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Public Policy Faculty
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Purdue Global Leadership
Sara Sander, PhD
Academic Dean and Vice President
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 Sara Sander, PhD
Academic Dean and Vice President
Tessa Holst, MS
Assistant Dean
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 Tessa Holst, MS
Assistant Dean
Betsy Tomei, MBA
Assistant Dean
At Purdue University Global, Betsy Tomei has served as adjunct instructor, Assistant Chair of the Department of Professional Studies, scheduling manager, and assistant dean for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. In her role as assistant dean, Tomei oversees the scheduling team responsible for the College of Social Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, and Concord Law School. She also manages special projects and provides data management and operational support to the department chairs, associate deans, and dean of the College. Tomei is an active member of the Purdue University Global Learning and Leadership Advisory Committee and a PG Ambassador.
Tomei has been in the education field 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. After receiving her MA in education, Tomei joined the Chicago Public School Department where she served as a teacher and technology coordinator. She returned to the field of higher education when she joined Purdue University Global (formerly Kaplan University) as an adjunct instructor teaching Academic Strategies for the Business Professional.
Education: MBA, Johnson & Wales University; MA, Saint Xavier University
Certifications: Project Management Certificate, Kaplan University, School of Professional and Continuing Education
Honors and Achievements: 2020 Organization Builders—Honorable Mention, Purdue University Global; 2016 College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Kaplan Way Award nominee; 2016 College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Outstanding University Service nominee; 2014 School of Social and Behavioral Science Kaplan Way Award winner
Memberships: University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA)
Betsy Tomei Link Betsy Tomei, MBA
Assistant Dean
Mike Brackin, EdD
Associate Dean
Mike Brackin currently serves as associate dean in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, where he oversees the public safety, legal studies, graduate public administration, and environmental policy programs. He has served as a firefighter, state training instructor, and state training director. Before joining the University, he worked as an adjunct instructor teaching fire science degree programs at 2- and 4-year institutions. He was director of the fire academy at Southern Arkansas University Tech, a full-time faculty member at the University of Memphis, and dean of public safety programs at Blackhawk Technical College.
Brackin has served on the National Fire Protection Association 1000 Committee, as chair for the Mississippi Fire Personnel Minimum Standards and Certification Board, president of the Mississippi Fire Instructors Association, and board member for the International Association Accreditation Congress Certificate Assembly. He is also a Mississippi Certified Public Manager and Executive Fire Officer.
Education: EdD, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Honors and Achievements: 2013 NISOD Leadership Award
Mike Brackin Link Mike Brackin, EdD
Associate Dean
Holli Vah Seliskar, PhD
Department Chair
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 Link Holli Vah Seliskar, PhD
Department Chair
Purdue Global Full-Time Faculty and Full-Time Adjuncts
William Campbell, DPA
University Faculty
At Purdue Global, Dr. William Campbell teaches in all public administration disciplines and serves as lead faculty for Public Administration Courses; Management, Leadership and Human Resource Management. He also serves on the Grade Appeal Committee. Previously, Dr. Campbell served as Graduate 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. Dr. 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 and consultant, he served the United Nations, the European Union, and the State Department, and as an Advisor to USAID, with projects spanning over 22 countries.
Education: DPA, Nova Southeastern University, MBA, Nova Southeastern University, BS Business Administration
Publications: Applying Moral Development Literature and Ethical Theories to the Administration of Taxes in Kosovo, A Study of the Moral Development of the Employees of the Tax Administration of Kosovo Based on the Defining Issues Test; other research projects for the United States Government under letters of non disclosure.
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, Awards Purdue University, 2019, 2020, other schools
Memberships: Purdue Academic Board of Grade Appeals, Association Public Policy and Analysis, SECOPA, Pi Alpha Alpha and Delta Mu Delta honor societies-Honorably Discharged Veteran USAF and US Navy
Research Interests: studying the tax collectors of Kosovo's tax administration, the first time such research was conducted on a people experiencing a genocide. Current research: Sexual Harassment in the public arena, assessing the value of continuing public administration, teaching in public venues during times of high volatility, and constrained fiscal resources
William Campbell Link William Campbell, DPA
University Faculty
Karla Drenner, PhD
University Faculty
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 Karla Drenner, PhD
University Faculty