Experts at AIC

Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice 

Jennifer Feitel, EdD, is an expert in criminal justice with a special focus on corrections, active shooter training, and public safety in higher education.

Profile

Dr. Feitel has held custody and treatment positions during her career, working as an employee of the State of Connecticut Department of Corrections for over twenty years.  Feitel has supervised adult and youth inmates working with a diverse population. She was a member of the Department’s Correctional Emergency Response Team as a highly trained first responder in tactical operations who worked on statewide emergency assistance initiatives and provided leadership for corrections in Connecticut at the statewide Training Academy.

As a graduate of Central Connecticut State University, with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice, Feitel has a well-rounded knowledge of Criminology and Psychology.  She continued her educational pursuits as an Adjunct teacher at the University and as an Assistant Instructor at Goodwin University, focusing on courses in Corrections and Criminal Law. Furthering her dedication and passion for teaching, she completed all requirements for a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership, EdD, from the University of Hartford, receiving her Doctorate in Education in 2022.

Tags

Criminal Justice | Criminology | Criminal Law | Corrections | Active Shooter Training | Public Safety in Higher-Ed

Director of the Division of Nursing

Dr. Ellen Furman PhD, RN, can speak about nursing education, the history of nursing, current affairs in nursing, and geriatrics.

Profile

Dr. Furman has been a registered nurse (RN) for nearly 50 years, with practical experience across the continuum of care—from intensive care to long-term care. She received a diploma from Worcester City Hospital School of Nursing and earned her BSN, MSN, and PhD from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Dr. Furman began teaching at AIC in 2012 as faculty in the undergraduate program, transitioned to graduate program director, and, in 2018, to her current position as director of nursing, overseeing both undergraduate and graduate divisions. Her area of expertise is geriatric nursing, and her dissertation was titled The Theory of Compromised Eating Behavior. She previously held certification as a Gerontological Clinical Nurse Specialist (GCNS-BC). Dr. Furman is a member of the Sigma International Honor Society, the Western Massachusetts Nursing Collaborative, the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing, and the Massachusetts Nursing Council for Workforce Sustainability.

Tags

Nursing | Nursing Education | History of Nursing | Geriatrics |

Assistant Professor of Communication, Division of Arts, Media, and Design

John Nordell is happy to talk about arts education, the creative process, art, creativity, and art museum

Profile

After more than two decades as an internationally traveled and published photojournalist – including contributions to Time, Newsweek, and the London Sunday Times – John Nordell has transitioned into roles as an artist, educator, and innovator.

Following a five-year tenure at the Hallmark Institute of Photography, Nordell completed a Master of Education in Arts Education in 2012. Presently, he holds the position of Assistant Professor of Communication at American International College in Springfield, MA. In 2019, he was honored with a faculty excellence award, primarily recognizing his dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion.

In addition to his evolving photographic pursuits, which have evolved from unaltered photojournalism to intricate multilayered abstraction, Nordell employs various artistic techniques to enhance perception. Whether engaging in blind contour drawings of museum artifacts or crafting inked block prints from fragmented cell phone components, his work seeks to enrich visual awareness.

Nordell’s creative endeavors extend beyond traditional mediums; he has produced award-winning videos addressing environmental sustainability and shares insights on the creative process through his blog at CreateLookEnjoy.com. Notably, one of his images has found a permanent home in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, MA.

In 2020, Nordell made significant contributions to the first-ever Sotheby’s Hip Hop Auction, selling two lots documenting the 1980s Boston Hip Hop scene. Additionally, he holds certification as a Zentangle Teacher.

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/create.look.enjoy/

Website:  Arts, Media, and Design @ AIC

Nordell’s blog on the Creative Process: Create Look Enjoy.

Tags

Visual Art | Art Museums | Photography | Photojournalism | Art Education|

Adjunct Professor of History

Robert Ravens-Seger, Sr. is an expert in state, national, and international politics with a historical perspective.

Profile

Professor Robert Ravens-Seger, MA, has taught classes in US, Western and global history, as well as American national government, American national elections, comparative politics, political philosophy, philosophy, religious studies, and ethics. Ravens-Seger currently teaches US history II and world religions at AIC. The professor began post-secondary teaching as a teaching assistant at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and taught for the University in Vitznau, Switzerland. He has also taught in the Connecticut Community College System, and at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from UMass Amherst where he specialized in ancient history. While attending Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, he majored in ancient history and minored in medieval studies and religious studies. Ravens-Seger is also active in local politics, continuously holding elective or appointive offices since 1999.

Tags

History | Ancient History | Political History | History | Ancient History | Global History | Government | Elections | Voting | Politics | Political Philosophy | Voting | Protests

Professor of Economics
Professor Rogers offers insight into complex economic issues including public finance, labor economics, corporate news, consumer credit, and the financial markets.

Profile 
Professor Rogers was formerly Dean of the School of Business Administration and served as Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at AIC. He holds a PhD in economic development from Johns Hopkins University, an undergraduate degree from Harvard, and has done advanced study at the University of Paris. He has also been on the faculty of the Arthur D. Little Management Education Institute (Hult Business School) in Cambridge, Massachusetts; St. Mary’s University College, Twickenham, U. K.; and the University of Chester, UK, and the Geneva Business School, Geneva, Switzerland.

During a career in industry and government, Dr. Rogers has held positions in human resources management, strategic planning, and international market development with several organizations including General Motors Corporation and the Department of State in Washington D.C.

Dr. Rogers’ research and consulting focuses on the challenges that organizations face as they expand their operations into new global markets.

Tags 
Economy | Economics | Consumer Issues | Employment | Financial Markets | Industry | Credit | Employment | Business

Director of Counseling, Dexter Counseling Center – Division of Student Affairs 

Renee Rosado can provide insights on college mental health trends, the importance of wellness and self-care strategies, understanding burnout and its prevention, healthy relationships, and building awareness about diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Profile 

Dr. Renee Rosado (she/her) is a licensed psychologist and the Director of Counseling in the Dexter Counseling Center at American International College. Before earning her doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2015 and transitioning her professional focus to college mental health, she practiced as a masters level therapist (LMHC) in community-based outpatient settings and residential treatment centers in Western Massachusetts since 2005. As a trauma-informed clinician, Renee employs strength-based approaches in her work with college students and strives to provide an inclusive and welcoming therapeutic space for all. She is passionate about social justice and her dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is demonstrated through her active participation on several committees focused on improving the living and learning community at AIC.

Tags 

Mental Health  | Counseling | Trauma | Therapy | Student well-being | Psychology

Director of Health Services – Department of Health Services 
Kaelly Ryan is a board-certified Physician Assistant. She is available to discuss medical and health-related topics.

Profile 
Kaelly is a licensed Physician Assistant and Summa Cum Laude graduate of Springfield College. She received her Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies and was inducted into the Pi Alpha National Honor Society for Physician Assistants. With experience in primary care and urgent care, Kaelly is the Director of Health Services at American International College and serves as a preceptor for nurse practitioner students. Kaelly is a former CPR instructor and maintains BLS and ACLS certifications. She enjoys working with students and keeping the campus up to date with the latest health research and topics.

Tags 
Health | Medical Care | Wellness | Illness | Student well-being | Preventive Medicine