Meet A Few of Our Staff/Program Chairs/Instructors
Campus Director
Rachelle McNeely - Rachelle McNeely first joined the Stautzenberger family as campus Registrar in 2021 before moving into her current role as Campus Director. With nearly 20 years of experience in compliance and education, Rachelle believes in the value of higher education and career preparation. Through her experience, Rachelle is highly skilled at guiding students through their educational journey by ensuring they are succeeding in the classroom and beyond. Rachelle earned her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management at Hiram College.
Rachelle leads all facets of Stautzenberger College's Brecksville campus, from welcoming new students to partnering with our staff to provide the best possible education. Her mission doesn't end there though. Rachelle also oversees our Student Services and Career Services departments to ensure every student thrives while in school and is assisted with career placement upon graduation. Leading our Brecksville students to success is a passion for Rachelle and our entire team at Stautzenberger College.
Dean of Academics & Student Affairs, Career Services Advisor
Anthony Hinckley - Anthony Hinckley is the Dean of Academics and Student Affairs at Stautzenberger College’s Brecksville Campus. He is also the Career Services Department for the same Campus and has been with the College since 2022. In his role as a Dean, Anthony strives to provide faculty the support they need to be successful in the classroom and works diligently to see that every student has the resources they need to flourish throughout their degree and diploma programs. As Career Services, Anthony’s greatest joy is to work with students until they find their dream careers. On cloudless nights you can find him and his three children taking turns howling at the moon in their backyard.
Animal Welfare Administration Programs
Danya Linehan, DVM - Do you love animals enough to dedicate your entire life to them? Our animal welfare administration instructors do. Danya Linehan, DVM has completely immersed herself in the animal world both personally and professionally.
Even with the passage of time, Danya's compassion toward animals has never faded. She started working at a veterinary clinic in 1983, graduated from Ohio State Veterinary School in 1993, and began teaching for American Higher Education Development Corporation schools in 2006. Danya is fortunate to have had a wide variety of experiences within the animal welfare field. She has worked in private practice, holistic medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, humane education, shelter medicine, and higher education.
Today, Danya continues to stay busy with a number of animal-related jobs. She is a part-time shelter veterinarian at the Cat Welfare Association. At Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, she helps pets at the end of life transition peacefully in their homes. Danya even operates her own small non-profit organization, Felines in Need. On top of it all, she is the lead instructor for our online animal welfare administration program.
Accounting and Payroll Clerk Diploma Program
Watson T. Ragin - You never know what the future has in store for you. Watson T. Ragin was born and grew up in a small, quiet town in South Carolina. Little did he know that life would take him all over the country and into a number of career fields.
Although Watson is currently our accounting and payroll clerk program chair, his career has been varied. Watson served as an officer in the United States Army in both stateside and overseas assignments. For 21 years, he was the financial controller for a Milwaukee-based manufacturing company at its Tampa, Florida facility. Watson also worked as an economic development compliance auditor for the State of North Carolina and a manufacturing cost accountant for Phillips Petroleum Company. For a few years, he was a portfolio analyst and accountant in the banking industry. This unique opportunity allowed him to better understand investing as well as stock and bond trading and how they relate to accounting.
Watson's most recent professional endeavors have been in the education field. He has taught at several institutions of higher learning in both online and on-ground capacities. Some of the courses Watson has taught include: economics, accounting, finance, general business and management, ethics, international business, and success skills. Watson's Master of Business Administration degree was earned at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration (with an emphasis in accounting and economics) from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Watson enjoys seeing his students succeed in our online program. When he is not teaching, he loves spending time with his spouse and two adult children. He currently resides in Tampa, where he enjoys the warm sunshine.
Office Addiction Counseling & Social Advocacy Diploma Program
Dr. Cailyn Green - With 8 years of education experience in both online and in-person capacities, Dr. Green is well-prepared to guide our students in becoming addiction counselors. Classes she has taught include Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Addiction Science, Forensic Psychology, Criminal Justice Research Methods, Social Psychology, and Criminology. She earned her Ph.D. in criminal justice with a focus on addiction counseling from Walden University. At Sage Graduate School, she completed her Master of Science degree in forensic mental health. Additionally, Dr. Green holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Western New England University.
Dr. Green is also a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) out of the state of New York. This makes her a Qualified Health Professional (QHP) in the field of addiction, counseling, ethics, and case management. A very passionate instructor, Dr. Green supports her students on their career path of choice.
