May 2013
Dr. Gina Piccinni ’12, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate, was approved in March by the board of education to serve as the principal of Carman Trails Elementary School in Manchester, Mo. She previously served as principal of Null Elementary School in St. Charles.
Dr. Christine Ermold ’11, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate, was recently hired as the director for elementary education and professional development for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District in Soldotna, Ark. She will begin work in July and provide leadership for more than 700 certified employees in the district. She previously served as the head learner for Sterling Elementary and Cooper Landing School. Dr. Ermold is also the president of the Kenai Peninsula Administrators’ Association.
Dr. Douglas Tedford ’08, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate, recently partnered with Irene Barry, a Ph.D. in Education student, to help her produce online courses for rural students in Guatemala as a volunteer for the Rigoberta Menchu Tum Foundation. Dr. Tedford lives in Mexico City and works as an author, teacher trainer, researcher, and writer for Teaching Services Latin America. Barry was featured in “Aztec Teacher Develops Online Courses for Rural Teachers in Guatemala” in The Daily Times on April 8 for her role. She is a transition teacher at Aztec High School in New Mexico.
Maurna A. Rome ’03, an M.S. in Education (M.S.Ed.) graduate, was profiled in the article “Rome Inspires Young Learners” in Kanabec County Times on March 7. The article notes that she recently received the Minnesota Reading Association Celebrate Literacy Award, earned certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and was nominated for Education Minnesota’s teacher of the year award. She is a first-grade teacher at Ogilvie Elementary School.
Dr. Satoko Nguyen ’12, a Ph.D. in Human Services graduate, presented in November on the topic of Canadian workers’ satisfaction after retirement at the annual conference of the Society of Applied Gerontology–Japan in Yokohama and gave a poster presentation about the same topic in October at the 2012 conference of the Canadian Association on Gerontology in Vancouver, British Columbia. She is a teacher at the Sundai Michigan International Academy in Novi and a Japanese-English medical, chemical patent, and article translator for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Dr. Danita Johnson Hughes ’02, a Ph.D. in Human Services graduate, was inducted into the Northwest Indiana Business and Industry Hall of Fame during an awards ceremony on March 22. The hall of fame honors individuals who have made substantial contributions to business and industry as well as making a lifetime commitment to enhancing communities in the region. Dr. Hughes is the CEO of Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living, a certified mental health center that provides behavioral health and child welfare services.
Tadd Greenfield ’11, a Master of Health Care Administration graduate, was named chief nursing officer of Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Neb., in March. He previously served as chief nursing officer for Banner Health Community Hospital in Torrington, Wyo.
Dr. Gregory Campbell ’12, a Ph.D. in Management graduate, was featured in the article “First Person Singular” in The Washington Post Magazine on March 12, where he details his experiences growing up and how he mentors young people. Dr. Campbell was also featured on C-SPAN’s Consumer Protection Summit on March 8, where he spoke about how consumers can protect themselves from fraud. He is the deputy chief inspector of Western Field Operations of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. He manages nine Western Field Divisions and has over 20 years of experience in federal law enforcement.
Dr. Raymond Marbury ’12, a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) graduate, presented “Human Capital, Information Governance, and Succession” at the Digital Government Institute’s E-Discovery, Records & Information Management Conference & Expo on April 4. Dr. Marbury is a program analyst and advisor for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is a division of the Department of Homeland Security.
Dr. Alvin Perry ’12, a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) graduate, presented “Keep Your Feet Movin’, You’re One Step Away From Positive Change” at the College of Coastal Georgia/Southeast GA Conference Center on March 25 to high school and college students. Attendees received a copy of his book The Circus Act: Unleash the Entrepreneur Spirit in You! (CreateSpace, 2013), a self-discovery guide that empowers readers to overcome psychological barriers to success.
Dr. Linda Moerschell ’09, a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences (now Ph.D. in Management) graduate, Dr. David Banner, Dr. Teresa M. Lao, and Dr. Thea Singer, faculty members in the School of Management, co-authored “Complexity Change Theory: Improvisational Leadership for Complex and Chaotic Environments” in the Leadership & Organizational Management Journal (Vol. 2013, Issue 1).
Chris Rey ’07, a B.S. in Business Administration graduate and mayor of Spring Lake, N.C., was profiled in The Fayetteville Observer on March 31. The article details his career history as well as how he is meeting the goals he set for his term: Local streets are scheduled to be improved this summer, areas have been cleared of derelict buildings, and Mendoza Park has been renovated. He also plans to partner with nonprofits and public and private businesses to drive community growth.
