Expert Faculty Contributors

Many APUS faculty members are scholar practitioners, serving in leadership roles in their respective disciplines. APUS is a leading provider of quality education to motivated professionals worldwide, and our reputation was earned by focusing on graduate success. That’s why we offer analysis and discussion that encourages deeper disciplinary information sharing and offers rich insights. Check out some of our amazing faculty contributors.

Dr. Linda Ashar

Dr. Linda C. Ashar is a full-time Associate Professor in the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in business, law, and ethics. She obtained her Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law. Her law practice spans more than 30 years and includes business, employment law, and litigation on behalf of employers and employees. She is a host of the Politics in the Workplace podcast.


Jennifer Bucholtz

Jennifer Bucholtz is a faculty member in the School of Security and Global Studies. She is a former U.S. Army Counterintelligence Agent and a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. She holds a B.S. in criminal justice, a M.A. in criminal justice and a M.S. in forensic sciences. She worked for the Arizona DOC and Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in NYC.


Dr. Gary Deel

Dr. Gary Deel is an Associate Professor with the Wallace E. Boston School of Business. He holds a J.D. in Law and a Ph.D. in Hospitality/Business Management. Gary teaches human resources and employment law classes and is the host of the Intellectible podcast.


Kerry Erisman

Kerry L. Erisman is an attorney and associate professor of legal studies. He is a retired Army officer who previously served in the Army military police and later as a prosecutor, chief prosecutor, and defense attorney. Kerry writes and teaches on important legal and criminal justice issues, and military spouse issues including leadership, critical thinking, and education.


Dr. Ilan Fuchs

Dr. llan Fuchs is a scholar of international law and legal history. He holds a B.A. in Humanities and Social Science from The Open University of Israel and an M.A. in Jewish history from Bar-Ilan University. Ilan’s other degrees include an LL.B., LL.M. and Ph.D. in Law from Bar-Ilan University. He is the author of “Jewish Women’s Torah Study: Orthodox Education and Modernity,” and 18 articles in leading scholarly journals. Ilan teaches courses on international law while maintaining a law practice in several jurisdictions.


Cynthia Gentile, J.D.

Cynthia Gentile is an Associate Professor of Management. She holds a Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She teaches courses in human resources, management ethics, and employment law. When she is not teaching, Professor Gentile is a dedicated advocate for equality and sits on the board of the Alice Paul Institute’s Equal Rights Amendment Advocacy Committee. She is also a host on the Leading Forward podcast channel, with a dual focus on women business leaders and legal rights and responsibilities related to diversity, equality, and inclusion in the workplace.


Dr. Randall W. Hanifen

Dr. Randall Hanifen serves as a shift commander at a medium-sized suburban fire department in the northern part of the Cincinnati area. Randall is the CEO/principal consultant of an emergency services consulting firm, providing analysis and solutions related to the organizational structuring of fire and EMS organizations. He is the chairperson and operations manager for a county technical rescue team and serves as a task force leader for one of FEMA’s urban search and rescue teams. He has a B.A. in fire administration, a M.A. in executive fire service leadership, and a doctoral degree in business administration with a specialization in homeland security. He is the associate author of “Disaster Planning and Control,” which provides first responders with guidance through all types of disasters.


Dr. Marie Gould Harper

Dr. Marie Gould Harper is the Dean of the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business. She holds an undergraduate degree in psychology from Wellesley College, a master’s degree in instructional systems from Pennsylvania State University, and a doctorate in business from Capella University. She is a progressive coach, facilitator, writer, strategist, and human resources/organizational development professional with more than 30 years of experience.


Dr. Kevin Harris

Dr. Kevin Harris is the Program Director for Information Systems Security and Information Technology Management, and serves as the alternate Cyber Center Director. Thanks to Dr. Harris and others, APUS was recognized by the National Security Agency as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). He has more than 20 years of experience in the information technology field with positions ranging from systems analyst to CIO. He performs research on the digital divide and works to ensure a trained cyber workforce in the country.


Dr. William Oliver Hedgepeth

Dr. Oliver Hedgepeth is a full-time professor in the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business. He was program director of three academic programs: Reverse Logistics Management, Transportation and Logistics Management, and Government Contracting. He was Chair of the Logistics Department at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Dr. Hedgepeth was the founding Director of the Army’s Artificial Intelligence Center for Logistics from 1985 to 1990, Fort Lee, Virginia.


Erik Kleinsmith

Erik Kleinsmith is the AVP in Intelligence, National & Homeland Security. He is a former Army Intelligence Officer and portfolio manager for Intelligence & Security Training at Lockheed Martin. He is a subject of the book “The Watchers” about Able Danger. He published a book, “Intelligence Operations: Understanding Data, Tools, People, and Processes.”


Allison G. S. Knox

Allison G. S. Knox teaches in the fire science and emergency management departments. She specializes in topics related to emergency management and emergency medical services policy. Allison serves as the At-Large Director of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the Secretary & Chair of the TEMS Committee with the International Public Safety Association, and the Chancellor of the Southeast Region on the Board of Trustees with Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences. Prior to teaching, she worked for a member of Congress in Washington, D.C. and in a level one trauma center emergency department. Allison is an emergency medical technician and holds four master’s degrees.


Dr. Bjorn Mercer

Dr. Bjorn Mercer is a Program Director of Communication, Philosophy, Religion, and World Languages. He holds a B.A. in music from Missouri State University, a M.A. and doctorate in music from the University of Arizona, and an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix. Bjorn hosts the podcasts The Everyday Scholar and Exploring STEM. He also writes children’s music in his spare time.


Larry D. Parker, Jr. 

Dr. Larry D. Parker, Jr., currently serves as the Program Director of Transportation and Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management with the Dr. Wallace E. Boston School of Business. He is a host of The Veteran Edge podcast. Dr. Parker served in the USMC for over 24 years.


Dr. Michael Pittaro

Dr. Michael Pittaro is a faculty member in the School of Security and Global Studies. He worked in corrections and as the executive director of an outpatient drug and alcohol facility. He has been teaching in higher education for 18+ years while also serving internationally as an author, editor, presenter, and SME. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice, an M.P.A. in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in criminal justice.


Dr. Charles Russo

Dr. Chuck Russo is the Program Director of Criminal Justice. His law enforcement career involved all areas of patrol, training, special operations, and investigations. He continues to design and instruct courses. His recent research focuses on emerging technology in law enforcement, post-traumatic stress, and nongovernment intelligence actors.


Dr. Jarrod Sadulski

Dr. Jarrod Sadulski is a faculty member in the School of Security and Global Studies. He has 22 years of law enforcement experience. He presents on topics of human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, police responses to domestic terrorism, and more. His expertise includes infrastructure security, maritime security, homeland security contraband interdiction, and intelligence gathering. He is a host of In Public Safety Matters podcast.


Dr. Kandis Wyatt

Dr. Kandis Wyatt, PMP, has more than 25 years of experience managing projects that specialize in supply chain management. She holds a B.S. in meteorology and an M.S. in meteorology and water resources from Iowa State University, as well as a D.P.A. in public administration from Nova Southeastern University.

Non-Faculty Contributors

Wes O’Donnell

Wes O’Donnell is an Army and Air Force veteran and writer covering military and tech topics. As a sought-after professional speaker, Wes has presented at U.S. Air Force Academy, Fortune 500 companies, and TEDx, covering trending topics from data visualization to leadership and veterans’ advocacy. As a filmmaker, he directed the award-winning short film, “Memorial Day.”