Business Administration Programs
J. Michael Donovan, Ph.D. - What type of leader do you want to be? Many people seek out leadership roles but are convinced they'll never earn one or don't prepare by developing the proper attitudes and skills. As a leader in many areas, Dr. J. Michael Donovan hopes to cultivate the leadership potential in his students.
In 2009, Dr. Donovan joined the American Higher Education Development Corporation as a business instructor and helped design AHED’s contemporary business management program. After working in human resources management positions at Proctor and Gamble and Honeywell, he became CEO of an international management consulting firm serving clients such as: GE, Ford, Harley Davidson, Asia Pacific Breweries, Novartis, KLM Airlines, Merck, Miller Brewing, Allied Signal, and many others. He received his Ph.D. from the Weatherhead School of Business at Case Western Reserve University and his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University.
To help others succeed in leadership roles, Dr. Donovan shares his knowledge through writing and teaching. He has published over 30 articles and two books: So You Think You Can LEAD? A guide to discovering and harnessing your potential for leadership (2017); and LEADING – What leaders do to help others achieve results (2020). Currently, he is working on a new book titled Learning to Improve Work – A Beginner’s Guide to Lean Six Sigma Methodology. As the lead instructor for Stautzenberger College's business administration program, Dr. Donovan brings a mix of academic knowledge and practical business experience to his students. He hopes to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Cannabis Dispensary Administration Diploma Program
Jasmine Viola - “I just want to leave people better than I found them.” That's the guiding principle for Jasmine Viola, Lead Instructor of Stautzenberger College's Cannabis Dispensary Administration Diploma Program. With over eight years of experience in patient-centered care, Jasmine strives to enhance each patient's quality of life.
A pioneer within Ohio's medical cannabis field, Jasmine oversees the operations of five different dispensaries. She carefully follows the regulations set forth by the Medical Marijuana Control Program. Even with the transitions resulting from COVID-19, Jasmine has never allowed her dedication to medical cannabis patients to wilt.
Jasmine loves educating others and firmly believes that knowledge is power. She holds four master's degrees from Tiffin University and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Bowling Green State University. Before choosing a career in the medical cannabis industry, Jasmine worked in the criminal justice field. In her spare time, Jasmine loves a good book and hot green tea. Good luck pulling her away from those!
Dental Assisting Diploma Program
Kathy Becker CDA, CODA, EFDA - What's even better than achieving your career goal? Sharing what you love about your career with others. As our dental assisting program chair, Kathy Becker CDA, CODA, EFDA has the opportunity to show her students why dental assisting is such a rewarding profession.
Kathy has over 34 years of experience in dental assisting. She holds both national and Ohio dental assisting certifications. In 1991, she graduated from the Case Western Reserve University Expanded Functions Dental Auxiliary programs. In addition to teaching a nationally accredited dental assisting program, Kathy has written curricula for several programs. Kathy is also a proud member of the American Dental Assistants Association.
Today, Kathy prepares students at Brecksville Campus for their future careers. Using her knowledge and experience gained over the decades, she teaches about chairside assisting, infection control, treatment, and front office procedures. Two of her students won gold medals at the SkillsUSA Ohio Championship. Being an educator has allowed Kathy to not only share her passion for the field but also introduce new dental assistants to the world.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree Program
Miranda Despenes, MHA, BSDMS, RDMS - Miranda Despenes, MHA, BSDMS, RDMS is Program Director for Stautzenberger College at Brecksville’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree program. Miranda has a Bachelors of Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Master’s in Healthcare Administration. She has over twenty years’ experience in the field of Sonography and am passionate about sharing her knowledge with students. Miranda strives to stay current on trends and technological advancements in sonography in order to provide accurate and current information to the Ultrasound Program at Stautzenberger.
Early Childhood Education Programs
Steve Schutz - You want to help children excel in school, and we understand the significance of their first few years of education. That's why we've welcomed compassionate, experienced instructors like Steve Schutz into our family. Since 2002, Steve has been teaching students eligible for special education services. In 2007, he became an adjunct instructor. Currently, he teaches online programs for an early childhood center.
Steve's career began in social service. For nine years, he was employed with two different social service agencies that serve people with disabilities. Steve's various roles included: developmental trainer, vocational case manager, residential case manager, program manager, and behavior therapist.
During that time, Steve earned three degrees. He graduated with his bachelor's degree in psychology from MacMurray College. He also holds a master's degree in counseling psychology from Illinois School of Professional Psychology and a second master's degree in special education from Northern Illinois University. Steve has also served as a counselor at Catholic Charities and Universal Technical Institute.
