Our Doctoral Students
- Allison, Vigla A.
Vigla A. Allison
Vigla Allison is Director, Ethics & Compliance Training in the Global Education and Training department at Colgate-Palmolive. She is globally responsible for leading Ethics learning strategy and implementation. Prior to this role, she was responsible for Leadership Development globally including all high potential programs, executive coaching and new leader onboarding. Before joining Colgate, Vigla worked at Pfizer, Inc in several roles including Director, Leadership Education and Development, Acting Human Resources Director for South Africa, Organizational Effectiveness Sr. Consultant, and HR Generalist. Vigla holds a BS degree in management from the University of the West Indies in Jamaica, a MS degree in Organization Development from American University/National Training Laboratories Institute and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Vigla is also certified to use the MBTI assessment and is a Master Trainer for Situational Leadership. She is a returning student to Columbia University because of the school's reputation and the global nature of the student population. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. at Columbia Teachers College which has at its center, foci on Transformative, Experiential and Self-Directed Learning. - Barto, Jody
Jody Barto holds a B.S. in Graphic Design Communication from Philadelphia University and worked for several years as a graphic designer prior to transitioning into the field of Adult Learning. Her shift was both inspired by involvement in her multi-disciplinary design and planning firm's professional development and organizational change initiatives and an increasing interest in understanding group processes on creative project teams. Jody has since earned a M.Ed. from Temple University in Adult and Organizational Development, where she served as a Teaching Assistant and also participated in a service learning project in St. Thomas Parish, Jamaica. There she worked with a group of women farmers to help them understand and manage the hostile levels of conflict they were experiencing. Upon graduation, she continued at Temple as an Adjunct Instructor teaching courses in interpersonal communication, group dynamics, and conflict resolution. Jody was driven to enter this program by her interests in studying Transformative Learning and the facilitation of learning interventions at the team level which help drive professional groups towards cohesion and productive success. - Bohnet, Kimberly J.
Kim Bohnet is the Director of Basic Skills at Howard Community College in Maryland, where she is responsible for grants management, program design, and community outreach for the college's adult basic education programs. Kim has both international and domestic experience in human resources, training and development, and program administration. She served in the U.S. Peace Corps (Philippines 2004-2006) prior to entering the field of higher education. Kim earned a bachelor's degree in international business from Northeastern University, a master's degree in public administration from Columbia University, and a certificate in adult literacy education from the Literacy Assistance Center of New York. The accelerated, cohort design of the AEGIS program coupled with the program's foundation in lifelong learning and andragogy drew Kim to Teachers College. Her research focuses on the programmatic efforts of community colleges to address the needs of academically underprepared students. - Torres, Cleofe
Clay is currently the Director for Business Services for the Office of Alumni and Development at Columbia University. He has served as an educational administrator for close to 15 years with the focus of ensuring the business and operational side of educational institutions work at the most efficient way possible. With rising educational costs, it is important that clients (faculty, staff, students and the community) receive the intended experiences provided by institutions. Throughout his professional journey, Clay has served as an educator, trainer, and consultant as well as has held various leadership positions which have provided tremendous insight to the day-to-day business of educational institutions. Clay holds a bachelor's degree from St. John Fisher College in Business Management, a master's degree from NYU in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education and a master's degree from New School University in Non-Profit Management. His research focuses on leadership using experiential learning towards goal achievement. The research and study performed to date has been instrumental in developing training programs for mid-level management at Columbia as well as assisted in other successful change management activities throughout the university. - Conley, Sean
