Meet the Faculty | Newstate University

Traditional higher education is broken. Newstate University is different because we are completely faculty-founded and faculty-owned by a powerhouse collective of experts in AI, business, and higher education. Our founders aren't just teaching from outdated textbooks—they are active operators who have successfully built thriving enterprises and taught others how to do the same. This real-world mastery is baked into our DNA, which is why every single team member at Newstate U owns a piece of the university. Together, we are driven by a singular mission: to deliver a hyper-effective, relevant education that empowers your career completely debt-free.

MaryJo Alexander, MA

Mary Jo Alexander, MA, is an experienced educator who has served as faculty at Rockford University, Rock Valley College, LSU/New Orleans, and Kent State University, alongside secondary school appointments in Twinsburg and Hudson. Professionally, she co-founded and served as Artistic Co-Director of Actors' Summit Theater, a nonprofit professional theater, where she led productions and contributed as a costume designer and Equity actress. She also co-founded and was Vice President of CrimeFree Seminars, a corporate training company, where she wrote and presented over 2,000 seminars on workplace Human Resource Issues to clients including the Cleveland Clinic and the US Department of the Navy. Additionally, Ms. Alexander wrote and produced a PBS special on personal safety and works as a freelance makeup artist for organizations like the NFL, ESPN, and TNT.

MaryJo on LinkedIn

Eddie Andreo, MBA

Eddie Andreo, MBA, has 20 years in online business education and instructional design leadership, and is passionate about helping students and teams reach their full potential. He has an MBA from Baker University and has taught at Cowley College and Butler Community College. His focus is on building collaborative partnerships, leading cross-functional teams, and creating innovative, learner-centered environments. Eddie’s experience spans teaching, instructional design, corporate training, and project management, all driven by a commitment to continuous improvement and he believes in using data-driven strategies and compassionate leadership to make a real impact.

Eddie on LinkedIn

Charlotte Bencaz, MBA

Charlotte Bencaz, MBA, is an accomplished strategic leader who has served as Vice President of Education Partnerships at SkillsWave, alongside previous leadership appointments at D2L, SkillStorm, and LSU Online. Professionally, she plays a key role in forming impactful collaborations with major institutions like Purdue and UMGC, where she has spearheaded initiatives ranging from launching over 30 university partnerships to expanding online program portfolios from under 10 to over 150. She also leverages an academic foundation that includes a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from Marylhurst University and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Louisiana State University, where she graduated with a 3.86 GPA. Additionally, Ms. Bencaz is a dynamic thought leader and advocate focused on driving ROI and innovation, bridging the gap between education and work to shape the future of institutional success and learner outcomes.

Charlotte on LinkedIn

Nic Bencaz, PhD

Nic Bencaz, Ph.D., is an experienced Learning and Development professional who has served as a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida, alongside consulting appointments for educational publishing companies like Pearson, McGraw-Hill, TopHat, MacMillan, and Oxford. Professionally, he specializes in translating complex business needs into practical solutions across private, government, and educational sectors, where he has designed and managed undergraduate and graduate courses across face-to-face, online, and hybrid platforms. He also leverages an academic foundation that includes a Doctorate and a Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of Central Florida, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Additionally, Dr. Bencaz is a certified Everything DiSC Trainer and Prosci Change Management Practitioner who drives multimillion-dollar performance initiatives, bringing real-world application into corporate and academic settings to help individuals adopt a growth mindset.

Nic on LinkedIn

James Davis, PhD, PMP

James Davis, Ph.D., PMP, is an experienced educator who has served as faculty at Louisiana State University and Texas State University. Professionally, he co-founded and served as Chief Technology Officer of Relief.health, a telemedicine company, where he built an enterprise-leading video platform and contributed as a blockchain architect. He also co-founded and was a partner of Peoplenetz, a startup software development firm specializing in Human Capital Management systems, where he managed the IT platform and successfully reduced expenditures by 75% through cloud migration. Additionally, Dr. Davis serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve with combat tours to Iraq and Afghanistan, and acts as a technology advisor and consultant for organizations like the Hyperledger Foundation, Health Engagements, LLC, and the Young Entrepreneurs Academy of Baton Rouge.

James on LinkedIn

Rene Eborn, MEd

Rene Eborn, M.Ed., is an experienced leader in digital transformation who has served as Associate Vice President of Digital Transformation and Enterprise Systems & Security at Utah State University, alongside prior leadership appointments at Brigham Young University-Idaho, Motivis Learning, and Southern New Hampshire University. Professionally, she champions IT strategy, higher education leadership, and marketing excellence, where she has consistently led strategic initiatives that drive cultural change and align business goals with technological investments. She also leverages an academic foundation that includes a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Technology from the University of Wyoming and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal and Social Sciences from Utah State University. Additionally, Professor Eborn holds advanced credentials from MIT Sloan and Harvard University's Program on Negotiation, utilizing her decades of expertise to ensure sustainable innovations and impactful enterprise-wide transformations.

