Course Leaders

Meet the Course Leaders

Page Insley Austin practiced complex business litigation and antitrust law in Houston, Texas, and Washington, D.C., for over 20 years. She has taught at the Yale Divinity School, the University of Houston, the University of Texas School of Law, and Anne Arundel Community College, and in Johns Hopkins University’s Odyssey program. In addition to her J.D., Page has master’s degrees in philosophy and in developmental psychology.

Todd Becker Todd Becker is a retired US Diplomat and currently teaches Political Science, International Relations and Conflict Management at SU. He has taught numerous ALL courses in the past on international relations

Peggy Bradford (M.S.,R.N.): CEO of MAC for 37 years. She oversaw its progression from a couple of programs and a few employees to a major contributing force in our community and state, housed in a state-of-the-art facility. She is well-respected in the community for her wisdom, and is often seen with a dog by her side.

Dr. Ron Dotterer holds a B.A. with honors in English from Bucknell University, M.A., M. Phil, and Ph.D. with highest honors degrees in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University. He was a professor for 21 years at Susquehanna University (where he founded the honors program, was assistant to the president, and chair of the Department of English) and for 24 years at Salisbury University, where he was professor of English and Dean of the Fulton School of Liberal Arts, and is Professor and Dean Emeritus. He has published over 40 articles and six books on Shakespeare, Irish literature, poetry, women and the arts, film, and undergraduate research.

Dale Godfrey graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree. Since 1974 he has been employed in the communications industry, adult education, IT, and elections with the State of Maryland.

Nancy Hesser Ph.D., has taught literature in the US, DR Congo, and Mali. With her husband and canine companions, she has recently moved from Maryland’s Eastern Shore to Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier. Her ALL short story courses have focused on American regionalism, the Roaring 20s, African voices, Central America, the Caribbean, foodies, pub crawlers, identities, ghost stories, travel, work, houses, dress codes, and flash fiction, among other subjects.

Phillip Hesser has taught in the US and Africa and served with the UNHCR and the Academy for Educational Development. Most recently, he has taught at Salisbury University and Wor-Wic Community College. He now spends his time delving into the deep history of Delmarva and the Chesapeake Bay watershed and running the hills of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, with his pint-sized retriever Marshall and hound Bayly. Indulging his interests at the intersection of landscape, life & livelihood, he wrote What a River Says: Exploring the Blackwater River and Refuge (Cambridge, MD: Friends of Blackwater, 2014) and co-wrote (with Charlie Ewers) Harriet Tubman’s Eastern Shore: The Old Home Is Not There (Columbia, SC: History Press, 2021).

Lewis Kadushin Ph.D is a retired psychologist with fifty five years working in the health care industry. He taught psychology as an adjunct faculty at Wor-Wic Community College, Salisbury University, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore for over 35 years.

Dr. Ellen Lawler is professor emeritus of Biology at Salisbury University. She has been watching and studying birds for many years and taught Ornithology numerous times before retiring from SU in 2015. She is currently the vice-president of the Tri-County Bird Club, leads field trips for the club and is well acquainted with the birds and birding sites on Delmarva.

Dr. Bob McBrien, now retired, is a former public school classroom teacher, an SU Emeritus professor, a retired Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and in instructor of Chinese healing exercise programs (Tai Chi & Qigong). He is a Cold-War veteran (Army), his 3 years of service includes a tour of duty in Korea.

Kel Nagel, also known as William J. Nagel, M.D., is an actor and director with Community Payers of Salisbury. In a long running prior role, he practiced Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at PRMC, Now Tidal health. He served as Medical Director of the Critical Care and Respiratory Departments from 1978 to 2014. He was one of the founders of the Respiratory Care Program at Salisbury University, where he was Co-Medical Director and Adjunct Clinical Professor until his retirement. It is possible, but unlikely, that he now knows more about musical theater than health care.

Mike Roberts holds a B.A. in history from Duke University and a J.D. from the Washington College of Law at American University, where he was Editor-In-Chief of the Law Review. He was an officer in the U.S. Navy, with extensive sea duty in the Mediterranean, plus service with the Naval Security Group in Washington. For over 30 years, he practiced law in Washington, specializing in aviation and international law.

Sophia Sonen is a retired teacher/counselor of 37 years, from the state of Maryland. She earned a MLA and an MS from Johns Hopkins University. Definitely a life-long learner, with a strong interest in creativity, she completed 4 semesters of the Artist’s Way classes with Diane Thomas Mitchell where she became more creative, which was quite complementary to her spiritual practice, and expanded consciousness.

Carolyn Stegman (Ed.D.,R.N.): Taught Psychology of Aging at Salisbury University, was chair of the MAC Board of Directors, president of Wicomico’s Commission on Aging, served as a consultant to MAC for many years, and has authored two novels on aging, both written with a cat next to her computer screen.

Dr. G. Ray Thompson’s PhD is in Greek and Roman history and archaeology. During his nearly 50 years at SU he regularly taught courses on Roman Archaeology, including Rome’s far-flung provinces. He also frequently taught on-site courses in the various western Roman provinces.

Dr. Xiaohong (Sophie) Wang is a professor and chair of the Computer Science Department at Salisbury University. She received her Ph.D in computer Science from the University of Toronto, Canada. She has over twenty years of experience in supporting student learning by sustaining effective learning environment through exceptional lecturing skills, innovative teaching methods, and adaptive class lesson plans and assignments. She is also actively conducting research and grant proposals, writing and participating in funded projects as PI and co-PI, and advising undergraduate research projects and honors theses. She has extensive software project planning and managing experience in managing over 100 capstone software engineering projects for real world clients. She is the winner of the 2020 Salisbury University Alumni Association Faculty Appreciation Award.