Sean Conley is Associate Dean for Marlboro College Graduate School in Brattleboro, Vermont, where he directs several graduate programs and teaches. For the last decade his focus has been on the intersection of technology and adult learning, examining the challenge of the digital divide, technology in the developing world, the open source software movement and the role of experiential learning and reflection in on-line and blended programs. He enjoys combiniing administrative work with teaching and has served as an administrator and on the faculties of The New School, The School for International Training and Tokyo Jogakkan College as well as doing consulting that has taken him to Algeria, Japan, Korea, Serbia, Ukraine, Kyrgystan, the Republic of Georgia and the UAE. Sean was drawn to the AEGIS program at Teacher's College because it combines his interests in leadership and adult learning at an institution with a deep history in valuing exploring experience and reflection in learning. - Ferreras, Solymar
Solymar Ferreras is currently in the Office of the General Counsel at Teachers College as an Attorney Associate doing legal research and assistance with contract review and writing. Solymar served as a Legal Advisor to the Municipality of San Juan in Puerto Rico (Office of Legal Affairs and later the Office for the Holistic Development of Women) and the Civil Rights Commission of Puerto Rico; Provided both legal and social work support to the Community Council of the Península de Cantera in Puerto Rico; Worked as an Administrative Judge at the Department of Consumer Affairs of Puerto Rico and was a Specialist in Judicial Education at the Puerto Rico Judicial Academy (Puerto Rico Judicial Branch). Solymar completed a Bachelor in Arts from Georgetown University (Cum Laude), with a major in International Relations and minor in Sociology; a Juris Doctor (Magna Cum Laude) and Masters in Social Work (concentration in Administration of Human Services) both from the University of Puerto Rico. She is currently working on her dissertation to complete her Doctorate degree in Education at Teachers College, in the Adult Learning and Leadership Program. I have always enjoyed working with adults and communities and think education is the key of achieving a better quality of life. I hope to combine by legal and social work background with adult education as a means to teach in Universities and create non traditional educational programs for marginalized communities about their legal rights and obligations and ways to enhance their interpersonal and social skills. I liked the interdisciplinary nature of the program as it mixed adult education with organizational psychology. - Halgren, Jessica
Jessica Halgren is Managing Partner of Halgren Coaching, an Executive and Organizational Coaching firm in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Jessica's deep expertise comes work with individual clients and leadership teams from leading organizations such as Accenture, Canon, Airbus, Elsevier, Ahold, DSM, APG Investments and DeLage Landen. A fully certified Executive and Organizational Coach (Columbia University), Jessica also holds a master's degree in Social and Organizational Psychology (University of Leiden). Her passion for partnering with clients in achieving their next level of authenticity, leadership and performance brought her to Columbia to pursue a doctorate in Adult/Organizational Learning and Leadership (AEGIS). The program design, faculty reputation, and glowing references from previous students made her choice to commute from Amsterdam to New York an easy one. The AEGIS program is a great inspiration in her continued development as a researcher/practitioner in the field of Corporate Learning and Leadership. Jessica's clients speak of the benefits of working with a professional who facilitates an evidence-based, cutting-edge learning context and process to accelerate optimal individual and organizational growth, exactly what the AEGIS program is all about. - Kenahan, Rita A.
Rita A. (Doyle) Kenahan is a Group Manager in Professional Education at DePuy Inc., a Johnson & Johnson medical devices & diagnostics (MD&D) company. DePuy offers a wide range of educational opportunities for Health Care Providers in orthopedic and neurosurgical specialties. Rita earned a BS in Nursing at Rhode Island College and maintains nursing licenses in the states of RI and MA. She earned a Masters degree in Education at U Mass Boston. After several years in a clinical role, Rita transitioned to a career in training and education in the healthcare industry. She began her career as a Clinical Training Specialist for Haemonetics, Inc. and managed the Blood Research Center. At Davol, Inc., a C.R. Bard company, she functioned in clinical and sales training roles until her move to DePuy in 1999. The reputation of the AEGIS program at TC was a main driver in Rita's pursuit of her doctoral studies. Rita's research focuses on the continuing medical education of surgeons and OR HCPs with an emphasis on faculty development in the MD&D industry. - Kwong, Welton
