Master of Science in Business Leadership

Dr. Tara Kane, Ph.D.

Dr. Tara Kane is the Dean of the School of Business at Madonna University and serves as the Program Director of the Masters in Criminal Justice Leadership and Intelligence. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Interim Dean of the College of Natural and Social Sciences after chairing the Criminal Justice Program from 2013-2019. She joined the full-time faculty at Madonna University in 2013 coming from the West Bloomfield Police Department where she retired as a Detective/Sergeant of Investigations.

She completed her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Administration from Eastern Michigan University and is an alumnus of Madonna University, earning her M.S.B.A. in 2008 and her B.S. in 2002.

She teaches in the area of organizational leadership, criminology and special topics, with subject matter concentration on vulnerable populations and sexual assault. Her scholarship interests include the suspected abuse and neglect of children, domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.

She is a trainer for the State of Michigan and is actively involved in providing professional development for law enforcement professionals on the signs of interpersonal violence and best practices for victim centered investigations. She is engaged in Title IX initiatives related to sexual assault on college campuses and serves as a faculty leader for Madonna’s chapter of Pi Gamma Mu-an international honor society for the Social Sciences.

Dr. Nermine Atteya, Ph.D.

Dr. Atteya has more than 30 years of expertise in Business & Management teaching, research, Consulting and Professional Training. She taught & made research at several universities including HEC- Montreal, the University of Montreal Graduate School of Business in Quebec, Canada, the State University of New York, the University of Toledo, OH and as well as overseas.

Her research publication list involves more than 45 peer reviewed articles, conference presentations and proceedings where she got the Best Paper Award. She is a board member in the Business and Entrepreneurship Research Society, NY & an editorial member and a reviewer in several peer reviewed journals & conferences including ASAC, Canada & Academy of Management, USA. She has supervised many theses & been a member in the examination board of others. She has consulted for a significant number of organizations (Hospitals, Airlines, Banks, Global, Multinational, Government & Privately-owned, small, medium-size and large).

She received many awards for her community development efforts particularly in the field of Adult education & women & youth empowerment. Her research interests include Quality Management, Operations Management, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, E-Business, Customer Relationship Management & High Performing Hospitals.

Dr. Clara Chen, Ph.D. 

Dr. Clara Chen is an Assistant Professor of Finance in the School of Business. She joined the faculty of Madonna University in 2018. She has previously taught as a full-time faculty at Providence University (Taiwan) and Stockton University (New Jersey) and online part-time faculty at Northcentral University and Argosy University. She earned the master degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Later, she graduated in 2011 with a Ph.D. degree in Financial Economics from University of New Orleans.

Clara teaches courses at both the ungraduated and graduate levels, including Business Finance, Global Finance, and Life Cycle Financial Planning. Her research interests include corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, and cash holdings. She has refereed papers published in Journal of Empirical Finance, Emerging Markets Review, Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, and Academy of Accounting and Financial Studies.  Moreover, several of her papers have been presented at the conferences of Financial Management Association, Southwestern Finance Association, Eastern Finance Association, and Pacific Basin Finance, Economics, Accounting, and Management. 

Dr. Jessica Cummings, J.D.

Jessica Cummings is an Assistant Professor in the Management and Marketing Department. She began teaching in 2004 as an Adjunct Assistant Professor.

She completed her BA at Kalamazoo College in Human Development and Social Relations. While at Kalamazoo, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, work in London, England, and complete an internship with Women Against Abuse Legal Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Jessica completed her JD at Michigan State University College of Law and has years of experience practicing law.

Jessica is a member of the Farmington Public Schools Board of Education where she has served as secretary and president. As a trustee, she serves the interests of the district and the entire school community.  

She has over 20 years of leadership, professional, and teaching experience. Jessica is passionate about supporting students, increasing student achievement for all students, and helping students have fulfilling and rewarding educational experiences.

Dr. Matilda Isaac-Mustapha, Ph.D. 

Dr. Mustapha is an Assistant Professor of Quantitative Systems, Management, and Marketing in the School of Business at Madonna University. She also brings 9 years of corporate experience in Quality management to the academic setting. She received her bachelor’s degree in science, a Master’s of Science in Business Administration (Quality Management) and a Ph.D. in Technology Management.

