Tara Saltzman, PhD - Associate Dean
Dr. Tara Saltzman, Associate Dean of the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education, Nova Southeastern University, provides administrative leadership, vision, and the organizational infrastructure for Phi Gamma Sigma International Professional Society for Doctoral Graduates. She has a diverse background in education and corporate management, and has more than eight years experience in teaching and training students across all education levels. Her experience includes strategic planning and initiative development, corporate and educational leadership, curriculum development, as well as evaluating and measuring learning styles. Dr. Saltzman holds a Philosophical Doctorate in Global Leadership from Lynn University, with a concentration in educational and corporate leadership, a Master’s of Education, specializing in varying exceptionalities, and a Bachelor’s of Arts in Marketing and Advertising from the University of Miami. Among her many accolades, in appreciation for her dedication and commitment to excellence, Dr. Saltzman received a lifetime honorary membership to Phi Gamma Sigma International Professional Society for Doctoral Graduates.
Alan K. Cohen, EdD - Faculty Advisor
Dr. Alan Cohen is a former college president who served in that capacity for 20 years. Upon retiring as president, he was recognized with emeritus status by the board of trustees of the college. Formerly, Dr. Cohen was a high school area vocational director (principal); professor of accounting, higher education, and curriculum, high school teacher, and state department of education supervisor. He has served as chair on many accreditation teams for the department of education. Dr. Cohen is noted for numerous awards for work in the field of education and community service, and is credited with many publications.
María Grethel Méndez, EdD - President
Dr. María Grethel Méndez is the President of Phi Gamma Sigma and a Doctoral Enrollment Counselor at the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education. Previously, as the Director of the International Teacher Education Programs (IUTEP and ITEP) of the Latin American Institute for Educational Leadership, Dr. Méndez worked as part of the leadership team of ILALE in the coordination and implementation of innovative bachelor’s and master’s programs in the state of Florida. She recruited students who have post secondary credits or bachelor degrees from their country of origin and are often times working in non-professional jobs within the trade industry. She served as the enrollment counselor and advisor to students while providing a level of support which allows them to complete the master’s program and locate teaching positions. Additionally, she coordinated and supervised all administrative aspects of the IUTEP and ITEP programs. Under her leadership, the ITEP program has graduated over 400 students and has a current enrollment of more than 200 students in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, Tampa and Orlando.
Dr. Méndez started her career as an educator in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the fourth largest school district in the United States, immediately upon graduating Magna Cum Laude from Barry University in 1972 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching Secondary Foreign Languages (French and Spanish). During her tenure at Palm Springs Middle School, she earned a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Barry University in 1976. Dr. Méndez received her Doctor of Education degree from Nova-Southeastern University in 2002.
Ray C Lightburn, EdD - Vice President
Dr. Ray C Lightburn serves as an Adjunct Faculty member in the Graduate Teacher Education Program-GTEP- at Nova Southeastern University. He is also a faculty member with the International Teacher Education Program (ITEP). Dr. Lightburn has taught internationally in Sto. Domingo, Dominican Republic and Belize. Additionally, he teaches bilingual courses in the Undergraduate Program with the Instituto Latinoamericano de Liderazgo Educational (ILALE) in the Fischler School of Education and Human Services. Moreover, Dr. Lightburn has taught in the TESOL department at Miami-Dade College as well as Broward College. He is a veteran teacher certified in English, TESOL and Leadership with the Miami-Dade County Public School System where he is currently serving his 23rd year. A former Teacher of the Year for his school, Dr. Lightburn was also a finalist for this distinction within his Region.
Dr. Lightburn obtained a Bachelor’s Degree with concentration in English as a Foreign Language from the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua (UNAN). He went on to teach Elementary Education at the Colegio Americano-Nicaraguense in a two-way bilingual program. Dr. Lighburn later earned both his Master’s Degree (1999) and Doctoral Degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2003. His applied dissertation centered around Increasing the Academic Performance of Limited English Proficient Students at the Secondary Level Through the Native Language Instruction.
Ron Parlett, EdD - Treasurer
Dr. Parlett is a full time faculty Program Professor and has been so for eleven years. His responsibilities are within the Doctoral, Educational Specialist, and Master’s degree programs in Leadership, and Educational Leadership. He is also just one of a couple faculty members credentialed to teach in the Athletic Administration Program as well. Some of Dr. Parlett’s responsibilities include maintaining various courses as a Curriculum Area Faculty individual. Assisting with NCATE approval, and building courses through Blackboard.
Dr. Parlett’s 30-years experience in K-12 education includes: teaching, coaching, and serving as a site-based administrator, He holds a Florida Professional Educator’s Certificate and has served as a folio reviewer for the State of Florida.
Lisa Fuller, EdD - Secretary
Dr. Lisa Fuller comes to Phi Gamma Sigma with strong experience in association and foundation executive-level leadership experience. She serves on the Board for Phi Gamma Sigma as Secretary for the 2011 – 2012 academic year. Dr. Fuller earned a degree in Merchandise Management from State University of New York (F.I.T.), a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Highlights of some of her related experience include service as vice president of membership of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) for the state of Florida and council member for the Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs at the Abraham S. Fischler School. Currently, Dr. Fuller is Manager of Licensure and Compliance/Program Professor at the Fischler School.
Judith Galician, EdD - Webmaster
Dr. Judith Galician has taught at the elementary and high school levels in both New York City and Florida. A graduate of The City College of New York, her academic assignments have been in the public and private school sectors as a common branch teacher (K-5), and a Spanish FLES instructor (K-5), and resource facilitator (9-12) at Nova Southeastern University’s college preparatory school. She holds certifications in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Educational Administration and Supervision, French, Spanish, Special Education, and has an ESOL Endorsement. Her 20+ years of affiliation with NSU also include being an annual reviewer for the Chancellor’s Faculty Research and Development Grant (CFRDG), a member of NSU’s Interdisciplinary Council for the Study of Autism (ICSA), and current adjunct professor of undergraduate and graduate education within the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education (BrainSMART and leadership courses). In addition, she thoroughly enjoys her position as a doctoral Committee Chair and Member. As a 2006 graduate of NSU’s doctoral program in Child and Youth Studies, she enjoys mentoring current and future educators and hopes to welcome them one day into Phi Gamma Sigma!
Dan Markarian, EdD - Public Relations Chair
Daniel H. Markarian is a first generation Armenian-American, native Floridian and graduate of Hialeah Miami Lakes High School in Miami-Dade County. He received his Bachelors and Masters of Science in Education in Secondary Social Studies in 1986 and 1989 from the University of Miami. Interest in supporting new teachers developed early during a career teaching Social Studies and Adult Education in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach School Districts. Dan earned a doctorate in Education and Organizational Leadership in 2007 from Nova Southeastern University and became an administrator in the Seminole County School District. He is a Social Studies Program Professor in the Graduate Teacher Education Program at the Abraham S. Fischler School of Education and supports improving education through effective mentoring.