Welton Kwong currently works in the Bay Area as the Program Administrator for English Learners in a district of five high schools. In overseeing a program that serves approximately 1100 students, he recognizes that a key component of his work is to create an organizational environment in which adult learning is valued. Welton studied literature at the University of California at Berkeley and Harvard University with additional degrees in Education and Educational Leadership from Stanford University and Teachers College, Columbia University respectively. Since completing the Summer Principals Academy (SPA) program at TC in 2008, he has been returning every summer as an instructor to future school leaders. As a student in AEGIS, he is interested in studying "unanointed leadership" or occasions in which individuals without a "leader" title exhibit leadership in their organization. Other research interests include principal preparation programs and adult learning in sports. The opportunity to obtain a bi-coastal perspective is a main reason for studying at TC while living in California. - Mitra, Brian
Brian Mitra is a passionate and dedicated student affairs professional who is currently the Director of the Office of Career Development, Transfer/New Start and Scholarship Opportunities at Kingsborough Community College. Over his years in Student Affairs, he has held positions as Commuter Student Affairs Graduate Assistant and Student Activities Advisor at Stony Brook University and Jobs Placement Coordinator at Kingsborough. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Health Science and an Advanced Certificate in Healthcare Management at Stony Brook University, his Master of Arts in Community Health Education at Brooklyn College and is currently pursing his doctoral degree in the AEGIS program. Brian looks to continue to make an impact in adult learning and knows that the AEGIS program provides the environment to do so. Teachers College and Columbia University fosters the environment to spark and continue dialogue of lifelong learning. He looks forward to being part of the discussion and the impact that the AEGIS XXIII cohort will make. - Morant, Nicole
Nicole Morant, Department of Homeland Security/US Coast Guard; Director of Education; Nicole directs education and training programs for Active & Reserve duty service members stationed in the New York City area. These programs include career development, academic advisement, and military advancement. Prior to working for DHS, Nicole served as an Education Advisor for the US Navy in Pearl Harbor, HI. She advised US Navy members aboard aircraft carriers and submarines with their education goals for civilian career transition. Before her civilian military career she worked in different realms of Education including teaching, athletic academic advising, and player development for the National Football League assisting professional athletes with career transition. Nicole holds an undergraduate degree in Sports Management from Delaware State University, Masters Degree in Education, Certificate in Homeland Security from American Military University, and Certificate in Emergency Preparedness from FEMA. The AEGIS program being grounded in transformative learning is what brings Nicole to this program to conduct research on topics related to career transition, self-directed learning, and leadership attributes. She choose Teachers College Columbia University for its optional cohort structure in Adult Learning and Leadership that provides social and emotional support but rigor graduate work from an elite academic institution that will academically prepare her for civilian military or government executive leadership appointments. - Murdoch, Donna
Donna is the Associate Director of Virtual Instruction at Temple University's Fox School of Business. She has been involved in technology and its applications in education since she founded her own company, The TechKnows over a decade ago. Donna has consulted with Fortune 100 companies as well as those in start-up mode, and is well-versed on educational technology, tools, and social learning of all types. She is focused on professional development for educators and integrating educational technology in to the classroom either remotely or face-to-face, promoting ubiquitous, transparent tools that don't get in the way of content being delivered. More recently she worked for ClassLink, an educational technology firm, as well as Knowledge Delivery Systems, developing and delivering online content for educators, teaching them how to make their own blended and online classes more effective and engaging. Donna was a founding educational consultant for the New York City Mayor's Office of Adult Education and their Social Media in Education Fellowship in 2011, and works on program design with Philadelphia FIGHT's digital inclusion training and advocacy efforts. She recently received her masters degree in computers, communication, technology and education from Columbia University Teachers College, and is currently a doctoral student there in the Adult Learning (AEGIS) program. She has published and presented at various industry conferences as an advocate of using technology to facilitate social learning and critical thinking skills at conferences including E-Learn 2011, #140characterEDU, Women in Higher Education, and Teachers College Educational Technology Conference. - Nguyen, Hung
