Albert C. Price, Professor (1980), MPA Program Director

Degrees:
Edinboro State College, B.A.; University of Connecticut, M.A., Ph.D.
Research Interests:
Public Policy: Educational Administration, Criminal Justice, Regulatory Policy
Courses Taught:
Policy, Politics and Public Administration; Schools and Communities; Instructional Practice and Evaluation; Practicum in Research Design
Why the WebPlus Program:
Principals are exceptionally important to the quality of education that is experienced by children.  Recently, educational reform has required much more significant preparation of principals aimed at meeting multiple goals.  The WebPlus Concentration in Educational Administration allows me to work with highly motivated students who are preparing to take over leadership roles within the educational system.  My objective is to help influence our students to become lifelong learners who ground their practice of administration in sound academic research and conscious reflection.  I am continually impressed with the quality of the students we attract to this program.  WebPlus at UM-Flint is an intellectually challenging environment that makes teaching very satisfying.  I am greatly honored to be able to direct this dynamic program.

Chuck Vergon, Lecturer (1998)

Degrees:
Denison University, B.A.; University of Michigan, J.D.
Research Interests:
Education law, politics and policy making; policy implementation and change in complex social organizations; and equity issues and strategies for serving diverse and often-at-risk student populations.
Courses Taught:
Education Law, Grant Writing and Administration in School and Agency Settings, and Clinical Practice for School Administration.
Why the WebPlus Program:
The Web Plus Program in School Administration annually brings together a cohort of exceedingly able educational professionals from diverse school settings across the state of Michigan to explore the challenging issues confronting educational leaders in today’s demanding educational policy environment. It’s interdisciplinary faculty provide a variety of perspectives for analyzing complex problems and crafting creative solutions that draw on research and the professional knowledge of several disciplines. The program’s relevance, rigor, interdisciplinary nature, and the quality of the candidates make the Web Plus program stimulating for the faculty as well as the candidates preparing for future careers in administration.

Chuck brings to the WebPlus program more than twenty years of experience working with scores of school districts and state agencies across a six state area as an attorney and administrator of a federally-funded educational equity center based on the Ann Arbor campus of the University of Michigan. In this capacity and subsequently, as a regular and adjunct faculty member, Chuck has edited ten monographs, and more than 50 book chapters, articles, and papers delivered at national conferences. Research and publications have included ones focusing on a variety of topics, such as: child abuse and neglect, school shootings and zero tolerance, strategies for promoting educational equity for students of color, the role of principal in implementing special education mandates, and clinical education in administrator preparation programs.

Jim Mikulski, Lecturer (2006)

Degrees:
Central Michigan University B.S.; Michigan State University M.A. Curriculum Development; Eastern Michigan University M.A. Education Leadership
Research Interests:
The impact of poverty on student achievement. The cultural aspects of learning styles.
Courses Taught:
The Principalship, Schools and Communities, Instructional Practice and Evaluation, Clinical Experience in School Administration
Why the WebPlus Program:
The cohort structure we use in the WebPlus program allows for relationships to build between students and instructors. As a result, open and frank dialogue brings the theoretical and the real world together in a way that develops new insights into school administration and leadership. The high interest and enthusiasm students bring to the program is both refreshing and motivating for me. It is a pleasure to work with such committed aspiring principals who will be our school leaders tomorrow.

Professional Experience:
Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, Teacher, Art (K-12)  1973 - 1991
Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools, Principal, Dye Elementary  1991 - 2003

During his tenure as a principal, Jim served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD), and was active in the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principal’s Association (MEMSPA) where he served on the local Board of Directors and was selected as Principal of the Year for MEMSPA’s Region 10. In addition to his work with professional organizations, Jim has presented at State conferences and workshops sponsored by MASCD, MEMSPA, and MAME.

Jim lives on a farm near Lapeer with his wife, Ellen who is the Principal of Community High School, an alternative high school in the Lapeer school district. Jim raises beef cattle, makes maple syrup, and builds wooden canoes in addition to doing educational consulting. He has also been known to pick a little bluegrass mandolin when the occasion presents itself.

Even though he has many interests, one of Jim’s main passions is promoting the success of Public Education, thus his interest in working with future teachers and administrators. He sees the pressures being placed upon Public Education as an opportunity for it to respond with creative vigor, and hopes to influence new leadership toward seeking fresh approaches to teaching and learning that will successfully respond to the necessity of addressing the needs of ALL students.

