Psychology - Cleveland State University

Psychology Department/ Diversity Management Program

Program Faculty & Course Facilitators

Diversity Management Program Faculty

Philip R. Belzunce, Ph.D.	Linda Koenig, M.A., adjunct
Carla Carten, Ph.D.	Deborah L. Plummer, Ph.D., emeritus
Timothy Ewing, Ph.D.	Steve Slane, Ph.D.
Lisa P. Gaynier, M.A., adjunct	Victoria R. Winbush, Ph.D., adjunct
Lalei E. Gutierrez, Ph.D.	Melodie S. Yates, Ph.D., adjunct


Course Facilitators & Executive Leadership Coaches

Swagata Banik, Ph.D.	Martha "Bibi" Potts, Ph.D.
Ellen Burts-Cooper, Ph.D.	Michael Sermersheim, Esq.
Debra L. Dunkle, Ph.D.	Marcy Levy Shankman, Ph.D.
Merle Graybill, M.A.	Deborah Sharply Lampkin, Ph.D.
Eric Lutzo, M.B.A.	Sarah Spengler, MSOD
Diane Millett, Esq.



FACULTY

Lisa (Tong) P. Gaynier, M.A., Program Coordinator, Executive Director
Lisa Gaynier joined the Cleveland State University as Director of the nation’s first and only Master’s program in Diversity Management—a transformational organizational leadership program. She comes to the position with twenty years experience as a consultant and business owner. Her special areas of practice are leadership, particularly within the context of cross-cultural competence, change leadership and global competitiveness. In her position as Director of the Diversity Management Program, Gaynier bridges the academic world of theory and research with the “real” world challenges experienced by people whether in for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, or government entities. In this capacity, she has established the annual Diversity Management Conference: Translating Theory and Research into Best Practices. A native of Hawaii, Gaynier is of Asian/Pacific island and European descent— truly embodying America’s multicultural heritage. She is the author of an award-winning multi-cultural cookbook and academic papers on cultural competence for leaders, mediation and Gestalt approaches to organizational effectiveness. She was the winner of the 2006 Best Paper award at the MBAA International Conference. Top of Page

Philip R. Belzunce, Ph.D., SMFT, DAPA, RPP, CPE, CPC
Dr. Belzunce is a diplomate in psychotherapy, and a psychotherapist, lecturer, worldwide consultant, and supervisor for AAMFT. He applies a systemic approach integrating Gestalt, Ericksonian hypnosis, and family therapy methodologies. His training includes family therapy with Virginia Satir, Jay Haley, and Chloe Madanes. He is a certified Tao instructor and a Reiki Master. He is also certified in polarity therapy and as a spine realigner. He is the author of What Really Matters Is the Heart and Heart Shadows, and the co-author of Once upon a Doggie. Top of Page

Carla Carten, Ph.D.
Carla is an Assistant Professor in the Psychology Department at Cleveland State University. Her primary concentration of work is with the university's Diversity Management Program. Dr. Carten's research is focused on cross-cultural collaboration through effective communication and positive relationships. She has 12 years of experience as an independent Organizational Development Consultant where her concentration has been in the areas of building cross-cultural collaborative partnerships. As a consultant and as a researcher she has conducted workshops focused on building organizational capacity through global partnerships in the U.S., East and West Africa, Latin America and Asia. She has facilitated diversity management and team training workshops with Procter and Gamble Sales, NASA, Case Western Reserve University's Office of Student Affairs, and the Office of Career Planning and Placement, The Christian Reformed World Relief - Latin America, The Cleveland Municipal School System and Parma Public Schools. Dr. Carten has served as an Instructor and a Professor’s Assistant at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Carten is the Executive Director of the East Cleveland Parks Association and a Business Development/Human Resource consultant with the BioSignal Division of Cleveland Medical Devices, Inc. as well as Orbital Research Inc. She has 12 years of field sales experience with The Procter and Gamble Distributing Company. Dr. Carten holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, a Masters of Science degree in Organizational Development and Analysis from Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications, from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Top of Page

Timothy Ewing, Ph.D.
Tim is a diversity and organizational development consultant with over 10 years of international and domestic consulting experience ranging from the classroom to the boardroom. He assists clients in creating high-performing, productive work environments where multicultural organizations leverage their differences to meet the organization’s goals & objectives. Tim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Denison University, a Master’s in International and Intercultural Management from the School for International Training and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University. His research interests include: diversity and inclusion, leadership development, positive transformation and change. As an executive coach, trainer and facilitator, Tim is able to support his clients in strengths-based development and change. In addition, he holds a teaching role at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in the coaching and training programs. Top of Page

