Julius Adekunle, Ph.D.
He is the author and co-author of many books including “Converging Identities: Blackness in the Modern African Diaspora” (African World, 2013), “Color Struck: Essays on Race and Ethnicity in Global Perspective” (University Press of America, 2012), “Religion in Politics: Secularism and National Integration in Modern Nigeria” (Africa World Press, Inc., 2009), and “Culture and Customs of Rwanda” (Greenwood Press, 2007).
Expertise: Dr. Adekunle can speak on the following topics: African culture, ethnicity, history, politics, and religion.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Africa in World History
Africa has a long and rich cultural and political history. For political and economic reasons, Africa occupies a strategic place in the world, especially since World War II. With 54 independent countries, Africa remains central to world affairs and development. Africa has not existed in isolation, but has participated in and contributed to world affairs.
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Mirta Barrea-Marlys, Ph.D.
She is a specialist in world language acquisition and pedagogy. She is associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Foreign Language Studies. She received a Ph.D. in Romance Languages from the University of Pennsylvania.
Expertise: Dr. Barea-Marlys can speak on the following topics: Spanish and Italian Language, Literature and Linguistics, Medieval and Golden Age Spanish Theater, Latin American Colonial Theater, and Latin American women writers.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Stanley Blair, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Expertise: Dr. Blair can speak on the following topics: New Jersey literature, literary history and folklore, late 19th – early 20th century American literature, writing/rhetoric, creative writing/literary magazines.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups, High School
Kristin Bluemel, Ph.D.
She is the Wayne D. McMurray Chair in the Humanities. She received a Ph.D. from Rutgers University.
Expertise: Dr. Bluemel can speak on the following topics: British literature and culture (1914 – 1945), British literature of World War, and George Orwell, Anti-Semitism in 20th century Britain, 20th century British women writers, contemporary literary criticism and theory.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Children’s Literature
Recommended Audience(s):
John Buzza, M.A.
He worked in the restaurant business for 30 years and now teaching full time. He holds a M.A. from University of Phoenix.
Expertise: He can speak on entrepreneurship.
Association(s): Leon Hess Business School
Presentation(s):
The Alternative to Corporate America
A lecture for the individual that wants to open up his own business.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
John Comiskey, M.A.
He oversees the Homeland Security degree program at Monmouth University and is a retired member of the New York City Police Department. His most recent assignment included borough and citywide counterterrorism operations including the UN General Assembly and U.S. Tennis Open. John is also a retired member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve where he served as an intelligence specialist at Sector New York and Dam Neck, Virginia. He is the author of “USCG, Sector New York’s 2010 Intelligence Preparation of the Maritime Domain.”
Expertise: John Comiskey can speak on the following topics: counterterrorism operations, event management, disorder control, patrol, and criminal justice administration.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Maritime Intelligence
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
NYPD’s Intelligence Enterprise
Recommended Audience(s): College or University
Local police role in national intelligence
Recommended Audience(s): College or University
Joe Compagni, M.A.
Following his 24th season as Monmouth University’s Director/Head Coach of Cross Country and Track & Field, Joe Compagni retired in August 2019. During his career as head coach, Compagni has been named NEC, MAAC, and NCAA Regional Coach of the Year 58 times – 27 times in the NEC, 23 times in the MAAC, and 8 times as a USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. In 2015, Compagni was named one of the 25 Most Influential People in New Jersey Running. He served for more than a dozen years on the USTFCCCA Division I Track & Field Executive Committee, and was a two-time President of the IC4A Coaches’ Association.
Expertise: Joe Compagni can speak on coaching collegiate athletes. He has more than 20 years of experience coaching collegiate athletes in men’s and women’s track & field and cross country.
Association(s):
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Pedram Daneshgar, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from University of Florida.
Expertise: Dr. Danesghar can speak on Ecology and Botany, invasive species, ecosystem restoration, and rare species.
Association(s): School of Science
Presentation(s):
Endangered species
Recommended Audience(s): Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
Fruits and Flowers
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School
Invasive species
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Restoration
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Rekha Datta, Ph.D.
She is author of “Why Alliances Endure – The United States-Pakistan Alliance, 1954-1971” and “Beyond Realism: Human Security in India and Pakistan in the Twenty-First Century.” She received a Ph.D. from University of Connecticut.
Expertise: Dr. Datta can speak on the relations of Pakistan and India as well as the issue of violence against women and the empowerment of women.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Lisa Dinella, Ph.D.
Her research program is housed at the Gender Development Laboratory at Monmouth University, where she studies the social and interpersonal factors that influence individuals academic and career pursuits. She received a Ph.D. in Family Science, with concentrations in Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Development from Arizona State University.
