Roberta Teahen, Ph.D.
Director and Associate Provost

Dr. Teahen is responsible for accreditation, assessment, online learning, and faculty development, among other responsibilities. She earned her Ph.D. in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education at Michigan State University in 2000. She served in faculty and administrative roles at Northwestern Michigan College before joining Ferris in 2002 as the Dean of the University Center for Extended Learning. Dr. Teahen's NMC roles included Business faculty, Business division chair, Dean of Occupational Studies, and Director of Student Development and Learning Services. She has also taught as an adjunct for Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, and Eastern Michigan University.

Andrea (Andie) Wirgau, Ed.D.
Assistant Director

Dr. Wirgau is responsible for admissions, class coordination, and other areas that ensure a smooth path through the doctorate program. She holds a B.A. in Communication Arts from Aquinas College, an M.S. in Experiential Leadership from Aurora University, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University.

She served as Coordinator of Student Activities for five years at College of DuPage prior to her move back to Michigan. She is passionate about leadership and has instructed leadership programs for the YMCA and several outdoor-education companies. She is also a graduate of the Leadership Chair Academy and Certified Strengths Advocate through the Gallup Organization.

Sandra J. (Sandy) Balkema, Ph.D.
Dissertation Director and Professor of English

Dr. Balkema teaches writing at all levels, from developmental and freshman composition to advanced technical writing. She is the coordinator of the Technical and Professional Communication (B.S.) program and teaches rhetorical analysis, publication design, editing, and project management courses for the program. Dr. Balkema has received several teaching awards, including the Teaching Excellence Award and Michigan Association of Governing Boards (MAGB) Award, and she has been a writer/editor for the last four of Ferris' NCA/HLC accreditation reports. Her degrees include a Ph.D. in English & Education and an M.A. in Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, and a  B.A. in English Language & Literature from Calvin College.

Lynne Hernandez
Student Services Specialist

Lynne spent more than 30 years in K-12 as a teacher, counselor, and administrator. She also served as an adjunct instructor in math and administration at several colleges, including Montcalm Community College, Aquinas College, and Grand Valley State University. Her last ten years were spent actively involved in Tech Prep developing partnerships between school districts and community colleges.

Trisha Konovalov
Graduate Assistant

Trisha holds B.A. (Marygrove College), B.S.W. (Ferris State University) and M.A. (Central Michigan University) degrees. She has 20 years of teaching experience, including having taught at a university abroad and a community college in Michigan. She is a member of Cohort One of the DCCL program and serves as the graduate assistant to the program.

Daniel P. Campbell
Program Assistant

Dan holds a B.S. in Human Resource Management from Central Michigan University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Ferris State University. He has served the Boy Scouts of America in volunteer and professional roles focused on leadership training.