Lalei E. Gutierrez, Ph.D., R.P.P., S.M.F.T.
Lalei is a holistic psychologist, an approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, a Registered Polarity Practitioner, a life and wellness coach, a body process therapist, a holistic health educator, and a certified healing Tao Instructor and Reiki Master. She is a faculty member of the Gesalt Institute of Cleveland’s programs “Couples/Family and Small Systems”, “Working with Body Process”, and the post-graduate Gesalt Training Program. She is also a faculty member of the Diversity Management Program at Cleveland State University. In her integrative and holistic practice with individuals, couples, families, professional groups, and organizations, her range of interests and expertise include bridging Eastern and Western approaches, and the integration of body-mind-spirit and diversity processes in therapy, consultation, mentoring, holistic health education, and life and wellness coaching. Top of Page

Linda Koenig, M.A. (adjunct)
Linda is an executive coach, organizational effectiveness and human resources consultant. She provides executive coaching in leadership, motivation, critical-thinking and survival skills in turbulent work environments. She specializes in helping executives overcome obstacles that keep them from achieving their highest potential. Linda is also a certified mediator and helps resolve disputes between various employees and groups. Linda has a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree from Ohio University. She attended Kent State University for postgraduate work and studied Organizational Development at the National Training Laboratories Institute. She also completed extensive postgraduate work at the internationally known Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. Top of Page

Deborah L. Plummer, Ph.D., emeritus
Deborah is a nationally recognized psychologist and diversity solutions thought leader. She is a consultant and founder of D.L. Plummer & Associates, a firm specializing in diversity management and organizational development for over twenty years. She has consulted for a variety of national and local corporations including Fortune 500 companies, community mental health agencies, public and private school systems, and faith-based institutions. Deborah also has extensive experience inside organizations and has held past roles as a chief diversity officer, university professor, founding director of a graduate degree program in diversity management, and a staff psychologist. Deborah is the Editor of the Handbook of Diversity Management and author of Racing Across the Lines: Changing Race Relations through Friendships. She currently serves on the Advisory Board of the American Institute for Managing Diversity in Atlanta, the nation’s leading nonprofit think tank dedicated to promoting and advancing diversity leadership through research, education and public outreach. Top of Page

Steve Slane, Ph.D.
Steve Slane is one of the founding faculty members of the Diversity Management Program. His training is in Social Psychology and Statistics and Research Design from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. His research interests are in the areas of interpersonal relationships, perception/use of time, and diversity issues. He is currently conducting research on stereotype threat in healthcare interactions. Steve has held a variety of positions at CSU and in the Department of Psychology, including chairing the Departments of Psychology, Health Sciences, and Speech and Hearing. Most recently Steve served as Associate Dean for Faculty in the College of Sciences and Heath Professions. He has also directed the following Psychology Department programs: Clinical/Counseling, Diversity, Consumer-Industrial, and Undergraduate. Top of Page

Victoria R. Winbush, MSSA, MPH, LISW, Ph.D. adjunct
Victoria has over 20 years experience as a diversity consultant and has worked primarily with human services organizations and those delivering health care, mental health, educational services. She previously served as the director of the Multi Cultural Training Institute and implemented a cultural competency curriculum geared toward mental health professionals employed in county-funded agencies in Greater Cleveland. Dr. Winbush is also a member of the teaching faculty at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and is an adjunct instructor and research adviser at the Smith College School for Social Work. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in clinical social work from Smith College School for Social Work in Northampton, MA. She also holds a Master’s degrees in social work administration from the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, and a Master’s of public health administration from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is a licensed social worker and enjoys working with adolescents and their families. Her research interests include identifying the processes used by parents to facilitate mental health treatment for their youth, and better understanding the impact that diversity has on both clinical practice and on organizational change initiatives. Top of Page

Melodie S. Yates, Ph.D. adjunct
Dr. Yates joined Cleveland State University in 1981 as Assistant to the Vice President for Student Services and has served in progressively responsible positions including five years as Director of Affirmative Action for the University. For the past thirteen years, as Director of Diversity Training and Research, she has been engaged in diversity education for the campus community through diversity training, supervisory training, classroom presentations, student leadership development, development of certification programs related to diversity/cultural competency, and research related to campus climate, student retention and diversity management. Other responsibilities include executive assistant level coordination of projects for the Vice President of Student Affairs and Minority Affairs. In addition, Dr. Yates teaches in the CSU Diversity Management Program, a master’s level diversity professional specialization, housed in the Department of Psychology and until 2004 served as the administrative coordinator of the program. Top of Page


COURSE FACILITATORS & EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COACHES