Dr. Mustapha focuses on developing research and analytical skills for both graduate and undergraduate students. She has taught a variety of courses ranging from business statistics, strategic management, leadership and ethics, research methodology, computer science, management information systems and operations management. She has also taught business management courses for Madonna University programs in Mainland China.

Dr. Mustapha is involved in several research projects including “The Symbolic Interactionist View on Transnational Education, Managing Virtual Teams, Ethical Organizational Climate, Transformational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence and Examining the Paradoxical Relation between Socio-Technology Optimization and Marxist Theory of Alienation. She has co-authored in highly referenced scientific and business journals and has presented in both domestic and international conferences.

Dr. Mustapha is a professional chair member of International Economics Development and Research Center (IERDC), a member of Decision Sciences Institute (DSI), and a member of the Society for Collegiate Leadership and Achievement-Honor Society (SCLA-HS). She is also a honorary faculty member of Delta Mu Delta.

Dr. Michael Johnson, Ph.D. 

Professor Michael Johnson has been a full-time faculty member at Madonna University since 2004. He obtained his B.S. degree at the University of California, San Diego where he majored in Computer Engineering and minored in Mathematics. He then moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he worked for two years as a software engineer for GTE.

After working in the Chicago area for AT&T Bell Labs for the next two years, he moved to Michigan to attend Michigan State University where he graduated with a Master's degree in Computer Science. He then completed his college studies at Wayne State University in 2003 when he earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science.

His main area of concentration is foundational Computer Science and he has taught a wide variety of computer science courses ranging from the introductory Computer Science course all majors take to the upper level Computer Architecture and Artificial Intelligence courses. His favorite subject to teach is any class that covers software or web development.

Dr. Michele Lewis-Watts, Ph.D.

Michele Lewis Watts, Ph.D. is Director and Assistant Professor, Sport Management at Madonna University.  She has more than 25 years of experience in sports and event management, starting her career at the Detroit Pistons followed by stints at several area non-profits in guest services, program development, youth development, operations, and business development. Lewis Watts’ also served as Vice President of Events for the 2006 Super Bowl XL Host Committee and Vice President of Events and Community Outreach for the 2009 Final Four Organizing Committee.

 She completed her Ph.D. in Exercise and Sport Science at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) on the impact of gender stereotypes on the gender and athletic identities of middle school African American girl athletes. She is often asked to speak on issues of race, gender, and equity in sports throughout the state.

A former collegiate volleyball player, she coaches youth volleyball and is a co-founder of the Detroit Volleyball Coaches Association. She has been recognized as a distinguished volunteer through the Association of Fundraising Professionals and coach of the year from the Michigan Recreation and Park Association. She joined the board of Detroit PAL in 2011 and currently serves as Board Vice Chair and chair of the Women’s Committee, which supports the organizations Girls Changing the Game initiative.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from North Carolina A&T State University (Summa Cum Laude) and a Masters in Sports Administration from Ohio University. A former member of the semi-professional, champion Detroit Demolition women’s tackle football team, Lewis Watts resides in Southfield, MI, with her husband Anthony.

Dr. John McCulloch, J.D., C.P.A.

John McCulloch is an Assistant Professor of Accounting in the School of Business. He joined the faculty of Madonna University in 2020 to teach accounting courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

He has previously taught as a full-time faculty member at Siena Heights University and was a part time faculty member at Eastern Michigan University as well as University of Detroit Law School. He earned his Juris Doctor from Detroit College of Law and his Bachelor of Accountancy from Walsh College.

John has extensive experience in both the private and public sectors. He was managing partner of his own public accounting firm and has served as an elected official in county government. Because of his passion for higher education, John is a member of the Oakland Community College board of trustees where he served as Chairman of the Board. He is also President of Michigan Protection and Advocacy, whose mission is to advocate and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities.

John’s hobbies include traveling and restoring classic automobiles.

Frank Notturno, M.B.A.

Mr. Frank Notturno is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Management in the School of Business. He joined the faculty of Madonna University in 2003, having previously taught as a full-time professor at the following schools: Louisiana State University, Misericordia University (Dallas, Pennsylvania), St. Mary's College (Notre Dame, Indiana), Owens Community College (Perrysburg, Ohio), St. Mary's (Orchard Lake, Michigan). He has also spent more than seven years as a Department Chair at Owens Community College and St. Mary's College (Orchard Lake, Michigan).