Since 2002, Steve has enjoyed living in Roscoe, Illinois. When he's not teaching, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Joan, and their daughter, Teresa.
Healthcare Administration Associate Degree Program
Janet Little - You want a comprehensive education. At Stautzenberger College, we know how important it is to connect the theories you read in a textbook to your career. That's why we hire instructors who know how to incorporate their own professional experiences into your lessons. Janet Little is just one of these amazing instructors.
Janet joined the American Higher Education Development Corporation in April 2012 and has been teaching exclusively online since January 2014. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration (major health administration) from Davenport University. Janet also holds a master's degree in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, Janet is a certified professional coder (CPC) through the AAPC.
With 29 years of experience in healthcare, Janet has plenty of real-life scenarios to draw from when teaching. The majority of her career was spent at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. She also taught at Dorsey Schools and Marygrove College. Currently, Janet is the Manager of Coding, Auditing, and Compliance for the University of Toledo Physicians, LLC. As the lead instructor for our healthcare administration and medical billing and coding programs, Janet passes on everything she's learned from these environments to the next generation.
Healthcare Science Associate Degree Program
Jennifer Kline - Healthcare is a vast field with a plethora of possible career paths. Dr. Jennifer Kline, lead instructor for our healthcare science associate degree program, prepares students for the numerous options. With over 20 years of healthcare experience, Dr. Kline has held many roles, such as: teacher, epidemiologist, public health professional, infection preventionist, and nurse. She has served her community in direct patient care nursing, clinical reimbursement, care planning, and infection prevention and control in both acute and post-acute settings.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Kline is currently employed full-time as the Manager of Infection Prevention for a large health system in her hometown. She holds a doctorate degree in public health with a specialization in epidemiology from Walden University. Dr. Kline is certified in infection control through the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology. She graduated with her bachelor’s degree in healthcare management from Rasmussen University. Also, she holds a nursing degree from Rock Valley College.
Public health and education are Dr. Kline's passions. She enjoys staying current with the newest healthcare trends and guidelines. However, she also loves to spend her free time with her husband, daughter, and dogs. Her 10-year-old daughter inspires her to stay motivated despite challenges.
Human Resource Administration Diploma Program
Veronica Rice McCray - You're a “people person,” and that's why you want to be a human resources administrator. Our HR instructor feesl the same way. Who better to teach you than someone who's had a people-oriented career for over two decades? Veronica Rice McCray is the experienced HR professional who leads Stautzenberger College's human resources administration diploma program.
In 2013,Veronica joined Stautzenberger College as an online instructor. Later, she would become part of the American Higher Education Development Corporation as well. During her tenure, Veronica taught a variety of business courses before becoming the lead instructor for the online HR program. She holds an undergraduate degree in sociology, a Master of Arts in Education degree (with a major in human resource development and dual minors in leadership and training and development), and a Master of Business Administration degree (with a major in organizational leadership and minor in human resources).
For over 20 years, Veronica has been proudly working in higher education. She has taught and tutored at a variety of colleges and universities in northwest Ohio and southwest Michigan. Other roles she has served include project manager, human resources consultant, and career coach. All of these positions have provided her with opportunities to serve others on a daily basis and get to know many wonderful individuals. Veronica is happy to help her students develop fundamental people skills as they pertain to training and development, employee compensation, managing diversity, risk administration, and other essential HR topics.
Medical Assistant Diploma Program
Marlaine Zitewicz - Medical Assistants are the heart of any medical practice - they are the first and last staff member that a patient interacts with at an appointment. As a medical assistant, you have many different patients with different issues, but there is nothing more satisfying than being a part of that care.
Marlaine Zitewicz graduated from Akron Medical & Dental Institute nearly 3 decades ago. She did her externship in Urgent Care/Occupational Health and stayed in that specialty for over twenty years while moving up in the field. She has managed many different clinics in the Akron area and worked as a hospital credentialing provider.
Wanting to share this love of the field with new people and inspire them to start in the medical field, Marlaine jumped on the opportunity to work as medical assistant instructor. She loves watching that “light bulb” moment for students and knowing she has helped mold and inspire the next generation of medical assistants.
Medical Office Billing and Coding Diploma Program
Janet Little - You want a comprehensive education. At Stautzenberger College, we know how important it is to connect the theories you read in a textbook to your career. That's why we hire instructors who know how to incorporate their own professional experiences into your lessons. Janet Little is just one of these amazing instructors.