Swagata Banik, Ph.D.
Dr. Banik’s research is intent on reducing health disparity among medically and socially disenfranchised populations both nationally and internationally. Being born and raised in India, Dr. Banik brings in his cultural background and international training experiences to the programs. His primary focus is to develop innovative and efficacious behavioral interventions to promote health among marginalized population in the US as well as in India. Along with other colleagues in the Diversity Management Program, he is investigating the impact of stereotype threats in social interactions between healthcare workers and their patients. He has been elected as the treasurer of the Mid Continent region of the Society for the Scientific Studies on Sexuality. Top of Page

Ellen Burts-Cooper, MBA, Ph.D., Six Sigma MBB
Dr. Ellen Burts-Cooper is the owner and senior managing partner of Improve Consulting and Training Group, a firm that provides personal and professional development training, coaching and consultation. She is a book and workshop curricula author, as well as an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University in the Weatherhead School of Business MBA program and the Macromolecular Science and Engineering PhD Program. Previously, Ellen served as a Senior Vice President and Senior Director of Operational Excellence, IT Performance Management and Governance for PNC Financial Services. Prior to the financial services industry, Ellen worked in the electronics industry, where she led global teams in several functions at 3M Company in St. Paul, MN. She still consults in the area of new product development and advises science outreach programs. She earned a BS in chemistry from Stillman College in Tuscaloosa Alabama, her PhD in organic/polymer chemistry from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia, her MBA from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Business and her Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification from 3M Company. She is also an active volunteer and supporter for a host of community related organizations across the US. Top of Page

Debra L. Dunkle, L.I.S.W., Ph.D.
Debra Dunkle is a psychotherapist in Cleveland Heights and is on the faculty at the Gesalt Institute of Cleveland. Her professional passion is empowering people to speak across differences; she consults with regional organizations around that theme, including religious denominations and for-profit organizations. Clinically, she specializes in working with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) communities, with mixed-class couples, and with people in the arts. Top of Page

Merle Graybill, MA
Merle progressed from the front lines to leadership roles during 25 years of professional experience in non profits, higher education, and coaching, consulting and training. All of her work has focused on engagement across constituent groups and thus has also included business, civic, and government sectors. Merle has held management and senior leadership responsibility for personnel, budgets, operations, strategic planning, and assessment, as well as, engaging stakeholders for organizational development and effectiveness. She is known as a creative leader of complex collaborations that result in improved outcomes and innovative change. For 15 years Merle has consulted, trained and developed curriculum on topics of diversity and cultural competence, conflict resolution, adult learners, organizational collaboration, effective decision making, strategic planning & assessment, constituent engagement and change management. Having spent her career in the roles of advocate, advisor, mentor and manager the transition into professional coaching in 2006 was dynamic and a natural fit. In addition to her private practice, and coaching with the Diversity Management Program, Merle is a coach with the Weatherhead School of Management Custom Solutions services for corporations. Top of Page

Eric Lutzo, MBA
Eric is the founder and principle of Forward Thought, a coaching and leadership development practice that specializes in developing leadership skills for the individual as well as teams within organizations. Eric brings over 10 years of experience to coaching and organizational consulting. He has earned his Masters of Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management and his Bachelors in Business Administration from Kent State University. Currently Eric is pursuing his Phd also at Weatherhead. He is also the President and co-founder for PLEXUS, Cleveland’s LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Top of Page

Diane Millett, Esq.
Ms. Millett is an attorney providing legal services representing management in education, employment and antiharassment matters. For fifteen years, Ms. Millett worked in human resources management in positions in recruitment and staffing, equal employment opportunity, affirmative action and employee relations. Since 1990, she has been a principal in her law firm, providing human resources and related legal services to management and boards of education. One of Ms. Millett’s areas of focus in her practice has been antiharassment training and coaching. Ms. Millett has written numerous articles in the fields in which she practices and is a frequent speaker on these topics. For example, in 2005, the Lake County Women’s Journal published her article titled “Freedom from Harassment – It’s Not Enough” and in April/May 2006, the American Bar Association’s GPSolo Magazine published her article titled “Back to School: Education Law.” She also makes frequent appearances at conferences and professional organizations speaking about antiharassment and its connection to practicing civility among other employment-related topics. In 2004, Ms. Millett was co-founder of a grass-roots group in Cleveland and University Heights to establish “civility” as a priority for those communities. The goal of the group was to affirm civility as a core value through schools, businesses, the religious communities and city government. The group drew regional and national attention in its work with civility. Ms. Millett’s involvement has been from a legal perspective to promote civility as the new diversity for the 21st century. In 2007, Ms. Millett formed “CivilSpace”, a part of her practice that promotes civility as an antidote to harassment through various programs, activities and writings. Ms. Millett received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire, a Master’s Degree from Radford University, a certificate in Labor and Industrial Relations from Cleveland State University, and a law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Cleveland Bar Association, the Ohio Women’s Bar Association, and the Ohio Council of School Board Attorneys. Top of Page

