Presenters

Shirmel Bell
Fontbonne University, 2020
Special Education Teacher, St. Louis Public School District

Shirmel Bell is a 37-year-old first-year Special Education Teacher from St. Louis Missouri.  She has a B.A. in Biology from the University of Missouri, St Louis, and recently acquired a Master’s of Art in Teaching from Fontbonne University.

She has a history in the education field from volunteer daycare teacher, to university science tutor and applied behavioral analyst.  Her passion lies in seeking knowledge to share with others and being a model of the dispositions that she holds in every setting.  Her motto is to be hyper-focused on academic success.  She ultimately wants to show all children who have suffered from trauma that they can determine their destiny while choosing to be a light even in the midst of darkness.  She learned these lessons through her own personal struggles and believes that every moment is an opportunity to create a success!

Zakhar Berkovich
University at Albany, 2006
Director of UG Student Services, University at Albany

Zakhar Berkovich currently serves as Director of Undergraduate Student Services at the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy. In his role, he is responsible for developing and maintaining meaningful undergraduate engagement opportunities. Prior to his appointment at the Rockefeller College, he was the Assistant to the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at the College of Staten Island/CUNY where he worked with ten departments and over 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Zakhar double majored in Biology and Judaic Studies at the University at Albany and earned his M.S. in Education Administration from the School of Education at UAlbany as well. Zakhar is a proud alum and a zealous Great Dane.

Steve Bisese, Ed.D.
College of William and Mary, 1982
Vice President for Student Development, University of Richmond

Dr. Steve Bisese has served as the Vice President for Student Development since 2006. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Dean of Richmond College. Steve has served as the Vice President for Student Development at Georgetown College (KY) for ten years. His background also includes work in residence life at the University of Tennessee and the College of William and Mary. He served as the national Vice President for Extension for Omicron Delta Kappa, Inc. from 1998 – 2006 and as the national President of ODK from 2006-10. In 2014, he received the Cheryl M. Hogle Distinguished Service Award from the Omicron Delta Kappa Society, Inc. Steve has been instrumental in the growth of learning communities, transition programs, well-being initiatives, and housing redevelopment at the University of Richmond. Steve is married and has two daughters. He loves golf but admits to not being very good at the game.

Jamie Bouldin
Stephen F. Austin State University, 2004
Director, Center for Career and Professional Development, Stephen F. Austin State University

Jamie Bouldin has worked at Stephen F. Austin State University since 2009 in both student affairs and academic affairs. Since 2016, she has served as Director for the SFA Center for Career and Professional Development. She has presented at the local, regional and national level on leadership programming, service learning, and career development, and co-authored a chapter in the 2017 book “Engagement & Employability: Integrating Career Learning Through Cocurricular Experiences in Postsecondary Education.” Jamie has been involved with ODK on the national level for nearly ten years, and is the current chair of the National Awards Committee. She has been awarded the Morlan Bishop Outstanding Faculty Officer Award, Eldridge W. Roark Jr. Meritorious Service Award, and is an ODK Five Star Society inductee. Jamie has a bachelor’s degree from SFA and a master’s degree from The University of Tennessee – Knoxville.

Michelle Burke
University of South Carolina – Columbia, 1997
Director of Grants and Educational Partnerships, True Colors International

Michelle Burke, APR, SHRM-CP, is the Director of Grants and Educational Partnerships with True Colors International. Her 30-year career has included leadership roles with corporate, educational, and non-profit organizations. She has implemented True Colors programs in a variety of settings with thousands of participants, achieving Elite Facilitator status with certifications in Communication, Conflict Navigation, Teaching & Learning Styles, and Team Building. Michelle has been an active member of Omicron Delta Kappa since her initiation into the Chi Circle at the University of South Carolina – Columbia. She served on the Society Board of Directors from 2012-2018 as Chair of the National Advisory Council and National Vice President.

Jennifer Cable
University of Richmond, 2011
Professor of Music, University of Richmond

Dr. Jennifer Cable is a Professor of Music at the University of Richmond (USA) where she coordinates the Vocal Studies Program. Jennifer received her DMA and MM degrees from the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester) and her BM degree from Oberlin College. Her current research considers the role of women amateur musicians on early twentieth-century American arts culture, and the positive impact of Traditional Chinese Medicine pillar Qigong on freeing the voice. A Qigong instructor, Jennifer has shared Qigong in classes and conferences in the US and abroad, introducing other musicians to this mindful practice. Jennifer is also a certified teacher for the Koru Mindfulness Program and is involved in campus outreach centered on mindfulness and meditation.

Joyel Crawford
Elon University, 1997
CEO/Leadership Development Consultant, Crawford Leadership Strategies

As a Certified Professional Career Coach, Certified Virtual Presenter and Leadership Development Consultant at Crawford Leadership Strategies, Joyel grows leaders for a living. Prior to her consulting career, Joyel supported professionals within all functional groups for 18 years at Verizon Wireless. Throughout her career she mainly worked in HR. She was a Manager of Management and Employee Development in charge of Leadership Development programs for 30K employees. Joyel also hosts a show called “Career View Mirror” on YouTube and she’s the co-author of the Amazon Best Seller “Speaking My Truth” by Cheryl Wood. Joyel graduated Cum Laude from Elon University with B.A. as an Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow. She obtained her MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a concentration in Management. She also holds PHR, DISC, and Birkman Assessment certifications. She’s a member of Forbes Coaches Council, PARW/CC and SHRM. Her career advice is featured in Forbes, Essence and Newsweek.

