Our Team
Dr. Katie Sprute
Senior Faculty Chair
Dr. Katie Sprute is the 2026 L.O.P.E. Conference Chair and a seasoned leader with 20 years of experience in education, project management, and leadership. Since joining Grand Canyon University in 2013, she has served as a Faculty Chair in the Department of Online Teaching and Learning (DoTL) for nearly a decade and as an assistant professor in the College of Education.
Beyond her role at GCU, Dr. Sprute is the co-owner of a small business, as well as a consultant, active community volunteer and researcher. Her research interests include structural empowerment, job embeddedness, AI applications in higher education, online teaching and learning, and strategies for fostering community among remote employees. Dr. Sprute holds a Ph.D. in General Psychology with an emphasis in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Sheila Damiani
Dr. Sheila Damiani serves as the 2026 L.O.P.E. Conference Co-Chair, where she brings her passion for academic excellence, virtuous leadership, and innovation in online learning to the forefront. A lifelong educator, she has been with Grand Canyon University since 2012 and currently serves as Senior Faculty Chair for the Department of Online Teaching and Learning, leading a team of online full-time faculty dedicated to fostering student success and professional growth.
Dr. Damiani holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Arizona State University, an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education from Grand Canyon University. Her scholarly and professional interests include faculty engagement, character and virtue formation in higher education, and the integration of feedback and mentorship to enhance teaching and learning.
An active contributor to professional development and faculty growth, Dr. Damiani’s research interests focus on the advancement of excellence in online education. Her work reflects a commitment to empowering educators to lead with purpose, integrity, and a future-minded vision for student flourishing.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Remilyn Mueller
Dr. Remilyn Mueller is an educator, author, and lifelong learner committed to helping students thrive academically, professionally, and spiritually. She teaches at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, where she integrates academic rigor with compassion and faith-based encouragement.
Dr. Mueller holds a Ph.D. in General Psychology, an M.A. in Communication, and a B.A. in Education. Her diverse teaching experience spans K–12 classrooms, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, and higher education, serving both traditional and online adult learners at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. She has presented at educational conferences, published books, and scholarly articles.
In her recent book, You’re Not Alone , Dr. Mueller blends practical success strategies with spiritual insight to empower online adult learners to pursue their studies with confidence and purpose. A passionate advocate for AI literacy, she emphasizes the importance of equipping learners with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving digital world.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Mueller enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and inspiring others to live with faith, resilience, and purpose. Her life’s work reflects a deep belief that learning is not only an achievement but a lifelong journey of growth and transformation.
Email: [email protected]
Keith Rogers
Keith serves as an instructor in the Department of Online Teaching and Learning (D.O.T.L.) at Grand Canyon University. With over 20 years of experience in education as an instructor, trainer, and assistant to the chancellor he brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to his role. In addition, Keith has served as an ordained minister for 18 years. His educational path includes studies at Indiana University, Cleveland State University, and Grand Canyon University. Throughout his career, he has gained valuable experience across the medical, hospitality, government, and education industries. Though he has found fulfillment in each of these areas, his deepest passion lies in teaching. Keith believes that God has divinely guided him to this vocation, and he is eager to continue using his gifts to inspire and impact the lives of others. He remains devoted to following God’s calling and faithfully pursuing the purpose set before him. You can connect with Keith at [email protected] .
Lindy Gaudiano, PhD
Assistant Dean
Dr. Lindy Gaudiano holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Elementary Education Reading. She is a certified Elementary Educator and Reading Specialist, bringing extensive experience in early childhood literacy and curriculum development. She earned her PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, further expanding her expertise in leadership, organizational development, and educational effectiveness.
Dr. Gaudiano began her career teaching in the public school system before transitioning to Higher Education, where she now serves as an Assistant Dean. Passionate about student success and innovative program development, Dr. Gaudiano continues to contribute to the field through research, instruction, and leadership in higher education.
Greg Lucas
Greg Lucas, MBA is an education futurist and expert at the forefront of AI and education, redefining learning through emerging technologies. He serves as Faculty Chair at Grand Canyon University’s Colangelo College of Business, driving innovation in online learning and AI-driven education solutions. With a background in renewable energy, real estate, and Intel manufacturing, Greg brings a strategic vision to the intersection of AI, education, and business. He holds an Executive MBA in Global Business from ASU.
Email [email protected]
Dr. Micaela Swan
Dr. Micaela Swan brings more than 20 years of experience across both K–12 and higher education settings. Throughout her career, she has served as a teacher, building administrator, and district administrator, accumulating expertise in general and special education. Currently, Dr. Swan is a full-time online instructor at Grand Canyon University’s College of Education, where she teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate courses in teacher and administrator preparation.
