Faculty

Faculty Profiles

Business and Management

I am delighted that students now have the option to obtain their education around their life and obligations. I am also grateful that I am able to balance my love of teaching with my life and business obligations. It is truly a win-win! Yet, faculty members and students alike need to remember at all times that they are involved with rigorous degree programs.

As a faculty member, my goal is not only to provide a quality education but also to assist students with their confidence and self-esteem. Students have to believe in themselves to be successful. At a recent graduation ceremony, a student sought me out with her family and thanked me. It really crystallized the powerful impact that faculty members can have on real people beyond the virtual classroom!

Courtney Anderson, JD, MBA, Axia College of University of Phoenix

Courtney Anderson has been a University of Phoenix faculty member since 2005. She teaches subjects including business, management, criminal justice and cultural ethnicity. Anderson, who has nine years of experience as an attorney, currently owns her own law office and consulting and corporate training firm. Additionally, she serves as an on-air legal and business expert for several news organizations and has appeared in major publications as an expert and analyst.

I became a faculty member at University of Phoenix because I wanted to give back to the University and its students. I learned so much valuable information while earning my MBA at University of Phoenix! The faculty had many real-world experiences to share. This working knowledge bridged the gap between theory and experience, which improved the overall value of my education.

As a faculty member, it's very satisfying to inspire students and help them understand that learning is a lifelong journey that should never end. I want to continue emphasizing the value of education and encouraging students to keep enriching their lives through education.

I have received countless "end-of-class" student surveys that really touched me on a personal level. It's wonderful to know I have made a difference in our students' lives! That is what I find most rewarding. I am pleased to be able to impact others' lives and bring them one step closer to achieving their educational goals.

Elena Asher, MBA, College of Graduate Business and Management

Elena Asher manages logistics and customs for a large apparel company. She has taught online courses at University of Phoenix for three years, including courses within the MBA program. She also teaches courses on writing and composition, supply chain operations, and others.

I was inspired to join the faculty at University of Phoenix by a number of things—the structure of the teaching environment, as well as the University's professionalism and mission. University of Phoenix provides a doable, proficient education system for working students and military professionals. The University’s method of providing education to thousands is highly commendable and appreciated.

In fact, several students in my management courses have written me letters thanking me for the newly discovered knowledge I was able to provide in class. They described in detail how the classes benefited them professionally and personally. It really made me appreciate my role as a faculty member at University of Phoenix.

Alfredo Cooke, College of Undergraduate Business and Management

As a Marine, Alfredo Cooke attained the rank of gunnery sergeant and led an infantry platoon in combat. Now retired from the military, he leads a force of police officers as police captain. Cooke has taught subjects including management, organizational behavior and critical thinking at University of Phoenix since 2001.

I was inspired to become a faculty member at University of Phoenix partially by the positive experiences I had while I was a student at the University. Many of my teachers were enthusiastic and professional and really appeared to enjoy sharing their experience in class. As time went by, I felt that I also wanted to share my own experience and continue to learn from interaction with students.

My goal as a faculty member is to help students grow into creative, innovative individuals who will add value to the organizations they are associated with. I'm delighted to be part of University of Phoenix, a progressive university that understands the needs of working adults and strives in a variety of ways to meet those needs.

Susan Ferebee, PhD, College of Undergraduate Business and Management

Dr. Susan Ferebee has worked as a programmer, new product development manager, senior analyst, forecasting manager and senior project manager. A University of Phoenix faculty member for more than eight years, she teaches critical thinking, e-commerce, project management and other subjects.

My goal as a faculty member is simply to help students become more effective and efficient leaders and managers. I am particularly interested in helping them become more effective communicators and teaching them how to make sound managerial decisions based on factual data.

Without a doubt, the University of Phoenix faculty members I met during my Doctor of Management program inspired me to become a faculty member at University of Phoenix. The camaraderie and sincerity they demonstrated at residencies was particularly rewarding. Now, as a faculty member myself, every "thank you" or expression of "getting it" that comes from students brings joy to my heart.

Gerald Heidt, DM, College of Graduate Business and Management

Dr. Gerald Heidt has 44 years of experience in the defense industry, including numerous years working as a certified quality engineer. He has received several awards for team building and process improvement. Dr. Heidt, who also has extensive teaching experience, currently facilitates managerial decision making courses at University of Phoenix.

I've always wanted to teach as I come from a family of teachers. After earning my MBA, I started inquiring about teaching. As a faculty member at University of Phoenix and Axia College of University of Phoenix, my goal is to continue to learn and help my students reach their educational goals. I also aspire to be a role model for my students.

John Jabbour, MBA, Axia College of University of Phoenix and University of Phoenix

John Jabbour serves as finance director for a billion-dollar health care entity. He joined the faculty at University of Phoenix in 1994 and also teaches at Axia College of University of Phoenix. Jabbour's subjects include accounting and finance.

