Cohort 10 Doctoral Bios

Amani brings over 20 years of international experience in higher education with a strong commitment to helping students achieve their academic and career goals. Amani is originally from Palestine. However, she was born and raised in Kuwait and then immigrated to Canada where she earned her Honours Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Economics from University of Toronto. She obtained her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Hood College and was inducted into the International Business Honor Society, Delta Mu Delta. Amani is bilingual in English and Arabic and enjoys travel abroad.

She started her post-undergraduate career as a Research Assistant at the University of Toronto, then worked at the American University of Kuwait as an Admission, Scholarship & Financial Aid Counselor. In 2010, she moved to the United States and worked at the Universities at Shady Grove as a Career Counselor and Internship Coordinator. In 2018, she began her career at Hood College in the Career Center as an Assistant Director. In that role, she worked closely with international students through career services, one-on-one counseling, CPT/OPT workshops, and numerous special events. Her interaction with international students deepened her appreciation of their experiences and contributions to the Hood community.

Amani joined the Graduate School team in November 2021 as the Director of International Student Services & PDSO. In her position, Amani focuses on providing support and creating special programs for international students. Amani also serves as the College’s Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) with oversight of international-student immigration policy and visa compliance.

Education

• M.B.A., Hood College 

• B.A., Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology, University of Toronto, Canada 

Randolph is an artistic instructional designer at heart. His ingenuity, organization, and strategy have propelled his desire to develop others in the education sector. In his former role as a music educator and mentor teacher, Randy instructed and fostered meaningful learning experiences at countless school and community-based programs, for both students and adults. He currently serves as a Professional Development Specialist, where he supports professional learning for district employees. His work spans from employee onboarding training and continuing professional development opportunities to strengthening collaborations with School University Partnerships.

As a strategic learner, Mr. Barnes believes that education is a vehicle through which individuals may achieve their highest pursuits. The opportunity to foster new ideas and innovations for an evolving workforce is central to his academic endeavors. He is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and a National Board Certified Teacher candidate. Past honors and awards have named him an Outstanding Future Elementary/Secondary (K-12) Educator, Prince George’s County Inaugural Forty UNDER 40 honoree, and an exceptional Mentor in the First Cohort of the PGCPS Strategic Planning Innovation Incubator. When not building the capacity of others, Mr. Barnes enjoys spending time landscaping and enjoying the outdoors. He is a devoted husband and father of two.

Education 

• PGCert, Administration and Supervision, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore 

• M.Ed., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Maryland, College Park 

• BME, Music Education, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma 

If you were to meet Ollie in a cable car on your way to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio de Janeiro, he’d have just six minutes to tell you about himself. He might highlight how proud he is to be a father to his children, or speak about his military service, and how one made him better at the other.

He may instead choose to share stories of growing up in Puerto Rico during a time when the middle class was fading, and how delighted he is to be able to pass that culture on to his kids. Or maybe, if you're lucky, he'll tell you how fortunate he feels to have learned more about leadership from listening to his teams than from any lesson on paper.

If I know Ollie, and I think I know him pretty well, he’ll more than likely want to know about you instead. You see, curiosity is what drives him. Why and How, are like burning gas lamps in his mind that must be extinguished with each person he meets. 

How did you get here? Why are you heading that way?

He may start with a simple, “Are you a dog or cat person?” and let you think you’ve avoided a deep conversation about your own identity. Rest assured, not only will he ask, but he’ll listen, and he’ll only want to know more.

He’s not someone who describes himself as a know-it-all, but I bet he wishes he could. 

Education 

• B.S., Hospitality Management 

• M.S., Digital Marketing 

Denise Hill is the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Frederick County and a 30+ year veteran communication educator, speaker, author, and coach. With decades of experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership, she is dedicated to empowering adults through literacy, education, and mindset development.  

Denise has been mentored by and shared the stage with world-renowned speakers including Les Brown, Dr. Willie Jolley, and Dr. Eric Thomas. An internationally recognized speaker herself, she has inspired audiences across the globe and has been named one of Yahoo! Finance’s Top Communication Coaches. Denise has also received multiple media industry awards for her work as a radio personality and voiceover artist, blending her passion for communication with her ability to connect with diverse audiences. 

Her work is grounded in the values of Encouragement, Education, and Empowerment. Whether she is leading an organization that supports adult learners, coaching individuals to strengthen their public speaking skills, or teaching as a college professor of communication studies, Denise is committed to helping others find their voice, fortify their mindset, and create impact. 

 A sought-after leader and mentor, Denise combines her professional expertise with her personal passion for service, fitness, and faith. She believes that strong communication not only transforms individuals but also strengthens families and communities. Through her work, Denise continues to champion growth, resilience, and the power of lifelong learning.  

