Public Policy Faculty
Purdue Global Leadership
Sara Sander began her career with Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) 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
Sara Sander Link
Miranda Brand has served as associate dean in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences since 2011. She joined Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) in 2006 as an adjunct instructor in the School of Graduate Education and subsequently led the Department of Educational Studies as academic chair from 2008 to 2011. Prior to joining Purdue Global, she served 20 years in public education in various roles including teacher, curriculum coordinator, staff development presenter, and school administrator.
Education: EdD, Nova Southeastern University
Miranda Brand Link
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 University 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)
Tessa Holst Link
Betsy Tomei oversees the scheduling team responsible for the College of Social Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, and Concord Law School and manages the Universal Scheduling process for campus and online programs. She has also served as adjunct instructor, assistant chair of the Department of Professional Studies, and scheduling manager. Tomei has been in the field of education both as an educator and administrator since 1995. She started her career with Johnson & Wales University as a financial planning counselor and financial aid officer. Tomei later joined the Chicago Public School Department, where she served as a teacher and technology coordinator, and returned to higher education when she joined Purdue Global.
Education: MBA, Johnson & Wales University; MA, Saint Xavier University
Betsy Tomei Link
Gurmit Kaur joined Purdue Global (formerly Kaplan University) as an adjunct faculty member in 2004. She has served as an academic department chair since 2007, overseeing several of Purdue Global’s legal studies programs. She also works on numerous innovations in curriculum, including modularized curriculum, course revisions, and competency-based programs. As the academic dean at Kaplan Higher Education, Singapore, from 2009 to 2011, Kaur worked to internationalize and globalize the syllabus in the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Purdue Global, she practiced law for 10 years and also taught law courses for the University of London External Law Program and at the Malaysia Bar Final examinations.
Education: LLB, University of London; BA, University of Malaya; AA, University of Malaya
Publications: Civil Procedure
Gurmit Kaur Link
Holli Vah Seliskar assists Purdue Global faculty in learning more about the effective use of technology within their classrooms and oversees the publication of the internal departmental newsletter, “The Public Safety and Legal Times.” She began her academic career at the University in 2005, and has since served as assistant academic department chair for the undergraduate criminal justice programs and currently serves as interim academic department chair for the graduate public safety and public administration programs as well as the fire science programs. Vah Seliskar is also the Public Safety Club faculty advisor and has served on numerous University committees.
Education: PhD, Kent State University; MS, Tiffin University; BA, Cleveland State University
Publications: American Society of Criminology’s The Criminologist, the Academy of Criminal Justice Science’s Dialogue, Restorative and Community Justice newsletter
Honors and Achievements: 2017 University Service Award (Kaplan University), 2016 Spirit of Kaplan Award (Kaplan University), 2015 Kaplan Way Leadership Award (Kaplan University), 2014 Kaplan Way Awad (Kaplan University)
Research Interests: Restorative justice practices within schools; the implementation, development, and sustainment of restorative practices within multiple educational and workplace settings
Holli Vah Seliskar LinkPurdue Global Full-Time Faculty and Full-Time Adjuncts
At Purdue Global, William Campbell teaches in all public administration disciplines and serves as lead faculty for various courses. He also serves on the Grade Appeal Committee. Previously, Campbell served as faculty and an academic chair at a local university for 16 years. He served as a coordinating campus chair for Delta Mu Delta and on the HLC committee. Campbell is a veteran of the USAF and USN, completing a career serving in both the U.S. Treasury and the Justice Department. He has served as a Chair of the Professional Liaison Committee for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. As a global developer, he served the United Nations, the European Union, and the State Department, and as an Advisor to USAID, with projects spanning over 19 countries.
Education: DPA, Nova Southeastern University
Certifications: Certified Fraud Examiner
Honors and Achievements: Commendations from the White House, Secretary of Defense, the U.S. Treasury Department, and various foreign heads of state
Memberships: Pi Alpha Alpha and Delta Mu Delta honor societies
Research Interests: Recent research: studying the tax collectors of Kosovo's tax administration, the first time such research was conducted on a people experiencing a genocide. Current research: assessing the value of continuing public administration, teaching in public venues during times of high volatility, and constrained fiscal resources.
William Campbell Link
Karla Drenner teaches a variety of graduate courses in the public administration program, focusing on public finance, policy analysis, leadership and human resource management. Currently she is the course lead for three classes on public policy. She is also serving her 18th year as a Georgia State Representative, serving on five committees.
Education: PhD, Saint Louis University; PhD, LaSalle University; MBA, Fontbonne College, MS, Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville; BS, West Virginia University
Publications: Impacts of Faith Based-Decision Making on the Individual Level Legislative Process: Emerging Research and Opportunities; other book chapters; scholarly presentations
Honors and Achievements: Woman of Excellence Award, other awards for public service
Karla Drenner Link