Faculty and Staff

Bryan J. Watkins, Ed.D., has over 20 years of higher education experience working and consulting with adult educators and learners in various accelerated and hybrid learning models. Prior to joining SAL, Dr. Watkins served for 14 years in two major roles at Dominican University as both Acting Assistant Provost for Continuing Studies and Special Initiatives, as well as founding executive director and faculty member of the School of Continuing Studies and its predecessors. Additionally, as a founding member, he sits on the Governing Board of the University Center of Lake County, an Illinois Board of Higher Education sponsored consortium. He also served for 7 years as a founding member of the leadership team in the School for Professional & Continuing Education at Lewis University.

Judson Curry, Associate Director of the School of Adult Learning, found his way to North Park University in 1996 as an English instructor.  In 1999, he began his long relationship with adult students as an off-campus coordinator and advisor for the GOAL Program.  As the GOAL Program grew into the School of Adult Learning (SAL), Jud also shifted roles to his current position, which allows him to wear many hats as administrator, advisor, and instructor.  Jud's background and teaching interests are in English literature, writing, improvisation, interdisciplinarity, and learning.

Anita Ross is an associate professor in the School of Adult Learning and is lead faculty for the technology and information systems courses. Her areas of special interest and expertise are Databases and Web Technologies. She also teaches courses in mathematics and statistics.

Paul Priester received a Master’s degree in counseling from the University of Iowa and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Loyola University. Professor Priester’s research and writing interests include: the integration of religion and spirituality into the counseling process; the measurement of Islamic religiosity; international psychological research; addictions treatment and twelve step recovery; multicultural counseling; and the use of films in the counseling process. He has over 40 publications related to these interests. Dr. Priester has over 20 years of clinical experience in counseling. His students often remark that this rich clinical background helps bring the class material to life. His teaching style is one that is active, interactive and entertaining. In the summer, he operates an organic farm in Wisconsin that grows apples, cherries and berries.

Trevor James is the Faculty Chair of Business programs for SAL. He oversees the Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, and Church and Ministry Management majors. Previously, he was the Associate Director of Admissions for the graduate nursing and adult programs at North Park, and has worked in higher education for over 10 years. Trevor has a Marketing Communications degree from Columbia College and graduate degrees (MBA and Masters of Theological Studies) from North Park, where he also received two academic certificates in Human Resources and Marketing. In his career, he has over 15 years of marketing experience in both the nonprofit and public sectors, as well as management and HR experience, with companies such as J. Walter Thompson, North Shore Healthcare, and now, North Park.

Pam Ransom is Associate Professor and Chair of the Nonprofit Management and Criminal Justice majors for SAL.  She brings to the position more than 30 years of experience with nonprofit organizations, government and juvenile justice.  Most recently, Pam was the president of a national consulting firm promoting technology access for people with disabilities, and prior to that, served as Senior Vice President in a Washington, DC consulting firm.  Pam has been actively involved in negotiating and drafting legislation and regulations.  Prior to her work in Washington, Pam was the Deputy Director of the Chicago Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, Executive Director of the Chicago Hearing Society, Exeuctive Director of the Hull House Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and worked at the DuPage County Youth Home with juvenile offenders.  Pam has a Doctorate in Law and a Master's Degree in Social Work.

Julie Westerman is the General Education Coordinator and Academic Advisor in the School of Adult Learning. She received a Bachelor's of Social Work from the University of South Dakota, and a Master's of Writing from DePaul University. Julie started at North Park as an adjunct in the English and ESL departments in 1999, and in 2001, she joined SAL (then known as the GOAL Program) as the Off-Campus Coordinator for the Arlington Heights Campus. Julie teaches writing, literature, and film studies.

Patti McCanna serves as PLA Coordinator and Academic Advisor in the School of Adult Learning.  She has been working with adults returning to school since 1982, and here at North Park University since 2006.  Patti has Master's degrees in English and Spirituality from Loyola University Chicago.  She teaches in the adult learning core and coordinates the capstone seminar for SAL students.

Hannah has been at North Park since 2001. She currently serves as the Student and Academic Services Coordinator and Academic Advisor for the School of Adult Learning. Hannah works with applicants and coordinates orientations, among other responsibilities. Hannah has her M.A. in Christian Ministry from North Park Theological Seminary and her B.A. in History with an emphasis in Latin America from Princeton University. Coming from an artistic family, Hannah can often be found around the North Park campus taking pictures.

Chris Hubbard is SAL’s Assessment Coordinator and Academic Advisor. He received a B.S. in Technology Education from Bowling Green State University, and an MBA and MA from North Park University (2010). Chris began his professional career in youth ministry, serving in Youth Director positions at Western Hills UMC in El Paso, TX, and First Presbyterian in Evanston, IL. More recently, he has served in the proprietary education field, where he has held adjunct faculty and admissions positions. Chris is currently embarking on a PhD in Organizational Leadership at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.

Leslie Bertholdt has served as Assistant Director of Admissions for SAL since 2007.  She has B.A.s in History and French from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN, and earned an MS, with a concentration in Higher Education Administration, from DePaul University's School of Public Service.  Leslie served in the Peace Corps in West Africa for four years as an instructor of English and Natural Science.  She previously worked at Barat College, and later, at Barat College of DePaul, serving as Director of the Campus College Office, responsible for academic advising.  Prior to coming to North Park, Leslie was Onsite Coordinator and Academic Advisor for DePaul's Psychology degree completion program at the University Center of Lake County.