Hung "Home" Nguyen is a leadership development consultant and coach. He has worked with executives from the educational, technology and health-care industries, by helping them to manage complex relationships and to overcome hyper-stress, performance anxiety, and distractions. His passion is in helping leaders and their teams develop greater effectiveness, creativity, and resiliency. He has taught mindfulness classes at Columbia Business School, and he is currently earning his Doctor of Education in Adult Learning and Leadership at Columbia University in New York City. With more than 15 years of experience as a facilitator of transformational learning, Home integrates Eastern mindfulness wisdom with Western psychological practices and scholarly research. - Plews, Rachel
I am a hospitality management instructor at Fisher College in Boston. Before moving to Boston, I was an instructor at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, PA and I also worked at Northampton Community College. Prior to moving into higher education, I worked in hospitality sales and marketing and event planning at Mandarin Oriental, New York, Sofitel New York, Montauk Yacht Club, and the University of Pennsylvania. I have a bachelor's degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University and an M.Ed. from Lehigh University. I also completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in Marketing from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. I would like to explore career opportunities in higher ed administration or learning and development in the corporate hospitality world. I came here because Teachers College is known worldwide for its programs, research, and faculty. In addition to the academic environment, there are incredible networking opportunities. - Ree, Ashli
Ashli Ree is the Batch Coordinator of Prudential Financial. She works in an imaging operations center of the Global Business and Technology Solutions group. Ashli received her undergraduate degree in Fashion Design from Fashion Institute of Technology and a master's degree in Human Resource Development with Education concentration from Drexel University. Ashli teaches Korean at a community college in Pennsylvania and works as an interpreter and translator for several organizations. When time permits, she is a freelance fashion designer. Ashli joined the AEGIS program as it allows the learner to continue to work full time and research simultaneously. It truly supports one to be a scholar practitioner. She is passionate about practicing what she learned from an academic setting in a work setting and AEGIS pushes her to consistently reflect in different settings. What brought Ashli to Teachers College Columbia University are the faculty members and the one of a kind program it offers. In the most wonderful way, they cause her to think critically and question her role as an adult educator. - Rondeau-Fiore, Katherine
Katherine Rondeau-Fiore is a learning and development professional at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. During her tenure at the Fed, Katherine has worked with a broad range of audiences, with a focus on Banking Supervision and Regulation. She has assisted in the design, management, and facilitation of the Examiner Commissioning Program, a multi-year professional education program. Her experiential program to enhance collaboration among bank examiners with the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program was presented at the national American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference. Katherine's 15 years in learning and development spans a wide range of industries, including international and local non-profits, hospitality, manufacturing, and higher education. In all of these settings she has served in multiple roles including learning facilitator, designer, business partner, and coach. Katherine earned an Ed.M. degree from Temple University with a specialization in Adult and Organizational Development, and has taught in the School of Communications and Theater. She came to Teachers College to further her learning and conduct real-world research in the area of short-term team collaboration and learning. - Segree, Ramone
Ramone Segree, a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), has served since 2009 as vice president for institutional advancement and foundation executive director at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY. In 2002, he formed Segree Associates, a fundraising and strategic management firm, having previously served as senior vice president for advancement at Meharry Medical College, vice president for advancement/foundation executive director at Salem State University, and vice president for development at Pittsburgh Public Theater. A faculty member at Columbia University's M.S. in Fundraising Management Program, Ramone has served on numerous civic, cultural and professional boards including as international chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Foundation for Philanthropy and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Ramone holds a B.A. in political science and education from California University of PA, an M.Ps.Sc. in community psychology and organizational development from Pennsylvania State University, and an honorary A.S. from Community College of Allegheny County. Ramone was motivated to advance his academic and practice interests in adult education and leadership through Teachers College with its high standards and challenge. - Sharpe, Ramona T.
