Faculty Profiles
Our faculty bring extensive professional expertise in our competitive fields of study. They may be scientists, CEOs, project leaders, or clinicians. Their experience and wisdom enables our students to see how our science and technology majors apply to the career world as they guide students through their courses. Browse the profiles below to learn more about our faculty.
Jackie Allen |
Corporate Faculty
jallen@harrisburgu.edu
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Christine Altieri |
Student Services Associate/Asst Prof of English
Caltieri@harrisburgu.edu
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Susan Barrows, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor of Integrative Sciences
717.901.5147
sbarrows@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Barrows received her B.A. in chemistry from Franklin and Marshall College in 1992 and Ph.D. in computational organic chemistry from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 1997. Dr. Barrows began her teaching career in 1997 as a visiting assistant professor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, MA. Before coming to Harrisburg University, Dr. Barrows taught at Penn State University – Schuylkill Campus. Dr. Barrows’ research interests are centered in the utilization of computers in chemical education and the investigation of transition metal catalyzed reactions. Her research also includes the study of transition metal catalysis of the water gas shift reaction, an important chemical process in fuel cells and the coal-to-oil process. Throughout her career, Dr. Barrows has been highly involved in the community as well as the science industry; conducting chemistry workshops, authoring various industry publications and is currently a member of the American Chemical Society and reviewer for the Journal of Chemical Education and Journal of Computational Chemistry.
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Samuel Benigni, Ph.D.
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Assistant Professor of Physics
717.901.5159
sbenigni@HarrisburgU.edu
Introductory Physics and Mathematics
Dr. Benigni received his B.A. in Physics from Mansfield University in 1976 and Ph.D. in Physics from Kent State University in 1983. At Kent State, Dr. Benigni developed an X-Ray Diffraction facility in conjunction with the Kent State University’s Liquid Crystal Institute. His X-Ray research led to the development of a novel Liquid Crystalline Phase. During this time, Dr. Benigni was also engaged in a federally funded research project where he developed modifications to Introductory Physics laboratory equipment for the physically handicapped. After receiving his doctorate degree, Dr. Benigni taught Introductory Physics, Astronomy, Conceptual Physics, Digital Electronics, and Microprocessor programming at Kent State’s Trumbull branch campus. In 1985, he joined the RCA Advanced Display Research and Development Labs in Lancaster, PA. His duties there included industrial process engineering, supporting RCA’s CRT and Electron Gun production facilities in the US, Italy, France, Brazil, China and Mexico. In 1989, Dr. Benigni became Manager and Senior Scientist of the Physics Group at RCA, leading several of RCA’s key research projects in advanced CRT design, and Flat Panel Field Emission Display devices. He holds several patents in vacuum CRT design and processing and advanced Field Emission Display technology. In January of 2008, Dr. Benigni joined the Corporate Faculty at the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, and is currently teaching Introductory Physics and Mathematics. He is a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society.
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John Branson, Ed.D. |
Corporate Faculty
jbranson@HarrisburgU.edu
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Joseph E. Cannon, Ph.D. |
Professor of Computer and Information Sciences
717.901.5119
jcannon@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Cannon received his Ph.D. in computer information systems from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. He also holds a master’s degree in engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics, Physics minor from LaSalle University. Dr. Cannon began his teaching career at DeSales University where he was an adjunct professor of computer science before accepting the position of associate professor of computer information systems at Prince George’s Community College. In 2001, Dr. Cannon transferred to Kutztown University where he taught graduate and undergraduate computer science courses. Dr. Cannon’s ongoing areas of research at Harrisburg University include developing efficient algorithms to update beliefs in Bayesian Belief Networks by utilizing parallel processing methods and cluster computing technology.
Dr. Cannon's faculty web page (for office hours and class schedule).
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Allyson Carlson |
Corporate Faculty
acarlson@HarrisburgU.edu
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JB Davis |
Corporate Faculty
jbdavis@HarrisburgU.edu
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Chuck Davis, MSIA, CISSP |
Corporate Faculty
cdavis@harrisburgu.edu
Chuck Davis, MSIA, CISSP-ISSAP teaches Ethical Hacking and Computer Forensics classes for Harrisburg University. Chuck is a Senior Security Architect at a Fortune 500 Company and previously worked as a Security Operations Manager for IBM.
Mr. Davis holds the CISSP and ISSAP certifications from (ISC)2. He co-authored two books on the subject of security, holds three patents and has four published invention disclosures. He has been a speaker at numerous security conferences and was a featured guest speaker a Hacker Halted Conference in Mexico City.
Chuck was interviewed by national and regional media on the subject of information security.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Information Assurance and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.
