Professional Development Courses Academic Director and Faculty Bios

Dr. Abe Helou

Academic Director, Professional Development Courses
Professor of Finance
University of La Verne

Dr. Abe Helou began his career at the University of La Verne as Assistant Professor of Finance in 1993. He was appointed as Associate Dean in 2003. Abe was the Dean of the College of Business and Public Management for over 13 years until returning to the classroom as a Professor of Finance. Abe is also currently serving as the Academic Director of Professional Development Courses supporting faculty with course development and content, as well as supporting students with their academic goals.

Education

• Ph.D, Finance - Arizona State University

Dr. Yehia Mortagy

Professor, Information Technology & Decision Sciences
University of La Verne

Professor Mortagy received his B.Sc. degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Cairo, in Cairo, Egypt, MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1979, and Ph.D. in AI Case Based Reasoning application in Management of Information Systems from the Claremont Graduate School, Claremont, California in 1997. He taught at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, California State Polytechnic University and is currently teaching at the University of La Verne.

Education

• Ph.D, Management of Information Systems - Claremont Graduate School
• MBA, University of California, Los Angeles
• B.Sc., Aeronautical Engineering, University of Cairo, Egypt

Dr. Issam A. Ghazzawi

Professor, Management
University of La Verne

Issam A. Ghazzawi, Ph.D. is the Distinguished Professor of Management, Lewis Center Faculty Research Fellow, and the Sam Walton Fellow at the University of La Verne. Professor Ghazzawi teaches courses in organizational theory, organizational behavior, and management.

He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh; his Master's in Labor and Human Resources (M.L.H.R.) from The Ohio State University; and his Master in Business Administration (MBA) from Sul Ross State University. He is the past president of the Western CaseWriters Association and he currently serves on the Editorial Review Board of several academic journals. He frequently lectures at various international universities, including the Beijing Institute of Technology “BIT”. He received various academic and non-academic awards and recognitions, his latest was “The Distinguished Research Award from the Institute for Global Business Research (2024).He is the director of the REACH/Fleischer Business Program. The purpose of this program is to provide underserved/first-generation high school students the opportunity to pursue college in general and business education in particular. He is also the advisor of the Enactus Program.

Education

• Ph.D - University of Pittsburgh
• MA, Labor and Human Resources - Ohio State University

Dr. Todd Eckel

Assistant Vice President of Admissions and Enrollment
Western University of Health Sciences

Todd Eckel, EdD, derives his teaching perspective from Critical Pedagogy and Social Justice Pedagogy. Critical pedagogy acknowledges that education is NOT a neutral process, but one that is laden with decisions made, based on the decision maker's world view on behalf of those who may or may not share those views. It recognizes that biases and systems of oppression exist in society and are often perpetuated in educational systems. It forces people to make students aware of systemic bias through asking questions about who is being served and why. What does social justice pedagogy require of each individual? It emphasizes a need for action within a broader social context. It emphasizes the need to facilitate “agency” among students and those who are marginalized. It values the wholeness of a student. The goal of critical pedagogy and social justice pedagogy is to produce students who will become leaders in the fight against injustice and inequities in society. He taught at the Azusa Pacific University and is currently teaching at the University of La Verne.

Education

• EdD, Education Leadership for Social Justice - Loyola Marymount University
• MEd, Social Foundations of Education - Florida Atlantic University
• BA, Social Science - Florida Atlantic University

Julie Schneider Ljubenkov

Retired Adjunct Professor, Art History
University of La Verne

Julie Schneider, has three decades of experience as an educator, she has taught diverse art forms such as mosaics, watercolor, and drawing, emphasizing natural science and Native American culture to students of all ages, from preschoolers to university students. Now, as the proud owner of Dancing Coyote Environmental, a women-owned business, she specializes in marine biological surveys, species identifications, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) services. Her team of marine biologists boasts over three decades of experience, with a stellar reputation in their respective fields and numerous publications to their credit.

Education

• MFA, Illustration, Painting, Drawing - California State University - Long Beach
• BA, General Arts - California State University - Long Beach

Chris Krich

Head Football Coach
University of La Verne

Chris Krich's coaching prowess was recognized when he and his staff were named the 2015 SCIAC Coaching Staff of the Year. Additionally, La Verne's players thrived under his guidance, with 14 players earning All-SCIAC honors, including seven on the First Team. The team's standout performances led to individual accolades as well, with running back Travis Sparks-Jackson earning a spot on the 2015 D3football.com Second Team All-America, marking a significant achievement for La Verne.

Education

• MS, Health and Physical Education - Fort Hays State University
• BA, Human Performance and Wellness - Colorado Mesa University

Lynn Stanton-Riggs

Retired Faculty
University of La Verne

For over 30 years, Lynn Stanton-Riggs has been a stalwart in academia at the University of La Verne, holding various leadership roles. As Interim Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs from 2019 to 2020, she spearheaded faculty development initiatives. Prior to this, Lynn dedicated 28 years to educating as a Professor of Education, leaving an indelible mark on countless students. Before retiring, Lynn served as Associate Dean of the LaFetra College of Education from 2015 to 2019, overseeing academic affairs. From 2012 to 2015, she concurrently chaired both the Education and Teacher Development Department and the Child Development Program. Lynn's journey at the University of La Verne began in 1989 as Assistant Dean of the College of Education, where she spent 26 years shaping the institution's academic landscape. Throughout her career, Lynn has exhibited a passion for educational leadership and a steadfast commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, leaving a lasting impact on the University of La Verne community.

Education