Ramona T. Sharpe, PHR, CCP, is an Associate in Strategy and Organization at Booz Allen Hamilton, focusing on Human Capital and Learning solutions. Ramona is a seasoned Human Resources (HR) professional with more than twelve years of experience in workforce planning, training and development, project management, staffing, performance management, HR metrics, talent management, and diversity& inclusion. Ramona has lead company-wide HR initiatives for fortune 500 companies as well as managed consulting projects for non-profit organizations and government. In addition, she has worked as an adjunct professor teaching professional development. Ramona is currently a doctoral candidate at Columbia University, studying adult learning and leadership in the AEGIS Program. She has a MS in Human Organization Science (focusing on HR Development), a BS in Business Administration, and a BA in Psychology from Villanova University. Ramona is also a certified Human Resources Professional (PHR) and a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP). Ramona came to Columbia for the opportunity to continue her education on the doctoral level focusing on Adult Learning and Leadership in an accelerated yet self-guided program and for the exceptional academic reputation of the school and world-class faculty. - Tiu Wu, Aimee
Aimee Tiu Wu is a doctoral student in the AEGIS program. She received her B.A. in psychology from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines. After her undergraduate work, she spent two years as a foreign language student at Beijing Normal University learning Mandarin and teaching ESL. With her passion for teaching adult learners, Aimee pursued a master's degree in TESOL from New York University while serving as a learning specialist. Aimee's higher education experience ranges from serving as director of academic and disability student services to heading TRIO programs like Student Support Services. Aimee is currently advised by Dr. Jeanne Bitterman. Her dissertation work involves inquiry into how doctoral mothers navigate graduate school, motherhood and professional work. Her primary research interests include learning and motherhood, collaborative inquiry, educational equity for women and minority, diversity and cross-cultural awareness. Motivated by the strong vision of the program and the exceptional scholarship of its faculty members, Aimee entered the AEGIS program in 2009 and has since been committed to teaching minds, touching hearts and transforming lives. - Treadwell, Katie
Katie Treadwell is an accomplished student affairs professional with a wide range of experience in higher education administration. Katie currently serves as Residence Hall Director for Senior Experience at Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia University in the City of New York. She previously led service-learning, civic engagement, new student orientation, first year experience, leadership development, and student organizations at Oklahoma City Community College. Katie's professional experience also includes coordinating student outreach programs and mental health awareness for the Baylor University Counseling Center, as well as public relations and development for the Oklahoma State University Foundation. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in public relations and religion from Baylor University and a Master of Science in Education in student affairs administration from Baylor University. She is an active member of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. Katie is currently pursuing the Doctor of Education degree in the AEGIS program at Teachers College, Columbia University. She looks forward to complementing her higher education administration experience with a broader context of adult education, organizational learning, and leadership theory. - Vergara, Mariana I.
Mariana I. Vergara is the Executive Director of BRIDGE™ She is a Global Core Member of World Dignity University (WDU) as part of a new cultural movement that envisages contributing to a vision of a future where the people of this world are indeed capable of cooperating for a better future. She is leading the WDU Amazon Rain Forest Initiative that aims to co-create sustainability in the Amazon with the Kichwa community Founder of FDC BRIDGE® also was implemented at Morris Hills high school making this high school to have in their 2010 NJ Report Card the highest scores for Latino students in NJ. She is a Doctoral Candidate at the AEGIS program. She has a Master of Arts degree in Management of not-for-profit institutions and Urban Policy Analysis from the New School University. She is drawn to the study of adult education and organizational learning because she sees these two streams of knowledge and technique informing the improvement of her professional practice as she facilitates transformational learning in adults. - Walling, Alison
Alison Walling is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Adult Learning and Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research interests include coaching and team learning. She received her M.A. in the ALL program and her B.A. from NYU in Psychology and Business. Since 2008, Ms. Walling has been working at Columbia Business School. As Assistant Director of the Samberg Institute for Teaching Excellence, she provides the Assistant Dean with strategic, management and evaluative support to improve the effectiveness of classroom content and delivery. Ms. Walling also designs and instructs workshops for the institute on topics such as Presentation Skills for Doctoral Students. She also serves as an instructor in executive education, facilitating sessions such as Building a Learning Community. Prior to this role, Ms. Walling served as Program Manager in the Executive Education Division. She also acted as Program Director for the General Management Leadership Program. Before joining Columbia, Ms. Walling worked for Goldman Sachs University, Investment Banking Division. In this capacity she collaborated with training consultants to design and prepare professional development sessions for VP's and MD's. - Walton, Jerrold A.
