The Knowledge Entrepreneurs Show

Beth Ritter-Guth is the Associate Dean of Online Learning & Educational Technology at Northampton Community College and a seasoned adjunct in the English department at DeSales University. Specializing in AI, VR, AR, ethical hacking, and digital humanities, Beth is an advocate for the ethical use of generative AI. A prominent voice in Educause’s AI Community of Practice and the Horizon Report, she has earned numerous awards for her innovative work. Featured in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Wired, and USA Today, Beth is dedicated to advancing educational technology and preparing for a future where code is a key tool for peace.

Edwige Simon has worked in the field of education for over 20 years. She is the Director of Online Learning and Instructional Technology at the International Center for Language Studies and the founding editor of FLTMAG, a magazine dedicated to technology integration in the language classroom. Prior to joining ICLS, Edwige ran a fully online graduate certificate program in language teaching with technology. Her research focuses on world language teacher professional development and the preparation of educators to teach in online environments.

Carissa (Handrinos) Godvin has been an academic tutor and consultant since 2006. She has a BA in both English and psychology and a MA in English, focusing on rhetoric and composition. Carissa strives to build upon each student's strengths while teaching techniques to enrich any weaknesses s/he may have. She works to build confident, independent learners and thinkers of all ages and has experience in K-12, post-secondary, and adult education. Carissa specializes in: ACT/SAT/GRE prep, AP Exam Prep, College Essays & Planning, ELA, Math (through Pre-Calc), Professional Editing, Test Taking Strategies, Writing Skills and Development, and more!

Alyssa Petrone, founder of Top Tier Test Prep, has dedicated over 35,000 hours to tutoring and coaching more than 1,600 students, guiding them to success at top-tier universities like Harvard, MIT, and Yale. With dual Master’s degrees in Social Work and International Affairs, Alyssa brings a strong clinical and cross-cultural communication background to her work. Her expertise in the Reading, English, and Writing sections of standardized tests is unmatched, but it’s her understanding of performance psychology that sets her apart, empowering students to reach their potential. Many return for her guidance on graduate exams, essays, and applications

Dr. Hopewell is the Dean of Online Education and Provost at The Master’s University. After graduating from The Master’s College, he and his wife Angela moved to Flagstaff, AZ to attend Northern Arizona University, where he completed a Master of Education in Educational Technology and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, while teaching elementary school and courses at NAU. Upon completing Graduate school, Dr. Hopewell was hired to join the Colorado State University system in designing, building, and launching CSU – Global Campus, the first legislatively defined, independent online state university. Dr. Hopewell later spent 9 years at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD as chair of the Master of Science in Strategic Leadership program.

Steven D'Agustino, with over a decade of experience as the Director of Online Learning at Fordham University, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and accessibility of online education for diverse learners. He collaborates with academic leaders to shape the university's online learning strategy, guided by emerging trends and best practices. A QM-certified professional, Steven oversees the design and development of online courses, ensuring top standards in pedagogy and technology. He has successfully led the creation of over 40 online undergraduate courses for non-traditional learners and has published extensively on online learning best practices.

Alan Wesley Kinsey is an experienced Instructional Design Specialist with a strong background in K12 and higher education. Skilled in lesson planning, educational technology, training delivery, and professional development, he is proficient in using Canvas LMS, Office365, Google, and Articulate Rise. Alan is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Instructional Design and Technology from The University of Memphis.

Dr. Samuel Jay is a seasoned professional in higher education administration with over a decade of experience in online learning, teaching enhancements, strategic planning, and data-driven decision-making. His expertise lies in creating inclusive educational environments and driving educational innovation. With an academic background in Rhetoric and Digital Media Studies, combined with entrepreneurial experience in marketing and brand management, Dr. Jay integrates technology and champions digital literacy in modern learning.

Brian Duggan is the Executive Director of Top Score, overseeing all operations to ensure the mission of "Deep Learning Through Deep Relationships" is fulfilled. Prior to this role, he was Head of School at Fusion Academy Alexandria and served as a public school teacher, administrator, and leadership development coach through Teach For America. A first-generation college graduate, Brian holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science from the University of Oregon and a Master’s in Teaching from Hamline University. Outside of work, he enjoys family time, traveling, and chasing after his young son, Felix.

Ned Johnson is the president and founder of PrepMatters. A professional tutor-geek since 1993, Mr. Johnson has devoted in excess of 35,000 hours in one-on-one test prep for nearly the entire alphabet of tests. His experience includes work with all ages and abilities in preparation for SSAT and ISEE to ACT and SAT to GMAT, GRE and LSAT.

Achmad Yudi Wahyudin is an Assistant Professor of English Instruction and Educational Technology with eight years of experience. He specializes in Curriculum Design, Instructional Media, and English Teaching Assessment. Currently the Vice Rector of Academic Affairs at Universitas Teknokrat Indonesia, he has also held roles as Vice Dean and Vice Rector of Global Engagement.

