Education Faculty

Sara Sander began her career with Purdue Global in 1997. She has served in a variety of positions including professor of communications and languages and program coordinator for the School of Arts and Sciences, now known as the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her experience includes over 15 years of teaching adult learners, with a focus in the last 10 years in online education and administration.

Education: PhD, Capella University; MA and BA, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

Research Interests: Emotional intelligence, faculty performance and behaviors, communication in the online classroom

For many years, Lynn Massenzio's focus has been administrative, including strategic planning, accreditation, state approvals, and new program development. She previously served the University as an adjunct faculty member and assistant dean of faculty. Prior to entering the education field, Massenzio built on her experience as a former college athlete to start a small business as a fitness consultant and personal trainer. She earned her teaching certification through an alternative certification route at Oglethorpe University. After teaching high school science, she transitioned to higher education where she was a clinical instructor at Georgia State University and an assistant professor at LaGrange College. Both institutions, as well as Purdue Global, have enabled her to work with career changers entering the field of education through both traditional and alternative routes to certification.

Education: PhD, Georgia State University; MS, Georgia Institute of Technology; BA, Rutgers University

Tessa Holst currently serves as the assistant dean of students within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences where she oversees and generates initiatives to develop student engagement and improve student retention. She is also responsible for problem identification and resolution for second-level student complaints and conflicts. Prior to her current role, Holst served as the graduation director and event planner within the Provost Office. She was responsible for bi-annual graduation event ceremonies, celebrations, and faculty retreats. She has worked in higher education for over 25 years and recently completed her second term as school board member for her local school district, having served for 4 years as president. 

Education: MS, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global)

Honors and Achievements: 2017 Social and Behavioral Sciences Outstanding Non-Academic Support Team Award (Kaplan University), 2005 Hero Award (Kaplan University), 2003 Extra Mile Award (Kaplan Higher Education)

Misty LaCour serves as the Academic Chair for the Department of Education and Communication in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Previously, she served as a full-time faculty member where she taught various courses in graduate education and served as a course lead to multiple courses. Currently, she oversees multiple programs including early childhood, communication, and graduate education programs. LaCour began her academic career as a K-6 teacher before moving to higher education where she held various positions including department chair of teacher education. LaCour maintains recency of experience by regularly substitute teaching in K-12 classrooms. Her research has been cited for her expertise in providing literacy best practices as well as meeting the needs of at-risk, diverse learners. Other leadership positions include the executive director of the Arkansas Association of Teacher Educators, member of the Audit Team for NAEYC Higher Education for CAEP Accreditation, and editor of the ArATE Electronic Journal.

Education: EdD, Liberty University; MEd, Grand Canyon University; BA, Northwestern State University

Publications: Over fifty published articles and other scholarly works, many in international journals and numerous presentations at conferences

Certifications: Elementary Education, English, TESOL Certificate for Online Teachers, Quality Matters: Effective Online Course Instruction, Quality Matters: Effective Online Course Development

Honors and Achievements: 2020, Outstanding Professor Award; 2020, Encouragement & Inspiration Award; 2020, Champion for Change Award; 2018, Outstanding Scholarship and Professional Development Award, 2017, Outstanding Curricular Revision Award; 2016, Above and Beyond Award; 2010, ASCD Emerging Leader Award 

Research Interests: Equity in education, student engagement, literacy development, technology in the classroom, educator happiness and well-being

Jeffrey Bailie is a full-time faculty member with the School of Education. His areas of specialization include web-based instructional design, evaluation and assessment, and online faculty training, mentoring, and supervision. He serves as the lead faculty member for the Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology. Bailie has taught in a variety of learning environments, from middle school through doctoral level, on-ground and online, domestic and international. Over the past two decades, he has taught hundreds of online courses through a variety of institutions. Fulfilling his dedication to service, Dr. Bailie serves as a consultant evaluator for The Higher Learning Commission. He also serves on the University’s Institutional Research Board.

Education: EdD, Instructional Technology and Distance Education; MEd, Curriculum and Instruction; BSEd, Secondary Education

Publications: Published in the areas of validation of online instructional competencies, the effect of instructional immediacy and engagement on online student motivation and persistence, and the influence of learner expectations in the online environment; peer reviewer for a variety of professional journals

Honors and Achievements: 2017 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award (Kaplan University), 2014 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award (Kaplan University)

A full-time faculty member in the School of Education, Kelvin Beckett currently teaches graduate theory and research courses. He is also course lead for the history and philosophy of education course, and serves on several University committees. Prior to joining Purdue Global, he taught at the University of British Columbia and the University of Cincinnati. Beckett has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals. His areas of expertise include philosophy of education and urban education. He also presents each year at University symposiums and at an external conference, based on continuing research in the area of online teaching and learning.

Education: PhD, University of London; MA, University of British Columbia

Honors and Achievements: 2016 College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Outstanding Professor Award (Kaplan University), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Doctoral Fellowship

Rhonda Figueroa is an early childhood adjunct professor, teaching a myriad of undergraduate courses for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition, she is a portfolio/course evaluator, a course lead, and an education facilitator for the Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney's Community Services Program. Figueroa’s professional experience includes teaching emotionally challenged/learning-disabled students in the public school system, serving as school principal for a Long Island UPK program, as well as owning a large Montessori Day School and EC Center. Her NYS credentials include permanent/dual certification in general education (EC–Grade 6) and special education (birth–21 years). Additionally, she is certified to teach gifted and talented students, is a licensed public school principal, a licensed mental health practitioner, and a creative arts therapist (L-CAT). Figueroa is fully Montessori trained.