Dr. Swan holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on Cognition and Instruction. Her research centers on incorporating trauma-informed instructional practices across classroom environments, with her dissertation focusing specifically on secondary special education. As the College of Education’s AI Champion, she leads faculty development in effective AI integration and instructional strategies.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Dr. Swan was honored with the 2024 Provost Excellence Award and named the 2025 Online Full-Time Faculty of the Year. She is deeply passionate about empowering educators with inclusive practices, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Email: [email protected]
Rick Holbeck
Rick Holbeck, EdS, is the Executive Director of the Department of Online Teaching and Learning at Grand Canyon University and editor of the Journal of Instructional Research. With over 30 years in education, he is dedicated to enhancing online learning and academic excellence. Currently pursuing an EdD in Instructional Technology, Rick researches generative AI technologies in online teaching. He also teaches educational leadership and graduate education courses. A respected leader and scholar, Rick frequently presents on instructional technology and ethical issues, contributing to the advancement of education through innovation and a forward-thinking approach.
Dr. Susan Boafo-Arthur
Dr. Susan Boafo-Arthur is an Associate Professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Grand Canyon University. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Mississippi State University and is a licensed professional counselor in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, with tele-mental health registration in Florida. Clinically, she specializes in counseling adults facing depression, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, empowerment, and life transitions.
Dr. Boafo-Arthur’s research focuses on cross-cultural counseling, acculturation, social justice, emotional intelligence, and faith integration. Her scholarship highlights the experiences of international students, African faculty, and globally mobile populations, advocating for culturally responsive mental health care and inclusive academic environments.
Email: [email protected]
Mr. Steve Hughes
How do we teach students to think with logical rigor in a world where AI can produce answers instantly? For Steve Hughes, an OFTF Mathematics Faculty at Grand Canyon University, this question is at the heart of modern education. Instead of viewing AI as a threat to academic integrity, they pioneer pedagogical strategies that turn AI into a powerful learning partner. His work focuses on using AI-generated solutions as teaching artifacts, challenging students to audit for errors, refine logic, and ultimately build the critical reasoning skills that machines cannot replicate.
As an organizer and mediator for the L.O.P.E. Conference, Steve Hughes is passionate about bringing together diverse voices from K-12, higher education, and industry to build a cohesive vision for a future where human intellect and artificial intelligence work in tandem to solve the world’s most complex problems.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Carol Lippert
Dr. Carol Lippert is a highly experienced educator with over 30 years in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona, as well as a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University.
Currently, Dr. Lippert serves as the Assistant Vice President for K12 Outreach and Support at Grand Canyon Education. In this role, she spearheads high-quality professional development and student engagement programs, fostering collaboration between K12 districts and schools.
Previously, Dr. Lippert held the position of Associate Superintendent for the High Academic Standards for Students Division at the Arizona Department of Education, Principal, Assistant Principal, and science teacher.
Her career showcases a deep commitment to education and a passion for fostering academic excellence.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Robert Krise
Dr. Robert Krise is an Assistant Professor in the College of Theology at Grand Canyon University. He has been a part of the faculty of the College of Theology for over 13 years. He holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University, a Master of Divinity degree from Talbot Theological Seminary, Biola University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Bio-Agricultural Sciences from Arizona State University.
He has published articles regarding teacher perceptions regarding student learning when using Servant teaching and altruism and is currently co-writing an article regarding the influence of AI on the spirituality of young people. He currently serves on several committees, such as the Professional Development sub-committee, and the Supervisory Ministry committee.
Beyond his role at Grand Canyon University, he serves in his local church in the church’s home group ministry as a small group coach for group leaders, in the Baptism committee, interviewing those getting baptized, and on the church’s “Yes” team, interviewing those who express new faith in Christ.
Email: [email protected]
Marni Landry
Marni Landry is the Sr. Director of K12 STEM Outreach & Special Projects at Grand Canyon Education and an adjunct professor for Grand Canyon University in the College of Education. With a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Marni wrote and taught the curriculum for a four-year Biotechnology Career and Technical Education pathway at Paradise Valley High School and taught dual enrollment courses for the University of Arizona. Marni’s industry experience includes positions as a Fellow at Bio-Rad Laboratories and internships at GenoSensor Corporation and the Ira Fulton School of Engineering. She has earned multiple awards for her contributions to STEM education, including the Presidential Award for Excellence and Teaching in Science and Mathematics (PAEMST), and actively engages in professional service. Marni’s skills encompass STEM-integrated curriculum development, Project-Based Learning (PBL), project management, and staff development.