Daniel Koffler, BS, is the President of New Frontiers, an executive functioning coaching organization that offers academic, social, transitional, and career support to individuals of all ages and abilities. New Frontiers empowers clients to maximize their potential and develop into independent, self-advocating members of society. Inspired by his family's special education business, Daniel founded New Frontiers to address the gap he noticed in young people transitioning to post-high school experiences without adequate preparation. He holds a BS in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from George Washington University and is a member of YPO. Daniel is married with three children, including twins.

Whitney Armstrong graduated early from her university experience after planning ahead and completing a full semester’s worth of college credits while in high school. She played varsity soccer and was the starting goalkeeper for her high school team all four years. A bit of a socialite, she also worked two jobs, participated in many extracurricular activities, including marching band and student council, and served as the student body president her senior year. During her time in college she was the peer academic advisor for her residence hall and spent her summers running her own business and supporting other students as they grew theirs. Her love and commitment for coaching began there and has grown ever since. She is a firm believer that life is meant to be spent embracing the things that bring us joy and living in gratitude for all that we have. In support of her desire to continually learn, Whitney also is getting her massage therapy certification. In her free time Whitney spends time with her husband, Allan, traveling as often as possible, growing her own understanding of life, the healing arts, and writing.

Jason Bock is an instructional design and technology enthusiast specializing in higher education. As the founder of StuPath, he develops innovative software solutions for education, including Simuprof—a GenAI Tutor built on Microsoft Azure and MongoDB, designed to support students without providing direct answers. Simuprof is LLM-agnostic, integrating with tools like ChatGPT to help create and manage courses tailored to instructors' teaching styles. In January, Jason joined AMDA to combine his passion for online education and performing arts, helping build fully online programs in acting, musical theatre, and more. He is also completing his doctorate in instructional design and technology at the University of West Florida, focusing on student engagement in online learning.

Jason Breitkopf is an education professional with extensive experience in curriculum development and student success. He has held key roles at Ivy West Educational Services, Sylvan Learning Center, Chyten Educational Services, and Livius Tutoring, including Director of Education and Director of Academics. As the former Owner/Operator of Tutoring Club of Danvers, Jason specialized in private and small-group tutoring focused on test prep. He holds a Bachelor's in History from Brandeis University, an M.F.A. in Directing from CalArts, and an M.Ed. in Arts & Learning from Endicott College.

Dr. Jeremy Bond is a career educator, innovative leader, and e-learning technology professional with a background in instructional and information technology dating back to 1997. A three-time graduate of Central Michigan University, he currently serves as the Director of Online Learning at Alliant International University and holds adjunct faculty appointments at CMU and Alliant. Dr. Bond's teaching portfolio includes subjects such as information literacy, business communication, computer information systems, educational technology, and even the history of the Mafia. Outside of his professional life, he is a devoted husband, father, and passionate numismatist.

Jai Flicker, founder of LifeWorks Learning Center, is a master educator, thought leader, and lecturer. His work with youth began in 1999 through The Homework Club, where he developed a unique tutoring approach that combines academic support with personal coaching and mentoring, focusing on the whole person. In 2004, he founded LifeWorks to further this integrated vision of education. Over the past two decades, Jai has refined the LifeWorks approach, drawing from mindfulness, positive psychology, and attachment theory. A certified Mindfulness in Education Teacher and Qi Gong instructor, he has also lectured internationally. Jai holds a B.A. in Philosophy from UC San Diego and lives in Lagunitas, CA, with his wife, Yea, and their two children, Aden and Amara.

Michael Mityok, holding a BA in English Literature and a BEd in Secondary Education from UBC, is a BCTF-certified teacher with over 25 years of experience. In 2014, he founded ACE Education Group, a private academy offering reading, writing classes, and elite university admissions consulting, now serving over 300 students. Before ACE, Michael spent five years at A+ Academic Writing Workshops, helping over 1,000 students from Taiwan and China gain admission to top universities worldwide. Recently, he has focused on advocating for speech and debate training, particularly for underserved communities.

Dr. Kizito Mukuni, with extensive experience as an instructional designer at public universities, holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Design and Technology from Virginia Tech. As the Director of Online Education at FSU, he oversees online programs, support, and services for faculty and students, ensuring they align with FSU's mission. Dr. Mukuni is committed to expanding current offerings, identifying gaps, and proposing new initiatives. His role also focuses on implementing instructional technology to enhance the online learning experience.

Dr. Derk Riechers is a dynamic leader in higher education, blending expertise in academic affairs with a passion for the transformative power of AI. His leadership is marked by transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to student success. At the community college level, he fosters innovation and growth, preparing students and faculty for future challenges. An expert in AI, Dr. Riechers integrates technology into education to enhance learning, streamline processes, and align with workforce needs. Notably, he led his institution to rank #1 in South Carolina for distance education and online college excellence. His AI-focused initiatives and statewide presentations highlight the importance of embracing technology in education.