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Calvin Deiterich |
Corporate Faculty
cdeiterich@HarrisburgU.edu
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Christina L. Dryden, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor of Integrative Sciences
717.901.5130
cdryden@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Christina L. Dryden is a marine environmental chemist /analytical chemist/chemical oceanographer and a Charter Faculty member at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. She received a B.S. in Chemistry from Salisbury University and a Ph.D. in Oceanography from the Old Dominion University. Dr. Dryden began her academic career as a summer student employee at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab and prior to joining the faculty at HU was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University. Dr. Dryden works on various aspects of trace metals (copper, cadmium, zinc) cycling in aquatic systems. The biogeochemical cycling of these elements affects the ecology of microorganisms in marine and estuarine systems. The majority of her research has focused on investigating the interactive response of microbial communities to copper stress. Dr. Dryden has published in peer-reviewed journals on this topic and given presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. As a faculty member at HU, she has become involved in incorporating technology in the classroom and the HU learning experience.
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Steven Else, Ph.D. |
Corporate Faculty
selse@HarrisburgU.edu
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Steve Else, Ph.D |
A leading enterprise architect in the public and private sector for about a decade, Dr. Steve Else brings a wealth of practical and educational experience in enterprise architecture. He is certified in TOGAF™ 9, is a FEAC Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA), an ISEB Certified Enterprise and Solutions Architect, certified in SOA by Zap Think, and is a Project Management Professional (PMP)®. Steve has served in key EA roles in both the private and public sectors, including BAE Systems, CSC, Dynamics Research Corporation, and Synectics for Management Decisions in the private sector; and the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Transportation, and Health and Human Services in the public sector.
A member of the corporate faculty at Harrisburg University, Steve teaches topics such as enterprise architecture and systems analysis and design. He has also taught courses on Technology Forecasting and Assessments, Knowledge Management, and Project and Change Management. Steve wrote his doctoral thesis on "Organization Theory and the Transformation of Large, Complex Organizations" (published as a book in 2010) and is the founding editor of The EA Zone Journal. He is the CEO and Founder of EA Principals, Inc., and is highly sought after globally for his EA expertise in both a consulting and training capacities.
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S. Walter “Scott” Foulkrod IV, Esquire
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Corporate Faculty
sfoulkrod@HarrisburgU.edu
Scott Foulkrod practices law in the Harrisburg region. As part of HU's corporate faculty he teaches courses in law, philosophy and literature. He is a graduate of Cumberland Valley High School near Harrisburg, the University of Richmond with a BA in both English and French, and Widener University School of Law's Harrisburg campus. He has served on the board of and as president of the Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) and remains involved in that non-profit organization's efforts to continue to improve Harrisburg's quality of life for younger adults. In 2004 he helped to develop and served as the first leader of the Pennsylvania Young Professionals, our nation's first statewide young professionals organization, which serves to reverse the state's brain drain of young talent which has left it with the second oldest population in the nation.
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Robert Furey, Ph.D. |
Professor of Integrative Sciences
717.901.5132
rfurey@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr Rob Furey earned his doctorate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in Life Sciences program with a specialization in ethology. His work was centered around social aspects of spider behavior, but his interests have broadened to include areas of astronomy, physics, geology and forensics. Before coming to Harrisburg University Dr Furey has been associate professor of behavioral science at the Université Henri Poincaré, Vandouvre les Nancy, France, visiting European researcher at the Free University of Brussels, and assistant professor in New Century College at George Mason University. Dr Furey won numerous awards for innovative teaching from both academic and business groups, and was invited to present a broad integrated science course to a pedagogy group at NASA Ames. He has been working closely with the Dauphin County Coroner’s office as a sworn deputy since January 1, 2006. His current position in Integrative Sciences at Harrisburg University is well suited to his interests and teaching style. Complimentary activities include director of the environmental education center at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, guide and science advisor to a Partridge Films film crew in Equatorial West Africa and a regular science column in Aeon Magazine.
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Edward Garrity |
Corporate Faculty
egarrity@Harrisburgu.edu
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Jim Gates |
Corporate Faculty
jgates@HarrisburgU.edu
James Gates is an independent consultant specializing in assisting teachers and administration to develop 21st Century skills and integrate technology throughout their curriculum, and he is a corporate faculty member in the Learning Technologies Master of Science (LTMS) program where he teaches the “Implementing Web 2.0 in the Classroom” course.
He held the position of Instructional Technology Trainer for eight years with the Capital Area Intermediate Unit. He currently serves as a Mentor with the PA Department of Education (PDE) in the “Classrooms for the Future” program. His blog (tipline.blogspot.com) won the 2007 Edublogs Award for the Best Resources Sharing Blog. It has recently been listed on the Top Online University Review web site as one of the “Top 50 blogs for e-learning Tools and Tips”. Jim received the 2009 Pioneer Award from the PA Association for Educational Communications & Technology (PAECT) in recognition of his lifetime leadership role in instructional technology. James has won both a National Gold and a National Bronze Award for a monthly column he wrote for Child Guide Magazine.