Expertise: Dr. Dinella can speak on the following topics: gender identity, academic achievement, and career development.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
The Power of Pink: Does the Color of a Toy Really Matter?
This talk discusses the marketing strategy of selling pink and blue toys for girls and boys. The consequences of labeling toys as “girl toys” or “blue toys” are discussed.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Princesses and Superheroes as Role Models: The Media Influence on Children and Young Adults
This talk discusses recent scientific findings on how kids and young adults incorporate princesses and superhero characters into their thoughts about being a girl or a boy. The role of media and marketing is included in the talk.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Research in Schools
This talk reviews current tactics and strategies to unite school stakeholders and researchers in ways that benefit both groups.
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University
Women, the media, and Body Image
Talk discusses the role of media in young girls’ lives, and their perceptions of themselves and their bodies.
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
Masculinity Development in Adolescence
This talk is designed to provide an overview of current research in the area of masculinity development for young men. It covers relevant (and sometimes controversial) topics such as the impact of media and cultural scripts on young men’s perspectives of what it means to be a man, sexual orientation and identity, and bullying/victimization.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Psychology of the Twilight Series
This talk shows how marriage and family therapy techniques can be applied to families, using the Twilight Series’ families (the Swans, Cullens, and werewolf clans) as models.
Recommended Audience(s): Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
Catherine Duckett, Ph.D.
She serves Monmouth University as associate dean of the School of Science charged with student and faculty professional development as well as teaching evolution and other duties. Dr. Duckett has administrative expertise in mentoring, as well as scientific achievements in the evolution of leaf beetles. She received a Ph.D. from Cornell University.
Expertise: Dr. Duckett can speak on the following topics: entomology, biology and behavior of insects and international student exchange.
Association(s): School of Science
Presentation(s):
Entomology, biology and behavior of insects
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
International Student exchange and the benefits to students at different stages of their education
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
Leaf beetle biology and evolution
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
Women in Science: known barriers and policies to overcome barriers for women in science
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
William Gorman, M.S.
He received his M.S. from Monmouth University.
Expertise: William Gorman can speak about the following topics: current events and politics (world and U.S.), contemporary economic policy and deficit, and economic history.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, High School
Noah Hart Jr., Ed.D.
He received an Ed.D. from Rutgers University.
Expertise: Dr. Hart can speak on the following topics: learning style and teaching methodology; college student development; internationalization; globalization; ethics, diversity, and social responsibility; corporate governance; diversity; multiculturalism and pluralism; and workplace relationships: the key to production and profits.
Association(s): Leon Hess Business School
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Christine Hatchard, Psy.D.
She is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Eatontown, NJ and a specialist professor of Clinical Psychology. Since 1999, she has been the director of Making Daughters Safe Again (MDSA), providing information and support for survivors of mother-daughter sexual abuse. In 2011, she released a full-length documentary, “Who Will Love Me: Four Stories of Mother-Daughter Sexual Abuse,” a film that she solely produced, directed and edited. She received a Psy.D. from Chestnut Hill College.
Expertise: Dr. Hatchard can speak on supporting survivors of mother-daughter sexual abuse.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Criminal Minds: Profiling Female Sexual Abusers
The most well-known models of sexual perpetrators are based upon male offenders and within the family, are based upon the father as the abuser. However, females comprise about 1 in 4 sexual perpetrators and mother-daughter sexual abuse is the most underreported form of abuse. Psychological profiles of female and maternal perpetrators, common family dynamics within families with sexually abusive mothers and strategies for identifying and assisting child victims will be discussed. Presentation topic is appropriate for professionals working with children.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Who Will Love Me? Four Stories of Mother-daughter Sexual Abuse
The sexual abuse of girls by their mothers is often referred to as “the last secret.” In this groundbreaking documentary film, four courageous women who were sexually abused by their mothers in childhood share their compelling stories. Meant to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic, the audience will receive vital information that will assist them in understanding the unique dynamics and consequences of this overlooked and underreported form of child abuse. The film viewing can be combined with a Q&A with the director/producer, Dr. Hatchard.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Who Will Protect Me? Helping Survivors of Mother-daughter Sexual Abuse
Adult survivors of mother-daughter sexual abuse report an alarmingly low rate of intervention as children. In this presentation, the audience will learn the latest statistics and research regarding this phenomenon. Profiles of female perpetrators, family dynamics in abusive families, strategies for identifying and assisting victims and unique concerns of survivors will also be discussed.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Scott Jeffrey, Ph.D.
