Author Biographies
Dr. Chuck Banaszewski
Dr. Chuck Banaszewski has been an instructor at Grand Canyon University since 2011 and has been a part of the School for Doctoral Studies since November of 2013 where he serves as an Assistant Professor for online doctoral students. Banaszewski graduated from Coastal Carolina University (CCU) in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts. He was a double major at CCU where he studied theatre and English. In 2006, Banaszewski received his Doctorate in Theatre from Arizona State University. His academic career has always been rooted in engaged pedagogy in which he develops working relationships with his students. All of his research is based on students and teachers sharing in the learning process. He believes communication is the touchstone to building any kind of successful program, and his ability to communicate well with others—as well as being able to understand people’s needs—is an invaluable asset that has followed him in all of his professional and academic relationships.
Dr. Michael Berger
Dr. Michael Berger is Dean of the College of Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University where he has worked since 2004. His dissertation focused on instructional techniques that online faculty can use to better connect with their students. He has presented at numerous conferences on the subjects of higher education assessment, online learning, and virtual doctoral education. His bachelor's and master's degrees are from the University of Dayton, and he received his Doctorate in Education from GCU. Berger started his doctoral program five days after his daughter was born, so he has first-hand experience trying to balance school, family, and full-time employment.
Dr. Ronald Berman
Dr. Ronald Berman is Executive Director of Academic Excellence for the College of Doctoral Studies. He is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of long-term strategies that enhance the effectiveness and richness of doctoral education at Grand Canyon University. Berman is also the program chair for the Doctorate in Business Administration Program and is the architect for the Doctoral Community Network. He frequently teaches leadership, technology, and research in the doctoral college. He has presented at several Sloan Consortium International conferences and has recently published research on the Doctoral Community Network. Berman has extensive business and technology experience which is augmented with diverse academic credentials. He had held a variety of senior product and technology leadership positions in Fortune 100 companies and helped to launch a successful dot.com. Berman earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston University, a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University.
Dr. Scott Greenberger
Dr. Scott Greenberger is the Manager of Research and Assessment in the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching (CIRT) at Grand Canyon University. He has 15 years of experience working with institutions of higher education. Greenberger earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, a Master of Arts in Liberal Arts from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, and a Doctorate of Education degree in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership from Grand Canyon University. His research interests include the psychological construct of passion, faculty evaluation and assessment, and the philosophy of scientific inquiry.
Dr. Jim Hadley
Dr. Jim Hadley is the Psychology Program Chair at Grand Canyon University. He graduated from the University of Maryland (European Division) with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and went on to complete his Master of Arts Degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling with a clinical emphasis at Chapman University in 1983. After serving in the Air Force for 22 years in the Human Resources field, he held positions as Manager of Leadership Training and Development for various large organizations in the Midwest. He graduated in 2003 with his PhD in Psychology from Saybrook University in San Francisco, formerly known as the Humanistic Psychology Institute. Hadley taught general psychology at the community college level, and from that point, he was hooked on the classroom. He moved into college administration, serving as an Academic Dean, as Campus President at two for-profit colleges, and as a Campus President at a small for-profit university. He has taught doctoral students in various psychology and leadership courses during the past seven years and continues to teach psychology courses at the doctoral level for Grand Canyon University.
Dr. Sherion H. Jackson
Dr. Sherion H. Jackson holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Education from the University of Central Florida. Jackson has served as associate professor, educational consultant, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools reviewer, and school administrator. She has peer-reviewed, edited, and refereed numerous books and journal articles for publishers, authors, conferences, and students. Since 2001, she has authored or coauthored more than 35 journal articles and books. She is a firm believer in fine-tuning writing through the peer-review and editing processes in order to provide the audience with a concise understanding of the proposed content.
Dr. Seanan Kelly
Dr. Seanan Kelly completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Arizona State University while competing as a collegiate athlete (football). Kelly spent four years in athletic operations while completing a Master of Education degree in Education Leadership and Policy Studies. He taught for five years at Arizona State University while completing his Doctorate of Education degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education. Kelly’s ongoing research interests focus on intersections of race, gender, and sports policy with an emphasis on identity and factors that promote or deter degree attainment by underrepresented groups in collegiate athletics. Kelly has been a visiting lecturer at Monterey Peninsula College in California and Maricopa Community College-Northern Arizona University Education Policy Program, and was a visiting scholar and lecturer at Albion College in Michigan as a guest of the board of Ethnic and Women’s studies.
Dr. Julia Langdal
Dr. Julia Langdal has been teaching as either an adjunct or full-time faculty member for more than six years. She earned her Doctorate of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology and has a passion for practicing and teaching psychology and other subjects. Langdal is a licensed clinical psychologist and a member of the American Psychological Association. She has contributed to several articles published in psychological journals and has presented at conferences across the country. She truly enjoys working with students to develop and hone their critical-thinking and writing skills and is excited to see developmental changes as students progress through their programs.
Dr. Wayne Schmidt
Dr. Wayne Schmidt is the Education Content Chair at Grand Canyon University, where he has worked since 2010. Before moving to the College of Doctoral Studies, Schmidt worked to develop curriculum at GCU. Prior to GCU, Schmidt was in K-8 education, serving as a junior high school teacher and as a principal. He graduated from Concordia University, Chicago, California State University, Long Beach, and Arizona State University. He wrote his dissertation on using collaborative inquiry as professional development for teachers. He has presented at conferences throughout the Pacific Southwest and has contributed several articles on professional development. He sees building positive relationships as central to effective instruction.