James has a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology from Bloomsburg University.
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Edgar C. Harrell, Ph.D.
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Entrepreneur in Residence
eharrell@HarrisburgU.edu
Edgar C. Harrell is Managing Partner of Harrell Capital Partners, LLC, and the Entrepreneur in Residence at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
Dr. Harrell is an economist with more than 30 years of experience in managing private and public programs in the areas of privatization, technology commercialization, entrepreneurial training, capital market development, private investment in Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East and early stage financing of technology companies. He has held senior managerial positions with Rohm & Haas Co., E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., the State Department, the Agency for International Development and Price Waterhouse, LLP. He has lived and worked in India, Japan, Thailand and Jordan and is currently the Managing Partner, Harrell Partners, LLC, a family owned early stage equity investor in seed and early stage IT and biotech. He holds a BS in Chemistry from Dickinson College (with Honors), a Certificate from the East Asian Institute (Japanese studies), Columbia University, a PhD in Economics, Columbia University and attended the AMP (Advanced Management Program), Harvard Business School.
Dr. Harrell serves on many boards including the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern, PA (a state funded early stage technology venture capital fund), The Penn State Research Foundation (licensing and patenting university generated research), Penn Venture Partners (second stage SBA guaranteed investment fund), the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority(State of Pa Board to review and make recommendations on business development investments and policies), Nomadio, Inc ( a control and telemetry systems software start-up company-retired), Pest Patrol (a security software start-up company that was purchased by Computer Associates in October 2004) and the Maryland Health Care Products Development Corp (a Md. Tech Council associated early investment fund for biotech and health care product/service companies).
He is an active investor in ten other, pre-registered start-up companies: Salvage Direct (a web based auction company for cars, boats and recreational vehicles), NanoHorizons (a Penn State University licensed nanoscale material and device technologies company), QuantumBio (a Penn State licensed quantum mechanics modeling company for protein-small molecule interaction), Hanson Technologies (a bio sensor development company commercializing its own technology as well as technology licensed from others, e.g., the Naval Research Lab), Viddler, Inc ( a video management software company), Exploit Prevention Labs (an online security software recently acquired by Grisoft), CyberPatrol (internet parental control software), Data Motion.com( manages software and infrastructure to support secure messaging within a company), Carnegie Speech (foreign language training-board member), Oculis Labs ( security software to protect against unauthorized people from looking at your PC screen) and DfR Solutions, LLC (consulting and testing services for reliability and product design in the electrical and electronics industries –advisory committee member).
Dr Harrell was the Executive Director of a new and expanding incubator for start-up and expanding companies in Carlisle, PA for three years while he was an Adjunct Professor of International Business and Management, Dickinson College.
Dr Harrell has previously taught at Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand, George Washington U, as well as Dickinson College. Dr Harrell has participated in NFTE (National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship) high school programs in Greater Washington .
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Carl Heininger |
Corporate Faculty
cheininger@HarrisburgU.edu
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Graham S. Hetrick, MS, FD. B.C.F.E.
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Corporate Faculty
ghetrick@HarrisburgU.edu
Graham Hetrick is a member of the University’s corporate faculty in the forensics major. He is the Dauphin County Coroner since 1990. He has supervised investigations of over 200 homicide cases and has performed forensic facial reconstruction. He is a Professor of Medical/Legal Investigation Central Pennsylvania College and his specialty is in crime scene management and shallow grave recovery. Mr. Hetrick was president of the Hetrick Funeral Home from 1975-2003. He served in the United States Army Service from 1965-1968. He has received many honors including a Commendation by Mayor Stephen Reed of Harrisburg - Dillion Serial Murders, Commendation by Swatara Police Department - Joe Miller Triple Homicide, Third Degree Black Belt - Isshinryu Karate (2003) and Mu Sigma Alpha Award for Academic Proficiency - Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (1973,)
Mr. Hetrick has a M.S. in Research Psychology. He is the Past Chairman of the Dauphin County Hospital Authority and a former Susquehanna Township Commissioner. He is member of Pennsylvania Coroner’s Association, Mass Disaster Committee and Pennsylvania Republican State Committeeman, and member and Chairman of the Board of Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance.