Dr. Jeffrey has extensive industry experience, having worked for 11 years in California’s Silicon Valley. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.
Expertise: Dr. Jeffrey can speak about the following topics: the use of incentives in organizations, both for employees and for customers. In particular, he is interested in tangible incentives, high-end merchandise and travel. His most current project is leading up a research team exploring the motivational events industry.
Association(s): Leon Hess Business School
Presentation(s):
Behavioral Economics
The use of behavioral economics in order to increase sales.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Leadership
How to improve leadership among middle managers.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Negotiations
Improving outcomes in negotiations.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Gary Lewandowski, Ph.D.
He is a co-founder of ScienceofRelationships.com and director of the Relationship Science Laboratory at Monmouth University. Dr. Lewandowski’s work has also appeared in numerous media outlets such as: CNN, the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, WebMD, Radio Health Journal, Science Daily, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Woman’s World, Maxim, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Self Magazine, and Ladies’ Home Journal. He received a Ph.D. from Stony Brook University.
Expertise: Dr. Lewandowski can speak about the role of self in romantic relationships including such processes as: attraction, relationship initiation, relationship maintenance, infidelity, and break-up.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Becoming a Better Person in Your Relationship
This talk discusses the process of self-expansion in relationships. Specifically, it examines how relationships contribute to self-growth and the importance of this growth in several relationship processes (e.g., infidelity, break-up, relationship maintenance).
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Casting Light on the Darkness of Dissolution
Examines the nature of break-up and the role of the self. The talk focuses on the benefits of break-up and how to successfully cope with break-up.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Relationships 101
Overview of relationship topics. Talk can be modified to accommodate various audiences.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Why People Stay in Good (and Bad) Relationships
Explores the underlying processes of relationship maintenance, with special attention paid to achieving healthy relationships.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Dorothy Lobo, Ph.D.
She received a Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America.
Expertise:
Dr. Lobo can speak on the following topics: cell and molecular biology and signal transduction pathways. Current research includes the regulation of stress signaling pathways during cell proliferation and programmed cell death.
Association(s): School of Science
Presentation(s):
Cancer
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Cloning
Recommended Audience(s): High School, Community Groups
Stem Cells
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Tony MacDonald, J.D.
He is director of Urban Coast Institute. He was previously the executive director of the Coastal States Organization (CSO) from 1998-2005. CSO, based in Washington, DC, represents the interests of the Governors of the United States’ 35 coastal states and territories on coastal and ocean policy matters.
Expertise:
Tony MacDonald can speak on the following topics: ocean resources management issues and public policy, federal environmental legislation and congressional affairs.
Association(s): Urban Coast Institute (UCI)
Presentation(s):
Coastal Zone Management
Regional and state management of coastal environment and sustainable development.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Marine Environmental Policy and Politics
Current issues and advocacy related to coastal and ocean laws and regulation.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Marine Pollution and Environmental Protection
Ocean dumping, clean Water Act, nonpoint pollution, marine debris, oceans and human health.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Ocean Law and Policy – National and international Issues
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Janet Mahoney, Ph.D.
She is a professor in the Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies.
Expertise: Dr. Mahoney can speak on the following topics: nursing research, administration, gerontology health issues.
Association(s): Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Golam Mathbor, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from The University of Calgary, Canada.
Expertise:
Dr. Mathbor can speak on the following topics: community participation and coastal community development, disaster management, international social development, and international social work.
Association(s): School of Social Work
Presentation(s):
Community Participation
Presentation on community participation theory and practice.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
International Partnership
Designed and implemented successful international partnership projects with universities in few countries.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
International Social Development
Presentation on practice experiences and learnings from various countries.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Jen McGovern, Ph.D.
She received a Ph.D. from Temple University.
Expertise: Dr. McGovern can speak about how sport intersects with various social and political issues. In particular, she can comment on issues surrounding race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality in sport, how socioeconomic status affects youth participation in sports and physical activity, and the relationship between athletics and sexual assault.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Patrick Murray, M.A.
He is the founding director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute. He has more than 15 years of experience conducting media polling and custom-designed research projects and is a frequent media commentator on politics and public opinion. He received a master’s degree from Rutgers University. For more information, visit www.monmouth.edu/polling.
Expertise: Patrick Murray can speak about New Jersey and United States politics, public policy, and public opinion.
Association(s): Polling Institute
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Karen Pesce, Ph.D.
She received a Ph.D. from Rutgers University.
Expertise: Dr. Pesce can speak on the following topics: environmental microbiology; impacts of human activities on the environment; and teaching science through authentic learning.
