About University of Maryland

Brett Egan leads the Institute’s team of consultants and educators, working on projects across six continents to support arts organizations and executives with strategic planning, marketing, community engagement, human resource development, and fundraising. In the U.S., he manages multiyear capacity-building initiatives funded by the Ford Foundation, collaborating with community-based organizations from Ajo, Arizona, to Miami, and overseeing a two-year partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies to train 261 organizations in major cities. His efforts extend internationally, where he has facilitated groundbreaking training programs in countries like Ireland, Croatia, and Vietnam, partnering with local arts leaders and governments. Egan's consultancy work includes long-term strategic planning and serving as interim director for various clients. Notably, he was the Interim CEO of the Royal Opera House Muscat, leading the institution through its inaugural season, which featured renowned performers and achieved 92% average attendance. With experience as Executive Director of Shen Wei Dance Arts and various other cultural organizations, Egan co-authored The Cycle: A Practical Approach to Managing Arts Organizations and frequently speaks at conferences on audience engagement and the influence of new media in arts management. A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University with a degree in Cultural and Performance Theory, he holds the Antarctic Service Medal and a Princess Grace Fellowship. Egan is a trained actor and theater director and is passionate about classical piano. He lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Joan.

Michael M. Kaiser directs the DeVos Institute's training and consulting programs globally. From January 2001 to August 2014, he served as President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., where he significantly enhanced educational and artistic programming, oversaw major renovations of the theaters, and pioneered arts management training. He founded the Kennedy Center Arts Management Institute, which became the DeVos Institute of Arts Management in 2010, earning him the title of President Emeritus in 2014. Previously, Kaiser was Executive Director of the Royal Opera House in the UK, where he eliminated a historic deficit and completed a £214 million redevelopment. He also held leadership roles at American Ballet Theatre and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Foundation, where he successfully erased deficits and expanded programs. A graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management and Brandeis University, Kaiser has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the arts, including the Dance Magazine Award, the Order of the Polar Star from the King of Sweden, and honorary doctorates from Georgetown University and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has also lectured on arts administration at NYU and the University of the Witwatersrand.

Cait von Schnetlage is a dedicated educator at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in product management and project management. With expertise in prototyping and rapid scalability, she also serves as the CEO of Full Suite Solutions, a company providing comprehensive software development services on federal contracts. Her extensive experience in product development includes supporting large-scale government projects and automating backend corporate processes using cloud-based solutions and machine learning algorithms. Ms. von Schnetlage excels at translating complex organizational needs into quantifiable specifications and employs hypothesis testing for accuracy and requirement validation. She leads product development projects utilizing Lean UX methodologies and user-centered design while also analyzing the long-term sustainability of solutions and planning for technological obsolescence to facilitate future migrations to newer systems. Passionate about sustainable development, she actively works to reduce the environmental impacts associated with inefficient design and manufacturing processes. Ms. von Schnetlage holds an MBA and an MA from Johns Hopkins University, as well as a BA from the University of Maryland, College Park. In 2017, she was honored with AFCEA’s 40 Under Forty award for her significant contributions to STEM in the Defense sector.

Charles W. Clark is a distinguished Fellow of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and serves as Co-Director of the Joint Quantum Institute, a collaborative endeavor between NIST and the University of Maryland. He holds a Ph.D. in theoretical atomic, molecular, and optical physics from the University of Chicago and has dedicated most of his career to advancing research at NIST. Since 1997, Dr. Clark has been instrumental in educating first-year graduate students at UMD through a summer course focused on problem-solving in physics. Additionally, he co-edits the NIST Digital Library of Mathematical Functions, which serves as a vital reference for various course materials.

Dan Gordon boasts over 30 years of extensive experience in the technology sector, having excelled as a computer scientist, software developer, manager, analyst, and entrepreneur. As a technology partner with Valhalla Partners, he collaborates with some of the region's most esteemed venture investors, contributing to the firm’s impressive track record of 27 mergers and acquisitions, 22 initial public offerings, and more than $1 billion in investment returns. Before joining Valhalla Partners, Dan held a director and senior staff position at PricewaterhouseCoopers Global Technology Centre, where he analyzed technology trends and provided consulting on strategies across various sectors, including software, e-business, wireless, and life sciences, serving clients worldwide. Dan is also a former Contributing Writer and Editor for the Technology Centre's annual forecasts and has been a sought-after speaker at industry events. His career in Silicon Valley includes significant roles at major firms like Symantec, Intuit, and Oracle, as well as participation in startups focusing on applied artificial intelligence and web applications. He holds a BA from Harvard University and an MS in Computer Science from New York University.