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Mark Jacobs, MHA, CPHIMS, FHIMSS |
Corporate Faculty
mjacobs@HarrisburgU.edu
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Jason Jones |
Corporate Faculty
jjones@HarrisburgU.edu
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Lawrence Knorr, MBA, PMP, CCP |
Corporate Faculty
lknorr@harrisburgu.edu
Lawrence Knorr is a member of the University’s corporate faculty in the Computer Information Sciences major. Since August 2008, he has worked for Ahold USA, the sixth largest grocery chain in the US (Giant, Stop & Shop, Martins, Peapod). Presently, he is the Director of IM Strategy Integration responsible for the Program Management Organization, Performance Management and Communications supporting this 750+ store grocery chain. Prior to working at Ahold, Lawrence was the Chief Information Officer for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the 650+ store retail chain operated by the Commonwealth. During his 28-year career, Mr. Knorr has worked in a variety of capacities in information systems, from computer programmer to CEO of his own consulting firm (NorSoft, Inc.) in the 1990's. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Business/Economics (Management concentration / Minor in History) from Wilson College, achieving summa cum laude honors and honors in his major. He received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Pennsylvania State University, achieving induction in Beta Gamma Sigma. Lawrence received his initial training in computer programming from the Lehigh Data Processing Institute (now Berks Technical Institute).
Mr. Knorr is a Project Management Professional with years of experience implementing information systems projects. He is also a Certified Computer Professional.
On a personal note, Lawrence is an accomplished digital artist, having shown his work in New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas in addition to local galleries (www.vonknorrgallery.com ). He is an accomplished author having written several books on local history and genealogy, including "A Pennsylvania Mennonite and the California Gold Rush". Lawrence has two daughters, a stepson and stepdaughter and lives in Camp Hill with Tammi, his wife.
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Michelle Krill |
Instructional Technology Coach, South Western School
mkrill@HarrisburgU.edu
Michelle began her educational career as a 2nd and 3rd grade classroom teacher. After 5 years in the classroom, she moved out of the classroom to become the elementary technology liaison, providing just in time, job embedded and ongoing professional development for teachers, staff, and administration. In fall 2007, Michelle became the Classrooms for the Future coach at South Western High School to assist teachers with integrating grant funded equipment into the curriculum. Currently, Michelle has returned to her role as the K-5 Instructional Technology Specialist, working with elementary teachers to integrate technology into existing curriculum activities in a relevant and meaningful manner.
Michelle worked as a systems analyst for a private computer firm prior to becoming an educator, obtained her M.Ed from Wilmington College in 1996, and most recently completed course work to obtain state certification as an Instructional Technology Specialist. In addition, Michelle is pursuing her supervisory certification through a joint program offered by Johns Hopkins University and the International Society for Technology in Education.
In addition to her work with the South Western School District, Michelle was recognized as a Google Certified Teacher in 2008, presents locally and statewide on topics of instructional, educational technology and is a member of the Corporate Faculty for Harrisburg University.
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Penn Lemmonds
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Corporate Faculty
plemmonds@HarrisburgU.edu
Penn Lemmonds is a project manager, consultant and instructor with more than 30 years of experience in information systems. Mr. Lemmonds is a corporate faculty member of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. He has consulted with the University from its inception and was instrumental in developing the curriculum for the Masters Degree Program in Information Technology Project Management. He was responsible for attaining PMI® approval of the University as a Registered Education Provider. He has developed course materials for a new Professional Education program, Project Management in the Construction Industry, at the Iacocca Institute of Lehigh University. He is the instructor for the Project Management Certificate Program for Pennsylvania State University, York Campus.
He has provided project management services to organizations in federal and state government, education, manufacturing, communications, banking, health care, and information technology. As an Information Technology professional, his clients have included AT&T, CIBER, DuPont, EDS, IBM and Unisys as well as public sector organizations within the Department of Defense, Social Security Administration, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the states of Maryland and South Dakota.
Mr. Lemmonds is certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI®) as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and is Past President of the PMI® Keystone Chapter of Pennsylvania. He has served in other positions as a Chapter Officer and as a mentor to PMP Examination Study Groups.
Mr. Lemmonds is a graduate of the Stanford University Advanced Project Management Program and has received the professional credential of Stanford Certified Project Manager (SCPM). He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Shippensburg University
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Ronald McNamara, Ph.D. |
Corporate Faculty
rmcnamara@HarrisburgU.edu
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Peter Meek, Ph.D.
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Assistant Professor of Biotechnology
717.901.5164
pmeek@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Peter Meek completed his Post Doctoral training at The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia where he also served as an Adjunct Professor. There he spent the majority of his time developing new lead molecules for treatment of HIV, Alzheimer’s, Dry Macula Degeneration, Anti-Malarials, Anti-Cancer and Anti-Biotic agents using Shape Signature technology (pioneered by Dr. Randy Zauhar). Further to his research projects Dr. Meek also taught as an instructor for several courses in Chemistry, Computer Aided Drug Design and Biochemistry.
