Faculty Directory
Dr. Tomi Wahlstrom Biography
Dr. Tomi L. Wahlström is a multilingual, multicultural academic leader with expertise in teaching, business, academic management, consulting and clinical human services.
He previously served for more than a decade at the American Intercontinental University (AIU) in Chicago, Ill., and Los Angeles, Calif., where he held numerous roles including lead faculty, program chair, associate vice president of academic affairs and dean of business.
Wahlström previously served as vice president of academic affairs at Argosy University in Tampa, Fla., dean of professional studies and human services at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, Fla., and executive director of the Center for Social Responsibility and Community for the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta. He has also served on the faculty for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Colorado State University Pueblo and the University of Maryland.
In addition to his work in education, Wahlström has for more than a decade managed Otavala Consulting, Inc., a nationally recognized firm that specializes in strategic planning, organizational development and leadership in higher education. He previously owned management consulting companies Omni Management Group in Colorado and Apollo Consulting in Hawaii.
Throughout his career, Wahlström has specialized in management consulting, leadership coaching, career counseling, conflict mediation and public speaking. He has also served as a clinical/family therapist.
Wahlström holds a Doctor of Management degree from Colorado Technical University, a master’s degree in human resource management from the Hawaii Pacific University and a master’s degree in instructional design from Saint Leo (Fla.) University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hawaii Pacific.
Dr. Fred Cromartie's Biography
Dr. Fred Cromartie is the Director of Doctoral Studies at the Academy. Cromartie is also an Academy alumnus, having earned his Doctor of Education and Master of Sports Science degrees here. Cromartie also holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Webster University and a bachelor’s degree from Ripon College.
At the Academy, Cromartie has held various leadership positions including: Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Chair of Sports Studies, Chair of Sports Medicine, Chair of Health and Fitness Management, Chair of Sports Coaching, Executive Director of Alumni Relations and a member of the Alumni Associations Board of Directors, Director of Student Services, Director of Continuing Education, Distance Learning Faculty Member, Admissions Counselor and Graduate Assistant.
Cromartie was recognized for his service to the Academy by being selected as The Distinguished Alumnus of the Year 2002.
Dr. Brandon Spradley's Biography
He was the key speaker for the opening ceremony of an international sports program on the need for business education in sports management and has received numerous academic and athletic achievement awards. Dr. Spradley is one of the youngest faculty members in the history of the Academy promoted to associate professor rank and was one of the youngest students to earn a doctoral degree. His expertise is in leadership, sports administration, and concussion education. Dr. Spradley has been involved in developing and facilitating concussion awareness programs in the state of Alabama and is dedicated to educating coaches, administrators, athletes, and parents about sports-related concussions.
Dr. Spradley was also a track and field sprinter at The University of Alabama, where he completed his master’s and bachelor’s degrees. He was a four-time NCAA regional qualifier and a two-time NCAA national qualifier in track and field running on nationally ranked relay teams. Dr. Spradley currently serves in various leadership capacities for successful non-profit and service-oriented organizations. He is a dedicated educator with a blend of expertise in teaching, leading, and serving.
Dr. Sandra Geringer
Director of Recreation Management and Sports Studies
Dr. Sandra Geringer's Biography
Previously, Geringer served as Study Abroad Coordinator at Cuyahoga Community College in Highland Hills, Ohio, where she assisted students with opportunities to study abroad. At the same institution, she served as program assistant at the Global Issues Research Center.
She earlier served as an office manager for Project HOPE-Virginia in Williamsburg, Va., which is Virginia’s program for the education of homeless children and youth.
Geringer also has served as the assistant director of special events for the Athletic Department at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg,Va., and recreational coordinator at the Chagrin Valley Recreation Department in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Geringer has extensive experience as a tennis professional and has coached women’s and men’s tennis teams at the high school and collegiate levels. She was the interim head men’s and women’s varsity tennis coach at Cleveland State University in Ohio. She has held the position of tennis professional in the resort, private club, and recreational settings for over 15 years.
Geringer has taught numerous courses abroad for the Academy, including the International Diploma in Physical Education and Sport Coaching in Malaysia and the Sport Authority of Thailand Certification in Sports Management program.
She was a member of the women’s varsity tennis team and earned a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in sports management from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, in 1997, and a master’s degree in education with a focus on higher education administration from the College of William and Mary in 2011.
Dr. Roch A. King's Biography
King served as the director of sport development for Indiana Swimming and oversaw the High-Performance Plan for club swimming throughout the state. He has coached swimming at all levels from age-group to masters including serving on the staff at Carmel Swim Club (CSC) and Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind. King has also held coaching certifications in volleyball and water polo.
