Julius Adekunle, Ph.D.
He is the author and co-author of many books including “Converging Identities: Blackness in the Modern African Diaspora” (African World, 2013), “Color Struck: Essays on Race and Ethnicity in Global Perspective” (University Press of America, 2012), “Religion in Politics: Secularism and National Integration in Modern Nigeria” (Africa World Press, Inc., 2009), and “Culture and Customs of Rwanda” (Greenwood Press, 2007).
Expertise: Dr. Adekunle can speak on the following topics: African culture, ethnicity, history, politics, and religion.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Africa in World History
Africa has a long and rich cultural and political history. For political and economic reasons, Africa occupies a strategic place in the world, especially since World War II. With 54 independent countries, Africa remains central to world affairs and development. Africa has not existed in isolation, but has participated in and contributed to world affairs.
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Mirta Barrea-Marlys, Ph.D.
She is a specialist in world language acquisition and pedagogy. She is associate professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Foreign Language Studies. She received a Ph.D. in Romance Languages from the University of Pennsylvania.
Expertise: Dr. Barea-Marlys can speak on the following topics: Spanish and Italian Language, Literature and Linguistics, Medieval and Golden Age Spanish Theater, Latin American Colonial Theater, and Latin American women writers.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Stanley Blair, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from Duke University.
Expertise: Dr. Blair can speak on the following topics: New Jersey literature, literary history and folklore, late 19th – early 20th century American literature, writing/rhetoric, creative writing/literary magazines.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups, High School
Kristin Bluemel, Ph.D.
She is the Wayne D. McMurray Chair in the Humanities. She received a Ph.D. from Rutgers University.
Expertise: Dr. Bluemel can speak on the following topics: British literature and culture (1914 – 1945), British literature of World War, and George Orwell, Anti-Semitism in 20th century Britain, 20th century British women writers, contemporary literary criticism and theory.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Children’s Literature
Recommended Audience(s):
Kenneth Campbell, Ph.D.
Dr. Campbell holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Delaware, and has taught, researched, written, and thought about the history of the British Isles for more than thirty years.
Expertise: Dr. Campbell can speak on the following topics: Ireland’s history, western civilization, history of the British Isles, medieval and early modern Europe. He also has a special interest in the Beatles, on which he has taught a seminar for first-year students at Monmouth since 2010.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s):
John Comiskey, M.A.
He oversees the Homeland Security degree program at Monmouth University and is a retired member of the New York City Police Department. His most recent assignment included borough and citywide counterterrorism operations including the UN General Assembly and U.S. Tennis Open. John is also a retired member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve where he served as an intelligence specialist at Sector New York and Dam Neck, Virginia. He is the author of “USCG, Sector New York’s 2010 Intelligence Preparation of the Maritime Domain.”
Expertise: John Comiskey can speak on the following topics: counterterrorism operations, event management, disorder control, patrol, and criminal justice administration.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Maritime Intelligence
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
NYPD’s Intelligence Enterprise
Recommended Audience(s): College or University
Local police role in national intelligence
Recommended Audience(s): College or University
Rekha Datta, Ph.D.
She is author of “Why Alliances Endure – The United States-Pakistan Alliance, 1954-1971” and “Beyond Realism: Human Security in India and Pakistan in the Twenty-First Century.” She received a Ph.D. from University of Connecticut.
Expertise: Dr. Datta can speak on the relations of Pakistan and India as well as the issue of violence against women and the empowerment of women.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Lisa Dinella, Ph.D.
Her research program is housed at the Gender Development Laboratory at Monmouth University, where she studies the social and interpersonal factors that influence individuals academic and career pursuits. She received a Ph.D. in Family Science, with concentrations in Marriage and Family Therapy and Child Development from Arizona State University.
Expertise: Dr. Dinella can speak on the following topics: gender identity, academic achievement, and career development.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
The Power of Pink: Does the Color of a Toy Really Matter?
