Host

Dr. Firm Faith Watson currently serves as the Director of the Faculty Development Center at Murray State University. She is a leadership coach and the President and Founder of Firm Faith University, the official sponsor of the Wise Leader Virtual Summit, the Wise Leader Challenge, the Wise Leader Institute, the Lead Others in Virtual Environments: LOVE Membership and the Wise Leader Virtual Conference.

Watson designed and facilitated professional development to serve leaders in the United States and beyond including the Leadership Coaching Institute, the ALIVE - Accelerated Leadership in Virtual Environments Challenge, and the Virtual Course Design Challenge. 
She hosted the freely available This Works for Me Virtual Summit. 

Watson collaborated with leaders at Murray State University to host the Fall Faculty Summit, New Faculty Orientation, New Faculty Academy, and led the university's major transition to online learning during the pandemic. Dr. Watson may be reached at [email protected].