Doctoral Students Profiles

Spring 2011

• Brian Caughie

  Brian is currently an assistant principal at Central Bucks High School West and has been a member of the faculty there for 12 years. He has previously served as Graduation Project Coordinator and World Language Department Coordinator. Brian is a 1999 graduate of Rider University where he received a bachelor’s degree in German, Spanish, and secondary education. He also holds a master’s degree in Spanish from Villanova University and principal’s certification from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to studying in the United States, he has spent considerable time studying at Universidad Antonio de Nebrija in Madrid, Spain.

  
  
• Jan Cook

  Jan's undergraduate degree is in fine arts, painting and printmaking; her master's degree in information systems management focused on geospatial information systems. Jan has been employed by Bucks County Community College as a technology tutor and administrative assistant. In her current position as the information representative in their Contact Center, Jan is at the helm of incoming students who are seeking answers regarding their education goals. “It is very rewarding to encourage students who are advancing their educations; through this we embrace the future. I aspire through the Holy Family Educational Leadership Doctoral Program to find ways in which I can contribute to this field keeping a keen eye to new technologies.� Jan enjoys writing and recording poetry and is currently using digital writing technology to record her work. In addition, she is teaching the usefulness of this technology to students at her workplace.

  
  
• Andrew Seibel

  Andrew (Drew) is currently the principal of Moorestown High School in Moorestown, New Jersey. A 1994 graduate of Ursinus College with a bachelor of science in physics, Drew worked as a teacher of physical science at Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Phillipsburg High School in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and Hopewell Valley Central High School in Pennington, New Jersey. Drew taught courses including general science, chemistry, physics, electricity and electronics, and astronomy. While a teacher, he also served in a number of additional roles at each school including varsity coach to the swimming teams and boys' lacrosse team, middle school coach to the wrestling team, and advisor for the yearbook, National Honor Society, Class of 2002, and peer leadership program. In 2002, Drew earned his master's in educational leadership from the College of New Jersey.

  
  
• David Tate

  Dave Tate is currently the director of special education for the Moorestown Township Public School District in New Jersey. Prior to assuming this position, Dave served as principal at Baker Elementary School, in Moorestown, New Jersey, an assistant principal at Moorestown’s Upper Elementary School, and as a special education supervisor for Hopewell Valley Regional School District in Pennington, New Jersey. He received his bachelor of arts in psychology and master’s degree in education from Holy Family University. Dave also earned his master of arts in education administration in 2004 from Rider University. Dave is interested in special education and the impact of early intervention strategies.

  
  
• Donna Tortu-Rueter

  Donna is a middle school special education teacher in Pennsbury School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Formerly a small business owner for 15 years with a bachelor's degree in communications from Fordham University in New York, Donna has since earned a master's degree in elementary education/special education from Holy Family University. In addition to both elementary and special education certifications, Donna is also certified at the middle school level in math, social studies, language arts and science. Upon graduating from Fordham, Donna worked in New York City in advertising sales for Financial News Network, cable television's first financial programming network, after which she started on her own special events decorating company in Philadelphia. Donna's experience both as a business owner and educator combine to give her a unique perspective in educational leadership which she expects to culminate in the doctorate in educational leadership at Holy Family University.

  
  

Fall 2011

• Ellieen Ancrum Ingbritsen

  A native of Red Bank, New Jersey, Ellieen Ancrum Ingbritsen is a graduate of the College of Saint Elizabeth. She is certified in elementary, secondary and special education. Ellieen earned a master's degree from Rider University. During her career, she has taught in public, private, and alternative school settings. For eleven years, she taught adult literacy in a detention center as a volunteer. She is a senior staff member of Ewing High School in the Special Resources Department. She is an avid art collector and amateur chef.