This talk discusses the marketing strategy of selling pink and blue toys for girls and boys. The consequences of labeling toys as “girl toys” or “blue toys” are discussed.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Princesses and Superheroes as Role Models: The Media Influence on Children and Young Adults
This talk discusses recent scientific findings on how kids and young adults incorporate princesses and superhero characters into their thoughts about being a girl or a boy. The role of media and marketing is included in the talk.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Research in Schools
This talk reviews current tactics and strategies to unite school stakeholders and researchers in ways that benefit both groups.
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University
Women, the media, and Body Image
Talk discusses the role of media in young girls’ lives, and their perceptions of themselves and their bodies.
Recommended Audience(s): Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
Masculinity Development in Adolescence
This talk is designed to provide an overview of current research in the area of masculinity development for young men. It covers relevant (and sometimes controversial) topics such as the impact of media and cultural scripts on young men’s perspectives of what it means to be a man, sexual orientation and identity, and bullying/victimization.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Psychology of the Twilight Series
This talk shows how marriage and family therapy techniques can be applied to families, using the Twilight Series’ families (the Swans, Cullens, and werewolf clans) as models.
Recommended Audience(s): Middle School, High School, College or University, Community Groups
William Gorman, M.S.
He received his M.S. from Monmouth University.
Expertise: William Gorman can speak about the following topics: current events and politics (world and U.S.), contemporary economic policy and deficit, and economic history.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, High School
Christine Hatchard, Psy.D.
She is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Eatontown, NJ and a specialist professor of Clinical Psychology. Since 1999, she has been the director of Making Daughters Safe Again (MDSA), providing information and support for survivors of mother-daughter sexual abuse. In 2011, she released a full-length documentary, “Who Will Love Me: Four Stories of Mother-Daughter Sexual Abuse,” a film that she solely produced, directed and edited. She received a Psy.D. from Chestnut Hill College.
Expertise: Dr. Hatchard can speak on supporting survivors of mother-daughter sexual abuse.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Criminal Minds: Profiling Female Sexual Abusers
The most well-known models of sexual perpetrators are based upon male offenders and within the family, are based upon the father as the abuser. However, females comprise about 1 in 4 sexual perpetrators and mother-daughter sexual abuse is the most underreported form of abuse. Psychological profiles of female and maternal perpetrators, common family dynamics within families with sexually abusive mothers and strategies for identifying and assisting child victims will be discussed. Presentation topic is appropriate for professionals working with children.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Who Will Love Me? Four Stories of Mother-daughter Sexual Abuse
The sexual abuse of girls by their mothers is often referred to as “the last secret.” In this groundbreaking documentary film, four courageous women who were sexually abused by their mothers in childhood share their compelling stories. Meant to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic, the audience will receive vital information that will assist them in understanding the unique dynamics and consequences of this overlooked and underreported form of child abuse. The film viewing can be combined with a Q&A with the director/producer, Dr. Hatchard.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Who Will Protect Me? Helping Survivors of Mother-daughter Sexual Abuse
Adult survivors of mother-daughter sexual abuse report an alarmingly low rate of intervention as children. In this presentation, the audience will learn the latest statistics and research regarding this phenomenon. Profiles of female perpetrators, family dynamics in abusive families, strategies for identifying and assisting victims and unique concerns of survivors will also be discussed.
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups
Gary Lewandowski, Ph.D.
He is a co-founder of ScienceofRelationships.com and director of the Relationship Science Laboratory at Monmouth University. Dr. Lewandowski’s work has also appeared in numerous media outlets such as: CNN, the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, WebMD, Radio Health Journal, Science Daily, Women’s Health, Marie Claire, Woman’s World, Maxim, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, Self Magazine, and Ladies’ Home Journal. He received a Ph.D. from Stony Brook University.
Expertise: Dr. Lewandowski can speak about the role of self in romantic relationships including such processes as: attraction, relationship initiation, relationship maintenance, infidelity, and break-up.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Presentation(s):
Becoming a Better Person in Your Relationship
This talk discusses the process of self-expansion in relationships. Specifically, it examines how relationships contribute to self-growth and the importance of this growth in several relationship processes (e.g., infidelity, break-up, relationship maintenance).
