Schedule for the annual Alliant Leadership Conference

1. Conference Schedule
8:30 – 9:30
Registration & Breakfast
McDonald Hall
9:20 – 10:20 Pre-Session
Workshop “An Introduction to Art Therapy For the Psychotherapist”
Library 1 Presented by: Ellen P. Lacter, PhD
9:40 – 10:40 Session I
Presentation: “Understanding an ESL Student’s Former Culture
D2 Empowers the Leader”
Presented by: Thomas Farmer, MS
Workshop: “How Emotional Intelligence Impacts Success in Life”
D1 Presented by: Lorna Farrant, MS, MBA
Workshop: “Developing Coherent Leadership Skills in Partnership with Horses”
Green Hall Presented by: Ellen Kaye Gehrke, PhD, Nathan Hipp, MS, Ursula Rubina
Carbajal, & Moun Hoeung Chau (Part 1)
Presentation: “Leadership vs. Management”
D4 Presented by: Mary Smith, MA, Scott Gillis, MA
10:50 – 11:50 Session II
Presentation: “How to Get Started in Private Practice: The Things You
D4 Didn’t Learn in Graduate School”
Presented by: Holly Hunt, PhD

2. Workshop: “How Can Your Personality Affect Your Leadership Style”
D1 Presented by: Heidi Pelak, MA
Workshop: “Developing Coherent Leadership Skills in Partnership with Horses”
Green Hall (Part 2)
Presentation: “Emotional Intelligence: Leading Others by Knowing Yourself”
D3 Presented by: Ryan Buchmann, MA
Presentation: “A Student’s Perspective on Leadership Development”
D2 Presented by: Leilani Auhoon, Melissa Collins
Heidi Gebhart, & Delauren Scott; SWAT Consulting
Panel: “Starting a Consulting Firm”
Library 1 Facilitated by: Beverly Barr, MS
Panel Members: David Chaudron, PhD, Organized Change,
Elizabeth Fried, PhD, N.E. Fried & Associates; Dale Harris, PhD., Apex
Performance Strategies & April West, MS., Apex Performance Strategies
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch (No charge)
McDonald Hall
Lunch Speaker:
Rodney Lowman, PhD
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Rodney Lowman, PhD. A PhD graduate of Michigan State University, specializing in Industrial and
Organizational psychology and Clinical psychology, currently serves as Interim Provost and Vice
President for Academic Affairs and as a Professor for Alliant International University. He has also
served on the faculty at the University of Michigan and the University of North Texas and has held
adjunct or consulting faculty appointments in the Department of Psychology at Rice University and
the Divisions of Medical Psychology and Occupational Medicine at Duke University Medical Center.
He is currently a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (Divisions 13 and 14) and a
Diplomat of the American Board of Assessment Psychology. Dr Lowman has been a prolific
contributor to the fields of professional consulting, clinical and industrial psychology, and other

3. related areas. The author of six books and monographs, he has published over 80 scholarly works.
His books include Handbook of Organizational Consulting Psychology, The Ethical Practice of
Psychology in Organizations, The Clinical Practice of Career Assessment: Interests, Abilities and
Personality Counseling, Psychotherapy of Work Dysfunctions, and Pre-Employment Screening: A
Guide to Professional Practice.
1:20 – 2:20 Session III
Workshop: “Play Therapy”
D1 Presented by: Lily Cosico-Berge, PsyD
Presentation: “Working with Students From Low-Income Backgrounds”
D2 Presented by: Aaron Starck, MS
Workshop: “The Simple Truth about Leadership: A Management of
CUE 300 Organizational Symbols”
Presented by: Wendy V. Chung, PhD
Presentation: “Leadership & the U.S Department of Foreign Services”
Green Hall Presented by: Robert S. Wang, PhD
Presentation: “Combating Drug Use in Youth Through Neuroscience
D3 Education and Leadership Training”
Presented by: Virginia Johnson, A.B.D.
Presentation: “Leadership for the Triple Bottom Line: People and the
Library 1 Environment Matter”
Presented by: David Bainbridge, MS
2:30 – 3:30 Session IV
Presentation: “Real World: The Organizational Consulting
D1 Center-San Diego”
Presented by: Stacey Miller, MS; Jennifer Konkin, MS; & Nathan Hipp, MS
Workshop: “Effectively Teaching Using iclass Technology”
M-7 Presented by: Richard Gardner, MA & Aung Lwin, MBA