Jerrold A. Walton, CTP, SPHR, BSCG, CAPM, Principal for The Waterfall Group LLC, — an Organizational Development consulting firm, is a lifelong learner and passionate student of human performance (more commonly known as human "development"). Prior to forming The Waterfall Group, LLC, Jerry worked for NRG Energy, as the Manager of a companywide, $250MM return on invested capital program; Exide Technologies, as the Global Treasury Manager; Sheffield Marketing Associates, as the Director of Benefits; and Hosiery Corporation of America, as the VP of Cash Management. Jerry takes the view that at its core, learning, whether pedagogical or andragogical is about offering improvement – essentially closing a gap or recognized shortcoming. To that end, Jerry intends to build upon aggregate life and professional experiences, as well as those that Teachers College will offer, in order to promote the "3 C's of Leadership" – Competency, Compassion and Courage, and to become a more fluent and disciplined advocate for human performance. Jerry received a MBA in Accounting and Finance from LaSalle University and MS and MPhil degrees in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, Jerry has earned professional certifications in Treasury Management, Human Resources, Balanced Scorecards, and Project Management. - Welch IV, John C.
Johnny Welch is the Founder and CEO of Leadership by the People—an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, campaigning organization dedicated to developing leaders as a means of advancing freedom and democracy. Johnny is also currently the host of the web show Leadership Lessons from the Legends; a program dedicated to helping leaders and aspiring leaders to learn and apply the leadership lessons, principles, and wisdom from the legends of leadership. Johnny's broad experience ranges from serving as the program manager for the Columbia Coaching Certification Program, to corporate training—with clients that have included Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Kawasaki, and New York Presbyterian Hospital, the University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell—to teaching undergraduate and graduate business courses at Chapman University in Southern California. He has also been intimately involved with coaching leadership teams in large ministries to serving in the offices of members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Johnny earned a master's degree in business administration from San Diego State University and a master's degree in ethics and public management from Harvard. The main drivers that brought Johnny from California to this program include the exceptional reputation of the faculty and school and a deep conviction in the power of learning and leadership to transform democratic societies. - Wetzler, Jeff
Jeff Wetzler is Executive Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at Teach For America. Currently, Jeff co-leads the national function accountable for the performance of approx. 8,000 teachers and 1000+ full- and part-time staff members. He directly oversees teams who: design and develop the training and ongoing support for TFA's teachers and the staff who train and supervise them; run asocial-networking website to enable online learning and knowledge-sharing; measure performance and drive ongoing innovation to the program; and conduct long-term research to identify the top drivers of teacher performance and improvement. Jeff joined Teach For America after working at Monitor Group, an international consulting firm, where he developed and led client engagements to advise executives on a range of strategic, organizational, and leadership issues. While at Monitor, Wetzler also led new product development initiatives and managed global training in the area of interpersonal effectiveness. Jeff currently serves on the board of Rocketship Education, as vice chair on the founding board of three Leadership Prep charter elementary schools in Brooklyn, and as an advisor to several education start-ups. He earned a B.S. in psychology from Brown University; while at Brown, Jeff cofounded Providence Science Outreach, a nonprofit organization that equips university students to use hands-on projects to get kids in under-resourced schools excited about science. Jeff earned an M.A.in adult learning and leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University, where he is pursuing a doctorate to advance his understanding of theory and connect it to his day-to-day practice. - Woods, Nicole M.
Nicole Woods currently serves as the University of Chicago Diversity Educator for the Provost Office and is charged with the development and execution of a faculty diversification initiative. After completing her Bachelor of Business Administration at the College of William and Mary in Virginia and her Master of Education at James Madison University, she ventured to Bard College as the first Director of Multicultural Affairs. After three years at Bard, she joined the Chicago PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting office as a Diversity Manager. In Chicago, Ms. Woods has been fortunate to serve as Director of Minority and Cultural Affairs at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Diversity Consultant at YMCA of the USA and Training and Performance Lead at eLoyalty Corporation. This triad of professional roles expanded the breadth of her teaching, instructional design, program development and data analysis experience and deepened her knowledge of the organizational impact on individual access and agency. Nicole came to Teachers College to develop as a practitioner researcher and refine her contribution to work of educational equity.
