Season 1, Episode 1

Dr. James Patrick (Jimmy) Lynch has worked in the field of scholastic athletics for more than 15 years as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator at schools in Boston and Philadelphia. In 2016, he was named the Executive Director of Athletics for The School District of Philadelphia and President of the Philadelphia Public League. Dr. Lynch also serves as a member of the PA State Athletic Directors Association Executive Council and as the Section 2 representative to the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Board of Directors. His dissertation titled Play By K - Building a Successful Model for Scholastic Athletics in Urban Schools aimed to address the systemic challenges of access to scholastic athletic programs in urban school districts across the country. Dr. Lynch has co-written and developed several articles, papers, reports and courses and has presented at conferences at the local, regional and national levels. Through his own personal and professional experience, he has come to realize that scholastic athletic programs of all levels can really be used as a catalyst for improving leadership development and student outcomes for youth in all areas.

Season 1, Episode 2

Dr. Pia L. Scott is a Counselor, Speaker, Consultant, Community Servant, and Educator. Early in her career she knew she wanted to work in a field where she could help people but wasn’t sure which direction to take. Over the course of ten years, she has worked in Human Services, State Government, and Education. While working in higher education for the last nine years, she was ready to grow, learn, and expand her career options. Stepping out on faith, she established the P L Scott Group, LLC. Her company focuses on a 3C’s approach: Counseling, Coaching, and Consulting. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she works with individuals, groups, and families to address mental health issues. She is a certified life coach helping people find their purpose and as a consultant she develops continuing education programs training counselors and specialists in the helping profession. Dr. Scott didn’t know it at the time, but she was cultivating a teachable strategy to inspire anyone to become enthusiastic about change, to find their unique power of resilience and their purpose. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the visionary author of How I Got Over: The Educational Pursuit of Black Female Scholars. 

Season 1, Episode 3

Dr. Christine Galib serves as the Senior Director of Programs at The Ion, a technology and innovation hub in Houston, TX. The Ion anchors the Ion District, Houston’s 16-acre innovation district, which invites residents, start-ups, and corporate, academic, and civic leaders to unite, explore, and create opportunity together. Dr. Galib is a systems-thinker, educator, and founder with a non-linear career and over a dozen years of experience and demonstrated success in leadership and business development, instructional and program design, change and organizational management, coaching and mentoring, creativity and innovation, entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial mindset development, and education. She is passionate about helping others discover their creative strengths, develop their entrepreneurial and investor mindsets, and build purposeful and inclusive innovation ecosystems. A Teach For America alumna with experience in investment management, pre-medical studies, and educational consulting, Christine holds her bachelor’s from Princeton University, master’s from the University of Pennsylvania, and doctorate from Drexel University. Her speaking, writing, and research interests include entrepreneurial mindset development, creativity, innovation, leadership, systems thinking, mindfulness, wellness, and apologetics. She is a published author, loves getting lost in a good book, and can be found at christinegalib.com.

Season 1, Episode 4

Dr. Kenneth Jones is head of enrollment for Year Up (Philadelphia), a Barack Obama endorsed organization that exists to close the opportunity divide between non-traditional learners and career access. Dr. Jones is a first generation college student, college and career access expert, international speaker, and author of the Amazon International Best Selling Book, Comeback Season, the Untapped Art of Mastering Your Resilience, and has focused his research and work on non-traditional student access to career and college. He has served on numerous journal review boards, including Drexel University’s Emerging Voices in Education Journal and the Journal of African American males in education out of Howard University. Dr. Ken also a 17-year veteran in higher education, who has held leadership positions in student affairs, college admissions, and academic affairs. His research has been featured by Drexel University’s School of Education, South University, and the University of Kansas’ medical school.

Season 1, Episode 5

Traci B. Fox, EdD, RT(R), RDMS, RVT (she/her), is Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University. Traci earned her BS in Diagnostic Imaging from Thomas Jefferson University and her MS in Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences from Thomas Jefferson University. In 2014 Traci graduated from Drexel’s EdD program in Educational Leadership & Management (Higher Education track). Traci has been a diagnostic medical sonographer for 28 years and an educator since 2005. Traci teaches in several areas of sonography and is also involved with ultrasound research. Dr. Fox has co-authored or contributed to five textbooks and is author/co-author of 12 peer-reviewed publications. Traci has spoken at local, national, and international conferences, including lectures in China and Dubai.