Peter completed his Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Leeds in the UK (2004) and also his Masters of Research in Bioinformatics (2000), his Undergraduate studies were completed at King’s College London, UK (1999) in Biomedical Science. Since moving from England in early 2005, Pennsylvania has become a new home to him and he was pleasantly surprised how vastly cultured the state is; so much so he is actively playing his favorite sport, ‘Cricket’.
As a student back in England he was a strong advocate for education of science in the community, and was a ‘Researcher in Residence’ for three consecutive years. The prime goals of the project was to demonstrate how young scientists conduct experiments based on material students are educated with at high-school level. This promotes the value of their education materials to a real life scientific investigations, problems or scenarios. Responsibilities included teaching curriculum material to high school students, judging science competitions and keeping a journal of these experiences. He was well received at the schools and competitions receiving a Communicator Award for his services.
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Kelli B. Murphy |
Corporate Faculty
kmurphy@HarrisburgU.edu
Kelli teaches in the Learning Technologies Master of Science (LTMS) program as a Corporate Faculty member. Kelli has obtained a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing, a Masters of Science in Secondary Education from St. Bonaventure University, NY and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in School District Administration from State University of New York at New Paltz. Additionally, she possesses instructional certificate for Instructional Technology from Philadelphia University. She has worked in the field of educational/instructional technology for over 15 years in New York and Pennsylvania. Her experiences include classroom instruction, professional development for teachers and admnistrators and as a district administrator in Educational Technology. Currently she is the assistant principal for Bermudian Springs High School. Kelli has presented in state-held instructional technology conferences in both New York and Pennsylvania.
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Mehdi Noorbaksh, Ph.D.
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Associate Professor of International Affairs, Coordinator of General Education
717.901.5118
mnoorbaksh@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Noorbaksh specializes in several areas, such as international politics, global energy and health, and democratic movements and processes in Middle East politics. Dr. Noorbaksh has published extensively on the Middle East politics, including the Foreign Policy Association, Middle East Policy Journal, and the International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies. Dr. Noorbaksh’s most recent academic achievements include receiving his master of business administration and master of health administration (MHA) in 2006 from the University of Houston. Previous to these degrees, Dr. Noorbaksh earned his B.S. in electrical engineering at the University of Texas in 1979 and M.A. in political science from the University of Houston in 1986. In 1996, Dr. Noorbaksh earned both his Ph.D. in government studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a position at Harvard University’s Center for Middle Eastern Studies as a Post-Doctoral Fellow before joining Harrisburg University in 2006. He is currently working on a number of articles on the Middle East and Iran, and a book on the interaction of Islam, nationalism and democratic change in Iran.
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Charles Palmer |
Exec. Dir. Center for Advanced Entertainment & Learning Technologies/Assoc. Prof. of Multimedia
717.901.5127
cpalmer@HarrisburgU.edu
Charles Palmer serves as director of the new Center for Advanced Entertainment & Learning Technologies (CAELT) where he leads new developments in digital storytelling and forms of entertainment technology. A creative educator, administrator, and producer, he previously served as a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center (ETC)and pioneered new software technology that allows computer users to use speech recognition to interview historical figures from Benjamin Franklin to Albert Einstein.
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Luis Paris, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor of Computer and Information Sciences
717.901.5116
lparis@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Paris received his Ph.D. in engineering science with an emphasis in computer science at the University of Mississippi in April 2005. He also holds a master’s degree in computer science and a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering. A charter faculty member at Harrisburg University, Dr. Paris is co-responsible for coordinating the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and certificate programs in CIS. He brings valuable experience from the academia where he previously succeeded as an instructor for an electrical engineering program and later as a research assistant for a CIS program He also brings insight and knowledge from both the software and hardware industries where he worked as an electronics engineer and software developer.
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Mrunalini V. Pattarkine, Ph.D. |
Associate Professor of Biotechnology
717.901.5168
lpattarkine@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr Mrunalini Pattarkine has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology and has extensive experience in biochemistry, biotechnology, and nanobiotechnology. She has worked on membranes, proteins, lipids, DNA diagnostics (gene therapy, DNA chips), and protein immobilization for developing them as nanobiotechnological material. She has experience with bioanalytical techniques for establishing structure-function relationships for macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids). She has also worked with liposomes and reverse micelles as membrane–mimetic systems. She has conducted research in environmental biotechnology project related to uranium bioremediation. She has been a recipient of Pennsylvania's Keystone Innovative Zone Grant for research on development of a hand-held biosensor for the detection of Methicillin-resistant /Staphylococcus aureus/ (MRSA).