4. Presentation: “Improving Leadership, People and Personal Effectiveness”
D3 Presented by: Alan Hoffmanner, MBA
Presentation: “Community Leadership Begins with You!
D4 Get Involved in Community Service”
Presented by: Tanis Starck, PhD
Presentation: “National Society of Leadership & Success”
D2 Presented by: Alexandria Proff
Presentation: “Psychological Assessment of Children with
Green Hall Learning Disabilities”
Presented by: Richard Schere, PhD, FABM
3:40 – 5:00 Session V
“Enron, Duke Cunningham, and Martha Stewart: The Importance of Ethics, Personal
Integrity, and Values in Leadership”
Keynote Speaker
Jack Gilbert, Ed.D
McDonald Hall
Jack Gilbert, noted expert in business ethics, is an award-winning author, a presenter, and a
consultant to multinational corporations.
For the past thirty years, he has worked as a consultant, focusing on issues of leadership and large-
scale change. His clients come from a broad array of industries including health care (Thomas
Jefferson Hospital, Sinai Health System), financial services (Allstate, CNA, Lloyds TSB),

5. retail/consumer (Sears, McDonalds, WH Smith), manufacturing (MeadWestvaco, Republic
Paperboard) and more.
His award-winning book, Productivity Management: A Step-By-Step Guide for Health Care Professionals, has
been used widely by health care managers. Jack holds his doctorate from The George Washington
University where his dissertation focused on the role of ethics in decision-making. He is a fellow of
the American College of Healthcare Executives and a member of the National Speakers Association.
Over the course of working with hundreds of executives, business leaders, and employees, Jack has
observed the phenomenon of ethical erosion. Research shows that it is the small steps and small
decisions that lead individuals and their organizations into ethical conflicts, a slippery slope that can
ultimately undermine the organization’s viability and credibility.
A native of England, Jack brings his wry sense of British humor to the difficult subject of ethics. He
provides his audiences with thought-provoking examples of ethical challenges and the concrete steps
that individuals and organizations can take to encourage an environment where strong ethics tapping
latent wisdom will flourish.
5:00 – 7:00 Cocktail Hour
Co-Sponsored by: IOSA & Sigma Iota Epsilon
Music performed by: Bill Shreeve Productions

6. Presenter Bios
Leilani Auhoon
Leilani Auhoon is a senior at Alliant International University majoring in
psychology with a minor in communications. She is one of the four founding
members of SWAT Communications consulting which was established in the
fall of 2004. Her future goals include getting a dual masters degree in both
psychology and communications. She would also like to continue in the field
of Integrated Marketing Communication, using it to work with sports teams
such as the San Diego Chargers or the Padres
David Bainbridge, MS
David A. Bainbridge was educated at U.C. San Diego, Earth Sciences, and
U.C. Davis in Ecology and Environmental Planning. He learned about solar
design and construction while working with the innovative firm, Living
Systems, before working for the California Energy Commission and creating
the Passive Solar Institute. He was honored as a solar pioneer by the
American Solar Energy Society in 2004.
In 1982 he turned his attention to the problems of sustainable resource management, including
teaching and then working at the Dry Lands Research Institute at U.C. Riverside. He was coauthor
of the groundbreaking guide to Sustainable Agriculture for California in 1991.
His research on irrigation and agro forestry led to more than 25 years of research on arid land
management and restoration. He has been involved in alternative building material research, and was
coauthor of the best selling Straw Bale House. His primary emphasis in recent years has been on
environmental economics and sustainable resource management, with a special interesting
environmental management reports and accounting.
He has developed and taught courses at AIU on sustainable management, environmental economics,
sustainable production and ecotourism; and is now coordinating the development of a concentration
in “sustainable management”. He has published 7 books and more than 250 articles and reports, for
audiences ranging from Tree Planter’s Notes to the Wall Street Journal.