King served a three-year term on the executive board of the National Council for the Accreditation of Coaching Education, during which he served one year as president (2006-2007). He has celebrated his 18th year as a senior trainer for the Positive Coaching Alliance for whom he has led live workshops for coaches, athletes, parents, and youth sport organization leaders across the country. King has presented on coaching and coach education internationally in countries such as the United Kingdom, Thailand, Malaysia, and Finland.
Dr. Vandy Pacetti-Donelson
Director of Library and Instructional Design
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Biography
Dr. Vandy Pacetti-Donelson's Biography
Dr. Vandy Pacetti-Donelson is the United States Sports Academy’s Director of Library and Instructional Design, and an instructor of humanities and research.
Pacetti-Donelson earned her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and her doctoral degree from Nova Southeastern University in Instructional Leadership with an emphasis in Instructional Technology and Distance Education.
Previously, Pacetti-Donelson served 20 years as a Librarian and Educator in K-12 education in central Florida before serving as Online Librarian at Ultimate Medical Academy in Tampa, Florida. She is a nationally recognized presenter and advocate for libraries.
Pacetti-Donelson was a member of the billiards team at the University of Mississippi, where she completed master’s and bachelor’s degrees. She has also served as a USA Archery Certified Instructor for the Heart of Florida Girl Scouts of America.
Dr. Katrina Wahlstrom
Director of the Center for Professional Studies and Continuing Education
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Biography
Dr. Katrina Wahlstrom's Biography
Dr. Katrina Wahlstrom is an accomplished business and education professional with a demonstrated history working in the higher education industry. Wahlstrom has excelled in roles working in career development, coaching, conflict resolution, instructional design, and facilitation.
Wahlstrom has worked in higher education as a faculty member, administrator, and advisor at Saint Leo University and American InterContinental University. She also worked as a managing partner in management consulting firm Otavala Consulting in Tampa, Fla.
Wahlstrom holds a Doctor of Management degree in organizational development and change from Colorado Technical University and a master’s degree in business administration from North Park University. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American InterContinental University. She is also certified as a Professional Resume Writer by the Professional Association of Resume Writers.
Mr. Robert Herron's Biography
Robert L. Herron is the Acting Director of Sports Exercise Science at the United States Sports Academy. Herron earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Auburn University at Montgomery and a master’s degree in exercise science from the University of Alabama. Additionally, he is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® with distinction from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CSCS*D) and a clinical exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM-CEP). Herron has extensive experience in higher education teaching and applied research.
Dr. Carlos Aquino's Biography
Dr. Carlos Tasso Eira De Aquino is an accomplished professor, combining a Ph.D. and two post-docs with more than 20 years of experience in leading companies and higher education organizations, and contributing to scholarship in different areas of knowledge. Along his career, Aquino accumulated achievements and recognition as Chief Academic Officer, Provost, Executive Director, Dean of Business, Dean of Accreditation, and Chair of Undergraduate and Graduate Programs, in institutions in the United States and abroad, with student and faculty bodies that encompassed a clear diversity of cultures.
In academia, he has been strategically building and leading diverse teams to solve complex, systemic problems, besides managing, teaching, developing and supervising relevant research. He has an extensive experience to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and administrators in a student-centered environment, committed to the integration of professional practices and academics to meet society’s present and future needs.
His experience and network in the Sports arena transcend boundaries and include expertise in teaching and development. He has helped multiple institutions and organizations in the US and abroad to grow their programs, and increase their participation and recognition in global markets. Along his career, Aquino has been responsible for reviewing and updating academic, and continuing education programs, developing new domestic and international partnerships, while coordinating relationships with existing and new partners in the USA, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Africa. He is well-traveled and multilingual, being a native speaker of Portuguese and fluent in English and Spanish, with basic understanding of Italian and French.
Aquino is also a prolific scholar, with his academic production including more than 100 publications and presentations in journals and peer-reviewed conferences, and being the speaker and panelist in more than 30 events in the USA and abroad. Only in the past three years he had more than 17 conference presentations and 10 peer-reviewed articles accepted by peer-reviewed journals. He has recently published 2 books with Springer-Palgrave McMillan: Diversity and Inclusion in the Global Workplace: Aligning Initiatives with Strategic Business Goals (September 2017), and Effective and Creative Leadership in Diverse Workforces: Improving Organizational Performance and Culture in the Workplace (January 2019). He is currently writing a third one, focusing on Diversity and Inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean region. He previously authored a book on Andragogy and Adult Education, published by Pearson Brazil in 2008.