  
  
• Lauren Durkin

  Lauren Durkin is currently a graduate assistant for the doctoral faculty at Holy Family University. She has a background in music, majoring in Music Education from Westminster Choir College. Lauren has had the opportunity to perform in venues like Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. In addition to performing, Lauren maintains a private music studio working with students; including various ages and skill levels for piano, voice and guitar. Also, Lauren is a part of the music ministry for St. George's parish in Titusville, NJ and Westminster Mayfair Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA. Through these positions, Lauren provides piano and organ accompaniments, as well as, solo vocal work for services and masses. Since education has been a sincere interest, she continued collegiate work obtaining a Master's of Arts in Teaching from Rider University. It was through the thesis process, Lauren discovered an interest in academic research and preparing pre-service teachers. Besides music and education, Lauren is a certified yoga instructor and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

  
  
• Patricia Erickson

  Pat Erickson serves the Council Rock School District as the ELA Curriculum Coordinator, K-6. Pat is a graduate of Temple University where she received a bachelor's degree in education. In addition, she earned a master's degree in education from Holy Family University. Pat holds certifications in early childhood education, elementary education, special education, and reading specialists. In addition, Pat is a certified reading recovery teacher. Additionally, Pat has served Holy Family University as an adjunct faculty instructor where she supervised graduate students and taught classes in literacy. Pat is married to Thomas and is extremely proud to be the mother of Stephanie, Julia, and Scott.

  
  
• Joseph Garstka

  Joe is currently a second grade teacher at Ad Prima Charter School and has been a faculty member there for two years. Joe has completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Holy Family University. He received a bachelor's degree in business/psychology and a master's degree in early childhood education. Prior to teaching, Joe worked at St. Francis/St. Joseph's Home for Boys as a therapeutic instructor in the classroom as well as an assistant supervisor at the group home. Joe is interested in the effective preparation of pre-service teachers with regard to educationally deficient students. Joe hopes to write children's books someday.

  
  
• Kelly Neiman

  Kelly Neiman is currently employed by the Mt. Laurel School District in New Jersey. Currently a Curriculum Supervisor, her previous roles in the district included Assistant Principal of the Hartford School 1999 – 2003 followed by serving as Larchmont Elementary Principal until 2010. She obtained her Administrative/Supervisory Certifications from Rider University in 1999 earning an M.A. in Educational Administration.
  
  Kelly's career in education, however, began in 1993 as a graduate of LaSalle University. With a B. A. in Secondary Education/English, she taught several months at St. Hubert's High School in Philadelphia. She accepted a teaching position closer to home in Bristol Township, Levittown, PA. Kelly taught middle school English to 8th Grade students then moved to the high school teaching 10th Grade World Literature and 11th SAT Prep until 1999.
  
  She is eager to pursue her doctoral work for Literacy in the hopes of teaching up and coming elementary teachers at the post-secondary level. With public education experience ranging PK to 12th grade as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal and now a Curriculum Supervisor spanning both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, she has much to offer.

  
  
• Carol Luongo

  Carol is currently a 6th grade English Language Arts and Religion teacher with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She has taught a variety of grade levels and subject areas in her career, including 3rd-5th grade Mathematics, 5th grade Science and Social Studies, 1st grade Religion, and Pre-Kindergarten. With her present grade placement, Carol prepares her 6th grade students for the Sacrament of Confirmation, a responsibility that gives her much joy. Carol received both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Holy Family University, and she is certified in both elementary and early childhood education.

  
  
• Shawn E. Mark

  Shawn is an elementary school principal in the Bensalem Township School District in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. A 1997 graduate of Millersville University in Millersville, Pennsylvania, Shawn earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and special education and has served as a special education teacher in Pequea Valley School District in Kinzers, Pennsylvania and in Bensalem Township School District. In 2000 she earned her Master of Education degree in school counseling from Millersville University. Shawn worked as a school counselor for three years prior to earning her principal certification from Temple University in Philadelphia and accepting her current position as principal of Cornwells Elementary School. She enjoys the challenge of leading and empowering her talented staff to bring out the best in the students she loves. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Shawn is a proud wife and she the mother of a beautiful daughter, she is active in several ministries in her church, and she is a board member of the Bensalem Kiwanis Club.

  
  
• Nicole McPhillips

  Nicole is currently the Graduate Assistant for the Doctoral Program here at Holy Family University. She is an alumni of Holy Family twice. She received her undergraduate degree in Marketing/Management in 2002. As a career change, she came back to Holy Family for her Master's Degree in 2008 in Elementary Education. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband and two children. Nicole loves to cook and read.