7. Ryan Buchmann, MA
Ryan Buchmann is a graduate from the University of San Diego with a master’s
degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling. He currently has an active part-time
counseling practice at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Pacific Beach. He spent
21/2 years in priestly formation at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, CA
studying theology. At this time he is also a full time student pursuing a master’s
degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the CSPP at Alliant International
University and desires licensure as an MFT with the state of California.
Ursula Rubina Carbajal
Bio Not Available.
Moun Hoeung Chau
Bio Not Available.
David Chaudron, PhD
David Chaudron, PhD is managing partner of Organized Change. He has over
25 years of experience working with a variety of manufacturing and service
firms, assisting them in assessment, strategic planning, team-building and
leadership development.
He has taught at UCSD, Chapman and Alliant International Universities on a
variety of topics, including total quality management, strategic planning,
personnel selection, human factors and organizational development. He has published over 15
practical articles on surveys, teamwork, Re-engineering, TQM and organizational change. His
national and international clients include those in manufacturing, banking, finance, petrochemicals,
electronics and aerospace in the United States, France, Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and
Kuwait. He received his doctorate in industrial/organizational psychology from United States
International University and his masters from California State University at Long Beach.
He has spoken at numerous national and local conferences and been a major speaker at
internationally broadcast teleconferences to over 35,000 people on TQM and Re-engineering,

8. Systems Thinking and Strategic Planning. He is also the author of "No More Darn Buzzwords: Keys
to Successful Organized Change", and "Master of all you Survey: How to use Surveys to Improve
Wendy V. Chung, PhD
Dr. Chung is a lecturer for the Center for Undergraduate Education at Alliant International
University and teaches courses in Organizational Communications, I/O Psych, Human
Communication, Integrated Marketing, Public Relations, and Culture and Human Behavior. Dr.
Areas of interest include Organizational Culture and Climate and Organizational Diversity. Dr.
Chung’s passion is The Systems Perspective which underlies her approach to everything. Her
mission is to educate every student to understand all phenomena from a systems perspective.
Publications: Text: Ethnicity and Organizational Diversity: A Study In Social Cognition and
Psychological Climate Perception; Chapter: Auditing the Organizational Culture for Diversity: A
Conceptual Framework; Journal articles on A Systemic View of Organizational Culture, Challenges
in Influencing OC, etc.; and Workbooks on Intercultural Communication.
Lily Cosico-Berge, PsyD
Lily Cosico-Berge, Psy.D., A.T.R., RPT is a licensed clinical psychologist and
Registered Art and Play Therapist with 20 years’ experience in early
childhood, adolescent & family mental health. She is on the faculty of UCSD-
Extension’s Play Therapy Certificate Program. Dr. Cosico-Berge has
additional training in infant-preschool mental health and will be the primary
instructor of Alliant International University-San Diego’s Infant-Preschool
Mental Health Certificate Program (Fall 2006). She has extensive experience
in providing psychological services addressing child abuse & neglect, trauma, family systems issues,
acculturation issues, attachment, parenting, and skills training in emotional regulation with very
young children & adolescents.
Melissa Collins
Melissa Collins is a senior at Alliant International University and one of the
four founding members of SWAT Communications consulting. Raised in
New York, Melissa came to Alliant to study communication. She is also the
Media and Marketing Coordinator of the Undergraduate Student Government
and works part time for the office of Student Activities. After college Melissa
hopes to pursue a career in the field of Public Relations, hopefully owning her
own firm one day.