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Andy Petroski
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Director of Learning Technologies and Assistant Professor of Learning Technologies
717.901.5167
apetroski@HarrisburgU.edu
Andy Petroski coordinates the Learning Technologies Master of Science (LTMS) program and learning technologies at Harrisburg University as Director of Learning Technologies.
In 2010, Andy received the "Technology Educator of the Year" honors from TECHQuest PA. The honor recognizes Andy as an "outstanding example of ‘Information Age Educator’ using current technologies to educate, motivate and inspire students to develop careers in technology fields and become lifelong learners."
The award-winning instructional technologist has more than 13 years of eLearning design and development experience in multimedia production firms, independent consulting, corporate learning and education.
He has played various roles in eLearning implementations including project manager, multimedia producer, instructional designer, graphic designer, writer, and developer. Prior to joining the University, Andy was Sr. Instructional Designer with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield where he managed, designed, and developed performance improvement solutions, established Corporate Learning best practices for design and development, and researched and implemented new approaches to delivering performance support solutions to Highmark employees.
Andy’s past work has included efforts in edutainment, using characters in multimedia and eLearning, games, simulations, and web design and development for marketing and entertainment, storyboarding best practices, web conferencing implementation and instructional design toolkit development.
As Director of Learning Technologies at Harrisburg University Andy’ work has included efforts in the areas of educational technology strategy, games and simulations, classroom technology, web 2.0, patient education, social learning and faculty development.
Andy has a Master of Science Degree in Instructional Technology from Bloomsburg University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from Wilkes University.
He has written multimedia and eLearning articles for national and regional publications and presented on various eLearning, educational technology, multimedia, and web topics at international, national, and regional events. He is a member of National ASTD, central PA ASTD and the eLearning Guild.
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Louis Quackenbush |
Corporate Faculty
lquackenbush@HarrisburgU.edu
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Stephen R. Reed |
Corporate Faculty
sreed@HarrisburgU.edu
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Charlie Reisinger |
Technology Director, Penn Manor School District
CReisinger@HarrisburgU.edu
Charlie Reisinger is the Technology Director at Penn Manor School District. He leads the district’s technical operations and instructional technology initiatives. Charlie is an award-winning leader with over 15 years of experience managing complex information technology operations and educational technology initiatives. Charlie is a 4-time Pennsylvania School Business Officials (PASBO) Award of Achievement recipient. He and his team at Penn Manor were recognized with the 2011 Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) Award of Excellence for School Technology.
Charlie teaches the "Managing Technology Resources" course for the LTMS program. When not working with the staff and students at Penn Manor, he provides educational technology leadership services and training workshops for regional schools, agencies, and organizations. Charlie received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Millersville University and a Master of Science Degree in Instructional Design and Technology from Philadelphia University. Follow his blog at: http://www.pennmanor.net/techblog
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David Ritter
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Corporate Faculty
dritter@HarrisburgU.edu
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Albert Sarvis, PMP, GISP
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Assistant Professor of Geospatial Technology and ITPM
717-901-5174
Asarvis@HarrisburgU.edu
Albert Sarvis received his B.A. in Geoenvironmental Studies from Shippensburg University in 1991 and M.A. in Geography at Ohio University in 1994. Mr. Sarvis began his teaching experience as a Graduate Assistant at OU teaching Physical Geography and Geospatial Technology labs. Mr. Sarvis has also taught graduate level Geospatial Technology classes at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs and undergraduate classes at Harrisburg Area Community College. In 2005 he began working with Harrisburg University as a corporate faculty member helping to develop and teach the Geospatial Technology program before joining the HU staff full time in January 2011.
Prior to becoming a full time professor Mr. Sarvis worked for 16 years in the Geospatial Technology consulting industry spending 11 of those years as a project manager. He obtained his Project Management Professional certification in 2005 and GIS Professional certification in 2007. Mr. Sarvis has presented Geospatial Technology and Project Management at numerous conferences and workshops during his consulting career and maintains a wide range of Geospatial Industry contacts to benefit both the Geospatial Technology and IT Project Management program content and future student careers.
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Lisa Marie Smith, MBA, MPM, MHRM, MISM, MNCM, PMP, PMI-SP, |
Corporate Faculty
lsmith@HarrisburgU.edu
Lisa Marie Smith teaches ITPM 540 – Planning and Executing Projects in the Master of Science in Project Management Graduate Program. Ms. Smith is the owner and CEO of Smith Business Services LLC, which provides project management and contact center consulting services. Ms. Smith serves as a senior consultant and/or contractor and provides services in the areas of process improvement through effective project management practice and contact center operational improvement based on Ms. Smith’s extensive experience. Ms. Smith also performs as an adjunct faculty member at DeVry University and teaches a variety of business and project management courses in their undergraduate program and performs as a project management instructor for Penn State – Lehigh Valley.