Daniela C. Wagner-Loera is a Full-Time Lecturer at the University of Maryland, College Park, bringing nearly 20 years of teaching experience in Psychology, English, Writing, and ESL to her students. With a strong educational foundation in Cognitive and Instructional Psychology, as well as Applied Linguistics/TESOL, she has effectively mentored and coached a diverse array of faculty and students. Daniela has led research committees, successfully guiding 12 doctoral learners to graduation, reflecting her commitment to professional development and mentoring. She emphasizes understanding the cognitive demands of her learners, believing that the key to success lies within them. In this pivotal moment for education, she advocates for maximizing knowledge among peers and fostering a strong learning community that encourages a growth mindset. As a lifelong learner, Daniela exemplifies the principles of success she instills in her students and fellow faculty.

Victor Galitski is a renowned theoretical physicist, Fellow of the Joint Quantum Institute, and Professor at the University of Maryland. With dual PhDs in applied mathematics and theoretical condensed matter physics, Dr. Galitski stands at the forefront of quantum science. His prolific research portfolio includes over 80 publications in prestigious journals such as Nature, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Physical Review Letters. His groundbreaking work in quantum physics is supported by major institutions like the U.S. Department of Energy, DARPA, the National Science Foundation, and the U.S. Army Research Office.

Dr. James V. Green leads the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute's educational programs, designing and teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses while managing seed funding and residential entrepreneurship initiatives for students. As the director of two Master of Professional Studies programs—Technology Entrepreneurship and Product Management—he has earned accolades for his teaching excellence, including the Dean's Outstanding Performance Award in 2020 and the 2011 3E Learning Innovative Entrepreneurship Education Competition prize. Dr. Green’s research focuses on entrepreneurship education and the psychology of entrepreneurship, and he frequently presents at national conferences such as AOM and USASBE. With extensive experience in startups, including leadership roles at WaveCrest Laboratories, Cyveillance, and Netmentors, Dr. Green brings practical insights to his academic work. He holds advanced degrees in management, technology, and business from prestigious institutions.

Dr. Mierzwa brings over 20 years of teaching experience at the University of Maryland and other institutions, focusing on strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He teaches in the Minor in Technology Entrepreneurship, Master of Technology Entrepreneurship, and Gemstone Program in the Honors College. His teaching philosophy emphasizes building student competency through well-designed courses and engaging exercises. His research interests include innovation processes, opportunity recognition, and design thinking. Dr. Mierzwa founded The Fountainhead Group, which conducts innovation audits, and Creative Agreements, a firm specializing in mediation for venture start-ups. He serves on multiple advisory boards for Maryland businesses, chairs a committee on non-traditional academics at the Academy of Management, and is a board member of the Executive DBA Council. He holds a Doctor of Public Administration in strategic management from USC and a master's in urban design from Harvard.

Dr. Porter, a professor of computer science at the University of Maryland and UMIACS since 1991, is a recognized leader in both teaching and research. He has earned the National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Award and the Dean's Award for Teaching Excellence. His research focuses on advancing software development through tools, techniques, and empirical studies. Dr. Porter is a frequent speaker at conferences, has served on editorial boards, and has taught in the US and internationally. His recent work on leveraging mobile devices for education has garnered attention in various media outlets, including radio, TV, and Fortune magazine.

Dr. Qu, who holds M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from UCLA and a background in Mathematics from USTC and the University of Oklahoma, co-directs the Embedded System Research Laboratory and the Wireless Sensor Laboratory. His research focuses on embedded systems, VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) CAD, and low-power system design. Additionally, Dr. Qu works on hardware-related security, trust, and optimization problems, applying his findings to fields like VLSI CAD, wireless sensor networks, bioinformatics, and cybersecurity.

Henry C. Lucas, Jr. is the Robert H. Smith Professor of Information at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business. With a B.S. from Yale and an M.S. and Ph.D. from MIT's Sloan School of Management, his research focuses on IT-enabled transformations, disruptive technologies, and their impact on organizations. He has authored over 70 articles and a dozen books on technology's role in organizational design, investment returns, and corporate strategy. Professor Lucas teaches courses on U.S. science and technology policy and strategic IT transformation for MBA students.

Dr. Jennifer Golbeck is the Director of the Human-Computer Interaction Lab and an Associate Professor at the College of Information Studies, University of Maryland. Her research specializes in analyzing social media, with a focus on modeling social relationships like trust and user preferences to enhance online information interactions. A Research Fellow of the Web Science Research Initiative, she was named one of IEEE Intelligent Systems' Top Ten AI Researchers to Watch in 2006. Dr. Golbeck’s work advances the understanding of social media dynamics and user-centric system design.

