Faculty Appointments
School of Business
Daria Crawley, appointed assistant professor of management. Crawley joins RMU in Spring 2005 after serving as assistant dean and director of the full-time M.B.A. program in the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. Previously, she was adjunct professor in the Center for European Studies and director of research in the Center for Organizational and Leadership Effectiveness. Crawley has an M.S. in industrial and organizational psychology from California State University Los Angeles and an M.A. and Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan. Crawley currently resides in Steubenville, Ohio.

Kamala Raghavan, appointed assistant professor of accounting. Raghavan joins RMU from Cleveland State University. Her teaching and research interests are in financial and managerial accounting, investments and banking. Previously, she was senior vice president of corporate accounting for National City Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. Raghavan has an M.B.A. from Northeastern University, an M.S. in information science from Simmons College and a D.B.A. in accounting from Cleveland State. Raghavan currently resides in Westlake, Ohio.

James E. Rebele, appointed head of the department of accounting and taxation and professor of accounting. Rebele came to RMU in Spring 2004 from Lehigh University, where he taught auditing and financial accounting for 14 years. He also taught at Rutgers University, Santa Clara University, the University of Kansas and the University of Rhode Island. He received his M.B.A. and Ph.D. degrees form Indiana University-Bloomington. Rebele is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Accounting Education. Rebele resides in North Fayette, Pa.

Ting Jie Wang, appointed assistant professor of accounting. Wang joins RMU from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His primary teaching and research area is accounting information systems. Wang worked for several corporations prior to beginning his academic career. He received his M.B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Rutgers University. Wang resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.

School of Communications and Information Systems
Ferris Crane, appointed associate professor of communications. Crane will teach in the media arts program, specializing in graphic design. She has taught at the University of Maryland, California Polytechnic and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and has earned numerous grants, awards and commissions for her design. Crane earned an M.F.A. from the Academy of Arts College in San Francisco and completed advanced-level study at the University of California Berkeley. Crane resides in Squirrel Hill, Pa.

Carolina Loyola-Garcia, appointed assistant professor of communications. A talented and award-winning videographer and media artist, Loyola-Garcia comes to RMU with extensive adjunct teaching experience at Pittsburgh Filmmakers, Carlow College, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of New Mexico. She will teach video production and media design courses and actively pursue her research portfolio in video production and video installations. She earned her M.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University. Loyola-Garcia resides in Pittsburgh.

Alvita Martin-Friar, appointed director of theatre and assistant professor of communications. Martin-Friar brings over 20 years of experience in academic, professional and community theatre. Prior to joining RMU, she was director of theatre at Bethune-Cookman College and taught at the University of Memphis. She holds an M.F.A. in directing from the University of South Carolina. Martin-Friar resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Shelly J. Todd, appointed lecturer in communications skills and political science. Todd has served as legal counsel for organizations including Regional Housing Legal Services of Pittsburgh and the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. She previously taught at Bishop State Community College in Alabama. Todd holds a J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. Todd resides in Moon Township, Pa.

School of Education and Social Sciences
Daniel Barr, appointed assistant professor of history. Barr previously taught at Clarion University, Kent State University and Slippery Rock University and has earned numerous teaching awards. His work examining the Iroquois during the Colonial period in the United States is under contract for publication in 2006. Barr received an M.A. from Slippery Rock University and a Ph.D. from Kent State University. Barr resides in Hermitage, Pa.

Gretchen Givens Generett, appointed associate professor of education. Generett joins RMU after teaching in the Graduate School of Education at George Mason University for the past four years. Her research interests are in foundations of education, qualitative research methodology, cultural studies and women's studies. Generett has authored and co-authored numerous publications and has presented at state, regional and national conferences. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. Generett resides in Fox Chapel, Pa.

Anita Iaquinta, appointed lecturer in elementary education. Iaquinta joins RMU after serving as a full-time temporary at Slippery Rock University. She also has taught part time at Robert Morris University and California University of Pennsylvania. She earned an M.A. in elementary education from California University and a D.Ed. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in literacy from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Iaquinta resides in Connellsville, Pa.

Lawrence Tomei, appointed dean of academic services and associate professor of education. Tomei comes to RMU from Duquesne University, where he served as director of instructional technology and director of administrative technology. He also taught at South Dakota State University, the University of Colorado and the University of Arkansas. A retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, Tomei holds an M.A. in education and an M.A. in public administration from the University of South California. Tomei resides in Coraopolis, Pa.