Ms. Smith has an extensive educational background that includes Master degrees in Business Administration (MBA), Project Management (MPM), Human Resource Management (MHRM), Information Systems Management (MISM), and Network and Communication (MNCM) from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University. Ms. Smith achieved a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in International Studies with a Latin America concentration from Millersville University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Smith's education complements her strong, diversified experience in the project management and contact center industries.
Ms. Smith is a PMP certified Project Management Professional and a PMI-SP certified Project Management Scheduling Professional through the Project Management Institute (PMI), and currently serves as the PMI Keystone Chapter Vice President and South West Region Program Director. Ms. Smith is a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) and holds MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist) certifications in the areas of Managing Projects with Microsoft Office Project 2007 and Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007. Ms. Smith also holds CompTIA Project+ certification.
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Linda Taylor |
Corporate Faculty
ltaylor@HarrisburgU.edu
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A. Michael Theilacker |
Corporate Faculty
mtheilacker@HarrisburgU.edu
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Amjad Umar, Ph.D. |
Director of Management & eBusiness, Director of ISEM Program
717.901.5141
aumar@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Amjad Umar is a Professor and Director of the Management and eBusiness degree program and the Information Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM) programs at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Additionally, he is Senior Advisor to the United Nations and a Fulbright Senior Specialist with the US Council for International Exchange of Scholars.
He has written six books and more than 50 research papers in his areas of specialization that span ebusiness,IT planning, enterprise architectures and integration, mobile computing, and information security.
His 20+ years of experience in his areas of expertise includes academic assignments, senior research management positions in the industry, and consulting/advisory work around the globe. He is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Pennsylvania (since 2000), was a Professor at the Fordham Graduate School of Business, and has held visiting/adjunct faculty positions at the University of Michigan, Rutgers University, and Peking University. As a Director of eBusiness and Distributed Systems Research at Bellcore (part of the Bell Labs system, now known as Telcordia Technologies), he supervised large scale projects in enterprise architectures and integration, mobile computing, information security, and distributed systems.
As a Fulbright Senior Specialist on ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) with the US Council of International Exchange of Scholars, a Senior Advisor to the United Nations initiative on ‘ICT for the Developing Countries’, and an entrepreneur, he has consulted with global telecom organizations, US Department of Navy, US Army Research Labs, Frost and Sullivan (England), Toyota Corp., Society of Manufacturing Engineers, manufacturing organizations, professional services organizations, and academic institutions in England, Singapore, China, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Canada. As an entrepreneur, he has formed a startup that is concentrating on the business and technical aspects of next generation enterprises. He has received numerous awards (Faculty Award from IBM, Fulbright Senior Specialist Award from the US Council of International Exchange of Scholars, Distinguished Faculty Award from the University of Michigan, Best Adjunct Faculty Award from Fordham, and Outstanding Performance Awards from Bellcore).
He received an M.S. in Computer and Communication Engineering and a Ph,D. in Information Systems (Industrial and Operations Engineering Department), both from the University of Michigan.
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Albert Unrath |
Corporate Faculty
aunrath@HarrisburgU.edu
Albert Unrath teaches Instructional Design and Development as a part of the MS in Learning Technologies program. Albert has been developing learning technology tools for higher education the last 10 years. After earning a M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania he began developing instructional resources for faculty at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster and then progressed to Millersville University where he is currently the Instructional Designer for face-to-face, technology enhanced and full online courses. As an adjunct professor for Millersville University and Lancaster’s Campus of Harrisburg Area Community College he teaches courses on multimedia, and instructional technology.
As a member of both the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Blackboard Administrator’s Group and the Millersville University Online Advisory Committee he works with faculty and administrators to shape the Distance Education programs at a state and university level. As an innovative proponent of instructional design, he developed tools for curriculum redesign which he presented at regional and national conferences.
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Vicki Villone, Ph.D. |
Corporate Faculty
vvillone@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Villone teaches general education courses at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. Additionally, she has taught English at HACC since 2001. She has a Ph.D. in English from Lehigh University, where she taught English while working on her degree. Dr. Villone earned a master’s degree in English from Shippensburg University and a bachelor's degree in English from Messiah College.
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Michele Washko
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Corporate Faculty, Vice President, Life Science Greenhouse of PA
mwashko@HarrisburgU.edu
Ms. Washko has approximately 15 years experience in marketing, communications, and business planning and development. Her particular strengths are in the areas of branding, competitive analysis and market planning. Prior to joining the Life Sciences Greenhouse of Central Pennsylvania, an early-stage venture investment group, Ms. Washko spent several years at Merck & Co., Inc., where she worked on new product launches. She sits on the board of several healthcare-related startup companies, and is member of the TechQuest Advisory Board. Ms. Washko holds a BA from Emory University, an MA from Arcadia University and an MBA from Penn State University.