Email : [email protected]
Dr. LaVonne Riggs
Dr. LaVonne Riggs is an Assistant Professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, serves in the Department of Online Learning, and is an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education at Grand Canyon University. She has been a dedicated member of the GCU community for eight years and brings over 20 years of experience in the field of education.
As one of the content leads for the Department of Online Learning, Dr. Riggs focuses on curriculum development and quality assurance for online programs. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, a Master’s in Special Education from Azusa Pacific University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Washington State University.
Throughout her career, Dr. Riggs has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusive education and leadership development, inspiring and mentoring students along the way. She brings expertise in curriculum design, organizational leadership, and collaborative planning, and is enthusiastic about building meaningful learning experiences that support the ongoing success of the Lopes community.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Alexis Register
Dr. Alexis Register is a full-time faculty member at Grand Canyon University and the Program Manager for the Center for Educational Technology and Learning Advancement (CETLA). She has been with GCU for 16 years, where she leads initiatives that integrate innovation, community, and technology across online learning environments. In her dual role, Dr. Register manages the Department of Online Teaching and Learning’s social media presence and supports CETLA’s mission to empower faculty, staff, and students through cutting-edge educational technologies and its vision to foster a university-wide culture of innovation.
Dr. Register earned her Ph.D. in Cognition and Instruction, holds a Master’s in Leadership, and has extensive experience teaching psychology and student success courses. Her work centers on the intersection of educational psychology, instructional design, and AI integration in online learning.
A passionate advocate for AI literacy and ethical innovation, Dr. Register has contributed to multiple scholarly projects, including two forthcoming book chapters: AI’s Potential Impact on Critical Thinking and Creativity in Online Higher Education and Humanizing the Machine: Student Psychological Responses to AI-Generated Feedback in Online Education. She also authored the accepted eLearn Magazine article Teaching with Emotional Intelligence in the Digital Age: How AI Can Amplify the Human Touch.
Beyond her scholarly contributions, Dr. Register has served as a dissertation content expert for the College of Doctoral Studies, 2025 nominee for SoTL’s Teaching Showcase, and received the 2025 Provost Excellence Award for her impact in online education and faculty engagement. She currently sits on the AI committee, Faculty-Student Community Building Committee, and runs the Social Media Committee for DoTL.
Her work reflects a deep commitment to helping educators embrace emerging technologies with purpose, transforming digital spaces into places of connection, creativity, and character-driven learning.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Jennifer Pellish
Dr. Jennifer Pellish has been an Online Full-Time Faculty member at Grand Canyon University since 2018. As an instructor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, she teaches university success courses and English Composition 1 and 2. She is actively engaged in scholarship, as demonstrated by her involvement in university faculty presentations and publication in the Journal of Instructional Research, SN Social Sciences, and eLearn Magazine.
Before obtaining her position at GCU, Dr. Pellish served on the faculty of various high schools from 1987 to 2018. During her tenure as a high school instructor, she held positions including English Department Lead Teacher, Curriculum Coordinator, Mentor Teacher, and Fine Arts Department Chair. She is certified by the Arizona Department of Education with approved areas in Structured English Immersion, Pre-K-12, and Reading, 6-12. In addition, she is certified by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and is a member of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Grand Canyon University Chapter.
In recognition of her commitment to excellence, Dr. Pellish was awarded the 2025 Provost Excellence Award. Additionally, Dr. Pellish earned a Doctor of Education degree in Teaching and Learning with an emphasis in Adult Learning from GCU in 2025. Dr. Pellish’s research focused on the influence of AI generative technology on online higher education.
As an instructor, she strives to inspire students to reach high academic and personal standards through a supportive learning environment and modeling a genuine commitment to lifelong learning. By continually seeking new knowledge and skills herself, she strives to set a positive example and encourage students to stay curious, challenge themselves, and pursue growth throughout their lives.
Email: [email protected]
Dr. MaryBeth Nipp
Dr. Nipp is an Assistant Professor at Grand Canyon University, where she has taught first-year English composition for the past 15 years. Within the online full-time division, she has also served as the Content Lead and Faculty Chair. Her primary research and teaching interests center on effective feedback (the focus of her dissertation) and enhancing social presence through video conferencing.
With a background in teaching English and working with English Language Learners in K–12 public and private schools, Dr. Nipp brings a broad perspective to higher education. A highlight of her career was teaching English at a local university in Szeged, Hungary, where she worked with students of varied language proficiency. Dr. Nipp is committed to supporting marginalized populations, and has presented on this topic at conferences in Arizona, Hawai’i, Nevada, and California. Her recent publications explore innovative uses of video conferencing to increase student engagement and connection.