Education

• M.A., Broadcast Electronic Communication, Marquette University 

• B.S., Communication Media, Bowie State University 

• Prince George's Community College A.A. General Studies 

• Anointed by God Seminary D.Min (Hon.) 

Millicent is a dynamic entrepreneur, and lifelong learner. She is the founder and principal of both an IT consultancy and an outfitter, blending technological advancement with a deep appreciation for history and design. As a small business owner, Millicent champions the vital role of family-owned enterprises in driving innovation, resilience, and community connection.

Her innate curiosity and a constant search for meaningful projects has led her to serve on multiple nonprofit boards, mentor STEM students, and actively cultivate new skills and perspectives. Millicent discovered Hood College through a Humanities class that sparked her interest, and she quickly fell in love with the Institution’s mission and community. As a doctoral candidate, she is deepening both her academic and professional pursuits, exploring leadership strategies that foster resilient and adaptable organizations.

Her leadership style is rooted in creativity, collaboration, and impact. Whether she’s guiding a business, designing pollinator gardens, rewiring vintage lights, or working on a museum exhibit, Millicent brings energy and purpose to everything she does. Outside of work and study, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband and their basset hounds, embracing the restorative power of nature and the joy of shared connection. Millicent continues to lead with vision and heart, making a meaningful difference in both business and community life.

Education 

• M.A., Leadership and Management, Notre Dame of Maryland University 

• B.A., Business Management, Notre Dame of Maryland University 

Stephanie Landon has built a career dedicated to global education and student success. She began her international journey as a student traveler and later a university student in Germany, an English language teacher at social welfare colleges in Japan, and a Fulbright Visiting Professor at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile. She has taught in community college and university ESOL programs in Massachusetts, California, and Maryland, combining classroom excellence with program leadership. When she moved to Maryland in 2014, she served as Program Manager for both credit and noncredit ESOL at Frederick Community College where she developed a bridge program, advised students, coached faculty, and served on a variety of academic committees aimed at improving curricula and student success including the President’s Diversity Task Force. She transitioned to her current role as Associate Professor of ELAP at Montgomery College in 2018, where she has contributed widely as a Global Humanities Fellow, Smithsonian Fellow, Universal Design Center presenter, and Cadre Advisor, and program coordinator as well as in various governance committees. Her work consistently emphasizes student autonomy, equity, and the development of skills that empower learners to achieve their academic and professional goals.

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband, playing games, traveling, listening to audiobooks, going on long walks, and practicing yoga.

Education 

• MATESOL, Simmons College, Boston 

• B.A., German Literature, University of California, Irvine

Darshini is a Human Factors Engineer with 10 years of work experience in aviation and health informatics. During her undergraduate in Information Systems, Darshini worked as a research assistant at UMBC. Darshini researched how physical therapists can utilize 3D printing to customize assistive devices. While pursuing her master’s degree in Human-Centered Computing, she started working as a Human Factors Engineer on the En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) air traffic controller software.

Darshini’s research interests include the integration of user-centered design to improve healthcare and the impact that electronic health records have on health outcomes. Overall, Darshini is passionate about leveraging her knowledge on usability design to create a positive impact on the community. Darshini is determined to create intuitive designs that improve safety, usability and efficiency, by bridging the gap between people and technology.

Outside of her professional work, Darshini is a certified trauma-informed aerial yoga instructor. She enjoys fostering animals, spending time with her family, and learning new things.

Education 

• B.S., Information Systems, University of Baltimore County 

• M.S., Human-Centered Computing, University of Baltimore County

Davit recently completed his MBA at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business in May 2025, where he developed a strong interest in consulting, project management, and data-driven decision-making.

Davit brings experience in government consulting and analytics, including an internship at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, where he led a project focused on business intelligence and dashboard development. He was also offered a position as a Special Advisor at the U.S. Department of State to support a data transformation initiative; however, the opportunity was placed on hold due to the ongoing federal hiring freeze.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Davit enjoys exploring emerging technologies, gaming, and connecting with others who are passionate about using data to solve complex problems. He is excited to begin the DBA program alongside a new cohort of peers and looks forward to learning from his peers, exchanging ideas, and growing together throughout the program.

Education 

• M.S., Management Information System, Marshall University
• M.B.A., University of Maryland, College Park
• B.A., Information Technology, Rangsit University, Thailand 

Walter “Buddy” Rizer serves as the Executive Director for economic development in Loudoun County, Virginia. During his tenure, Rizer and his team have attracted more than $65 billion in new commercial investment and more than 60 thousand new jobs, helping to lower the tax rate by $.48 over the past 15 years. Mr. Rizer speaks worldwide on economic development issues, including entrepreneurship, the data center industry and energy policy. He has extensive international business development experience across more than 15 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Mr. Rizer has been named a Tech Titan nine times by Washingtonian Magazine, one of the 50 most influential Virginians six times by Virginia Business Magazine, a six-time member of Virginia’s Power 500, and three times named to the Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 as one of the most influential businesspeople in Washington, DC.