Season 1, Episode 6

Dr. Swinton-Buck is the 2021 Maryland State Principal of the Year and Principal of Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore, Maryland. She is truly committed to educating the whole student and adamantly lives her mission of “connection before content.” She earned her master’s and doctorate from Drexel and spent her time in both programs engaging in rich discussions with classmates and professors across the country while continuing her development as an education practitioner. During her time in the Educational Leadership and Management program, Dr. Swinton-Buck was able to pursue her passion in elevating the voices of change agent teachers in her research titled, “Teaching Inner-city Youth When Pedagogy Is Not Enough: A Phenomenological Study About Change Agent Teachers. Dr. Swinton-Buck is committed to her students, and she has dedicated her dissertation to them with this statement: "I dedicate this dissertation to every student who has sat in my classroom or walked the hallways of a school I have led. You are my hope for the future and fuel for my commitment to dismantling, disrupting, and destroying all barriers that stand in the way of your greatness.” Prior to her current position, Dr. Swinton-Buck was a highly effective high school English teacher and an assistant principal.

Season 1, Episode 7

Dr. Harlan Harrell is a United States Air Force Veteran and Captain (0-3) serving the state of Maryland Defense Force as Special Liaison to Community Colleges. Dr. Harrell’s professional experience includes 30 years in the design of programs and services in military/veteran services and supports applying evidence-based practices. Dr. Harrell received the Special Performance Award for the design, development, and implementation of the military and veteran services program at Georgetown University’s Law Center and the 7 Seals award and 2 Patriot awards from the United States Office of the Secretary of Defense for the design, development, implementation of the military and veteran services program at Anne Arundel Community College. Dr. Harrell also holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership and Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences from National-Louis University as well as an Associate of Applied Science in Addiction Counseling, Certificates in Veteran’s Counseling from Anne Arundel Community College, Conflict Management & Process Management from Georgia State University, and Professional Management from Georgetown University. In addition, Dr. Harrell is a Certified Facilitator of the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People awarded by the Stephen Covey Institute, and a certified Military Emergency Management Specialist (MEMS) through the United States Department of Homeland Security.

Season 1, Episode 8

Michael Shipman is currently continuing a career in the field of academia as an Assistant Professor in Accounting for Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, PA. Formerly an Instructor of Business Administration / Accounting for the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, PA, he began his career as a Tax Associate working in the Industry Services Group (ISG) of the Pittsburgh Office for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Michael has remained a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since obtaining his license and is currently a member of both the Pennsylvania and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA, AICPA). Most recently, he graduated from Drexel University with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Management (Ed. D.) with a concentration in Educational Policy. Michael has also graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business with a Master's of Accounting degree (MAcc), where he also worked as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in Financial Accounting. He received his undergraduate degree in Accounting with a minor in Legal Studies from Ithaca College. Michael is passionate about experiential learning and financial literacy, and he currently lives with his wife Kathleen and cat “Benny” in Johnstown, PA.

Season 1, Episode 9

Dr. Michael Reed has worked in education for more than two decades and will soon be serving as the President of Pennsylvania College of Technology: an innovative and adaptive 4,000-student institution with a 96% placement rate in sustainable, applied technology fields. Dr. Reed currently provides leadership for 100-plus academic programs and 600-plus employees as the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and previously served as the Vice President for Academic Operations; Dean for the School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications; and Assistant Dean for Liberal Arts & Sciences. Before joining Penn College, Dr. Reed had a distinguished tenure in secondary education serving as a principal, counselor, and teacher in urban, suburban, and rural areas throughout the Commonwealth.

A first-generation college student, Dr. Reed completed his doctoral studies through Drexel University with a focus on innovation, creativity, and sustainable systems. Dr. Reed is motivated by complex challenges and the opportunity to make a profound difference for students, colleagues, industry, and the community. He believes in strength-based transformative models, the power of persistence and optimism, transparency, accountability, and empowering team members in the decision-making process. Dr. Reed presents an extensive background in transformative leadership, innovation, culture-shaping, strategic planning, instructional design, and professional development. He has proven to be highly effective at developing innovative cultures and building networks with stakeholders to advance institutional goals.

Season 1, Episode 10

Dr. Carmen Poston-Farmer Travis is the Director of Student Affairs & Initiatives at Montgomery College. In addition to many other roles and responsibilities, she led the development and implementation of the Student Health and Wellness Center for Success focusing on students' physical and mental health well-being. Most recently, she has assumed the leadership for the development and implementation of the Presidential Scholars Program, established to increase the completion of degrees and professional certifications and representation of African American men in high-wage, high-demand careers. Carmen has over 27 years of experience in educational and vocational administration including K-12, vocational rehabilitation, and higher education. She has published and presented domestically and internationally reaching global audiences on topics relevant to food insecurity such as the publication of her dissertation entitled Addressing Food Insecurity at a Community College with a Food Campaign: An Instrumental Case Study, and other topics, including a recent presentation on The Status of Women: Care and Security Considering a Crisis and beyond.

Carmen holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Management with a concentration in Global and International Education from Drexel University, a M.P.P.A. in Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Alcorn State University.