Martha “Bibi” Potts, MSODA, Ph.D.
Dr. Potts left a career at the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority to pursue a doctorate in organizational behavior at Case Western Reserve University. Her research focus is human systems transformation. Her passion is specific in regards to how individuals, groups, organizations, communities and nations achieve positive growth and sustainable transformation in the midst of adversity. Her dissertation research explored the social complexities faced by the various groups of the Rwandan nation in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. She developed a theory that articulates how, on the individual, community and national levels, the Rwandan people are rebuilding their fragile social fabric. Dr. Potts is an International Development Consultant currently working with non profits in Rwanda on the development and enhancement of processes of positive transformative change. Top of Page

Michael Sermersheim, Esq.
Founder and owner of MDS Consulting Group, LLC, created to provide management consulting to businesses regarding the business needs for information privacy, information security, management of information, and a broad array of compliance matters for businesses today. MDS Consulting Group offers this consulting with experiences that span over 34 years of many varied experiences working with and providing professional advice and guidance to senior managers. Mr. Sermersheim served as in-house legal counsel, at The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio from 1976 until 2007. As Associate Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Industrial Security Supervisor, the focus of much of his practice was in the field of employment matters. He sought to continuously solve personnel matters as well as implement and participate in much mediation to avoid litigation and provide for better harmony in the workplace and on campus. He managed litigation with a strong view toward preventive the problems long before complaints arose. As a part of larger effort to effect preventive law efforts, he provided vision and insight into significant expansion of HR Employee Training. Development of sense of community and concern by university for its valuable asset – faculty and staff. Other significant implementations include: Web Based delivery of University rules and other legal compliance information - 1996. On-going web based provision of important legal information and search tools to campus, beginning in 1996. Included in the delivery of this important communication to the campus employees and constituencies were selected presentations made by members of OGC staff. Development and implementation of the University’s contract administration program. Mr. Sermersheim received his BA from The University of Akron in 1970 and his JD from The University of Akron in 1973. Mr. Sermersheim is a frequent public speaker nationally and locally, having spoken on a broad range of legal compliance subjects, including Fundamental Responsibilities for Attorneys in Electronic Discovery, Records Retention and Destruction Considerations for Counsel and Senior Management, selected Risk Management matters, Computer Access, Sexual and other forms of Harassment, Policy Formation and Implementation, and Employment Issues. Additionally, he has published several works that are of significant interest to senior managers. Active in his church and community, Mr. Sermersheim has served as the laity leader of his Church and as Treasurer and President of several local not for profit boards. In 2007, the National Association of College and University Attorneys awarded him the Distinguished Service Award. This is an award received by very few, as it is the highest honor NACUA bestows. Mr. Sermersheim is the only person from Ohio to have ever received this honor. Top of Page

Marcy Levy Shankman, Ph.D.
Marcy has been training and consulting in leadership development and organizational effectiveness with higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and high schools since 1998. Dr. Shankman co-authored the recently released Emotionally Intelligent Leadership: A Guide for College Students (Jossey-Bass, 2008). Four additional publications, including the Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for Students: Inventory and the Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for Students: Facilitation and Activities Guide are due out in late July 2010. She has also published two assessments: the EI Profile: An Emotional Intelligence Self-Assessment (2003) and the EI Full Spectrum, a 360° evaluation tool (2005). Dr. Shankman applies her unique insights and capabilities to deliver meaningful and lasting impact for individuals and organizations interested in improving their effectiveness. In her consulting practice, she specializes in facilitating strategic planning and visioning initiatives as well as designing and delivering leadership retreats. Clients often request specialized trainings, workshops, and presentations related to leadership, primarily emotional intelligence and change management. Top of Page

Deborah Sharply Lampkin, Ph.D.
Top of Page

Sarah Spengler, MSOD
Sarah is an experienced leadership coach, facilitator, trainer and OD practitioner. She maintains an Organization Development consulting practice, Grace Partners, LLC, providing coaching, OD intervention and facilitation, and training and instructional design services. She also works at MetroHealth as an Organizational Effectiveness Specialist. Over the past 25 years she has worked in the nonprofit sector including positions with United Way of Greater Cleveland, Neighborhood Progress, Inc, and The Free Clinic of Greater Cleveland. She has a deep interest in adult learning and change using the “Accelerative Learning” approach. Sarah has her Masters in Organization Development from Case Western Reserve University. She lives in Cleveland Heights with her husband and 3 cats. Top of Page