His professional experience has been in the area of sales and sales management, and he has been an entrepreneur in the Southeastern Michigan music industry for over eleven years.

Mr. Frank Notturno is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Management in the School of Business. He joined the faculty of Madonna University in 2003, having previously taught as a full-time professor at the following schools: Louisiana State University, Misericordia University (Dallas, Pennsylvania), St. Mary's College (Notre Dame, Indiana), Owens Community College (Perrysburg, Ohio), St. Mary's (Orchard Lake, Michigan). He has also spent more than seven years as a Department Chair at Owens Community College and St. Mary's College (Orchard Lake, Michigan).

His professional experience has been in the area of sales and sales management, and he has been an entrepreneur in the Southeastern Michigan music industry for over eleven years.

He completed his Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing and Accounting in 1982 at The Pennsylvania State University, and his Master's degree in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing in 1986, at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He was also a candidate in the doctoral program in the Marketing Department at Louisiana State University for a brief time prior to commencing teaching. He teaches in the areas of marketing and management.

His interests include sales, marketing and management of musicians and music venues. His research has been in the area of sales and sales management and he is the co-author of the textbook, Effective Selling, 8th Edition, Hair, Notturno, Russ

Kathleen Richard, M.A.

Kathleen Richard is Program Director for both the Hospitality and Tourism Management program and also the Merchandising and Retail Management concentration in the School of Business. She joined Madonna University full time faculty in the 1980's from Oakland Community College Business Department. Her degrees include a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University and an M.A. from Central Michigan University.

Prior to her academic teaching career, Kathleen was a buyer for Hudson's Department Store, based in Detroit Michigan, now known as the Macy's Department Store Group. While employed at Hudson's, Kathleen also held positions as Corporate Training Director and College Management Training and Recruitment Coordinator.

Her research areas of interest include Consumer Behavior and retail buying trends and hospitality industry trends and research. Her work with students includes supervising internships for students in both Hospitality and Merchandising. Her business network associations is an essential ingredient to assist students in finding a compatible internship placement for their personal career goals.

Kathleen has consulted with corporations in both the areas of Hospitality and Merchandising such as Macy's Corp. Polo Ralph Lauren, Somerset and Twelve Oaks malls, Marriott Corp. Andiamo's, Detroit Convention Bureau and various private clubs in the area. Her favorite courses taught include Consumer Behavior, Principles of Retailing, Retail and Merchandising Management and Property Architecture and Interiors.

She oversees programs at both the Madonna University main campus and the Macomb University Center. She is always open to working with existing students and alumni on career counseling, job search and academic planning. Keeping in touch and a part of the business community is crucial to her success as an instructor.

Annamarie LaCasse

In 2017, Anna earned a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University, where she majored in Communication, as well as Language, Literature, & Writing. Anna’s passion for higher education led her to Madonna University in 2018.

Prior to the School of Business, she worked in multiple areas including the former College of Natural and Social Sciences, the Office of the Registrar, the College of Education and Human Development. Anna is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Madonna’s Higher Education Administration program, with plans to graduate in December 2021.

Shannon Gass, M.A. 

In 2015, Shannon earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University, where she majored in Business Administration and Marketing. After graduation, Shannon worked at a marketing company in Livonia in account management. In 2016, Shannon began working at Madonna University in the Registrar’s Office and started her role as an Advisor/Retention Specialist in June 2018.

She completed her Master of Arts degree in Higher Education Administration from Madonna University in 2019. Shannon is involved in the MI-ACE Women’s Network and was the 2018 co-chair of the Young Women, Strong Leaders conference for the network. She is passionate about helping students and helping them develop as leaders.

Lindsay Rucinski, M.B.A.

Lindsay has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an MBA with a certificate in Non-Profit Leadership from Madonna University. She been employed in the higher education field for over 15 years now and has held positions in the admissions office and the School of Business at Madonna University as an academic advisor and currently as the Director of Curriculum, Program Assessment and Accreditation. Away from work, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband and her two little boys, Aiden and Jacob.