  
  
  

  
  
• Sandra Molden

  Sandra is currently an elementary school teacher in Bristol Township School District in Levittown, Pennsylvania. During her years teaching at the elementary level her main focus was in the area of 5th grade math, science, and social studies. Prior to this she taught in private schools at various early childhood and elementary levels. She served as chairman of the School Board for the Christian Day School at Hope Christian, Levittown. Sandra earned her bachelor degree in early childhood/elementary education from Holy Family University. She completed a master's degree in elementary education from Bloomsburg University and earned a master's degree in educational leadership with a principal certification from Cabrini College.

  
  
• Rosemary Parmigiani

  Rosemary (Rosie) Parmigiani has been an adjunct professor at Holy Family University for the past 15 years. Since her retirement in September 2010, after 41 years in public education, she serves as the part-time Director of Special Projects at Holy Family. With a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Rosie has been a classroom teacher, reading specialist, technology coordinator, vice principal and principal. She is certified as an elementary teacher K-6, reading specialist K-12, and reading supervisor K-12, and principal K-12.
  
  Involved with integrating technology into the curriculum for over 30 years, Rosie was one of the founding educators for the Pennsylvania Keystone Technology Integrators Program. She was honored in 2011 by the International Society for Technology Integration (ISTE) with the Making It Happen Award which is given to outstanding leaders in the field of technology education. Today, she continues in her love of educating preservice teachers as she gives them the skills and strategies to integrate technology into the curriculum. With her strong belief in lifelong learning, she works towards a Doctorate in Education.

  
  
• Dianna Sand

  Dianna completed her master's degree in education with a specialty in reading at Saint Joseph's University. At Saint Joseph's, Dianna served as a Professional Academic Tutor for student athletes. She is currently an adjunct instructor at Holy Family University and Delaware County Community College. In addition to her adjunct responsibilities, Dianna is the owner of Stretch-n-Grow, a small business focusing on the physical development of pre-school children. In 2008, she developed Stretch-n-Grow READS!, a pre-kindergarten curriculum incorporating physical movement with early childhood reading comprehension strategies. The basis of her doctoral study will be research and publication on the effectiveness of physical movement on emergent comprehension. Dianna's other works include A Comparison of Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for Pre-Kindergarten (Physical Health), the National Association of Sports and Physical Education Guidelines with the Stretch-n-Grow Physical Education Curriculum; The Most Beautiful Afghan; and several poems in various publications, including Pennsylvania Reads: The Journal of the Keystone State Reading Association. Dianna is happily married and lives with her husband in Southeast Pennsylvania; her hobbies include reading, writing, swimming, and crocheting.

  
  
• Michelina Serianni

  Michelina is currently an Assistant Principal of the J. Hampton Moore Elementary School with The School District of Philadelphia. A 1999 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of science in psychology, Michelina worked as an Intensive Case Manager for the Northeast Community Center. In 2001, Michelina earned her master of education in counseling psychology. She began working for Counseling Or Referral Assistance Services (CORA) and was assigned to Ascension of Our Lord Elementary School and Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls. The following year, Michelina was offered the Guidance Counselor position at Saint Hubert High School by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. As a guidance counselor at Saint Hubert High School, Michelina also taught Related Arts to ninth graders, advised for the school yearbook, literary magazine and Peer Mediation. In September 2004, Michelina joined The School District of Philadelphia as a School Counselor at Roosevelt Middle School. The following year, Michelina accepted a guidance counselor position at Charles Carroll High School. During her years at Carroll High School, Michelina also became the school's roster chair and testing coordinator. Michelina received her certification in educational leadership from Holy Family University in June 2007. In April 2009, Michelina was accepted into the Philadelphia High School Leadership Project (PHSLP) as one of eight members from The School District of Philadelphia who held their certification in leadership and demonstrated strong leadership skills in their current assignment. The Philadelphia High School Leadership Project (PHSLP) offered a customized graduate education experience and professional development-training program in partnership with Lehigh University. Michelina is considered to be an Emerging Leader within the context of the program and still receives professional development from Lehigh University. Michelina became an Assistant Principal with The School District of Philadelphia in August 2010 at George W. Childs Elementary School in South Philadelphia. Michelina sees herself as a life long learner and embraces the new assignment at Moore ES and becoming a doctoral student at Holy Family University.