Graduate Catalog 2004-2006
UDM Academic PoliciesCourse DescriptionsList of All ProgramsFaculty

Faculty

Nancy K Piernan [Email]
Associate Librarian, Public Services, McNichols CampusLibrary, is responsible for the collections in the business fields. Her subject disciplines are accounting, marketing, management, decision science, and finance. She provides reference service and research skills instruction. Chesik is actively involved in faculty governance, the faculty union and union negotiations. Chesik has B.F.A. and M.S.L.S. degrees from Wayne State University. She joined the University in 1991.

Gail M Presbey [Email]
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, teaches introductory courses in philosophy and ethics, African philosophy and culture, peace and social justice and other courses related to social and political philosophy. Her interests are in cross-cultural and feminist explorations in philosophy and the philosophy of non violence. Her interests in social and political philosophy revolve around the work of Hannah Arendt and feminist critics. She is first editor of an introductory philosophy text, The Philosophical Quest: A Cross Cultural Reader, now in its second edition. She has authored many journal articles and book chapters, and recently held a two-year J. William Fulbright Senior Scholar position at University of Nairobi, Kenya. Presbey has a B.A. from University of Detroit and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Fordham University. She joined the University in 2000.

Christine M Panyard [Email]
Professor and Chair of Psychology, teaches honors introductory psychology, abnormal psychology and adult development, aging, psychological assessment, psychopathology and supervises the practicum in the graduate program. Panyard’s publications and professional presentations have dealt with police stress, substance abuse, and divorce and family issues including invited contributions to six special editions of the Family Law Journal. She consults with police departments on selection and crisis intervention and with substance abuse agencies on dual diagnosis and outcome research. Panyard holds B.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Wayne State University and a M.A. from Bowling Green State University. She joined the University in 1986.

Mark J Paulik [Email]
Professor of Electrical Engineering, teaches design, digital logic, controls, and digital signal processing. His area of expertise is in digital image processing, where his extensive publications have focused on industrial and military object identification, and handwritten signature analysis. He is currently doing research on the combined use of genetic algorithms and wavelet modeling. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Detroit, a Science Master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. degree from Oakland University. He joined the University in 1984.

Melinda Pacha [Email]
Associate Professor and Chair of Theatre, teaches introduction to theatre and scenic design. She is also scenic and costume designer for UDM’s Theatre Company where she works actively with students in various aspects of production. Pacha also works with many professional theatres in the area. Her work in both academic and professional theatre has received recognition from both The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. Pacha holds a B.A. degree from the University of Northern Iowa where she received a Presidential Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatre Arts. She holds a M.F.A. degree from Wayne State University. She joined the University in 1981.

Sheri Pickover [Email]
Visiting professor in Counseling and Addiction Studies.Her areas of special interest include the developmental nature of attachment, family therapy and clinical work and research with disenfranchised populations, specifically severely emotionally impaired children and their parents. Her most recent research publication has been on the use of attachment theory in clinical treatment. Pickover holds a B.A. degree from the University of Michigan, an MSEd from the University of Pennsylvania and is completing her PhD in Education and Human Services at Oakland University. She joined the university in 2004.

Hriday R Prasad [Email]
Director of the Master of Science in Product Development program.Prior to joining the University, he served at Ford Motor Company for 29 years followed by assignments at three tier–1 suppliers. At Ford, his assignments ranged from manufacturing floor responsibilities to product development and to advanced engineering and manufacturing planning. At the tier suppliers, his responsibilities included strategic planning, operations, and global business development. He taught for 10 years as an adjunct at the University of Michigan and was also active in conducting high-tech seminars and industrial study missions to Japan and South Korea. Prasad holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s in Industrial Engineering and MBA degrees. He joined the University in 1998.

Daniel W Pitera [Email]
Assistant Professor of Architecture and Director of Operations, Detroit Collaborative Design Center, teaches design and visual communications. As a practicing architect, he brings to UDM an intense interest and expertise in the making of architecture, its connection with other disciplines, and its existence as a cultural and political event. Most recently, his interest focuses on the implications of human body modification (tattoo, make-up, piercing) on architecture. Pitera is a registered architect in the State of California. He held the Hyde Chair of Excellence at the University of Nebraska in 1998. In San Francisco, Pitera was president of CfCA/2AES, director of Professional Programs at California College of Arts and Crafts, as well as having his own practice. His teaching experience includes the University of California, Berkeley; California College of Arts and Crafts, San Francisco; University of Kansas and University of Nebraska. Pitera received his M. Arch degree at Georgia Tech. He joined the University in 1999.

Faculty

College of Business Administration

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College of Engineering & Science

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College of Health Professions & McAuley School of Nursing

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College of Liberal Arts & Education

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School of Architecture

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School of Dentistry

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School of Law

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