9. Lorna Farrant, MS, MBA
For more than 20 years, Lorna has been a domestic and international trainer
and coach. Her expertise in career counseling, executive and life coaching has
helped hundreds of people to achieve their goals. A member of the
International Coaching Federation, San Diego Professional Coaching Alliance,
and the Society for Human Resource Management, Lorna is a respected and
entertaining trainer. A graduate of The College of Executive Coaching, Lorna
also has a Master of Science in Career and Life Planning and a Masters in
Business Administration. She is a Certified Emotional Intelligence Trainer.
Thomas Farmer, MA
Thomas Farmer is currently perusing a Master’s of Arts in International
Relations at Alliant International University. In 2002, Farmer graduated with
honors form Alliant with a Master of Arts in Education Technology and
Learning. Farmer also has two Master’s of Arts in Education Administration
/Management and Teaching English as a Second Language, also from Alliant.
Farmer is a U.S Army Veteran having served in Turkey, Desert Storm, and
Vietnam. Farmer is a recipient of the AMSC Alumni Association Leadership
Award and enjoys surfing, reading and watching classic movies.
Elizabeth Fried, PhD
Dr. N. Elizabeth Fried, author, consultant, and executive coach, is president
of N. E. Fried and Associates, Inc. She is author of two books, Outrageous
Conduct: Bizarre Behavior at Work (1991, 1999) and Sex, Laws & Stereotypes:
Authentic workplace anecdotes and practical tips for dealing with ADA,
sexual harassment, workplace violence, and beyond . . . (1994). Ms. Fried
received her Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and her Certified
Compensation Professional Designation from the WorldatWork (formerly the
American Compensation Association). Additionally, she is listed in Who's Who of American
Women and Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America.
A vibrant and entertaining speaker, she regularly addresses audiences on a variety of human
resources topics, including hiring practices, career development, and sexual harassment. From 1983
to 2001, Fried conducted compensation research on a national scale and was quoted widely in such
publications as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune,
Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, Ms., Business Week, and Fortune Magazine.

10. Fried currently teaches a certification seminar for the WorldatWork on job analysis, job
documentation, and job evaluation. She is adjunct faculty at the University of California - San
Diego, where she offers a course on assessment tools. Fried has taught continuing education
courses in compensation at Lehigh University and served as adjunct faculty at Franklin
University from 1979 to 1986, where she taught a course in wage and salary administration. She
also co-developed and facilitated sessions on 360 degree feedback, teambuilding, and
communication for The Center for Leadership, a five-day premier program offered through the
Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, and California CPA Societies.
Richard Gardner, MA
Grew up in San Diego. Received an AA Degree in Math from Mesa College,
a BA in Math from SDSU, an MA in Education from SDSU.
Teaching experience includes: High School and Community College for
around 8 years.
Passionate for Math Education.
Heidi Gebhart
Heidi Gebhardt, one of the four founding members of SWAT
Communications Consulting, is a senior at Alliant International University.
She is majoring in psychology with a minor in communications. She plans
on getting her teaching credentials and coaching high school volleyball. She
also plans on doing Integrated Marketing Public Relations on the side as
well.

