Mary Addison is the executive assistant to the dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology (BCET) since 2013. She began her work at ODU's Human Movement Science in the College of Education, formally known as Exercise Science, Physical Education, & Recreation (ESPER), in 2006. In October 2006, she completed her bachelor of arts in Occupational and Technical Studies and in 2018, her master's degree in Occupational & Technical Studies. Among other duties assigned, Addison was appointed as an instructional designer for the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering department. Her upbeat and pleasing personality is the perfect fit for the job as an instructional designer. She fosters collaboration, synergistic partnerships among the faculty. She consults, analyzes, and develops highly engaging and interactive learning solutions focused on student success initiatives. Her eagerness to stay current with new technologies allowed her to apply advanced adult learning theories into practical, application-based learning strategies.
Lesa Clark currently serves as the Executive Director for the Office Intercultural Relations and Student Enrollment and Engagement Services Diversity Liaison at Old Dominion University. With her team, this unit creates learning and cultural opportunities that promotes an inclusive and equitable university climate that values and respects the diversity and identities of all university members. A strategic visionary, her commitment has resulted in the development and implementation of hundreds of programs, initiatives, and events that prepare students for global participation and equitable leadership inclusive as it pertains individual, regional, national, and global perspectives and experiences. She has developed cultural learning labs whereby student participants are challenged and equipped to operate from a cultural intelligence framework. She recently created a training seminar that focus on cultural humility as the framework for cultural competency. Having served clients within the corporate, educational, non-profit, and faith communities, her role as a consultant has resulted in training services designed to develop internal skills required for authentic, and equitable cross-cultural engagement. Her published work focuses on cultural learning styles and its impact within the learning environment. As her role as a certified Cultural Intelligence practitioner, Conflict Mediator, Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Developmental Inventory, and Ph.D candidate in the Organizational Leadership & Social Change program at Antioch University, her research and passion centers around positive organizational leadership and organizational effectiveness that integrates and sustains diversity, inclusion, and equity within organizational and societal structures.
Cynthia Meca is an Academic Advisor in the College of Sciences. She works with Biology and Psychology students and is the advisor liaison for Transfer students. She earned her Bachelors and Masters from Florida International University and will be working on her PhD in Higher Education at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Cynthia’s main interests include factors that contribute to Hispanic/Latinx college students’, academic motivation and success as students navigate higher education.
Dr. Josh Steinfeld is Director of the Graduate Certificate in Public Procurement & Contract Management and an Assistant Professor of Public Service in the Strome College of Business at Old Dominion University. Dr. Steinfeld’s work has been focused on procurement and government contracting for federal, state, and local government. His research is geared towards the strategic and socio-economic orientation of public organizations and the formation of public-private partnerships. He majored in Organizational Behavior at Boston University, earned a Master’s in Finance at Johns Hopkins University, a Master’s in Leadership at University of Denver, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University. His favorite part of the job is mentoring students toward pursuing their career endeavors while advancing organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Passion Studivant is the Director for TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She secured 1.9 million dollars in grant funding from the Department of Education, to provide opportunities for academic development, to assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of participants who are first generation college students, from limited income families, or have a documented disability. The SSS program provides services which include individualized tutoring, mentoring, financial literacy education and more. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Licensed School Counselor. Passion received her Master of Science in Education degree in both College Counseling and School Counseling from Old Dominion University. What she enjoys most about her job is having the ability to inspire and engage with students who are from backgrounds similar to hers.