My goal is to help those who are working while earning a degree. I worked my way through school since 10^th grade. I clearly remember getting a work permit and working as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. As I continued through my undergraduate studies and graduate school, I always needed a job to support myself. I also had family commitments, extra-curricular commitments and tried to sustain some kind of social life. Working students have so much to juggle. I can honestly tell my students that I have been there and that the rewards of higher education can outweigh the challenges.

I remember one student who called me in a panic. He put in a request for a position with his company but felt that he was not totally qualified for it. To his surprise, he was called in for a panel interview with only a few days notice. I agreed to meet with him and proceeded to grill him with the toughest questions I could think of. He left our meeting confident that he could take on any interview. Although he did not get the position, the panel told him they were impressed with his interview skills. He sent me an email months later stating that he was selected for another position with his company and was thrilled.

I encourage my students to keep in touch and I get emails and phone calls with updates or questions about human resources. Helping students become productive members of the business community is the part of being a faculty member at University of Phoenix that I enjoy most.

Paul Lessick, College of Undergraduate Business and Management

Paul Lessick has an established background as a human resources director and has been a presenter at a national human resources conference. He has taught human resources management courses at University of Phoenix since 2003.

I began teaching at University of Phoenix more than 13 years ago and was inspired by the quality of the faculty and administrators, the diversity of the learners, and the integration of theory and practice throughout the curriculum. Translation: I fell in love with University of Phoenix! My goals are to inspire learners to exceed their own expectations and to support them to achieve their educational goals.

Leona Lobell, PhD, School of Advanced Studies

As a consultant for institutions of higher education and non-profit organizations, Dr. Lobell has been engaged in strategic planning and has worked on the re-engineering of institutional advancement areas of several major universities. She is managing editor of the Journal of Leadership Studies, the research publication for the School of Advanced Studies. Additionally, she participates in curriculum development as a member of the Global Curriculum Council and the Doctor of Health Administration Program Council.

At University of Phoenix, our students are working professionals who bring a great deal of experience and practical knowledge to the classroom. My goal is to help them to underpin their experience with appropriate theoretical background, and in the process, help them become better employees and managers. The best part about teaching at University of Phoenix is the "aha" moments. When we talk in class about various concepts or laws, students often cite examples from their work experiences. It's great to see them make the connection.

Jennifer Post, College of Undergraduate Business and Management

Jennifer Post has more than 20 years of experience as a human resources professional and has worked in a variety of sectors, including telecommunications, engineering, retail and manufacturing. She has taught subjects including human resources, management, organizational behavior, and communication at University for Phoenix for 10 years.

I love teaching. It is so interesting and exciting when a new class starts. It's like meeting a new set of friends for the first time. The experiences and memories created during the following weeks are very rewarding for me. Where I live, I run into former students all the time. The moment we meet, they tell about how they are doing now and how much they appreciate the time and effort I spent during their class. It makes it all worth the effort. They thank me and walk away with overall fond memories of their University of Phoenix experience. I walk away feeling pretty good myself. So it's a win-win for everyone.

My goal is to make a positive and lasting impression on students that will continue to propel them forward in their personal educational endeavors. I admire our students for pursuing their degrees and want to be a part of their learning journey.

Armando Sanchezcastellanos, College of Undergraduate Business and Management

Armando Sanchezcastellanos served in the military for 12 years and also has worked for major automotive corporations, where he held various management positions. He has 20 years of teaching experience, including more than six at University of Phoenix. Sanchezcastellanos primarily teaches algebra and statistics, but also is qualified to teach project management and operational management.

My goal as a faculty member is to have each and every student leave my class with a new perspective on the importance of organizational behavior in every setting-from work to home. I want students to see the relevance of this topic in their everyday lives and how it can impact overall happiness and productivity at work.

I also hope my students can take what they've learned and apply it to future classes. This includes topics we discuss, as well as writing and discussion skills. When students can apply new knowledge to their other classes, they not only make their own educational experience better, but also the experiences of their classmates.

I truly enjoy meeting the many students I've had in class. Each one brings a unique experience to the classroom. I've also met some great faculty members and administrators at University of Phoenix. Sharing experiences with them has not only been an interesting learning experience, but also has resulted in some fantastic working relationships and friendships.

Kristen Schretzenmayer, DBA, College of Graduate Business and Management

Kristen Schretzenmayer holds master's and doctoral degrees in business administration, with particular emphasis on human resource management and international business at the graduate level and organizational behavior at the doctoral level. She served as human resources manager for a corporation prior to advancing to her current position as its vice president of operations. Dr. Schretzenmayer facilitates courses in organizational behavior at University of Phoenix, where she has taught for more than five years.