Mr. Rizer is a member of the Board of Trustees for Northern Virginia Community College where he serves as the Finance Chair, serves on the Virginia Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and is on the Board of Directors for the Green Building Initiative, the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the Dulles Free Trade Zone, and the Washington Airports Task Force. Mr. Rizer is a Certified Economic Developer, a certified Entrepreneurship Development Professional, has a master’s in business and economics from Longwood University and is a graduate of Virginia Tech's Local Government Management Graduate Program.

Education 

• Masters in Business and Economics - Longwood University 

• Graduate Certificate in Local Government Management - Virginia Tech 

• B.A., Towson University 

Ian is a recently retired naval officer with over 20 years of service. As a Cryptologic Warfare Officer, his educational and professional experience centered around cyberspace operations and the intelligence community. His most recent duties involved wargaming and experimenting while assigned to the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. During transition from military service, Ian completed a three-month internship as a military operations analyst at Systems Planning & Analysis.

In his personal time, Ian enjoys reading, playing piano, and attempting to obtain a golf handicap befitting his retirement status. His wife and daughter share his love of reading. They supported his new endeavor by gifting him a fine selection of golfing attire.

Education

• M.S., Cyber Systems & Operations, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey 

• B.S., Political Science, US Naval Academy, Annapolis

Andrea is a passionate leader dedicated to inspiring others through service, mentorship, and lifelong learning. With a career in federal government acquisition program management, she brings vision and strategy to everything she leads. Andrea focuses on empowering women and youth to reach their fullest potential, using her leadership experience to inspire growth and excellence. Beyond her professional life, she is deeply committed to creating opportunities that foster growth, excellence, and community impact.

Education

• B.S., Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Alcorn State University, 1991 

• M.S., Geodetic Science, Ohio State University, 1997 

• M.S., Systems Engineering, George Washington University, 2005 

Brandie is a dedicated professional with over 15 years of leadership experience and more than a decade supporting operations in regulated industries. Her career spans diverse sectors including finance, warehouse operations, and most recently, biotechnology. Her passion for science was ignited by an interest in human health where she got her start as a medical assistant and a dream of one day becoming a physician. As it often goes, life had other plans. While her career pathway was not linear her experience provided the opportunity to consistently lead teams, improve processes, and ensure compliance in global organizations. Brandie enjoys the challenge of managing complex processes and fostering efficiency in dynamic environments. Her leadership approach is rooted in clear communication, a proactive mindset, and a deep commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Her broad industry experience, combined with her operational expertise, gives her a well-rounded perspective that she brings to her academic, professional pursuits and community outreach.

Beyond her career, Brandie is a dedicated community member. She coaches volleyball through the YMCA, mentors young women pursuing STEM careers, and volunteers with the Maryland STEM Festival to promote science education. In her free time, she enjoys social sports like pickleball and volleyball, enjoys time with her children including her fur baby and finds joy in helping others reach their goals.

Education 

• B.A., Biology, Hood College 

• M.S., Biotechnology Regulatory Affairs, University of Maryland Global Campus 

Lee Ann is a seasoned leader and ICF-certified professional coach with 35+ years’ experience as an entrepreneur and business owner, corporate human resources manager and leadership development practitioner. She served as Program Director for the Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching at Georgetown University’s Institute for Transformational Leadership. Lee Ann also instructed, mentor coached and directed cohorts for 16 years. She is passionate about coaching and has witnessed first-hand the transformational change it makes in individuals, teams, and organizations.

Lee Ann worked in human resources management for 16 years with State Farm Insurance Companies before launching her own company, 5Ten Coaching and Consulting. As an Organization Development practitioner, she has experience as an internal and external consultant and coach. Lee Ann has partnered successfully with leaders across business and government on a variety of challenges including leading change and complexity, building high-performance teams, and improving collaboration and engagement. The classroom is her sweet spot so when she isn’t there as a student, she is often teaching and facilitating leadership development classes and workshops.

In her spare time, Lee Ann enjoys biking the C & O Canal with her husband and vacationing on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. She is an avid reader who loves good bookstores or a local library. She also enjoys watching PGA golf tournaments and Major League Baseball.

Education

• Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Georgetown University
• Certificate in Organization Development, Georgetown University
• M.B.A., Frostburg State University
• B.A., Social Science with Honors, St. Mary’s College of Maryland