11. Ellen Kaye Gehrke, PhD
Dr. Kaye Gehrke is a professor of international business and management at
Alliant International University in San Diego. She has over 25 years experience
working as an organizational consultant, trainer, and advisor for numerous
companies. Her work with people and human systems spans the private and
public sector, universities and international organizations in the USA and
several European countries. She has served in many leadership roles in
professional organizations such as the Academy of Management, the
American Society for Training and Development and is a LEAD San Diego graduate. Her primary
areas of expertise include organizational development, strategic management, cross cultural training,
and business and management skills improvement. She has a Ph.D. in organizational development
and strategic planning, an M.B.A. in marketing and management and a B.Sc. in wildlife biology and
natural resource management. She lived in Europe for eight years before returning to the USA and
has worked for Alliant since 1997. She is a consultant with the Thiagi Group and a licensed provider
for the 1:1 HeartMath strategies for coherent performance course.
Scott A. Gillis, MA
Scott Gillis is currently completing his doctoral degree in Organization
Development at Alliant International University’s Fresno campus in the
California School of Business and Organizational Studies. Scott holds a M.A.
degree in Organizational Psychology from Alliant International University in
San Diego and his undergraduate degree is in Psychology from California
State University San Marcos.
Over the past several years, in addition to Scott’s work and interest in Psychology, he has researched
aspects of Leadership and Management in Organizations.
Scott works as an Organizational Development Consultant where he has used a variety of methods
such as strategic planning, stress & conflict management, training, and team development to help
organizations achieve their goals.
Additionally, Scott works as an internal consultant for the San Diego Sheriff’s Department Wireless
Services Division. He is responsible for the development and training of personnel. Scott is also in
the process of evaluating and developing a training program for the Regional Communication
System, an emergency services radio system.

12. Dale Harris, PhD
Dale Harris is the Managing Principal of Apex Performance Strategies; a consulting firm that
specializes in Business Strategy and Organizational Development. His consultancy partners with
companies to enhance organizational performance through a strong understanding of business
imperatives and the most current and innovative approaches to learning and development.
Dale’s background in Industrial/Organizational Psychology guides a rigorous methodology which is
designed to lead to tangible business outcomes. An entrepreneurial background belies his belief that
consulting services must always lead to an exponential ROI for the organization.
His experience cuts across industries (including: biotech, telecom, manufacturing, consumer
products, finance, government and education) and consists of both public and private sector
agencies. He also has extensive expertise in working with culturally diverse organizations; having
worked and lived on 4 continents.
Dale’s consulting Specialties include executive coaching, training and Development, organizational
assessment, leadership development and psychometric surveying and testing
Dale has a Ph.D in I/O Psychology, an M.S. in I/O Psychology and a B.A. in Sociology. His
research is in the areas of: Organizational Assessment, The Impacts of Multiculturalism in
Organizations, and Performance Feedback.
Nathan Hipp, MS
Nathan Hipp, M.S., Consultant Nathan consults in the areas of program
development and implementation, team building/group facilitation, strategy
development, executive coaching, and organizational analysis and
development.
Nathan has been an executive coach for managers in various organizational
positions, including director of facilities, human resources manager, and
director of inside operations and has participated in organizational analyses
and strategic planning of both profit and non-profit organizations. Past clients consist of a variety of
profit and non-profit organizations including the Julian Charter School; Carlsbad-Oceanside Art
League; Focus 360; The Art Institute of San Diego; Restaurants on the Run; San Diego Employers
Association and the County of San Diego-Department of Child Support Services.
Nathan is currently coaching for the County of San Diego and is working with the Carlsbad-
Oceanside Arts League in strategy development and organizational change. Nathan is also working
with the San Diego Employers Association in strategic planning and is developing training materials
for the Art Institute of California.

13. Alan Hoffmanner, MBA
President of Agiledge, Alan brings his expertise from working with dozens of
Southern California management teams and his 15 years management
experience in operations and marketing management at General Dynamics,
American Express and United Technologies (UTC).
As a member of UTC’s Rotational Management program, Alan served as a
Product Manager in charge of development and marketing activities of a $90
million/year product line, as leader of a Supplier Management/purchasing program, as Director of
Sales and Marketing for a $180 million/year operation and as a leader of several major change
efforts within large organizations.
Alan was a small business consultant in New York City, while earning his MBA at Columbia. In
addition, he has degrees in Systems Analysis and Economics from Miami University. As an
expert and practitioner in the development of key people and personal effectiveness skills, Alan
coordinates the BPM management development process for dozens of companies in Southern
California.
Holly Hunt, PhD
Holly A. Hunt, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in Southern
California, where she first established her practice in 1990. She is the Past
Chair of the Practice Management Committee of the San Diego Psychological
Association.
Dr. Hunt received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of
Kansas in 1988. She interned at the VA Medical Center in Sepulveda, California and worked as a
staff psychologist at the VA Medical Center in Long Beach.
She is the author of the book “Essentials of Private Practice: Streamlining Costs, Procedures, and
Policies for Less Stress” W.W. Norton & Co., 2005, $20.00. The book will be available for purchase
at the presentation (cash or check). For more information: www.EssentialsOfPrivatePractice.com

