Instructors
The award-winning faculty for the Certificate in Supervision Certificate include Creighton University faculty and local professionals chosen for their hands-on, practical knowledge and ability.
Mary Ann Danielson, Ph.D., Associate VP for Academic Excellence & Assessment, Creighton University.
Dr. Danielson is the Associate Vice President for Academic Excellence and Assessment, where she works with Faculty Development and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. She's a reconized authority in the fields of leadership, training and development, organizational communication, among others. Her advance degrees are in Organizational Communication, conferred by the University of Nebraska.
Ms. Cec Farnsworth, President, Trainco Associates, specializing in customized training, consulting and business services.
Cec is President of TRAINCO Associates, an organization that specializes in providing consulting, training and research to organizations in the areas of Quality Improvement, Employee Involvement, Management Development, Creating High Performance Teams, Customer Service, Personal Development and Management Information Systems. Cec has trained, consulted, and authored books in these fields. Cec has Bachelor degrees in Business and Psychology and a Masters in Business.
Erika Kirby, Ph.D., Chair & Associate Professor, Communication Studies, Creighton University.
Dr. Kirby is Chair and Professor of the Communication Studies department at Creighton University. Her teaching and research interests include organizational, applied and working/personal life communication as well as their intersections with gender. She has trained and consulted for multiple departments within Creighton as well as in organizations such as ConAgra, Woodmen of the World and Omaha State Bank. Dr. Kirby has published several articles and is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Applied Communication Research, Communication Studies, and Communication Teacher.
Ms. Carol Horner, President, Synchronicity, Inc.
Carol Horner is President of Synchronicity, Inc. She works with companies and organizations that want their employees, teams, and leaders to "be in synch" and make impact. She has worked extensively in designing and implementing projects that engage learners, challenge mindsets, develop productive relationships, and build insight. Carol affects positive and productive changes in people's attitudes, behaviors, and relationships and creates a direct connection between the vision, values and strategies of a company and the day to day activities of their people. Her clients have included international companies such as Biocor and Shell; local businesses like Cox Communications and OPPD; as well as non-profit organizations like Children's Square USA and the American Red Cross.
Robert E. O'Connor Jr., J.D., practicing attorney and Adjunct Professor, School of Law, Creighton University.
Mr. O'Connor is in private practice at O'Connor & Associates, focusing primarily on employment and civil trial work. He received his J.D. degree in 1974 from Creighton University. He has represented unions and individuals before courts and administrative bodies throughout the Midwest. His trial practice includes the largest reported Nebraska jury verdict in a libel case. Mr. O'Connor serves as Regional Counsel for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) representing pilots in FAA administrative matters, and other issues. Mr. O'Connor was President of the Nebraska State Bar Association from October 2001 to October 2002. He was the head of the NSBA Task Force studying Mandatory Continuing Legal Education for Nebraska lawyers. Mr. O'Connor is a member of the Nebraska Association of Trial Lawyers and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Donna Pawlowski, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Communication Studies, Creighton University.
Dr. Pawlowski is an Associate Professor, in the Department of Communication Studies. Her primary areas of research and teaching are family and health communication, curriculum development, and organizational communication. She is also a faculty member in the Health Administration and Policy program; as well as the Women's and Gender Studies program. Aside from teaching and research, Dr. Pawlowski has presented workshops for the Midwest Consortium of Service-Learning, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Kiewit Construction, and several Creighton organizations.
Ms. Gretchen Finke Patras, President, GFP& Company, Inc., a human performance consulting firm.
Since 1988, Gretchen has been President of GFP & Company, Inc., a firm providing corporate training services and performance improvement consultation. Gretchen has a bachelor degree in behavioral psychology and a masters degree in business management. With over 20 years of real-world experience, she has worked in a variety of industries and managed the training function in a Fortune 500 company prior to starting her own company. Gretchen's areas of specialty include leadership development, customer service, adult learning and instructional design. She frequently holds leadership positions with Boards of Directors, and firmly believes that volunteers make a difference."