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Glenn Williams
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Corporate Faculty
gwilliams@HarrisburgU.edu
Glenn P. Williams, Internet Rich Media Developer, TRC Interactive. Glenn has a BSME from the University of Vermont, EIT from Louisiana and PE from Ohio. However, everyone that knows Glenn knows -- he is a computer guy. He codes client-side and server-side asp functions, SQL database statements, JavaScript functions including flash-to-JavaScript and flash-to-flash functions, flash CS3 actionscript functions and complex custom combinations in order to achieve real time optimized data exchange.
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Michael R. Wright |
Corporate Faculty, GoshenPass Consulting
mrwright@HarrisburgU.edu
Mr. Michael Wright is an independent information technology security consultant specializing in systems compliance, risk analysis and information assurance. He creates, evaluates and implements enterprise security policy, practices and procedures as well as conducts enterprise security and vulnerability assessments. Mr. Wright is a recognized security expert in information assurance relating to such products as Citrix XenApp, Microsoft Windows Server 2003/2008 and Active Directory.
With more than 23 years of professional experience in telecommunications, LAN/WAN internetworking technologies, and IT Security, Mr. Wright has spent the last 15 years working as both an IT and INFOSEC consultant working on projects for a variety of organizations, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Computer Sciences Corporation, IBM, Rome Air Force Research Laboratory, United States Navy and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). He began his technology career in the United States Marine Corps designing custom software application systems. After his 5 years of military experience, Mr. Wright worked for DBI, Inc. in the field of disaster recovery. He has spent a bulk of his career providing consulting services to the Department of Defense in the areas of information security and information assurance.
The book he co-authored, “Securing Citrix XenApp in the Enterprise”, served as one of the principal documents defining Citrix XenApp security policy for the Department of Defense. Currently, Mr. Wright is a consultant with IBM.
Mr. Wright is a past president of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a member of InfraGard. Mr. Wright also serves as a corporate faculty member for the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology teaching courses on information security and information assurance.
Mr. Wright is an alumnus of the Virginia Military Institute and a magna cum laude graduate from Harrisburg University of Science and Technology with a B.S. in Integrative Sciences. He has obtained the following professional certifications during his technical career: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (NT, 2000, 2003, 2008), Department of Defense Level II System Administrator, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Citrix Certified Enterprise Engineer (CCEA), Security+, ITIL v3.
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Eric D. Darr, Ph.D. |
Provost & Executive Vice President
717.901.5111
edarr@HarrisburgU.edu
Dr. Eric Darr is an administrator and professor whose career has bridged the corporate world and academia. He was named provost of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology as of July 1, 2007. The provost is the University's chief academic officer. Dr. Darr also serves as executive vice president.
Dr. Darr oversees Academic Services, Enrollment Management, Information Technology Services, Library Services and Curriculum and Faculty Affairs.
Additionally, Dr. Darr serves on the leadership team for the Pennsylvania STEM Center Initiative, which will design, develop, implement and evaluate a set of strategies for Pennsylvania’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Agenda through 2018. An initiative of the National Governors Association and the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, the STEM Center Initiative develops and deploys statewide strategies and resources designed to enhance the Commonwealth’s education and workforce development efforts targeted at the development of a globally competitive STEM workforce.
Dr. Darr earned both a bachelor of science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master of science degree in Industrial Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also earned an MBA and a doctor of philosophy degree in Organizational Behavior and Theory from Carnegie Mellon University where he studied under Nobel Prize Winner and noted organizational theorist Herbert Simon.
While at the Anderson Graduate School of Management at the University of California at Los Angeles, he conducted research and consulted in over twenty multinational corporations including Arthur Andersen, Gemini Consulting, TRW Space and Electronics, Hughes Aerospace, Bank of America, Xerox, British Airways and Qantas Airlines.
Dr. Darr developed and taught Doctoral and MBA courses in organizational learning, organizational change, organization design, process reengineering, business strategy and technology management. Further, he developed and taught executive education courses in measuring intellectual capital, corporate renewal, managing information technology resources, improving product development and creating organizational memory.
He has published numerous articles and book chapters on organizational learning, learning technologies and competitive advantage. He has been an invited speaker at universities in the United States, Austria, Great Britain, France, Australia and the Netherlands. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the Center for International Business Education and Research at UCLA.
Prior to joining Harrisburg University, Dr. Darr was Chief Operating Officer from 2000 until 2004 at KnowledgePlanet, Inc., a software company located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. From 1997 to 2000, Dr. Darr led Ernst & Young’s Knowledge Management Consulting Services.
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