April 2013
Dr. Marsha Lyle-Gonga ’08, a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration graduate, led the third annual Young Women’s Leadership Symposium on April 5 at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., where she is an assistant professor of political science. The event is designed to increase the political efficacy of young women through leadership development and civic engagement activities.
Steve Colvin ’12, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduate, was recently promoted to clinical team leader of the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital in Roanoke, Va.
Beverly A. Kantz ’10 and Karen L. Parker ’09, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduates, co-published “The Road Less Traveled” in Nursing Management (Vol. 44, Issue 2), an article about a rural hospital’s experiences obtaining accreditation.
Cynthia Batcher ’12, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) graduate, co-authored “From Model to Action: Using a System Dynamics Model of Chronic Disease Risks to Align Community Action” in Health Promotion Practice (Vol. 14, No. 1). The article addresses how health planners in Austin, Texas, are using a system dynamics model of cardiovascular disease risks to align prevention efforts and maximize the effects of their resources.
Dr. John DeGarmo ’12, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate, was a guest speaker at the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association Spring Conference in March and was a guest on the Rhonda Sciortino radio show on Feb. 20. Dr. DeGarmo recently created a series of webinars for foster parents. Topics include welcoming a foster child to your home, the dangers of online technology and social networking, responding to foster children’s needs in public schools, and coping after a foster child leaves your home. The webinars are available on his website. Dr. DeGarmo is the author of Fostering Love: One Foster Parent’s Journey (CrossBooks, 2012), a book about his personal experiences as a foster parent.
Dr. Catherine S. Bridges ’11, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate, was named Elementary Administrator of the Year by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA) in February. She was nominated by the Grand Prairie Classroom Teachers Association, a local affiliate of TCTA. In the nomination, leaders praised Dr. Bridges for her open-door policy and welcoming attitude toward staff and parents. She is the principal of Juan N. Seguin Elementary School in Grand Prairie, Texas.
Morgan Carter ’11, an M.S. in Education (M.S.Ed.) graduate, was named the founding principal of Providence Mayoral Academy Elementary in Providence, R.I., in February. The school is set to open in August and is part of Achievement First, a network of 22 nonprofit public charter schools. Previously, she was the founding principal at the network’s Amistad Academy Elementary in New Haven, Conn., eventually becoming dean before joining Achievement First’s principal-in-residence program.
March 2013
Parkway Names New Principal for Carman Trails Elementary
Ballwin-EllisvillePatch (Mo.), March 21, 2013
Dr. Gina Piccinni, a Walden University Doctor of Education (Ed. D. ) graduate, will be the new principal of Carman Trails Elementary School in Parkway, Mo.
Scientists Prove You Really Can Tell What Your Dog Is Feeling by Looking at its Face
The Telegraph (U.K.), March 17, 2013
A study by Dr. Tina Bloom, a Walden University Ph.D. in Psychology graduate, and Dr. Harris Friedman, a Walden School of Psychology faculty member, found that people with minimal experience with dogs were better at identifying canine disgust and anger, perhaps because dog owners convinced themselves that their dog was not aggressive and so the associated facial expression was “just playing.”
New Personnel Director Will Stay the Course
Orland Press-Register (Willows, Calif.), March 15, 2013
Jamie Leigh Cannon, a Walden University M.S. in Human Resource Management and B.S. in Business Administration graduate, is the new Personnel Director of Glenn County, Calif.
Great Plains Regional Medical Center Hires New CNO
Executive Insight, March 9, 2013
Tadd Greenfield, a Walden University Master of Healthcare Administration graduate, was hired as chief nursing officer for Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte, Neb.
Harkreader Named Sumner's Teacher of the Year
The Portland Leader (Tenn.), March 8, 2013
Kim Harkreader, a Walden University M.S.in Education graduate, has been chosen Sumner County K–4 Teacher of the Year for the 2012–2013 school year.
Rome Inspires Young Learners
Kanabec County Times (Minn.), March 7, 2013
Maurna Rome, a Walden University M.S.in Education graduate, received the Minnesota Celebrate Literacy Award, became one of only 377 teachers in the state who are certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, and was nominated for Education Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
February 2013
New Vice President to Set Competitive Pace in Fast-Growing Grad Programs
Eastern Mennonite University, (Va.) February 28, 2013
Jim Smucker, a Walden University Ph.D. in Management graduate, has been named the first full-time dean of graduate studies at Eastern Mennonite University.