Rene on LinkedIn

Shannon Lane, MBA, PMP

Shannon Lane, MBA, PMP, is the Assistant Director of the Project Management Office at a major university system, where she leads online program development and continuing education projects across multiple campuses. With more than 25 years of experience in corporate, government, and higher education settings, Shannon brings energy and structure to every project she supports. She enjoys helping teams turn ideas into meaningful results and creating spaces where collaboration thrives. Shannon has also taught courses such as Developing an Agile Mindset with Scrum and Essentials of Project Management. She holds an MBA from LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business, a BA in Political Science from LSU, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

Shannon on LinkedIn

Melissa Loble, MEd

Melissa Loble, M.Ed., serves as Chief Academic Officer for Instructure, where she oversees thought leadership and academic strategy to drive educational industry advancements. Melissa’s role includes promoting strategic customer, organization, and stakeholder partnerships, as well as engaging in governmental working groups to help influence legislation in the ed tech space. Driving innovation and creating positive learning experiences are central pillars to Melissa’s mission.

Melissa has spent 25 years in the educational technology world, working for a number of technology suppliers and educational institutions in a variety of teaching, learning, customer experience, and technology leadership capacities. Melissa earned her BA in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, her MA in educational policy from Teachers’ College, Columbia University, and an MBA in leadership from the Columbia Business School.

Melissa on LinkedIn

Sandy Moses, PMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe POPM, CSM, and DASSM

Sandy Moses, PMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe POPM, CSM, DASSM, is an experienced educator with over 16 years of teaching in higher education and community colleges, specializing in project management, business communications, and office applications. She holds multiple certifications including PMP, PMI-ACP, SAFe POPM, CSM, and DASSM, as well as a Masters of Science in Management, and has more than 20 years of experience leading technology transformation initiatives. As a Product Manager/Product Owner at United Healthcare, Sandy drives digital transformation by facilitating agile practices and managing the execution of the Provider Demographic portal roadmap. She collaborates with cross-functional teams to define and document features and stories that support Provider Operations and digital readiness. A servant leader at heart, Sandy believes that delivering business value starts with empowering high-performing teams who feel valued and appreciated.

Sandy on LinkedIn

Andrew Schwarz, PhD

Andrew Schwarz, Ph.D., is an experienced educator who has served as a Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University's E. J. Ourso College of Business Administration, alongside teaching appointments at international institutions. Professionally, he specializes in IT strategy, change management, and emerging technologies, where he has consulted for Fortune 500 companies and contributed as a globally sought-after keynote speaker at conferences worldwide. He also leverages an academic foundation that includes a Doctorate in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. Additionally, Dr. Schwarz has been ranked in the top 2% of professors globally for research productivity and was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Association for Information Systems, reflecting his deep commitment to teaching, research, and mentorship.

Andrew on LinkedIn

Connie Thackaberry, MFA

Connie Thackaberry, MFA, is an experienced educator who has served as a trainer for the YWCA Women’s Leadership Program in Cleveland, Ohio, alongside academic appointments as a graduate of the YWCA Quest Leadership Program and LeadDIVERSITY. Professionally, she serves as the inaugural Staff Training & Development Manager at Jones Day, where she shapes professional development strategies, conducts needs assessments, and previously held leadership roles as Senior Manager of Secretarial Support Services at Thompson Hine LLP and Assistant Supervisor at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. She also leverages an academic foundation that includes a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from The New School University - Actors Studio and a Bachelor of Arts in English from The Honors College at Kent State University, where she graduated summa cum laude. Additionally, Professor Thackaberry works as a frequent freelance speaker on communication, networking, and LinkedIn development, bringing 25 years of corporate learning, development, and human resources expertise to the legal industry.

Connie on LinkedIn

Neil Thackaberry, PhD (ABD), MBA, MA

Neil Thackaberry holds a Ph.D. (ABD) from Wayne State University, an MBA from Kent State University, and an MA from the Louisiana State University New Orleans. He has taught in the Graduate School of Business in the MBA program at Kent State University, as well as at Oberlin College, Wayne State University, Rockford University, and Rock Valley College. At Rockford University and Rock Valley College he also led their respective theater departments. He founded Citizens Against Crime, a training company that presented over 5,000 platform trainings in Detroit, Cleveland and Akron. As Vice-President for Organizational Development at Sandusky Cabinets, he helped guide a leveraged buyout of the company. He was Co-founder and Artistic Director of Actors Summit, a professional theater. He has experience as a political campaign manager, a corporate coach, and a spokesperson for a nationally syndicated (PBS) program.