Season 2, Episode 1

 

Stephen Stunder, Ed.D is currently an Assistant Professor of Human Services at Chestnut Hill College, serving as the Director of both the Human Services Management and School Counseling Graduate Programs. Dr. Stunder is also a member of the Neurodiversity Initiative Leadership Team, which looks to create two Neurodiversity programs at Chestnut Hill College for students with both a Life Skills and Degree seeking focus. A Drexel University Alumni, Dr. Stunder is also a published author, having written several articles on leadership, educational policy, and learning difference research. Dr. Stunder is also the host of the podcast, "Pay Attention," which can be found on Spotify, Apple, and other podcast services.

Season 2, Episode 2

Dr. Mariah Rackley is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Cornwall-Lebanon School District in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. She is in her 22nd year in education--having completed 13 years as the building principal at Cedar Crest Middle School and 21 years total in the building as a learning support teacher, assistant principal, and building principal. Mariah earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Lebanon Valley College, her Masters of Education in Teaching and Curriculum and Principal Certification from Penn State University, her Superintendent Letter of Eligibility from California University of Pennsylvania, and her doctorate in Drexel University’s Educational Management and Leadership program with a concentration in Creativity and Innovation. Mariah was named one of the National Digital Principals of the Year for 2018 by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and received the 2022 June Herr Educator of the Year Alumni Award from Lebanon Valley College. Mariah loves learning and is passionate about her work in the Cornwall-Lebanon School District. Mariah’s professional interests include Leadership, Agency, Student Voice, Curriculum, Personalized Learning, Innovation, Creativity, and Motivation Theory. 

Season 2, Episode 3

 

Traci Dennis has a strong record of teaching and leadership experience in underfunded PK-12 schools. Through teaching and scholarship, she aims to support teachers in translating antiracist theories into practice in PK-12 schools, classrooms, and curriculum. As Principal Investigator on a Gates-funded grant with the Antiracist Research & Policy Center, founded by Dr. Ibram Kendi, she codeveloped an antiracist teaching curriculum that was piloted in Summer 2021 with public-school teachers, with the goal of building a more antiracist teacher and leader workforce. Dr. Dennis presents her work at local, national, and international conferences and has been published in Education Week, the Journal of Negro Education and the Journal of Education and Social Justice. Her recent publications include a co-authored chapter in Antiracist Counseling in Schools and Communities and an Education Week opinion article: How to Train an Anti-Racist Teacher: 9 Practical Takeaways (Opinion) (edweek.org).  

Season 2, Episode 4

Bryan Boppert is a higher education professional with twenty years of experience. He earned his bachelor’s in communication from the University of Hartford in 2002 where he is currently serving as treasurer of the alumni board and one of three white allies on the alumni of color task force. In 2012 he earned his master’s in operational management from Harvard University, and most recently in 2021, he earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Drexel University. Bryan’s dissertation was on students who enter college late.

Over Bryan’s professional career he has worked in admissions as a student tour guide through becoming a director of admissions. In 2014, he left admissions to help establish Salem State University’s one stop student center which oversees meals plans, student ID cards, registration, billing, and financial aid for all prospective, current and Alumni students. In 2015, Bryan was elected as president of the New England Association of Collegiate Registrar’s and Admissions Officers (NEACRAO) where he is currently serving as the Archivist and Parliamentarian.

Bryan has presented at regional and international conferences on one stop’s and is seeking to present his research on late-admits as well as continue to advance this research topic.
 

Season 2, Episode 5

 

Dr. Brandon C.S. Wallace is an associate professor at Montgomery College and a faculty associate at Johns Hopkins University. In addition to his work in international curricula writing, public speaking, intra- and extramural presenting, and authoring several publications, he serves on several committees for multiple, national assessments. Brandon has received many awards for his work in education, most notably the Diane Tobin Award for Excellence in Teaching from the John Hopkins University’s School of Education, the Award for Professionalism from Montgomery College, and the Bowie Black Male Educators and Leaders Alliance’s Outstanding Professor Award in 2020, from Bowie State University. Dr. Wallace's interests include English language and literature, qualitative methodology, multiculturalism, assessment theory, Universal Design for Learning, specialized education, behaviorism, and restorative justice. Wallace's most recent piece, entitled "The Sixth Sense of Six Stories: Using Endarkened Empathy to Connect with African American Males through Narrative Inquiry,” is set to be published later on this year in the upcoming book Culturally Responsive Leadership for Academic and Social Equity and Justice in Schools. Brandon lives in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and enjoys leisurely reading the works of Toni Morrison, John Milton, Jane Elliott, James Baldwin, and Damon Young. Brandon is expecting his first daughter this summer; he and his partner, Rachel, intend on naming the baby girl Zora.  

