Faculty

Policy matters are shaped and created through a wide range of disciplines and across diverse fields.​ The Master in Public Policy degree at Jacksonville University emphasizes interdisciplinary study and the development of core skills. 

Our faculty reflects this interdisciplary approach, bringing expertise in  philosophy, economics, political science, law, leadership, communications, management, marine science, and more. 

In addition, classes are offered with lecturers who are currently active in their fields. These lecturers offer broad and diverse points of view and approaches that further and enhance students' learning.

Our Faculty

      Dr. Stephen Baker

         Professor of Political Science; Consultant for the U.S.                             Department of Justice; MPP Governance 

           Policy Interests: Public Opinion; American Government; Elections Research

      Dr. Rody Borg

         Professor of Economics; Forensic Economist for the City of                   Jacksonville; MPP Governance Committee; MPP Admissions                 Committee

           Policy Interests: Market Assessment; Urban Development; Economy

      Prof. Trey Csar, MPP

Co-founder & Chief Operating Officer, Impact Florida; Former President of  the Jacksonville Public Education Fund

            Policy Interests: K-12 Education; Urban Development; Environmental

 

       Dr. Julius Demps

          Associate Professor of Management; MPP Governance                          Committee

Education:
Ph.D., Organizational Leadership, Northcentral University
M.A., Human Resource Development, Webster University
B.S., Sociology Florida State University

            Policy Interests: Business; Leadership

 

       Dr. Marcel Dulay

Adjunct Faculty; Supervising Engineer, Parsons Corporation; MPP Governance Committee

            Policy Interests: Sustainability; Environment; Business

               

       Dr. Erich Freiberger

          Professor of Philosophy; MPP Governance Committee

             Education:

Policy Interests: Ethics

 

 

       Dr. Annmarie Kent-Willette

          Professor of Communication; Executive Director of                                  Global Teaching and Learning; MPP Governance Committee

             Policy Interests: Media Literacy; Media Law; Ethics in the Media

       Prof. Tom Majdanics, MPP

          Founder, Advisor to Executive Director and President/COO at                  KIPP Jacksonville Schools; Former Professor of Education Policy

             Policy Interests: Education; Public Finance

 

       Prof. Paul McCormick

          Guest Lecturer; Senior Campaign Consultant

             Policy Interests: Campaigning; Media Relations; Crisis Management

            

 

 

      Dr. Will Miller

         Executive Director of Institutional Analytics, Effectiveness, and
         Strategic Planning; MPP NASPAA Accreditation Committee, Co-    Chair

           Education:
           Ph.D., Urban Studies and Public Affairs, University of Akron
           M.A.P., Political Polling, University of Akron
           M.A., Political Science, Ohio University
           B.A. Political Science, Ohio University Honors Tutorial College

                                                          Policy Interests: Public Opinion, Foreign Policy, Urban Renewal

       Dr. Charles Moreland

          Adjunct Faculty; Director of Community Affairs for the City of                  Jacksonville; Minority Fellowship Advisory Board Member

      Prof. Richard A. Mullaney, J.D.

         Lecturer; Director of the Public Policy Institute; Political                           Analyst for WJXT Channel 4; Former General Counsel for the City           of Jacksonville; MPP NASPAA Accreditation Committee, Co-Chair 

           Policy Interests: Local government; Healthcare; Education; Criminal Justice

       Dr. Ray Oldakowski

          Professor of Geography and the Environment

Education:
Ph.D., Geography, University of Illinois
M.A., Geography, University of Florida
B.A. Geography, Stetson University

              Policy Interests: Public Opinion Research; Demographic Spatial Analysis;                Environmental Policy

       Dr. Michael Pomante

          Assistant Professor of Political Science; MPP Governance                        Committee

Education:
Ph.D., Northern Illinois University
M.A., Central Michigan University
B.A., Michigan State University

             Policy Interests: State Election Law; Voter Turnout; Political Behavior; Political                   Parties

 

        Dr. Hassan Pordeli

           Professor, Economics & Finance; Hugh Culverhouse Endowed                 Chair

Education:
Ph.D., Economics, University of Nebraska‑Lincoln
M.A., Economics, University of Nebraska‑Lincoln
B.S., Industrial Management, University of Ghazali, Iran

              Policy Interests: Economics; Public Finance

        Prof. Matthew Reiber, J.D.

           Adjunct Faculty

              Policy Interests: Tax Policy; Civil Litigation

 

 

        Dr. Austin Trantham

           Assistant Professor of Political Science; MPP Governance                       Committee; Editor-in-Chief, Policy Matters Journal

  Education:
  Ph.D., University of Kentucky
  M.A., University of Kentucky
  M.A., American University
  B.A., Austin College

               Policy Interests: American Foreign Policy; American Presidency

        Dr. Quinton White

           Professor of Biology, Marine Science; Executive Director, MSRI

              Policy Interests: Environmental Policy; Invertebrate Zoology; Marine Ecology