Neil on LinkedIn

Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich

Sasha Thackaberry-Voinovich, Ph.D., is an experienced educator who has served as faculty and administration at Louisiana State University, Southern New Hampshire University, and Cuyahoga Community College, alongside K-12 ed tech appointments. Professionally, she founded and serves as President and CEO of Newstate University, an AI-first higher education institution, where she leads a team of seasoned professionals and contributes as a pioneer in modern educational models. She also served as President of SkillsWave, an education benefit company, where she led the implementation of the Wave platform for Walmart’s LiveBetterU program in Canada. Additionally, Dr. Thackaberry-Voinovich wrote the bestselling book "How to Grow Enrollment in Online Higher Education" published by Routledge and works as a freelance educational consultant and advisor for organizations like Pearson, Amazon, and Guild Education.

Sasha on LinkedIn

Melanie Thompson, MEd, PMP, CSPO, CSM

Melanie Thompson, M.Ed., PMP, CSPO, CSM, is a highly certified professional complemented by credentials including PMP, CSPO, and CSM. She possesses extensive experience in project, program, and product management across the educational sector. Professionally, she currently serves in a key leadership role, having previously been Sr. Director of Strategic Operations at Pearson, overseeing student retention tools, and Sr. Director of Program Development at National University, where she led a Salesforce Marketing Cloud implementation and deployed data-driven strategies. Her background also includes supporting a $1.3M Department of Labor Workforce Tech initiative at Cuyahoga Community College and expanding the program portfolio as Executive Director of Program Management at LSU.

Melanie on LinkedIn

Sheri Thompson, MA

Sheri Thompson , MA, is an experienced leader in education management, strategic communications, and information technology solutions. Sheri holds a Masters in Liberal Arts from Louisiana State University, and teaches for EDUCAUSE. Professor Thompson leverages her expertise to integrate innovative academic technologies, notably through her impactful leadership at LSU’s Faculty Technology Center, which was instrumental in supporting remote teaching. Professionally, as the Senior Director of Learning Operations and Communications at National University, she managed a $16 million budget, led high-performing teams, and achieved a remarkable 95% annual customer approval rating, consistently demonstrating her ability to bridge the gap between technology and leadership by implementing complex technology systems.

Sheri on LinkedIn

George Voinovich, JD

George Voinovich, JD, is an executive leader and entrepreneur, serving on the leadership team of Newstate University in addition to leading classes. His professional accomplishments are diverse, highlighted by founding Victor Aerial Services Ltd., where he utilizes his FAA Part 107 pilot certification to provide professional aerial imaging, mapping, and data solutions for clients in construction and real estate. His executive background includes serving as Vice President of Operations at Ohio Technical College and holding Chief Operating Officer roles at Chronic Care Management and M&S Media Inc. Transitioning from management to maker, Professor Voinovich continues to apply his diverse skills to impactful ventures that effectively combine strategic thinking and practical execution. His law degree is from Case Western Reserve University.

George on LinkedIn

Peter Voinovich, MBA, Lean Six Sigma

Peter Voinovich, MBA, is an experienced operational leader who has served as Docket Manager at Cardinal Intellectual Property, alongside prior leadership appointments at Amin, Turocy & Watson, LLP. Professionally, he coordinates detailed docketing operations and reporting in high-pressure environments, where he has project managed everything from critical legal workflows to stage productions as an Equity Stage Manager. He also leverages an academic foundation that includes a Master of Business Administration in Project Management from LSU Shreveport, where he maintained a 4.0 GPA, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Ohio University. Additionally, Mr. Voinovich holds Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Practitioner certifications, utilizing his diverse background in the legal field and the arts to streamline processes, manage complex deadlines, and drive organizational efficiency.

Peter on LinkedIn

Theoretical degrees won't survive the next decade. Learn from the people writing the new rules.

Traditional higher education is broken. You don't need professors who haven't built a company or shipped code in twenty years. At Newstate University, our faculty are active founders, elite engineers, and disruptive operators. They don't teach from outdated textbooks—they build the systems changing the world. When you join Newstate, you don't just sit in a lecture hall; you enter a high-stakes incubator designed to future-proof your career for the AI economy.

Meet our faculty and expert consultants

Innovators. Educators. Leaders.

Built by experts. Owned by faculty. Driven by your success.

At Newstate U, we aren’t just teaching from textbooks—we are an economic powerhouse of active operators and AI leaders who own the university and are on a mission to deliver a world-class, debt-free education.

Faculty and expert consultants directory