Association(s): School of Science
Presentation(s):
Environment and Human Health
Recommended Audience(s): Middle School, High School, Community Groups
How Microbes Rule The World
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Community Groups
Practical Applications of Authentic Learning in the Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Michael Phillips-Anderson, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from University of Maryland College Park.
Expertise: Dr. Phillips-Anderson can speak on the following topics: political communication, campaigns, public speaking, humor, humor and politics.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups, High School
Joe Rapolla, MBA
Joe Rapolla is the music industry program director and chair of the Department of Music and Theatre Arts at Monmouth University. A recognized music industry innovator, he built and led integrated marketing departments at Universal and Warner Music Group. He also helped build a direct-to-consumer marketing agency and a social research agency, and ran marketing for the video game division of Def Jam Enterprises. He has directed programs for top talent, such as Madonna, Bon Jovi, U2, Green Day, and Sting, and has partnered with the world’s leading entertainment, media, and consumer brands and agencies. He has earned multiple Gold Records for his work at the music companies. He is also a performing songwriter and producer. He has released three studio CD’s and film soundtrack, collaborates with top writers and artists in NYC and Nashville, and continues to perform locally and abroad. He received an MBA from Monmouth University.
Expertise: Music industry, entertainment, digital media, digital marketing, social marketing streaming, business strategy, engagement marketing, direct to consumer marketing, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Stuart Rosenberg, Ph.D.
He received a MBA and Ph.D. from Fordham University.
Expertise: Dr. Rosenberg can speak about the impact of the economy on business strategy.
Association(s): Leon Hess Business School
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups, High School
Saliba Sarsar, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from Rutgers University.
Expertise: Dr. Sarsar can speak about Arab-Israeli peace issues and Middle East affairs.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Michaeline Skiba, Ed.D.
She received an Ed.D. from Columbia University.
Expertise: Dr. Skiba can speak on the following topics: management and professional development within managed-care settings; strategic readiness and its impact on organization-wide and behavioral change; social and behavioral issues associated with pharmaceutical promotions and marketing strategy; and learning during organizational change.
Association(s): Leon Hess Business School
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
John Tiedemann, M.S.
He received an M.S. from Florida Institute of Technology.
Expertise: John Tiedemann can speak on the following topics: marine ecology, coastal zone management, environmental science, and marine and environmental education. Current applied research includes macrozooplankton studies of Barnegat Bay and an analysis of catch and release stress in angled striped bass.
Association(s): School of Science, Urban Coast Institute (UCI)
Presentation(s):
Habitat Conservation and Restoration
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Responsible Angling
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Watershed Management
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Michael Warshaw, J.D.
He received a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.
Expertise: Michael Warshaw can speak on the following topics: insurance law (including automobile insurance), municipal court and traffic law, social security disability, contracts, negotiable instruments, business entities, and distracted driving.
Association(s): Leon Hess Business School
Presentation(s):
Auto Insurance and Automobile Law
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Criminal Law
Search and seizure laws.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Drug Laws
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
DWI Laws
What are the obligations a driver pulled over for DWI?
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Employment Law
What are the employee’s rights?; Family Leave; How do I start a business and what are my options?; What happens if I get hurt in a car accident, in a school sports activity, while at work, as a result of horseplay, as a result of a defect in a product or in property?
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
How the Court system works – State/Federal
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Landlord Tenant Information
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Life Insurance and Insurance Issues
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
The Constitution
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Workers’ Compensation
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Charles Willow, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from University of Houston.
Expertise: Dr. Willow can speak on the following topics: information technology management; strategic management of technology; intelligent information systems development & management operations; and management science operations research.
Association(s): Leon Hess Business School
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Kenneth Womack, Ph.D.
Dr. Womack is an internationally renowned Beatles authority, having published five books devoted to the band’s life and times, including Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, and the Fab Four (2006), Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles (2007), The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles (2009), The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four (2014), and New Critical Perspectives on the Beatles: Things We Said Today (2016). In 2010, The Independent named The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles as “Music Book of the Year,” while Choice honored it as a “Significant University Press Title for Undergraduates, 2009-2010.” Dr. Womack is also the author of the first full-length biography of Sir George Martin, the group’s legendary producer.
Expertise: Dr. Womack offers a wide range of Beatles talks, including multimedia presentations about the evolution of their music and the innovative production techniques associated with Sir George Martin, their famed producer and collaborator.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Melissa Ziobro, M.A.
She received an M.A. from Monmouth University.
Expertise: Oral history, public history, Fort Monmouth, 20-21st century American military history, women in the United States military, archives, records, collections management, and museum studies.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, High School