School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science
Sushil Acharya, appointed assistant professor of software engineering. Acharya joins RMU in Spring 2005 after serving as senior operations analyst at the US Airways Operations Control Center. He has taught a variety of academic and industrial courses from energy planning to supply chain management. He has an M.S. in computer science and a D.Eng. in computer science and information management with a concentration in knowledge discovery, both from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. Acharya resides in Moon Township, Pa.

Zbigniew Czjakiewicz, appointed head of the Center for Applied Research in Engineering and Science (CARES) and professor of engineering. Czjakiewicz joins RMU after serving as president of Computer Integrated Systems Inc. Previously, he was professor and chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering at California State University Fresno and founding director of their Computer Integrated Manufacturing Center. He also held faculty positions at Wichita State University, Texas Tech and the University of Toledo. Czajkiewicz holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in industrial engineering from the Technical University of Wroclaw, Poland. Czjakiewicz will relocate to the Pittsburgh area in October.

William J. Dress, appointed assistant professor of science. Dress comes to RMU after serving as a post-doctoral research associate at West Virginia University. He also has taught at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and The Ohio State University. He has many publications in the area of environmental research and has been awarded several grants for research and teaching. Dress earned a master's degree in biology from IUP and a Ph.D. from Ohio State. Dress resides in Greensburg, Pa.

Priyadarshan Manohar, appointed assistant professor of engineering. Manohar joins RMU in Spring 2005 after serving as lead material scientist at Modern Industries Inc. Previously, he was a research associate at Carnegie Mellon University, engaging in advanced research of computer modeling of materials behavior. Manohar has a Graduate Diploma in computer science and a Ph.D. in materials engineering from the University of Wollongong, Australia. Manohar resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Elizabeth (Betsy) J. McCall, appointed lecturer in mathematics. McCall joins RMU after serving as a graduate teaching assistant and part-time faculty member at CCAC, Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh and Cleveland State University. She received an M.A. in linguistics from Indiana University-Bloomington, an M.S. in mathematics from Cleveland State and an M.S. in MIS from Nova University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics at Pitt. McCall resides in White Oak, Pa.

School of Nursing and Allied Health
Stephen Foreman, appointed head of the Department of Allied Health and associate professor of health care administration and economics. Foreman comes to RMU with over 25 years of health policy and management experience. Most recently he was vice president of research of the Pennsylvania Medical Society and director of the society's Health Services Research Institute. Previously, he taught at The Pennsylvania State University and the University of California Berkeley. Foreman holds an M.P.A. from Harvard University, a Ph.D. in health economics from UC Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of North Carolina. Foreman resides in Wexford, Pa.

Valerie M. Howard, appointed clinical assistant professor of nursing. Howard has published in refereed journals and given national presentations on such topics as disease processes, evaluation of teaching, and improving clinical experiences for nursing students. Her clinical expertise lies in emergency and medical-surgical nursing. She holds a master's in nursing education and is working toward her doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Howard resides in Venetia, Pa.

Lisa W. Locasto, appointed clinical assistant professor of nursing. Locasto has over 25 years of nursing experience. Most recently, she worked as a triage nurse for a local pediatric practice and taught nursing at Duquesne University. She also has served as charge nurse of the Intensive Care Unit at Columbus Children's Hospital and taught at Otterbein College and the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a master's degree in nursing from The Ohio State University. Locasto resides in Mt. Lebanon, Pa.

Katherine J. Perozzi, appointed clinical assistant professor nursing. Perozzi brings over 15 years of experience in nursing education. Her clinical expertise is in perinatal nursing, and she serves as coordinator for the Southwest PA chapter of AWHONN, the perinatal and women's health professional organization. She has taught nursing at the Community College of Allegheny County and the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned a master's degree in nursing. Perozzi resides in Monessen, Pa.

Kirstyn Kameg Zalice, appointed clinical assistant professor of nursing. Zalice's expertise is in psychiatric mental health nursing, and she is certified as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. She has taught nursing at the University of Pittsburgh for the past four years. She also works for Crossroads Counseling and Consulting Associates, diagnosing and managing treatment for adolescents and adults with psychiatric disorders. She earned an M.S.N. from Pittsburgh. Zalice resides in Bethel Park, Pa.