Betsy Dunn-Williams
Campbell University, 2017
Director of Academic Advising, Campbell University

Jacqueline Ford
University of Maryland, College Park, 2019
Sigma Circle Vice President

Jacqueline is a fifth-year B.A./M.P.P. graduate student, specializing in leadership and management and public financial management. Throughout undergrad, Jacqueline held leadership roles in various communities across UMD’s campus – a student manager for both the baseball and football teams, a standards council member for Sigma Kappa sorority, a School of Public Policy representative in the University Senate, and an active #PolicyTerp for the Public Policy Student Government Association and Dean’s Student Advisory Council. She was also the founder and two-term President of Kappa Omega Alpha (Gamma Chapter), the University of Maryland’s premier public policy professional fraternity. This year, Jacqueline served as the ODK Sigma Circle Vice President for the 2020-2021 academic year, her last year serving as a student leader for the UMD community before graduating (again) as a double Terp this May 2021.

Matthew Hibdon
Middle Tennessee State University, 2010
Strategic Communications Manager, College of Liberal Arts, Middle Tennessee State University

Matthew is a charter member of the MTSU Circle and is a former member of the National Headquarters staff where he served as Director of Leadership Programs. He was the recipient of an ODK Foundation Scholarship (2012) and the Eldridge W. Roark, Jr. Meritorious Service Award (2016). He has been a national volunteer since 2012 and currently serves on the Mission Committee. As the College of Liberal Arts strategic communications manager, he works with its centers and departments to promote programs and share the stories of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Matthew volunteers with 4-H, UKirk MTSU, and the Tennessee Historical Society, and he is the president-elect of MTSU’s National Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Julia “Judy” Johnson, Ed.D.
University of Redlands, 1977
Asst. Professor/Licensed Educational Psychologist, Azusa Pacific University

Julia “Judy” Johnson, Ed.D, was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger as the LEP member to the Board of Behavioral Sciences, State of California, serving from August 2005 to 2008, with a reappointment by Governor Brown from 2008 to 2012. She has served as a member on the State Stakeholders Committee for the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA). Dr. Johnson has been in private practice as a licensed educational psychologist for more than 25 years, assisting parents, communities, universities, and school districts with educational planning. She has served on faculty at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Mount Saint Mary’s College in Los Angeles, and the University of Redlands. She has been a school psychologist in districts throughout the state, serving as educational coordinator for counseling programs and supervisor for counseling interns in multiple mental health disciplines. As a full time faculty member in School Counseling/School Psychology at Azusa Pacific University, Dr. Johnson

Priscilla Kucer
Nova Southeastern University, 2008
Founder/CEO, Priscilla Kucer Consulting Solutions LLC

Dr. Priscilla Kucer completed her undergraduate studies at University of the West Indies in Barbados before completing her Maters in Psychology and Specialist in School Psychology at Nova Southeastern University in the United States. She completed her Doctor of Philosophy in General Education with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Grand Canyon University in the United States. Dr. Kucer is an Adjunct Faculty for a School Psychology Program.

 Dr. Kucer’s passion for psychology, education, leadership, and organizational development led to her creating her own company, Priscilla Kucer Consulting Solutions. She is dedicated to coaching entrepreneurs to become unstuck and grow their dream businesses. She offers free video training on topics such as coaching, mentoring, goal setting, strategic planning, social media marketing, and more. You can access her free courses on her website. You can connect with Dr. Kucer on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Advisory Cloud.

Susan Lyons
Middle Tennessee State University, 2013
Honors Coordinator, Middle Tennessee State University

Susan received her B.S. in Media Communication from Florida State University and her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Middle Tennessee State University. She is the Coordinator for the University Honors College at Middle Tennessee State University and has been the ODK Circle Coordinator for the MTSU Campus for the past eight years. She was awarded the Morlan-Bishop Outstanding Circle Officer Award for 2020, serves on the ODK National Nominating Committee, and was on the committee for the 2018 National Convention in Nashville, TN. Prior to joining MTSU, Susan worked at Virginia Tech in the College of Industrial and Systems Engineering in public relations.

Donovan Mack
Salisbury University, 2018
Marketing Manager, Content Creator, Events Producer and Publicist, Mack & Creative

Born in the Washington DC metropolitan area, Donovan Mack is a Marketing Manager, Content Creator, Events Producer, and Publicist who loves working with brand events, and creatives across the country. After graduating from college in 2018, Donovan started off early in the communications, marketing, and media industry to help amplify the stories and voices that make an impact amongst a wide set of niche audiences.

 Through his work in an oversaturated, crowded, and competitive industry, Donovan loves to help set an example on how to change the narrative through your voice and actions when everyone around you might be on a completely different path.

