MADONNA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Admissions and Marketing
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Finance and Business Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Bridget Kopenkoskey Peer Tutor Hi! I am pursuing forensic science, with a minor in chemistry and biology, here at Madonna! I am from Caledonia, MI, on the West side of the state, and I graduated from the West Michigan Aviation Academy. When not doing schoolwork, I enjoy spending time with family & friends, painting, reading, photography, going to concerts, and all types of adventures outside.
Caleb Lalinsky, MFA Writing Center Specialist Caleb graduated from Michigan State University in 2011 with a B.A. in English and a Michigan Teaching Certification. In 2014 he received from Temple University his MFA in Creative Writing. Today Caleb works as a professional adjunct instructor and writing tutor. When he is not teaching his interests include printmaking, woodworking, painting and video art.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Student Affairs and Mission Integration
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- Assistant Vice President, Dean of Students, and 504 Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Success Coach & Articulation Specialist
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- Writing Center Specialist
Corrina recently graduated from Grand Valley State University with a B.A. in Writing and a minor in Psychology. She is a creative writer and storyteller, with a passion for helping others improve their writing skills while simultaneously refining her own. When she isn't working with students at the Writing Center, you can find her reading, writing, listening to music, or drinking iced coffee.
Connect with Cristina if you will be transferring from:
Alpena Community College, Delta College, Macomb Community College, Mott Community College, St. Clair Community College, or any 4-year college or university in Michigan
Job Titles:
- Provost and Vice President for Academic Administration, Interim Dean of College of Nursing and Health
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services and Registrar
Job Titles:
- President
- President, Madonna University, Livonia, MI
Dr. John Critchett currently serves as Professor in the School of Business. He has been at Madonna full-time since 1994. He has been to mainland China seven times since 1998 to teach graduate courses for Madonna University. His teaching areas are accounting and finance. He has a co-authored paper in the area of cost management, and has made presentations in the area of accounting and finance to academic and professional groups. He currently serves as President of a local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and his hobbies include tennis and antiques.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO, Maple Manor Rehabilitation Center of Novi, Novi, MI
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- Research Investigator, University of Michigan, Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean, Office of Instructional Design and Development
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- Interim Dean, Graduate School
Bridget Kopenkoskey Peer Tutor Hi! I am pursuing forensic science, with a minor in chemistry and biology, here at Madonna! I am from Caledonia, MI, on the West side of the state, and I graduated from the West Michigan Aviation Academy. When not doing schoolwork, I enjoy spending time with family & friends, painting, reading, photography, going to concerts, and all types of adventures outside.
Emily Kruse Peer Tutor My name is Emily Kruse and I am studying Broadcast and Cinema Arts here at Madonna! I am a part of Lyric Theater and Chorale and have been performing since I was 11. In my spare time I like to play with my dogs and listen to Harry Styles and Taylor Swift.
Job Titles:
- Director of International Admissions
Heidee Reynolds Peer Tutor Heidee received her Associates in Liberal Arts at Alpena Community College in 2021. At Madonna University, she is a first-year student studying Sign Language. She loves writing involving fantasy and sci-fi. When she is not working at the Writing Center or grueling over her own papers, she enjoys drawing and playing music.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Connect with Herb if you will graduate from a high school in Ingham County or if you will be transferring from Lansing Community College.
Job Titles:
- Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Connect with Jacob if you will be transferring from:
Bay College, Bay Mills Community College, Glen Oaks Community College, Gogebic Community College, Jackson College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kellogg Community College, Lake Michigan College, Oakland Community College, or Southwestern Michigan College
Job Titles:
- Writing Center Specialist
Janelle Affiong Effiwatt is a teacher, tutor, and creative storyteller. The author of two books, Like a Thin Hustle (Letter Machine 2019) and Food & Flowers (Phantom Letters 2022), holds an
Job Titles:
- Writing Center Specialist
Jennifer received her B.A. in English Literature and Communication Arts from Madonna University and her M.A. in creative writing and folklore from Wayne State University. Jennifer has worked as an adjunct professor at various universities including Wayne State University and Madonna University, but really enjoys the opportunity to work one-on-one with students that the Writing Center allows. When Jennifer isn't at the Writing Center, she can be found reading, kayaking, quilting, and leading Girl Scouts.
Job Titles:
- Chief Information Officer
Job Titles:
- Graduate Admissions Officer
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Director, Student Advising & Success
Job Titles:
- Dean, College of Education and Human Development
Job Titles:
- News Media Seeking Information about Madonna University Are Encouraged to Contact the Director of University Communications
Kate Giblin Peer Tutor Hi! My name is Kate. I am a junior at Madonna University studying Exercise and Sport Science. Originally from Colorado, I spent a year and a half in Kansas where I got my associate degree in communications before heading up to Michigan. I play for the women's soccer team here and hope to one day go to graduate school for Occupational Therapy. In my free time you can find me hanging out with friends, watching soccer, or playing pool in the UC.
Connect with Kelsey if you will be transferring from:
Washtenaw Community College, or any 2-year or 4-year college or university outside Michigan
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean, College of Education and Human Development
Connect with Kristen if you will be transferring from:
Kirtland Community College, Mid-Michigan College, Montcalm Community College, North Central Michigan College, or Schoolcraft College
Connect with Kristen if you are interested in dual-enrollment while taking high school courses.
