Dr. Laurie L. Wellner serves as the Dean of the College of Education at United States University in San Diego, California. She specializes in teacher education, autism, special education, organizational leadership, ADHD, trust theory, ethics in education, and stakeholder collaboration for educational improvement. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Wellner's career includes service in California public schools as both general and special education teachers, special education administrator, and higher education faculty and leadership roles. She earned her EdD in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne, California. Her scholarly contributions include articles, book chapters, an edited book for early career teachers, a meta-analysis on trust theory, and a curriculum guide for Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Wellner presents research internationally, including at Cambridge University, UK, and conferences in Ireland, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. She regularly chairs doctoral dissertations and has participated in accreditation proceedings with WASC, NATE, and CAEP. Since 2017, she has served on California's Advisory Committee for Cognia. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Wellner addresses school sites, districts, charter schools, parent groups, and educational organizations. Throughout her career, Dr. Wellner has remained a passionate advocate for students, families, and educators. Her work has directly shaped teacher preparation programs, special education practices, and school leadership approaches. She continues to influence how we understand and improve education for all learners. Dr. Kathleen Pierce-Friedman brings over 25 years of educational experience spanning PreK-12 and higher education to her work on multi-generational leadership. She holds a PhD in Education with a specialization in Online Education and Learning from Capella University, where her dissertation examined teaching isolation and self-efficacy in online school settings. Currently serving as a 6th/7th Grade Teacher and High School SAT/ACT Instructor at Pearson Online Academy, Dr. Friedman designs and delivers engaging online curriculum while implementing innovative virtual teaching strategies. She also serves as Senior Doctoral Chair at Grand Canyon University and Northcentral University, where she has successfully mentored doctoral candidates to completion while guiding students through complex research methodologies and IRB processes. Dr. Friedman's administrative experience includes serving as Department Supervisor and as an Assistant Principal at an online K-12 school. Her extensive classroom experience ranges from teaching PreK-2nd-grade ELL students in urban Sacramento to developing innovative virtual teaching strategies across multiple grade levels. Her research focuses on online education, educational leadership, curriculum development, and the unique challenges of virtual learning environments across diverse student populations and generational contexts.
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