IAS Faculty Profiles
David Leasure, PhD
Chancellor CTU-IAS
David Leasure, PhD, is the Chancellor of CTU's Institute for Advanced Studies. Dr. Leasure served as the Dean of Doctoral Computer Science after rejoining the University in 2007.
Previously the President of Jones International University, Dr. Leasure has also held positions as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Computer Science for Colorado Technical University. Prior to coming to CTU he was Associate Professor of Computer Science at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi. His professional employment includes AT&T Bell Laboratories and Artificial Intelligence Research, Inc.
In recognition of his academic achievements, Dr. Leasure has been awarded several honors, including the Amoco Outstanding Professor in computer science, TAMU-CC; Outstanding Teaching Assistant in computer science from the University of Kansas; and three Exceptional Contribution awards from AT&T Bell Laboratories. He is the recipient of grants related to teaching and learning with technology from the Department of Education, the Ed Rachal Foundation, and the National Science Foundation, among others. He has published over 30 articles on artificial intelligence, teaching with technology, and geographic information systems. Dr. Leasure received a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Kansas, and earned a BA and MS degree in Computer Science from Kansas State University. He has served as a consultant and evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission and was recently appointed to the Commission's Accreditation Review Council.
Joanne Preston, PhD
Dean of Management, CTU-IAS
Dr. Joanne C. Preston is the Dean of Management for CTU's Institute for Advanced Studies. Dr. Preston is an internationally recognized management consultant specializing in organizational development for large corporations internationally. Her vast experience in providing viable solutions and management development breakthroughs for major companies, such as IBM, Arthur Anderson & Co., Monsanto, Philip Morris, Bank of America and others, has demonstrated her ability to advance these organizations through forward strategic thinking that accepts and embraces needed change.
Dr. Preston's multi-national involvement with companies and governments throughout the world includes work with President Carter's Atlanta project, as an Area Facilitator for America Speaks in the New Orleans United Plan Project, and consulting visionaries Lech Walesa and Nelson Mandela during their presidencies to develop strategies in affecting the acceptance of Solidarity in Poland, and the development of the new Constitution for the South African Parliament. Her work continues in Africa in an effort to establish non-violent change within the continent.
As part of her ongoing commitment to the international community, Dr. Preston will be traveling with Dr. Craig Wishart in Africa July 22 – August 11, 2008. The trip involves a visit to Ghana where Dr. Preston will be the keynote speaker for the International Organization Development Association, to Kenya to work with the Taaitta Toweett Foundation and the Kenyan government on non-violent transformational change and finally to South Africa to work with various tribes.
A former professor of Organizational Development at California's Pepperdine University, Dr. Preston received her Ph.D. and MA in Psychology from Louisiana State University. She brings to CTU's Institute for Advanced Studies more than 35 years of organizational and management development expertise.
Richard Fairley, PhD
Institute for Advanced Studies
The educational philosophy behind the curriculum at CTU's IAS is based on the concept of androgogy which, simply put, means that adults learn best by doing hands-on work. "While I certainly support the project-based approach, there have to be some foundations behind the projects. Students must study the materials and understand the fundamentals that we are trying to get across in the projects."
Most adults pursuing higher education are self-motivated, additionally most of Dr. Fairley's students also hold full-time jobs and have young families. Motivation can be an issue for some. "My primary motivational tool is the weekly feedback that I give students on their deliverables. I think it is very motivating to students if they can see their mistakes, correct them and know they have second chance to revise their work before the final deliverable."
Dr. Fairley brings a vast amount of educational and professional experience to his courses at Colorado Tech. His academic credentials include:
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Missouri
- M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of New Mexico
- Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California – Los Angeles
He is the author of the text books, Software Engineering Concepts, Managing and Leading Software Projects, the IEEE ReadyNote on Risk Management, an editor of three additional texts, author/presenter of numerous research papers and several videotape series on a variety of topics in computer science and software engineering.
Dr. Fairley also served as a Distinguished Visiting Scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and consultant to the NASA Headquarters software quality group, where he led the assessment team that identified the first CMM Level 5 organization (the Space Shuttle on-board software group). He is currently the founder and principal associate of Software Engineering Management Associates (SEMA), a firm specializing in consulting services and training in software systems engineering, software project management, software cost estimation, project planning and control techniques, software risk management, and software process assessment and improvement.
Now semi-retired, Dr. Fairley also takes a well-balanced approach to his personal life. He enjoys reading Shakespeare just as much as he enjoys taking a spin with his wife on his 2000 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide touring bike. Dr. Fairley also has a passion for music from the "golden age" of jazz, circa 1940-1970. In fact, if his students cannot get enough of Dr. Fairley in their courses with him, they can tune in to a jazz radio show that he hosts. "The radio station is KRCC, 91.5 FM; it is the NPR station for southern Colorado. My show is on from eight to ten PM Thursday evenings."
"My anecdotes and 'war stories' not only help spark student's interest, but also makes the material seem more real and helps them relate the materials to their own experiences."
Terry Armstrong, PhD
Institute for Advanced Studies
Dr. Terry Armstrong's educational philosophy can be traced back as far as his childhood if one overriding theme is highlighted: experiential learning. "Although the teaching methods I have used throughout the years have evolved as I adapted to various educational and professional settings, I have always been a big believer in experiential learning." Dr. Armstrong currently is an adjunct professor at the IAS, where he teaches Philosophy of Science, Values, and Ethics and mentors students working on their dissertations at the Institute for Advanced Studies. His path to CTU led him through a wealth of experiences in both academia and the business world.
Dr. Armstrong earned his B.A. at the University of Kansas in Philosophy and his Ph.D. in Social Science and Philosophy at the Union Graduate School (Union Institute). He has worked or consulted in 14 countries for over 100 organizations, beginning with the Peace Corps in 1967 in Columbia. Some highlights of his professional career include:
- Director at the Berlitz school of Languages in Kansas City, MO
- Founder and Director of the Portfolio Degree Program for Working Adults and Fellow in Social Science at Park College, Kansas City.
- Director of the MBA Program, University of West Florida
- Director of Graduate Education in Communications, Emerson College, Boston
- Visiting Professor at Mikkeli Polytechnic in Mikkeli, Finland
- Director of the Arrupe Program in Social Ethics for Business, Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University
Dr. Armstrong has been active in the Academy of Management for over 25 years and has been Chair of the Management Consulting Division. He has also served several stints as editor of the Organization Development Journal. In addition to his work at the IAS, he is currently the Senior Strategy Consultant with The Avery Group, Pensacola, Fl.
The emphasis on applied, real-world, industry-current education at CTU makes the university a great fit for Dr. Armstrong as an educator and a mentor. "The hands-on projects in the IAS, when combined with student-centered instructional methods, fit very well with my educational philosophy and help create a practical and exciting learning environment for doctoral students."
Dr. Armstrong resides in Trenton, MI, where he is currently working on two more potential publications. He also finds time for more leisurely pursuits outside of academia and consulting such as ham radio, horseback riding , hiking and sailing. "My sail boat is a Rhodes 22 - a pocket cruiser. Currently I sail on Lake Erie, but also sailed it on the Potomac when I lived in D.C. and in Boston Harbor and Mass. Bay when I lived in Boston."
"Be clear about why you are in the program, be passionate about your topic or focus, develop your interpersonal and writing skills, and start networking with key people now!"
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