At Grand Canyon University, Dr. Nipp serves on the Faculty Advisory Board, leads a peer review committee, and collaborates with colleagues in weekly Zoom sessions. She is also participating in a pilot project exploring the use of AI for providing personalized paper feedback. Beyond service at the university, she volunteers with Feed My Starving Children and serves on her local church’s worship team.
Dr. Nipp’s teaching philosophy emphasizes personalization and formative feedback that encourages growth as much as correction. Passionate about the opportunities online learning offers adult learners, she continually seeks new, research-based methods to support and engage diverse student populations.
Angella E. Mundle
Angella Mundle is a performance-driven educator dedicated to fostering student growth, development, and long-term academic success. She currently serves as a full-time online Faculty Member at Grand Canyon Education since 2013 in the College of Education and the Department of Online Teaching and Learning (D.O.T.L.), where she supports emerging educators and champions innovative, research-informed instructional practices.
With over 20 years of experience across both private and public-school systems, Angella brings deep expertise in special education and a proven track record of excellence at the elementary and higher education levels. Her professional passions include educational leadership, higher education teaching, and adult mentorship where she has influenced countless learners and colleagues throughout her career.
Angella is actively engaged in research centered on teacher preparation and the support needs of new educators in early childhood special education. Her work aims to improve teacher readiness, retention, and overall instructional effectiveness in this critical field.
Outside of her professional work, Angella enjoys fashion and reimagining designs, exploring nature especially rivers, oceans, and other natural water, watching movies, reading, and listening to audiobooks. She values time spent with family and friends and brings the same spirit of curiosity and connection to her personal life as she does to her work in education.
Email: [email protected]
Stephanie Maher Palenque
Stephanie Maher Palenque is an associate professor of English and writing at Grand Canyon University, where she teaches composition, literature, and linguistics to primarily nontraditional and adult learners. Her research examines instructor identity, metaphor, and presence in online writing classrooms, with a focus on confidence, persistence, and writing development among adult and returning students. She is a published book author and has written extensively in commercial, scholarly, and peer-reviewed journals.
Before entering higher education, Stephanie worked as a professional book editor on the East Coast with Reed Elsevier and Little, Brown/Time Warner Trade Publishing. She holds an M.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing from Seton Hall University, an M.Ed. from Northern Arizona University, and an M.S. in Psychology from Grand Canyon University, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Adult Education.
Her scholarship is anchored in the Powerlifting Professor (powerliftingprofessor.com) framework, a metaphor-driven pedagogical model that applies principles of strength training to writing development and informs her dissertation research within the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning.
Outside of her professional work, Angella enjoys fashion and reimagining designs, exploring nature especially rivers, oceans, and other natural water, watching movies, reading, and listening to audiobooks. She values time spent with family and friends and brings the same spirit of curiosity and connection to her personal life as she does to her work in education.
Email: [email protected]
MacMillan Collaborators
Kathryn Treadway
Kathryn Treadway is a Sales Manager for Institutional Specialists at Macmillan Learning, where she has spent more than 20 years partnering with colleges and universities to support teaching, learning, and institutional transformation. Throughout her career, Kathryn has worked closely with faculty, academic leaders, and campus stakeholders to identify emerging needs and translate them into meaningful, scalable solutions—particularly in the areas of digital learning, student engagement, and data-informed decision making.
Her work emphasizes collaboration over transactions, with a focus on co-creating tools and strategies that help institutions innovate responsibly and effectively. As conversations around artificial intelligence continue to reshape higher education, Kathryn is especially interested in how AI-enabled technologies can enhance learning experiences while remaining human-centered, equitable, and pedagogically sound.
Kathryn brings a long-term, systems-level perspective to her work, grounded in deep institutional relationships and a commitment to continuous improvement across the higher education ecosystem.
Deb Postlewait
Deb Postlewait, National Accounts Manager for Macmillan Learning is a proactive leader working at the intersection of education and technology, known for building strong, results-driven partnerships across diverse market sectors. With a collaborative approach that spans multiple disciplines, departments, and audiences, Deb brings people together to move ideas into action.
A creative negotiator, Deb focuses on establishing clear expectations and win-win outcomes, with persistent follow-up to manage projects and relationships. As a passionate communicator and presenter, she engages audiences with energy, clarity, and purpose, helping complex ideas resonate and inspire.
She has dedicated her career to integrating technology into K–12 and higher education classrooms across the country and internationally, ensuring innovative tools support strong pedagogy and real institutional impact. To learn more, connect with Deb on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/debpostlewait .
Beyond her professional work, Deb is an avid fly fisher, a dedicated triathlete who raises funds for charitable causes, and a lyric first soprano—interests that reflect a deep appreciation for discipline, creativity, and community.
Email: [email protected]