14. Virginia Johnson, A.B.D.
Virginia Johnson is a doctoral student in the dissertation phase of study in the
education and leadership program with a specialization in neuropsychology at
AIU-Fresno.
Dr. Virginia Johnson A.B.D is the founder and executive director of The
L.E.A.D Institute a premier organization providing personal leadership training
for youth second grade through college. Virginia knows first hand the strategies
for achieving personal greatness during youth as this young author of Developing the Giant Within:
Shaping Ordinary Youth into Extraordinary Leaders (a parental coaching guide and workbook for
parents and professionals) has overcome many obstacles as she embarks on her personal journey to
greatness. Virginia is known for her ability to equip, connect, mobilize and propel difficult to
manage youth into realizing their maximum personal potential. You can learn more about Dr.
Virginia Johnson, A.B.D and The L.E.A.D Institute by logging on to www.theleadinstitute.com.
Jennifer Konkin
Jennifer Konkin, Consultant. Jennifer has been involved with a number of
non—profit organizations where she has assisted in infrastructure
development. Jennifer worked collaboratively with the Carlsbad Oceanside
Arts League to develop and implement a volunteer management project and
job analysis. She has also worked with the Kelowna City Concert band to
create a corporate sponsorship program to increase funding to non-profit arts
groups. She has been involved in strategic planning processes for the Albert
Einstein Academy Charter School and Carlsbad Oceanside Arts League as well
as in the development of training modules for the Organizational Consulting Center.
Jennifer received her B.A. in psychology from Okanagan University College in Kelowna, BC,
Canada. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Consulting Psychology at Alliant International
University and is consulting through the Organizational Consulting Center. Jennifer’s areas of
interest in consulting include the management of emotional labor, work-life balance, executive
coaching, and international communication.
Ellen P. Lacter, PhD
Ellen P. Lacter, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, a Registered Play
Therapist and Supervisor, and a Marriage and Family Therapist.

15. Dr. Lacter is currently Academic Coordinator of the Play Therapy Certificate Program at the
University of California, San Diego- Extension, where she is also a continuing education instructor,
training psychotherapists in play and art therapy techniques and treatment of trauma.
Dr. Lacter has 30 years of clinical experience. She has been an art therapist in various agencies since
1975. Since 1984, she has been a psychotherapist and play therapist in private practice and instructor
of graduate classes and conference presentations in child abuse, family violence, and treatment
techniques with children through adults. She is Past President of the California Association for Play
Therapy (calplaytherapy.org).
Dr. Lacter specializes in the treatment of abused children, adolescents, and adults abused as
children, Dissociative Disorders, adopted children, and ritual abuse trauma, in addition to general
practice with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families.
Aung Lwin, MBA
Aung Zayar Lwin is technology specialist for the Teaching and Learning
Institute and the Academic Success Center at Alliant International
University. He has been responsible for spearheading the iClassroom
Initiative which strives to infuse more information and instructional
technologies into the classroom environment through collaborations with
faculty in order to achieve student-centered collaborative learning. Since
the pilot in spring 2005, more than 20 faculty have taught over 60 courses
in M-7 and CUE 300 iClassrooms, utilizing various technologies available such as SMART
Board, wireless computers with SynchronEyes software, etc. Aung holds a MBA in Information
Technology Management and Finance from Alliant and had also taught masters-level Capstone
courses with Dr. Louise Kelly.
Stacey Miller, MS
Stacey P. Miller, MS, Consultant Stacey consults in the areas of team building,
training and development, executive coaching, and overall organizational
effectiveness including strategic planning and restructuring. She has
experience in the following industries: education, mental health,
pharmaceutical, and entertainment. She has extensive experience working
with diverse groups and became a trained mediator while working with the
EEOC. Her consulting experience also includes administering and analyzing
surveys, organizational assessment, individual assessment, and executive coaching. She has also
served as a project manager on various occasions including for Julian Charter School where she has
been project manager for over a year, coordinating 6 consultants and maintaining the position of
primary client contact.