International Visiting Scholars
Anne Flynn, appointed International Visiting Scholar, management and marketing. Flynn will join RMU for the Spring 2005 semester to teach entrepreneurship, collaborate on research and participate in projects with the Massey Center for Business Innovation and Development. Flynn is with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies in the Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Her research interests include team entrepreneurship, equity finance gap in the SME sector and strategies for securing equity investment. While at RMU, she will conduct a cross-cultural study of entrepreneurial restraints and satisfaction in the U.S. and Ireland. She holds a Master of Business Studies in entrepreneurship and is working on her doctorate. Flynn will reside in the Colonial Village on campus when she arrives in the spring.

Syed Tanvir Wasti, appointed International Visiting Scholar, engineering. Wasti will join RMU for the Fall 2004 semester to teach engineering and collaborate on research. A professor of civil engineering at the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey, his research interests include structural engineering, bridge engineering, earthquake engineering, limit analysis, technology transfer, technical education, housing and development. While at RMU, he will conduct a study on new directions in engineering education. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, England. Wasti resides in North Fayette Township, Pa.

Staff Appointments
Karen B. Crenshaw, appointed vice president for institutional advancement. Previously, she was the director of development for the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC Medical and Health Sciences Foundation. Crenshaw will direct current and future fund-raising campaigns while overseeing alumni relations, and corporate and foundation relations. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware and her master's degree in art from Oberlin College. Crenshaw currently resides in Wexford, Pa.

David M. Gass, appointed academic advisor and career counselor to the cooperative education honors and international honors students. Gass comes to RMU from Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as an academic advisor for five years. He also has worked at the University of Pittsburgh's Placement and Career Services Office and at UPMC's Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. Gass earned a B.A. in psychology from Muskingum College and an M.S.Ed. in counseling education from Duquesne University. Gass resides in Oakdale, Pa.

Dana Hackley, appointed production coordinator of the Academic Media Center. She joins RMU from Sinclair Broadcast Group, where she was a news producer. She holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Maryland. Hackley resides in Brookline, Pa.

Matthew Ireland, appointed area coordinator in residence life. Ireland is a recent graduate of California University of Pennsylvania, where he served as a graduate assistant in Residence Life, and was also a resident assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. He holds a B.S. in biological sciences from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. in teaching from California University of Pennsylvania. Ireland resides in Moon Township, Pa.

Michael Kuzmish, appointed area coordinator in residence life. Kuzmish is a recent graduate of Edinboro University with an M.A. in student personnel services with an emphasis on higher education counseling. He also received his B.A. from Edinboro. Through his graduate program he served as a Greek life advisor and academic support service advisor. He was also a counselor at the University of Pittsburgh, Titusville. Kuzmish resides in Moon Township, Pa.

Anita Nilkant, appointed manager of financial planning and analysis. Nilkant comes to RMU from FreeMarkets, where she served as a finance manager with the Decision Support Team for the past four years. Previously, she worked at Medrad Inc. in the Corporate Budgeting and Financial Services Group. Nilkant earned her undergraduate degree in commerce from the University of Bangalore in India and her M.B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh. Nilkant resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Beth Ryan, appointed director of financial analysis. Ryan comes to RMU from FreeMarkets, where she served in a variety of financial roles over the past four and a half years. Before joining FreeMarkets, she spent several years at International Paper Company as a business analyst. She earned a B.S. in accounting from The Pennsylvania State University. Ryan resides in Gibsonia, Pa.

Kelly Sturdivant, appointed director of business operations. Sturdivant comes to RMU from General Electric where she served in a variety of marketing, operations and quality roles over the past seven years. Before joining GE she spent eight years at Westinghouse, first as a consultant and then as director of their Productivity and Quality Center. Sturdivant holds a B.S. in industrial management and economics from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.B.A from the Darden School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. Sturdivant resides in McMurray, Pa.

David Budziszewski, appointed as a counselor in the center for student success. Budiszewksi previously served as an adjunct member at RMU, teaching numerous courses since 1999. In addition to his counseling duties, he will also oversee the Disability Student Services. He earned his B.A. in communications and M.S. in communications and information systems from Robert Morris University. Budziszewski resides in Aliquippa, Pa.