Janet joined the American Higher Education Development Corporation in April 2012 and has been teaching exclusively online since January 2014. She earned her bachelor's degree in business administration (major health administration) from Davenport University. Janet also holds a master's degree in healthcare administration from the University of Phoenix. Additionally, Janet is a certified professional coder (CPC) through the AAPC.
With 29 years of experience in healthcare, Janet has plenty of real-life scenarios to draw from when teaching. The majority of her career was spent at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit. She also taught at Dorsey Schools and Marygrove College. Currently, Janet is the Manager of Coding, Auditing, and Compliance for the University of Toledo Physicians, LLC. As the lead instructor for our healthcare administration and medical billing and coding programs, Janet passes on everything she's learned from these environments to the next generation.
Paralegal Studies Programs
Patty Humbert - Lawyers need great paralegals to assist them with their work, just as you need exceptional instructors to assist you with your career training. Our paralegal instructors have many years' worth of experience and knowledge to share with you. Whether you plan to pursue a diploma or associate degree, Patty Humbert is proud to be a part of your paralegal training.
In 2004, Patty began teaching at Stautzenberger College as an adjunct instructor for the paralegal program. Over the years, she developed and taught many of our paralegal courses and supervised paralegal externship students. Patty received her Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her Juris Doctor degree was earned at the University of Toledo, College of Law.
Prior to joining the post-secondary education arena, Patty practiced many types of law. She has private practice experience in the areas of real estate, bankruptcy, and plaintiff personal injury law. Patty also represented union members in a prepaid legal services program. Now, she is the lead instructor for our online paralegal associate and diploma programs. When teaching, she draws upon all of her practice experience to prepare students for their new careers. I
Surgical Technology Associate Degree Program
Shawn Asdell, CST FA - We have to be on the “Cutting Edge” because Surgeons Depend on Us!
Shawn has been a Certified Surgical Technologist for more than 30 years. She has worked in several specialty areas including Orthopedics, Neurosurgery and Cardiovascular, so she has lots of knowledge and skill to bring to her job. She has also experienced the role of a traveler in Cardiovascular surgery and was able to be the first assistant and become that surgeon’s “left hand”. She has years of experience as both a Program Chair and an instructor and clinical instructor in Surgical Technology. She has further expanded her knowledge by working for 6 years in Plastic surgery. She is excited to be able to share her wealth of knowledge and impressive skills with all of the students here at Stautzenberger College. She loves “knowing she was a part of the TEAM of patient care” and looks forward to her own students experiencing that.
In her free time, Shawn loves to travel with her animals. She enjoys visiting family, seeing the great countryside, and learning about the history of the places she visits. Being outdoors is her therapy.
Veterinary Assistant and Grooming Diploma Program
Mary Mould, M.Ed, RVT - Doesn't your pet deserve the best? As loving members of our families, our animals should be safe and feel comfortable when receiving checkups and care. That's why Mary Mould, M.Ed, RVT is committed to training the next generation of veterinary technicians and groomers.
Mary has been teaching distance education for over 20 years. In 1999, she graduated from the St. Petersburg College Distance Program as a registered veterinary technician. Later, she returned to earn her bachelor's in veterinary technology and master's in distance education. Classes that Mary has taught include behavioral medicine, grooming, animal welfare, clinical pathology, and radiography. “I feel this experience as an instructor and student has been extremely helpful in understanding my students and the different variables that go along with distance learning,” Mary notes.
In 2020, Mary began teaching for the American Higher Education Development Corporation schools. Today, she is proud to be the lead instructor for the veterinary assistant/grooming program. Whether she is instructing or helping students navigate their new career programs, she always stays busy. Mary is also an associate professor at San Juan College, where she teaches clinical pathology and radiography. Additionally, she writes curricula for Tarleton State University's bachelor's programs. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband as well as her best furry friend, Lillybean.
Veterinary Technician Associate Degree Program
Danielle Mendenhall, RVT, AAS, FFCP - Danielle Mendenhall joined Stautzenberger College as a Veterinary Technician Program Instructor in August 2021. She has been successfully pursuing her passion to help animals and their owners since graduating from Kent State University in 2017. She's worked in various practices throughout the area in the roles of supervisor, technician and assistant.
As Stautzenberger College at Brecksville's Program Chair, Danielle believes in the potential of her students to reach their goals and ultimately begin a career they love. As a life-long animal lover, Danielle is always looking for ways to support the students, graduates and staff that help care for pets and support their owners through education and medical needs.