Job Titles:
- ABSN Student / Pre - ABSN
Madison Brigance Peer Tutor My name is Maddy Brigance and I am from Grand Blanc, Michigan. I am majoring in exercise science with aspirations to become a physical therapist. I am also on the women's golf team at Madonna University. I have been golfing for 10 years and have played at many courses across the state. When I'm not golfing I like to attend University of Michigan football, basketball, and hockey games with my dad. Additionally, I like to shop, travel, and try new restaurants with my friends and family. I'm really excited to have joined the WC team this year and I look forward to sharing my writing knowledge with my peers.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Advancement
Kate Giblin Peer Tutor Hi! My name is Kate. I am a junior at Madonna University studying Exercise and Sport Science. Originally from Colorado, I spent a year and a half in Kansas where I got my associate degree in communications before heading up to Michigan. I play for the women's soccer team here and hope to one day go to graduate school for Occupational Therapy. In my free time you can find me hanging out with friends, watching soccer, or playing pool in the UC.
Maurice Goka Peer Tutor Mo is majoring in Secondary Education for Mathematics with a minor in History. He plays on the reserve Men's Basketball Team and also works in academic tutoring for math, history, and study skills. Mo wants to go on to be a Graduate Assistant for D1 men's basketball team when done at Madonna. Though he spends the majority of his time with classes, tutoring, and basketball, Mo spends what little spare time he has playing video games with friends, making art, watching movies and sports, geeking over Marvel and Star Wars, and advocating against pineapple on pizza and black licorice.
Connect with Mitch if you will be transferring from:
Grand Rapids Community College, Henry Ford College, Monroe Community College, Muskegon Community College, Northwestern Michigan College, Wayne County Community College, or West Shore Community College
Job Titles:
- Member of the OFFICERS Team
- Chairman - Financial Advisor, Edward Jones Investments, Northville, MI
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- Attorney ( Ret. ), Consumer Energy, Jackson, MI
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- Chief Experience Officer, Success Group Mortgage and Servicing, LLC, Owosso, MI
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- Secretary and Trea Surer - Controller, Madonna University, Livonia, MI
Job Titles:
- Member of the OFFICERS Team
- Vice Chair - President, Special Drill and Reamer Corporation, Madison Heights, MI
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- Real Estate Advisor, RXMc Consulting, LLC, West Bloomfield Township, MI
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- CEO, the Learner 's Group, Chicago, IL
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- Attorney Partner, Hickey, Hauck, Bishoff, Jeffers & Seabolt, Detroit, MI
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- Chairman and CEO, RT Specialty, Chicago, IL
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- Director ( Ret. ), Community Impact - External Affairs, Comcast, Plymouth, MI
Heidee Reynolds Peer Tutor Heidee received her Associates in Liberal Arts at Alpena Community College in 2021. At Madonna University, she is a first-year student studying Sign Language. She loves writing involving fantasy and sci-fi. When she is not working at the Writing Center or grueling over her own papers, she enjoys drawing and playing music.
Natalie Savino Peer Tutor Hi! My name is Natalie and I'm a sophomore here at Madonna. I am majoring in Biology and minoring in American Sign Language. In the future, I hope to be either a surgeon or a neurologist. When I'm not working or doing homework, I like to read, write, do paint by numbers, and babysit.
Job Titles:
- Athletic Director and Head Coach - Men 's Basketball
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Admissons and Marketing
Job Titles:
- Assistant Professor of Finance
Prof Clara Chen is an Assistant Professor of Finance in the School of Business. She joined the faculty of Madonna University in 2018, and is currently in her seventh year of teaching. She has previously taught as a full-time faculty at Providence University (Taiwan) and Stockton University (New Jersey). 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. Her teaching areas are finance and economics. Her research interests include corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, and cash holdings.
Rebekah graduated from Madonna University in 2014 with a double major in Writing and English. She attended the University of Toledo for her master's degree, which she received in 2016, and she is currently completing her dissertation on women's fin de siècle poetry at the University of Delaware. A former writing center tutor at Madonna, she is thrilled to return as Senior Coordinator!
Job Titles:
- Writing Center Specialist
Russell graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Master's Degree in Art History. He is adjunct faculty in art history at EMU, HFC and CCS, teaching Modern, African, and Asian Art. When not teaching or tutoring, he enjoys playing musical instruments and with his kitty, Zoya.
Job Titles:
- Member of the OFFICERS Team
Job Titles:
- Writing Center Specialist
Sara Dassanayake graduated with a B.A. from Wayne State University, where she studied English, psychology, and Russian. She is currently completing TEFL certification to better support English language learners in writing courses. When she's not tutoring, Sara enjoys baking, trivia, and taking walks with her cat, Eddie.
Job Titles:
- Writing Center Specialist
Sister Joan, a Bernardine Franciscan Sister, earned her B.A. in English and Secondary Education, at Alvernia University and M.A. in Religious Studies at Aquinas College. With years of experience as an English teacher and later as a professional writing tutor at Madonna University, Sister has supported university students in their process of improving their writing skills across the curriculum. Her outside interests include reading, camping, playing cards, walking, and enjoying nature.
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness / Executive Council
Job Titles:
- Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Job Titles:
- Assistant Vice President
- Chief Human Resources Officer
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Admissions and Marketing