Patrick O’Donnell, Lecturer (2003)

Degrees:
St. Joseph’s College, B.A.; Indiana University, M.S.; Eastern Michigan University, Ed.S.; University of Michigan, Ph.D.
Research Interests:
Budget development and its relationship to organizational goal implementation
Courses Taught:
Professional Staff Evaluation, The Principalship, School Finance, Clinical Placement of Candidates
Why the WebPlus Program:
The staff effort to work toward program coherence and the student’s increased ability to analyze and measure the performance characteristics of their school context is why I teach in this program.
Professional Experience:
2000 – 2003 Superintendent, Fenton Area Public Schools, Fenton, Michigan
1998 – 2000 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, E.J McClendon Educational Center, Deputy Superintendent
1996 – 1998 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Assistant Superintendent, Instruction/K-12
1993 – 1996 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Executive Director, Instruction/K-12
1988 – 1992 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Executive Director, Programs for Exceptional Students
1985 – 1987 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Principal, West Middle School
1979 – 1984 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Director, Special Education Programs and Services
1976 – 1979 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Supervisor, Special Education Programs and Services
1975 – 1976 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Work Study and Special Grants Coordinator, Special Education
1972 – 1975 Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Plymouth, MI, Teacher, Cross-Categorical Program, Special Education, Canton High School
1969 – 1971 South Newton High School, Kentland, IN, Teacher, Social Studies/Government/Economics, South Newton High School

Johnny Young, Lecturer (2006)

Degrees:
University of Michigan-Flint, B.A., M.P.A.; Wayne State University, Ed.D.
Research Interests:
Learning Styles, Cooperative Learning
Courses Taught in Program:
Curriculum Development
Why the WebPlus Program:
There is no question that education is the foundation of a progressive, strong, and economically vibrant global society.  This is a fundamental truth and has been the distinguishing factor in the quality of my life. Sharing the knowledge I’ve gained and learning from motivated and aspiring educational administrators is very rewarding and professionally fulfilling.

Johnny Young is also employed at the University of Michigan-Flint as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Student Life and Academic Advising.

Mary Jo Sekelsky, Lecturer (2006)

Degrees:
Michigan State University, B.A.; Oakland University, M.A.; Wayne State University, Ed.D.
Research Interests:
Retention, Underachievement, Student Development Theory & Practice
Courses Taught in Program:
Curriculum Development
Why the WebPlus Program:
Being part of the WebPlus program provides an excellent opportunity for me to utilize my doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. Teaching also gives me a unique perspective as a university administrator.

Employed at the University of Michigan-Flint since 1984, Mary Jo Sekelsky was appointed to the position of Vice Chancellor in 2005. Dr. Sekelsky reports directly to the Chancellor and is a member of the Chancellor’s executive team. Dr. Sekelsky has been the principle investigator of grants aimed at increasing retention and graduation rates. She has also been the recipient of funding directed toward reducing substance abuse among college students. Her dissertation, The Effects of Holistic and Traditional Approaches on the Learning Strategies, Self-Concept, and Academic Achievement of Underachieving Commuter University Students continues to serve as the foundation of her research interests. Dr. Sekelsky has twice served as a scientific peer reviewer for the United States Department of Defense. She has traveled abroad extensively and was part of a national delegation of the American Business Women’s Association invited to study the contributions of women to the development of science and technology in the People’s Republic of China. Active in the community, Dr. Sekelsky is past president of the American Cancer Society-Genesee County Board of Directors and former chair of Wayne State University’s Flint Alumni Club. She has served on several local boards including the Shelter of Flint and Family Service Agency of Mid-Michigan. Dr. Sekelsky was elected President of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) Crossroad Connection Chapter in 2007 and continues to serve ABWA in that capacity.

Crystal M. Pepperdine Lecturer (2008)

Degrees:
University of Michigan-Flint, B.A., M.P.A.
Research Interests:
Women’s Studies, Educational Administration and Program Development, Student Retention
Courses Taught in Program:
Leadership Theory and Practice (Race, Gender, and Class in Education)
Why the WebPlus Program:
Teaching in the WebPlus Program gives me the opportunity to introduce students to theoretical and practical information about the connection of race, gender, and class to education.

In addition to lecturing in the MPA WebPlus Program, Crystal is an Administrative Specialist for the three interdisciplinary graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Rackham School of Graduate Studies at UM-Flint: Master of Public Administration, Master of Liberal Studies, and Master of Arts in Social Sciences.