16. Some of her Stacey’s past affiliations include Neighborhood Centers Inc., ChildBuilders, Cox
Communications, The Art Institute, County of San Diego, and Pfizer. In addition to her work with
the Organizational Consulting Center, Stacey is also currently on the faculty of the Fashion Institute
of Design and Merchandising teaching Organizational Behavior as well as serving on the
Governance Council of a local San Diego charter school.
Stacey received her BA in Sociology at Tulane University, her MA in Industrial/Organizational
Psychology from the University of Houston, her MS in Consulting Psychology from Alliant
International University, and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Consulting Psychology. She is a
member of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the Society of Consulting
Psychology.
Heidi Pelak, MA
Heidi Pelak is currently a Graduate School of Education Doctoral Student
in Technology and Learning at Alliant International University. Ms. Pelak
is a full-time graduate advisor and credential analyst at AIU and teaches as
an adjunct instructor at AIU. She has been working in a variety of higher
education settings for the last nine years and has held a variety of
leadership roles.
Alexandria A. Proff
Alexandria Proff, more commonly known as Lexy, is a sophomore pursuing
her Undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies from Alliant International
University. She attended Santiago High School in Garden Grove, California,
where she was born and raised.
Lexy is the Editor-in-Chief of the University Newspaper, The Envoy. During
her first year as Editor, the paper has undergone many positive changes. The
Envoy is now a full size, monthly publication that features color on the front and back pages, and is
sent to all Alliant Campuses.
She serves as Chairperson of the Undergraduate Student Government Association. As Chairperson,
Lexy has been a strong advocate of the undergraduate student body. She serves on the University
Student Government Association and regularly attends Campus Administrative Council meetings as
a student representative.

17. Additionally, Lexy is the founding member of Alliant’s upcoming chapter of the National Society
of Leadership and Success, a national organization and honors society that focuses helping
students achieve their goals. Alliant’s chapter of NSLS will be up and running in fall 2006. Lexy has
also served as a Student Orientation Leader for 2005-2006, a Supplemental Instructor for French
and Intercultural Communication, and Mentor.
Lexy’s primary areas of interest are: ethics in leadership, intercultural and nonverbal communication,
and investigative journalism.
Richard Schere, PhD, DABFM
Dr. Schere has been working in psychology for over 40 years. At present, he
is in private practice in La Jolla, testing, treating, and mentoring adolescents.
He is also an adjunct professor both at USD and CSPP. Dr. Schere is
professor emeritus from Brooklyn College, where he was Program Head of
Special Education for many years and has also taught in the School
Psychology programs.
He has contributed many articles and chapters to journals and texts, and writes frequently for the
San Diego Psychologist. In New York, he established and headed a mental health facility that
served the needs of working class and middle class clients who could not afford exorbitant fees. He
has been awarded diplomate status in clinical, forensic, and disability analysis. Dr. Schere has always
enjoyed working with young people, and is considered a specialist in the learning, personal and
behavior problems of adolescents.
DeLauren Scott
DeLauren Scott is a senior at Alliant International University. She is an Organizational
Communications major with an emphasis in integrated marketing public relations and a minor in
marketing. She is one of the founding members of SWAT Communications Consulting. With
many opportunities lying ahead, she is excited to pursue her career goals in Integrated Marketing
Public Relations.

