Faculty

Lisa Bertin began teaching both business and IT–related courses at Penn State Shenango in 2001. Professionally, her business experience includes serving as an office controller and account manager. She has received several teaching awards during her time at the University, including the 2015 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her research interests include online learning and management information systems. She currently serves on the board of directors for Mercer Area Library, Athena PowerLink, and Lawrence Mercer Athena International.

Erin A. Brennan is an assistant teaching professor and a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania and New York. She began her teaching career in 2008, while she maintained a full-time legal practice focused on civil litigation in the Federal Courts. She retired from legal practice in 2016 and now teaches courses in business law and sustainability. She devotes substantial effort and research to sustainability efforts and is a founding member of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Sustainability Council. Her presentations focus on pedagogy, law, and sustainability.

Dr. Veronica M. Godshalk is a professor of management and program director for the Penn State World Campus business program. She teaches courses in management, leadership, and strategy. She is the recipient of several teaching awards, including the Teaching and Learning with Technology Fellowship. Dr. Godshalk has published many books and articles; her research interests include career management and mentoring, as well as pedagogy. She recently published a fifth edition of Career Management for Life. Dr. Godshalk worked in the computer industry in sales prior to entering academia

Dr. Ali Kara is a professor of marketing and the discipline coordinator of the Business and Economics Division of University College. He has published in such academic journals as Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Advertising, International Journal of Research in Marketing, European Journal of Operations Research, and Omega. Dr. Kara teaches a variety of marketing courses. His research focuses on statistical modeling, model comparisons, and identifying segments using data.

Kevin Mayhew's research interests involve technology and its use in a wide range of industries. He has owned his own consulting business and worked for major U.S. and international companies in the government, retail, distribution, supply chain, software development, logistics, insurance, financial, and telecommunications sectors. His teaching interests include project management, business analysis, systems analysis, analytics, and software development consulting.

Dr. Shantanu Namjoshi worked for the Air Force Research Lab in Dayton, Ohio, before moving to academia. He was the principal investigator on various projects for the DOE and NSF. His teaching interests are in finance.

Dr. Ellen Raineri led corporate initiatives for new technology and cyber security products and services. She has been an author, strategic planner, entrepreneur, and commercial real estate broker. Dr. Raineri's research interests include business ethics, entrepreneurship, and management. Her book, endorsed by Mark Victor Hansen (Chicken Soup for the Soul series), Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager), Alan Cohen, and Gerald Jampolsky, prompted interviews on Lifetime TV, radio, newspaper, and online media.  Dr. Raineri’ is an Assistant Teaching Professor and Lead Faculty of  BA243.  She received the Teaching Excellence Award and the Excellence in Business Award.

Michael Ridenour teaches a number of accounting courses ranging from financial accounting to taxation. He has worked for the Internal Revenue Service and several certified public accountant firms. He also owns and operates a tax service business. 

Frank M. Sorokach teaches economics, project management, business strategy, risk management, and marketing courses. He is the lead instructor and course designer for MIS 204 at Penn State World Campus. He has more than 20 years of applied management and business ownership experience in varied disciplines and has taught for more than 15 years. His research interests include process management, technology integration, risk, and business disruption. He focuses on the application of new concepts, systems, and technologies to improve business, specifically in the integration of technology and management theory.

Dr. Gina C. Whalen teaches courses in management and leadership. Prior to joining Penn State as a faculty member and program director for the World Campus business program, she held educational leadership roles in the training and development field. Her passion for the success of adult learners led to an appointment on Penn State’s Commission for Adult Learners. She also serves at the national level as vice president of Alpha Sigma Lambda, the national honor society for adult students. Her research interests include transformative learning, autoethnography, and adult learners in higher education.