Jonathan Katz is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Maryland and serves as the director of the Maryland Cybersecurity Center. He earned his undergraduate degrees from MIT in 1996 and completed his PhD at Columbia University in 2002. Katz has held visiting positions at prestigious institutions, including UCLA, Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris, and IBM. His research encompasses cryptography, privacy, and computer network security, with recent focuses on secure multi-party computation and database privacy. He co-authored the widely-used textbook "Introduction to Modern Cryptography" and has conducted tutorials on cryptography for diverse audiences across industry, academia, and government.

he teaches in the Minor in Technology Entrepreneurship Program and the General Education Program. With over 35 years of experience in management and finance across both domestic and international landscapes, he has raised more than $100 million for eleven startups. As co-founder and Managing Partner of Select Venture Partners LLC, he focuses on early-stage investments. His previous roles include CEO of SpydrSafe Mobile Security, where he led the company to a successful acquisition, as well as COO of CardStar, Inc., and CFO/COO of Trust Digital, Inc. Michael’s finance background includes serving as CFO for several venture-backed firms and holding executive positions at CrossMedia Networks Corp. and Point of Care Technologies. He began his career with Arthur Andersen & Co. and holds degrees in Finance, an MBA, and an MS in Marketing, equipping him to inspire future innovators.

Dr. Arifa Garman specializes in assisting both new and experienced faculty in online teaching by leveraging effective pedagogies, technology tools, and learning management systems. As the Executive Director of eLearning and Testing at Gulf Coast State College, she successfully transitioned the university's in-person courses to remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing timely training for faculty at all levels of online learning experience. Currently, she serves as an instructional designer at the University of Maryland’s Smith Business School, focusing on creating engaging online learning environments. Dr. Garman is a Quality Matters Certified Reviewer and Online Learning Consortium Facilitator, and she has led significant projects such as the migration from Angel LMS to Instructure Canvas. With a commitment to professional development across various modalities, her work emphasizes building strong learning communities and bridging technology with education. She is also expanding her expertise by pursuing a PMP certificate.

Dr. Boris D. Lushniak, MD, MPH, has been the Dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Maryland since 2017, where he has spearheaded the development of new academic programs to address workforce needs, initiated a global health initiative, and fostered civic engagement among students with a focus on social justice and equity. Prior to his role at UMD, he served as professor and chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Lushniak previously held the position of U.S. Deputy Surgeon General from 2010 to 2015, where he led efforts to improve public health messaging and oversaw the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. His notable achievements include serving as Acting Surgeon General, releasing significant health reports, and commanding the USPHS Monrovia Medical Unit during the Ebola crisis in Liberia. With a career in the USPHS beginning in 1988, Dr. Lushniak has held various roles, including assignments at the CDC and FDA, and he was involved in key public health responses, such as Hurricane Katrina and the 2009 pandemic. As Dean, he has guided the School through substantial growth and challenges, including the global coronavirus pandemic, and he currently co-chairs the Maryland Commission on Public Health to enhance public health services statewide. A graduate of Northwestern University and Harvard, Dr. Lushniak is also dedicated to promoting healthy living through his active lifestyle as a long-distance bicyclist, runner, and hiker. He resides in Rockville, Maryland, with his wife, Dr. Patricia Cusumano, and their two daughters.

Dr. Frauke Kreuter is the Director of the Joint Program in Survey Methodology (JPSM) at the University of Maryland and holds joint appointments with the University of Mannheim and the German Institute for Employment Research (IAB), where she leads the statistical methods group. With extensive academic experience, including previous positions at UCLA and Ludwig Maximilians University, her research spans survey methodology, particularly the use of paradata, and interdisciplinary topics. Dr. Kreuter is co-author of Data Analysis Using Stata and Practical Tools for Designing and Weighting Survey Samples. She has also published widely in leading journals and taught extensively on survey design and methodology.

Dr. Richard L. Valliant is a Research Professor at the University of Michigan and the Joint Program for Survey Methodology at the University of Maryland, bringing over 40 years of expertise in survey sampling, estimation theory, and statistical computing. Previously, he served as an Associate Director at Westat and worked as a mathematical statistician with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Dr. Valliant possesses extensive applied experience in survey estimation and sample design across various establishment and household surveys. He is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association and has held editorial positions for several statistical journals, contributing significantly to the field of statistics.

Wilson L. White is a results-oriented leader with nearly 20 years of experience in technology, encompassing roles as a software developer, patent lawyer, and currently serving as the global head of government affairs and public policy for various core business units at Google. As an executive member of Google's policy team, he manages a global team focused on government affairs and public policy strategy, advocating for issues such as artificial intelligence, privacy, security, competition, and intellectual property. Prior to his current role, Wilson was a patent litigation attorney at Google and Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, as well as a federal judicial law clerk for the Honorable Alexander Williams, Jr. at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. In addition to his work at Google, he is a faculty member at the Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, teaching courses on the legal aspects of entrepreneurship. With extensive experience in forming and leading high-performing teams, he thrives on helping individuals and organizations tackle their most significant challenges.