Season 2, Episode 6

Dr. Erika L. McDowell is a former NJ governor’s award recipient and honors graduate of Howard University and New York University. Erika currently is an Equity Steward at Wildflower Schools. She earned her EdD from Drexel University in Educational Leadership and Management, in May 2020. Dr. McDowell has received the Association for Positive Behavior Support’s 2020 E.G. “Ted” Carr Early Career Practitioner Award and has been elected to the APBS Board of Directors for the 2021-2024 term, serving in the inaugural Racial and Ethnic Diversity Seat. Most recently, Erika was honored as one of Drexel’s 40 under 40 in 2022. She has served as an Executive Director of Professional Development and Director of PBIS/Youth Court for The School District of Philadelphia. Other positions previously held include assistant principal and teacher. Her in-depth experience includes restorative practices, equity, positive behavioral support, conflict resolution, classroom management, coaching, leadership development, and behavioral data support. In June 2022, she began her appointment as a clinical associate professor of educational leadership and policy at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo. Dr. McDowell continues to be committed to nurturing the minds and gifts of leaders, teachers, and youth nationwide. 

Season 2, Episode 7

Dr. Ron Silvis, a 2016 Ed.D. graduate has spent 20 years in the field of education. After attaining a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Maryland, Dr. Silvis attained his secondary social studies teaching certification. Dr. Silvis taught 12 years in public middle school in suburban Pittsburgh while attaining a Master’s degree and School leadership papers from Gannon University.

In 2015, while working on his Dissertation at Drexel, Dr. Silvis transitioned into Higher Education, becoming the Curriculum Manager for the CUNY School of Medicine located in Harlem, New York City. After three years Dr. Silvis was hired to help develop and lead the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine as their director of pre-clerkship curriculum which at the time had zero students and only four faculty members.
Currently Dr. Silvis is the Director of the Teaching and Learning Center at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey where he is in the process of launching the Center to the University community. Dr. Silvis oversees Faculty development around Teaching and Learning, Educational research, and Community outreach programs for Stevens.

Season 2, Episode 8

Christopher Beissel, Ed.D., is the principal at Hamburg Area High School in Hamburg, PA. Dr. Beissel is a member of the Lisa and John McNichol Early Childhood Education Lab at Drexel University, and is an advocate for integration of social-emotional competencies and holistic development in classrooms and within the school community. Dr. Beissel received his Doctor of Education from Drexel University in 2021. His dissertation, titled The High School Teacher Mindset: A Mixed Methods Study, drew from both SEL and mindset literature to create a new construct called the “SEL Mindset”, as well as presented a new instrument to measure teachers’ SEL Mindset that was specifically designed for the study. Dr. Beissel’s study included nearly 200 high school teachers from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dr. Beissel enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, and his daughter, Harper. 

Season 2, Episode 9

Craig "The Good Doctor" Smith is an educator, real estate investor, finance broker, and serial entrepreneur. Dr. Smith is making an impact in the community by focusing on and developing the holistic needs of young men so they can improve mentally, spiritually, physically, and educationally. He is the founder and establishmentarian of Fostering Success: Boys to Men, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization that specializes in the development of young men ages 13-21. He pushes financial literacy through his finance company CSmith Funding, LLC. Dr. Smith has roughly two decades of experience in the education field (spanning K-12 and higher education). Dr. Smith uses his proven teaching approach to transform and impact lives with purpose through diverse platforms. His knowledge base and understanding of acquisition and financing, coupled with a growing real estate portfolio nearing a valued 1.5 million dollars, has positioned Dr. Smith to teach others the "REAL GAME” of real estate and the various approaches to experiencing financial freedom. Dr. Smith is proud to add “author” to his purpose-driven work. Dr. Smith has recently accepted an appointment as Executive Director of Multicultural Affair’s with Grand Valley State University.

Season 2, Episode 10

Stacy R. McAfee, Ed.D. has served as a senior leader with institutions of higher learning across Northern California and internationally. She served as President and CEO of the public university in the Cayman Islands and led presidential initiatives and external, community and government relations for University of the Pacific. Under her leadership, the Beyond Our Gates collective impact model anchored by University of the Pacific received a grant from The James Irvine Foundation to further efforts to improve early literacy in San Joaquin County. Prior to serving as an executive leader at University of the Pacific, McAfee led campus operations for University of Phoenix in the San Francisco Bay Area and served as the regional director of academic affairs assuring program quality, legal, regulatory and compliance for campuses in 11 western states. She has served as a faculty member in campus, hybrid and online courses for more than two decades. Stacy volunteers her time supporting various non-profits focused on building resilient families and demonstrating inclusive educational success. She is an American Leadership Forum Fellow and a graduate of various American Council of Education and Council of Independent Colleges leadership programs. McAfee holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Management from Drexel University. Her dissertation research provided insights on single head of household low-income women pursuing degrees in higher education and the unique challenges they face. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University, a Bachelor of Business Administration from Iowa State University, and an Associate of Arts from Highland Community College.