Education: MS, Adelphi University; BS, Dowling College; Graduate Certificate in Addictions (in progress), Purdue Global

Carol Laman is a full-time adjunct instructor and teaches a variety of early childhood education courses including early childhood development, child nutrition, and current issues in administration. She has experience as a director of an early childhood facility, teaching in the early childhood and elementary school age environment as well as working with children and young adults with autism. Laman holds teaching certification in the state of Texas for general edcuation as well as special education. 

Education: MA, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global); MS, University of North Dakota

Carolyn McKeon has been teaching in higher education for 11 years, at Purdue Global she teaches Early Childhood Education classes and has been with Purdue Global since 2007. McKeon has presented professional for KU Village as well as other educational organizations. She has also been a subject matter expert and written several courses for two different colleges. McKeon founded and ran a small, non-public school in Pennsylvania in 2009.

McKeon has served on the faculty senate and been a course lead. She is a course life-long learning course evaluator and faculty advisor. She also holds two Master's degrees, two Bachelor's degrees, and is finishing her sixth degree in Criminology.

Education:  PhD in K-12 Teaching and Learning, Capella University

Publications: "The 6 R’s of a Positive Facilitator" in the Journal of eLearning and Online Teaching.

Research Interests:  Alternative education with a strong emphasis in autodidactic learning

Julia Nyberg teaches graduate courses in the Department of Education and Communication, with an emphasis on diversity, equitable access, differentiation, and curriculum design. Nyberg is the chair of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Committee, a member of the Purdue Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, a member of the Faculty Curriculum Committee, and has served on the Faculty Senate. Nyberg is a leading K-12 curriculum development expert with professional experience in North America and Asia. Nyberg is a board member of the California Association for the Gifted and serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the National Association for Gifted Children. She frequently speaks at state and national conferences and provides demonstration lessons for school districts related to her expertise in curriculum design and differentiated instruction.

Education: EdD, Teacher Education in Multicultural Societies, University of Southern California

Publications:  Professional Learning Standards. In NAGC Pre-K-Grade 12 Gifted Education Programming Standards; Instruction expanded: Culturally-mediated talent development and inclusive access; Instruction-expanded virtual education model: Shaping cognitive enrichment, engagement, and access; Constructing culturally-authentic access points using the content imperatives. Creating equitable services for the gifted: Protocols for identification, implementation, and evaluation.

Honors and Achievements: Champion of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award; Accomplished Learners award; Champion for Change award; Outstanding Faculty award; Curriculum Revision award; Outstanding New Faculty award.

Research Interests: Differentiated instructional practices for gifted and advanced students; curriculum development and instructional strategies to provide equitable access for diverse student populations. 

Sean Preston has served as an adjunct faculty member for the past 12 years. During his tenure, Preston has been the course lead for the special education course-series and has served as a Subject-Matter-Expert (SME) for various graduate courses in the school of education. He enjoys working with professionals who desire to improve their craft through education. 

Education: EdD in Educational and Nonprofit Leadership, Liberty University; MS, Troy University; MS in Educational Administration, Lincoln Memorial University, BS in Social Science Education, University of Georgia

Publications: Creator and Presenter of Professional Development: “Gulf Coast State College Trustees Fundraising Workshop,” 2022; “St. John’s Catholic Academy – Creating an Honors Curriculum,” 2021; “National Corvette Museum - Creating Donor-Supported Museum Exhibits,” 2019; “Converting Qualitative Topics into a Quantitative Study,” 2012; “Understanding the Financial Climate of Private Schools,” Cypress Heights Academy, 2012; “Crafting Administrative Job Descriptions,” LAIS, 2011; “Preparing for Norm-Referenced Testing,” Cypress Heights Academy, 2011

"Improving Second Grade Student's Reading Fluency and Comprehension Using Teacher-Guided iPad App Instruction”: Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 2016

Guest on the WTVI television program to discuss LD schools and specifically The John Crosland School, 2015

Guest on the WAFE radio talk show as the expert on LD education in Charlotte, 2014

Published Author – University of Phoenix, School of Advanced Studies

Presenter, Georgia Independent Schools Association, “Managing ADHD in the Private School Classroom,” 2010

Certifications: Licensed P-16 educator; Certified Orton-Gillingham practitioner

Honors and Achievements: Featured as exemplary school leader and educator

Memberships: Member, Consortium of Florida Education Foundations

Research Interests: Assistive technology, student engagement, and new and emerging leadership approaches, teacher guided iPad app instruction

Lisa Wright has worked at Purdue Global for 10 years, where she is a professor in early childhood and teaches a wide variety of undergraduate courses in early childhood, with a special emphasis on assessment and autism spectrum disorders. She has designed and revised curriculum in numerous early childhood courses. She began her academic career in the physical therapy department at the University of Missouri, where she was a full-time clinical assistant professor. Wright has experience working in early intervention, rehabilitation hospitals, public schools, and the home environment. She is a licensed physical therapist and volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for the state of Florida, and is certified to teach K-12 children with exceptionalities.

Education: PhD, University of Missouri; MA, University of Missouri; BS, University of Missouri; Post-Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, Kaplan University (now Purdue Global)

Publications: Research on interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders; reviews several professional organizations and journals

Honors and Achievements: Regular international conference presentations