WCCH Announces Leadership Changes
Sulphur Daily News (La.), February 8, 2013
Brenda Quesnel, RN, a Walden University Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) graduate, has been named vice president of patient care/chief nursing officer for West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital. Jennifer Ackel, CHC, a Walden Master of Healthcare Administration student, has been named corporate compliance officer.
Hamblen County Names 2012–2013 Teachers of the Year
Citizen-Tribune (Tenn.), February 2, 2013
Olivia McGlothin, a Walden University M.S. in Education graduate, is Russellville Elementary’s teacher of the year.
Dr. Chantrell Bruton ’12, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate, recently received a grant from the international education honor society Kappa Delta Pi. Dr. Bruton plans to use the grant to purchase auditory materials to help her English language learner students in the area of reading comprehension.
Dr. Catherine Bridges ’11, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) graduate and principal of Juan Seguin Elementary School in Richmond, Texas, was recently named the 2012–13 Administrator of the Year in the elementary school category by the Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA). She was nominated for her open-door policy and welcoming attitude toward staff and parents. Prior to becoming principal of Juan Seguin Elementary, Dr. Bridges was assistant principal of Daniels Elementary Academy in Grand Prairie.
Dr. Brucetta McClue Tate ’08, a Ph.D. in Education graduate, published Jolly Meets Cyber Air Bully (AuthorHouse, 2012), her second book about the character “Jolly the Computer” designed to engage children about technology. She also will lead a presentation in March on bullying, gender equity, harassment, drop-out anticipation, and solutions at the Race, Gender & Class 2013 Conference in New Orleans, La.
Dr. Raymond Marbury ’12, a Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) graduate, presented “Succession Planning at Executive Branch Federal Agencies” at the Northeast Conference on Public Administration in November 2012.
Dr. Richard Schuttler ’98, a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences (now Ph.D. in Management) graduate and a faculty member in the School of Management, co-authored Everyday Leader Heroes: 10 Leadership Characteristics in Everyday People (Caboodle Marketing, 2012).
Pennie Murray ’06, an M.S. in Psychology graduate, Ph.D. in Psychology student, and motivational life coach, authored Giving Myself Permission: Putting Fear and Doubt in Their Place (GMP Publishing, 2013) to offer readers practical ways to reconnect with their potential and purpose.
January 2013
New Dean Appointed at Violet Schumacher School of Nursing
Nurse.com, January 14, 2013
Bonnie Beardsley, RN, Ph.D., a Walden Ph.D. in Education graduate, is the new dean of Northwestern College’s Violet Schumacher School of Nursing in Bridgeview, Ill.
Teacher Spotlight: Lewisburg Primary’s Amanda Wheeler
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis), January 3, 2013, Chris Van Tuyl
Amanda Wheeler, a Walden M.S. in Education graduate, discusses her 10 years as an elementary school teacher.
December 2012
Teacher Feature: Melissa Dills, Hartville Elementary
TheSuburbanite.com, December 31, 2012, Carolynn Mosty
Melissa Dills, a Walden M.S. in Education graduate, is profiled.
Finding a Cause and a Community
Dr. Alexandria K. Osborne ’10 was a student at Walden when she was given the opportunity to serve as a Pfizer Global Health Fellow in Tanzania for six months in 2009. The experience would have long-lasting effects, uprooting her from her home in Kalamazoo, Mich., and setting her on a mission to improve her Tanzanian community. Read the full story.
At Doctors, CFO Bash “Understands People’s Issues”
Gazette.net (Md.), October 19, 2012
Camille R. Bash, a Walden Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration graduate, is the new chief financial officer of Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham, Md.
Former Speaker Obtains Doctorate
cayCompass.com, October 17, 2012
Linford Pierson, a former speaker of the Cayman Islands Legislative Assembly and government cabinet minister, has earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University.
Finalists for Teacher of Year Narrowed to Six
Gwinnett Daily Post (Ga.), October 16, 2012
Celisa Edwards, a Walden M.S. in Education graduate, is a finalist for Gwinnett County Public Schools’ teacher of the year.
New Leader at Willard—Angie Hayes Is Always Learning
Casper Journal, October 9, 2012
Angie Hayes, a Walden M.S. in Education graduate, is the new principal at Willard Elementary School.