Faculty

Adjunct Professor

Biography

Dr. Marissa Brash holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry from the University of San Francisco, a Master of Public Health Degree in Biostatistics from Loma Linda University, a Doctor of Public Health Degree in Epidemiology from Loma Linda University, and a Doctor of Education Degree in Mind, Brain, Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. She is also Certified in Public Health by the National Board of Public Health Examiners. Dr. Brash has a passion for teaching while also working on curriculum design, accreditation standards, program implementation, evaluation, and assessment. She is interested in integrating curriculum through interprofessional education efforts between the public health, nursing, health administration, business, mathematics, and social and behavioral health sectors of higher learning healthcare. Her research interests include epigenetic-based autoimmune public health prevention efforts through lifestyle interventions, and neuroeducation topics related to academic stress and anxiety in the STEM subjects. Additionally, she sits on the Medical Science Advisory Board for Global Genes, a non-profit serving the rare disease community.

Adjunct Professor

Professional Experiences

Jim recently retired from the oil business after an extensive career with UNOCAL 76 and several successor organizations in fuels and lubricants sales management. This work included retail, commercial and industrial customers. He held several senior management positions during that time and worked on teams in the development and implementation of strategic initiatives. His resume also includes extensive experience in team training and development.

Biography

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana, IL and an MBA from Northern Illinois University at DeKalb, IL. He presently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Finance at Vanguard University and a mentor to undergraduate entrepreneurial students at the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. His philanthropic activities include a role as mock job interview coach to Foothill High School students, Sons of the American Legion Squadron #291 and member of the Finance and Investment Committees at Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Santa Ana.

Biography

Mark holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Science Degree in Human Resources from Chapman University in Orange, California. Mark also holds a lifetime SPHR (Senior Professional in Human Resources) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute.

Mark currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources at MBK Senior Living. MBK provides Seniors with Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, and associated services. MBK has nearly 2000 Associates in six States.

In addition to his experience at MBK, Mark has over 30 years of experience as a Human Resources and Administration Executive. He has worked in a variety of industries including: Automotive, Staffing, Internet, Medical Device, and Dental industries. He has successfully lead Administrative functions for these large and medium-sized companies where he has been responsible for Employee Relations, Recruiting, Risk Management, Organizational Development, Total Rewards, Purchasing, and Payroll.

Assistant Professor

Biography

Kellie has been teaching since 2008 and has taught classes at California State University Long Beach and Long Beach City College but has found a home at Concordia University where she can combine her love of teaching with her Christian beliefs. She has taught a variety of communication and writing courses but tends to focus on organizational communication/behavior, professional and academic writing, and oral presentation skills. She enjoys helping students grow personally and professionally during their time at Concordia so they can be well prepared for their various vocations when they graduate.

Degrees Earned

• Ph.D., Organizational Leadership, Regent University (in progress)
• M.A., California State University Long Beach (May 2010)
• B.A., California State University Long Beach (May 2007)

Courses Taught

Writing and Communication for the Workplace
Organizational Behavior
Internship
Senior Seminar

Academic Program Director/Associate Professor

Biography

Dr. Sinardi holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. Cloud State University and a Master's degree in Counseling from California State University, Long Beach. She became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2006. In 2011, Dr. Sinardi completed her Doctor of Education degree in Organizational Leadership at the University of La Verne.

Professional Experience

Dr. Catherine Sinardi is Director of Healthcare Management, overseeing the following degree programs: Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management (traditional and online) and Master of Healthcare Administration. She teaches a variety of courses in aforementioned programs, and is an instructor in the Townsend Institute’s Master of Arts in Counseling curriculum. Previously, she was Regional Director of Clinical Services at Children’s Institute and Director of Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation at Counseling4Kids, both in the greater Los Angeles area. She also worked in private practice as a licensed counselor and held various administrative positions at ChildNet Youth and Family Services in Long Beach.