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Casting Light on the Darkness of Dissolution
Examines the nature of break-up and the role of the self. The talk focuses on the benefits of break-up and how to successfully cope with break-up.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Relationships 101
Overview of relationship topics. Talk can be modified to accommodate various audiences.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Why People Stay in Good (and Bad) Relationships
Explores the underlying processes of relationship maintenance, with special attention paid to achieving healthy relationships.
Recommended Audience(s): High School, College or University, Community Groups
Jen McGovern, Ph.D.
She received a Ph.D. from Temple University.
Expertise: Dr. McGovern can speak about how sport intersects with various social and political issues. In particular, she can comment on issues surrounding race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality in sport, how socioeconomic status affects youth participation in sports and physical activity, and the relationship between athletics and sexual assault.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Michael Phillips-Anderson, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from University of Maryland College Park.
Expertise: Dr. Phillips-Anderson can speak on the following topics: political communication, campaigns, public speaking, humor, humor and politics.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups, High School
Joe Rapolla, MBA
Joe Rapolla is the music industry program director and chair of the Department of Music and Theatre Arts at Monmouth University. A recognized music industry innovator, he built and led integrated marketing departments at Universal and Warner Music Group. He also helped build a direct-to-consumer marketing agency and a social research agency, and ran marketing for the video game division of Def Jam Enterprises. He has directed programs for top talent, such as Madonna, Bon Jovi, U2, Green Day, and Sting, and has partnered with the world’s leading entertainment, media, and consumer brands and agencies. He has earned multiple Gold Records for his work at the music companies. He is also a performing songwriter and producer. He has released three studio CD’s and film soundtrack, collaborates with top writers and artists in NYC and Nashville, and continues to perform locally and abroad. He received an MBA from Monmouth University.
Expertise: Music industry, entertainment, digital media, digital marketing, social marketing streaming, business strategy, engagement marketing, direct to consumer marketing, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Saliba Sarsar, Ph.D.
He received a Ph.D. from Rutgers University.
Expertise: Dr. Sarsar can speak about Arab-Israeli peace issues and Middle East affairs.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): Community Groups
Hettie V. Williams, Ph.D.
Expertise: Dr. Williams can speak on the following topics: African American history; African American women’s history; race/ethnicity studies; gender in U.S. history. She has taught survey courses in U.S. history, Western civilization, and upper division courses on the history of African Americans at the university level for more than 15 years.
Dr. Williams has published book chapters, essays, and encyclopedia entries and edited/authored five books. She is the author of “Bury My Heart in a Free Land: Black Women Intellectuals in Modern U.S. History” and co-author of “Race and the Obama Phenomenon: The Vision of a More Perfect Multiracial Union.”
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s):
Kenneth Womack, Ph.D.
Dr. Womack is an internationally renowned Beatles authority, having published five books devoted to the band’s life and times, including Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, and the Fab Four (2006), Long and Winding Roads: The Evolving Artistry of the Beatles (2007), The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles (2009), The Beatles Encyclopedia: Everything Fab Four (2014), and New Critical Perspectives on the Beatles: Things We Said Today (2016). In 2010, The Independent named The Cambridge Companion to the Beatles as “Music Book of the Year,” while Choice honored it as a “Significant University Press Title for Undergraduates, 2009-2010.” Dr. Womack is also the author of the first full-length biography of Sir George Martin, the group’s legendary producer.
Expertise: Dr. Womack offers a wide range of Beatles talks, including multimedia presentations about the evolution of their music and the innovative production techniques associated with Sir George Martin, their famed producer and collaborator.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, Elementary School, High School, Middle School
Melissa Ziobro, M.A.
She received an M.A. from Monmouth University.
Expertise: Oral history, public history, Fort Monmouth, 20-21st century American military history, women in the United States military, archives, records, collections management, and museum studies.
Association(s): Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Audience(s): College or University, Community Groups, High School