Dr. Marty K. Avant's Biography
Dr. Anthony Borgese's Biography
Dr. Dexter J. Davis's Biography
Dr. Erwei Dong's Biography
Dr. Stan Drawdy's Biography
Ms. Sanita Jetton's Biography
Sanita Jetton is a professor of art and course writer at Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Ala. She previously worked as an adjunct art professor at both the University of South Alabama and Faulkner State Community College.
An accomplished painter, Jetton earned her Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Mo., and her bachelor’s degree in painting from the University of South Alabama. She has exhibited her works in galleries in Mobile, Ala.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Ysilanti, Mich. She is certified by both the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and Lead U.
Dr. William Kruse's Biography
Dr. Kruse has over 23 years of experience as a litigator, trial, and sports attorney. He is a member of the bar association in the states of California and Texas. Additionally, Dr. Kruse is General Counsel and Head of Officials for one of the largest youth football and cheer organizations in the United States. He is part of the team which certifies and instructs thousands of board members, coaches, and officials throughout the year. Further, he has officiated American football at the college, high school, and youth levels.
Dr. Jordan Moon's Biography
Dr. Moon is the Executive Director of Research and Education at ImpediMed Inc., a medical device company focusing on fluid and tissue changes in clinical populations. He is a former Department Chair of Sports Exercise Science at the United States Sports Academy and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS*D) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as well as a Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C) through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). He has trained all levels of athletes, including professionals in Major League Baseball, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, as well as college athletes and teams in addition to youth and fitness clients.
Dr. Moon has been teaching undergraduate and graduate students for over a decade, has presented over 45 lectures at multiple scientific conferences and events both nationally and internationally, and he has published more than 135 research articles and abstracts in dozens of journals. He has also written a book chapter and published a book in the areas of sports nutrition, exercise science, body composition, body water, and changes regarding age and fitness level. Dr. Moon received his PhD in Exercise Physiology from The University of Oklahoma, his Master’s degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Florida Atlantic University, and his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Grand Valley State University.
Dr. Tim Newman's Biography
Dr. Bonnie Tiell's Biography
At Tiffin University, Tiell has served as Dean of Graduate Education, NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative, MBA Chairperson, Senior Woman Administrator, Assistant Athletic Director, and Head Coach for volleyball, softball (national qualifier 1993) and tennis (national qualifier 2003). She earned a Bachelor’s of Education from Troy University, a Masters in Sport Administration from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a Doctorate in Sport Management and Human Resources from the United States Sports Academy where she was recognized as the 2014 Alumnus of Year. As a former recipient of the Region 4 Excellence in Teaching Award through the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs, Tiell is also a member of the Tiffin University Athletic Hall of Fame and recipient of the 2013 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference Donahue Service Award.
Dr. Brian Wallace's Biography
Dr. Brian Wallace is part of our non-resident faculty at the United States Sports Academy, where he previously served as chair of sport fitness and health. He has also served on the Academy’s National Faculty, a group of highly qualified faculty who teach in the institution’s international post-secondary non-degree education programs. He has served on numerous doctoral dissertation committees for the institution and directed the Academy’s Human Performance Lab.
After earning his Ph.D. in exercise physiology from Florida State University (FSU), Wallace directed the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, Fitness and Testing Center at Tallahassee Memorial Regional Medical Center. He also has served as senior vice president of applied physiology and nutrition for the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Fla., and executive director of the lifestyle and performance center at Evolution Sports Science in Boston, Mass.
Wallace has served as an adjunct professor at FSU, as well as a seminar speaker and consultant for Cross Country Education (Vyne Education). He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and has numerous publications in scientific, medical and fitness journals.
Wallace has an extensive research record and his certifications have included the ACSM and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He has more than 30 years of experience with everyone from Olympic and professional athletes to cardiac and diabetic patients. This background has allowed Wallace to create a cutting edge physiologic testing system that blends the most recent advances in health, fitness, and nutrition science to identify individual strengths, weaknesses and needs.
Wallace earned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in exercise physiology from Southern Illinois University.
Ms. Holly Park's Bio
Ms. Marjorie Sander's Bio
Marjorie Sanders holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Alabama, and a bachelor’s degree in English with a creative writing concentration from the University of Southern Mississippi. Marjorie has been at the Academy since 2019, and has served in various student-facing roles for the last 10 years. She is passionate about student support and is especially interested in working to create equitable opportunities and access to education for students at all levels. She plans to continue her studies at the doctoral level, pursuing additional scholarship and research in higher education policy and leadership. In addition to her educational endeavors, Marjorie is a published creative writer, with her work appearing in multiple anthologies, literary journals and magazines.