Winston F. Erevelles, appointed associate vice president of academic affairs. Erevelles is a professor of engineering and director of the PRIME coalition at RMU. His previous appointments were as associate dean of the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science and head of the Learning Factory. Previously, he was the director of the manufacturing engineering program at Kettering University in Flint, Mich. He earned his B.S. in electrical engineering from Bangalore University, India, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in engineering management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. Erevelles resides in Jefferson Hills, Pa.

Rick Frankford, appointed coordinator of the Pittsburgh campus technology resources. Frankford will be responsible for all aspects of technology services to academic and administration located at the Pittsburgh facilities. He also has an extensive background in technology configuration and support. Frankford resides in Cranberry, Pa.

Ken Gargaro, appointed lecturer in arts and humanities. Gargaro is a director, musical conductor and acting teacher. He has taught at Western Maryland College and Point Park University and last year was a visiting faculty member at RMU, directing Godspell and Footloose. Gargaro was founding director of the Pittsburgh Musical Theater and is dean of the Rauh Conservatory. He holds a master's in music education from Duquesne University and a Ph.D. in dramatic art and literature from the University of Pittsburgh. Gargaro resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Imrana Iqbal, appointed lecturer in communication skills. Iqbal has been an adjunct instructor in the Communications Skills Program since 2001. She holds and M.A. in English literature from the University of the Punjab, Pakistan, and an M.A. in social and public policy and Ph.D. in English literature, both from Duquesne University. Iqbal resides in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mary Catherine Kiliany, appointed lecturer in communication skills. Kiliany has been an adjunct instructor in the Communications Skills Program since 1997. From 1995 to 2001, she was coordinator of the Communications Skills and Tutoring Center (CSTC), which she helped to create. She earned an M.S. in instructional leadership from RMU. Kiliany resides in Ambridge, Pa.

Pat Litzinger, appointed department head for finance and economics. Litzinger has been with RMU since 1977. Previously, he held positions in various industries including Jones & Laughlin Steel Company and Bethlehem Steel Company. He also served as a member of the United States Army and had been invited to participate in a military issues council chaired by Senator Arlen Spector in March, 2004. He received his B.A. in Political Science, M.A. in Economics, and Ph.D. in Economics all from the University of Pittsburgh. Litzinger resides in Moon Township, Pa.

Berthran A. McCoy, appointed lecturer in science. McCoy joins RMU full-time after serving as a part-time faculty member since 2002. He holds an M.S. in genetics/developmental biology from Edinboro University and has earned credits towards an M.Ed. from East Stroudsburg University and credits toward an R.N. from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. McCoy resides in Aliquippa, Pa.

J. Daniel Murphy, appointed assistant vice president for development. For the past two years he has served as director of development. Murphy came to RMU from the University of Maryland Medical Systems Foundation, where he served as director of annual giving and special gifts. He will be responsible for supervision of the annual fund staff and cultivation of gifts from individuals and corporate donors. He earned a B.S. in English and an M.S. in college personnel from Miami University (Ohio). Murphy resides in Moon Township, Pa.

Eric Pond, appointed coordinator of the Moon campus technology resources. As a technical support representative in Pittsburgh during the past three years, Pond's experience in supporting technology-equipped classrooms and labs has prepared him for responsibilities of this new role. He will concentrate his efforts at the Moon campus on academics, specifically supporting the classrooms and labs and maintaining proper software licensing agreements. Pond earned his associates degree from Robert Morris University and is currently working on his bachelors. Pond resides in Moon Township, Pa.

Cindy Rogerson, appointed controller of Robert Morris University. She will assume the direction of the day-to-day operations of all financial services and accounting for the University. Rogerson received her B.S.B.A from Robert Morris University. Rogerson resides in Moon Township, Pa.

Connie Serapiglia, appointed manager of IT HelpDesk services. Serapiglia is currently a student in RMU's doctoral program and has worked within the call center as a trainer of software for the past three years. She will be responsible for the development of a new group of student technicians trained and employed specifically to address residential network issues. She holds a B.A. in communications and an M.S. in communications and information systems from Robert Morris University. Serapiglia resides in Kennedy Township, Pa.

Kendra Sims, appointed assistant director of residence life and judicial affairs. Sims has been an area coordinator at RMU for the past three years. She holds a B.A. in sociology from The College of Wooster and an M.S.W. from the University of Cincinnati. Sims resides in Moon Township, Pa.