18. Mary Smith, MA
Mary Smith is currently completing her doctoral degree in Organization
Development at Alliant International University’s Fresno campus in the
California School of Business and Organizational Studies. Mary holds a M.A.
degree in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in San
Diego and her undergraduate degree is in Psychology from California State
University San Marcos.
Over the past several years, in addition to Mary’s work and interest in Psychology, she has
researched aspects of Leadership and Management in Organizations.
Mary has provided Psychological counseling both in individual and group formats in San Diego area
school districts where she developed, implemented and monitored goal plans for high-risk
emotionally disturbed middle and high school students.
Additionally, Mary has researched the effects of child abuse on children and reported findings which
will be used in the California Judicial system as a means for court officials to determine the
detrimental effects of abuse. In the area of research she has contributed to the field of psychology
with her longitudinal Research on the effect of Maternal Sensitivity on children and she has co-
authored a paper which is now under review for publication discussing her findings.
Aaron Starck, MS
Aaron Stark is the Director for the Upward Bound Program at Alliant
International University.
Tanis Starck, PhD
Tanis Starck is the Coordinator of Community Based Service-Learning
(CCBSL) program at San Diego State University. She holds a PhD in
Psychology.

19. Bob S. Wang, PhD
Bob Wang has served in the U.S. diplomatic corps for more than 21 years.
He was last assigned as the Economic Minister Counselor at the U.S.
Embassy in Beijing, from 2002-2005, where he and his staff monitored
China's implementation of its World Trade Organization (WTO)
commitments and assisted China in its economic reform efforts. Prior to
this, Bob also served abroad in Singapore (1997-2000), Shanghai (1994-97),
Hong Kong (1987-90) and Tokyo (1985-87). From 1991-93, Bob was the
Cambodia Desk officer at the State Department and participated in U.S. Government efforts that
led to the introduction of UN peacekeeping forces and a historic democratic election in Cambodia.
Bob was selected to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) from 2000-2001.
Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Bob Wang was an assistant professor of International Relations
at Whittier College in California from 1977-84. He taught courses on American Foreign Policy,
Arms Control, International Organizations and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Bob completed his Ph.D
in Political Science at the University of Iowa in 1976 and his B.A. at the U. of Washington in 1972.
He has published articles on China's military strategy and educational policy reforms as well as on
recent U.S.-China trade relations. He has been assigned to the American Institute in Taiwan starting
in 2006.
April D. West, MS
April West is an organizational consultant for Apex Performance Strategies. For the past couple of
years April has assisted trainers with the design and implementation of specialized training programs,
worked in instructional design, survey design and analysis, new product development and the
creation of e-learning activities for professional development.
With experience as an organizational consultant and a researcher, April brings both an academic and
best practices background in organizational development. Her consulting experience consists of
product development, instructional and training material design, employee manual design, survey
design and the customization of training programs. In addition, her experience includes statistical
analysis and data interpretation. Her research background includes conducting studies on topics
such as organizational justice, emotional intelligence, generational issues in the workplace, employee
commitment, satisfaction, citizenship behaviors and turnover. Her current interests are in
organizational justice, employee commitment to supervisor and work motivation.
April’s consulting specialties include training and development, organizational justice, 360 degree
feedback, survey design and analysis, leadership development and instructional design.
April received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Gerontology from Kansas State University
and a Masters of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the California School of
Professional Psychology. She is currently completing her doctorate in the field of Industrial-
Organizational Psychology.

20. Special Thanks
Alliant Leadership Institute
Career Services
Richard Gardner
Housing and Residence Life
IOSA
Aung Lwin
Baby Medina
Michael Pittenger, PhD
Erica Pizano
Adele Rabin, PhD
Shon San Jose
Angela Spenser, PhD
Sigma Iota Epsilon
Sodexo
Student Government Association
Al Valdez
Rob Wallace