Our Team

Dr. Tessa is a former dissertation boot camp client who has served as an educator, coach, athletic director, dean, school board member and a San Jose State University master teacher for their secondary level credential program. Her research interests include the examination of teacher attrition issues, effective administrative support practices, and the evolution of induction/mentor programs. She earned an EdD from Northcentral University, MA in Counselor Education from San Jose State University, and BA in Communication Studies from San Diego State University.

Dr. Debra is a research methodologist with extensive experience in both quantitative and qualitative research design. She has published more than 20 peer-reviewed academic articles, book chapters, and books while also a popular public speaker at academic and industry conferences such as Disrupt HR, OPEX Week Business Transformation World Summit, and the Faith at Work Summit. Dr. Dean worked in corporate America for 25 years and now serves as an adjunct professor who teaches: Quantitative Research Methods, Descriptive Analytics, Managing Business Analytics, Corporate Ethics and Data Policy alongside Leadership Analytics.

Dr. Mark earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University, master’s degree from New England College with a focus in Program Management, and his Ph.D. from Capella University. His quantitative research focused on the impact that critical thinking skills can have on program management and business success. Professionally, Dr. Mark is now retired after 24 years of service as an officer in the United States Army and currently mentors several Delta Mu Delta scholars while also serving as an independent consultant with multiple small companies in the defense sector.

Dr. Adair is a State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNYAB) graduate in the Department of Educational Organization and Administrative Policy. Her focus was on the Sociology of Education/Social Foundations with a concentration in Urban Education. She also received a Master’s Degree and Permanent Certification in School Counseling from SUNYAB. After serving 27 years as a School Counselor, she retired and became a bestselling author.  Dr. Adair has taught Writing for Research, Educational Research Methods, Foundations of Education and related courses at several universities for over 25 years.

Dr. Maja James is a University of South Carolina graduate with a Bachelors of Science in Business with an emphasis in Finance. She also has a Masters in Business from the University of Phoenix and a Doctorate in Business with an emphasis in Human Resources from Northcentral University. Maja works as a Senior Human Resource Manager/HR Business Partner for a major Paper Packaging company and has been in the HR industry for over 20 years. Maja serves as an adjunct professor for both Beulah Heights University and Centralstate University. She is also a contributing writer for Bibs & Business Magazine. As a former client of the program, Dr. Maja is passionate about sharing her own experience and encouraging dissertation learners to stay focused on their goals.

Dr. Missy has served as an English educator with certifications and endorsements in Gifted Education and Teacher Support for the past twenty-eight years. In 2005, Dr. Missy earned a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Augusta State University followed by her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix in 2020. Her research interests include content-area reading and writing, middle school teacher professional learning, classroom climate studies, teacher attrition, new teacher retention and induction programs.

Dr. Laura is a professional dissertation editor, word nerd, and grammar cop who pays attention to every phrase, every comma, and every margin. In addition to a PhD in Forensic Psychology from Walden University, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and an MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She is an Associate Professor of English, Psychology, and Sociology at Colorado Technical University.