Mark Matheson, Ph.D.
Southern Virginia University, 2016
Retired Director or Research, Southern Virginia University

Dr. Matheson has an MBA from Harvard and a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix. His dissertation was titled “Practices of Honesty in Business Leaders.”

For ten years Professor Matheson taught at BYU-Hawaii and Southern Virginia Universities. He has been a partner and senior analyst with three investment banks. He was an Adjunct Professor and guest lectured at eight universities. Before COVID-19, for seventeen years he served as a volunteer teacher serving a state prison.

 His bachelor’s degree is in chemical engineering and for fifteen years Matheson owned a successful stock investment business and is a chartered financial analyst. He has been featured and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Business Week, Investor’s Business Daily, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, USA Today, and other publications.

 A Harvard MBA and former Wall Street analyst giving a presentation on honesty is timely.

Joey Miceli
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2016
Senior Associate, Supply Chain, Amgen Inc.

A graduate of Amgen’s Rotational Leadership Development Program, Joey currently leads the Plant Simulation & Capacity Modeling Team at Amgen Rhode Island in support of multi-million dollar capital improvement projects. In addition to this role, Joey is a dedicated member of the site Diversity & Inclusion Network and serves as Co-President of the Amgen Early Career Professionals Employee Resource Group.

 During his undergraduate years (which seem like they were yesterday even though its been 3 years!), Joey was an active leader on campus serving as President of WPI’s ODK Circle, Treasurer of Habitat for Humanity, Scholarship Chair of Sigma Phi Epsilon, and Operations Manager of the Rubin Campus Center where he managed a team of 22 staff.

 A firm believer in OΔK’s mission, Joey continues to serve the Society as alumni advisor of the WPI Circle and volunteers on several national committees including the Board Nominations and Finance Committees.

Matthew Nobles
University of Florida, 2006
Chief Compliance Officer – Middle East & Africa, GE Gas Power

Matthew has been with General Electric for more than 13 years and has a proven leadership track record, working on four continents and across multiple industries. He currently serves as the Chief Compliance Officer for GE Gas Power for the Middle East and Africa region and is recognized as a vital business partner to the executive leadership. Matthew uniquely pairs a sharp business acumen in finance and audit with a risk mitigation framework to deliver a forward-leaning compliance program that sets the standard in the industry and for the region. Matthew is a highly regarded industry thought leader, speaker, and mentor who values contributing to the ongoing development of industry peers and colleagues.

Caralynn Orbell
St. Norbert College, 2020
Podcast Host (Going Places Podcast), Researcher (Young and Profiting Podcast), Community Organizer (Norman Miller Center, St. Norbert College), Going Places Podcast, Young and Profiting Podcast, Norman Miller Center, St. Norbert College

Cara Orbell wears many hats in the professional world and in the Green Bay community. She is a student at St. Norbert College (SNC), double majoring in Spanish and International Business. She is the creator and host of Going Places Podcast, a personal development podcast helping others find their purpose by interviewing a diverse set of experts in various fields. She also works as a researcher at Young and Profiting Podcast, and a community organizer on the SNC campus at the Norman Miller Center for Peace, Justice, and Public Understanding.  She serves as both the Director of SNC Radio and the Vice President of SNC’s Women in Business.

Her passion for helping others manifests in her mission to amplify voices, share fascinating stories, and give others professional development and personal growth resources. She loves traveling, LinkedIn, yoga, running, and meeting new people.

Timothy A. Reed
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1989
Vice President for Membership and Operations, Omicron Delta Kappa

Timothy (Tim) A. Reed is vice president for membership and operations and chief operating officer (COO). His expertise includes leadership development, professional performance training, curriculum development, instruction, major event planning, and facilities management. He has presented extensively on leadership, organizational development, program planning, professional standards, and facility management.

A 1989 initiate of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Circle, he served as one of the re-chartering members and as the faculty secretary/circle coordinator for the Virginia Commonwealth University Circle. He is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

He received a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from Virginia Tech, a Master of Arts in education from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Science in liberal studies/interpersonal communication from the University of Evansville.

David Rekhtman
University of Maryland – College Park, 2019
President, Sigma Circle

David is a current senior at the University of Maryland (UMD) – College Park who serves as the President of the Sigma Circle. He is currently completing a dual degree in Biochemistry and Biology with a concentration in neurobiology and physiology and plans to attend medical school next fall. On-campus, David is involved in scholarly research in the Kinesiology Department, works as a teaching assistant in a variety of courses, and serves on the Honor Council of the University Student Judiciary to adjudicate cases of potential academic dishonesty. Previously, David also served as Speaker of the Legislature of the Student Government Association as well as a recruitment ambassador for the Honors College.

Leslie Werden, Ph.D.
Morningside University, 2008
Professor of English / Head of Humanities, Morningside College

Leslie A. Werden is a Professor of English and Rhetoric and Head of Humanities at Morningside College. She was initiated into ODK at Morningside in 2008 and currently serves as the Faculty Advisor. She is a member of the ODK Board of Trustees where she also serves as the Chair of the Mission Committee.