LIFT Inaugural Cohort

Sarah is the assistant dean for Student and Career Services at CSU College of Law, working as a recruitment professional focused on the legal industry. Her primary experience is in working with law students, including advising, professional development, experiential programming, career services and employer outreach.

Anne-Marie joined CSU in 2021 as associate vice president of Alumni Relations and Corporate Engagement, and executive director of the Alumni Association. She has over 30 years of institutional advancement experience, including development, alumni relations, admissions, board management, marketing and communications.

Erin joined CSU in 2021 as the senior manager of the Cooperative Education program in the Washkewicz College of Engineering. Prior to that, she worked in the Engineering Co-op and Placement Office at the University of Akron for over 15 years. She is passionate about helping to ensure students are career ready and gain real-world experience.

Ritika is a seasoned finance and management professional with over 26 years of experience. She serves as executive director of Academic Affairs Budget & Financial Analysis in the Provost’s Office, where she leads a team focused on academic budget and financial analysis in building multi-year financial forecasting models and budget monitoring. 

Michele serves as an associate professor of Management. Her research focuses on vulnerable populations and explores key management topics such as leadership, governance, organizational culture, conflict, team dynamics and change management. 

John is a U.S. Navy veteran and nonprofit management professional with over 25 years of experience in the field. He joined his alma mater in 2023 as senior director of Advancement for the Monte Ahuja College of Business. He views success as transformational actions that ensure his organization delivers its message meaningfully. 

Kelly is the deputy general counsel at CSU and has been an attorney in the Office of General Counsel since 2009. Previously, she was a law clerk for a federal magistrate judge and an associate at Baker & Hostetler LLP. Kelly has volunteered in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District with the Cleveland Bar Association's 3Rs program for over 15 years. 

Carolyn is a human trafficking survivor parent, advocate and co-founder of the Alliance Against Human Trafficking. She also serves as administrative secretary for the Departments of History, Africana Studies, and Philosophy & Religious Studies at CSU. Carolyn is a doctoral candidate in Urban Studies and Public Affairs. 

Erica is a professor of Legal Writing at CSU College of Law, where she teaches Legal Research and Writing to first-year law students and Advanced Brief Writing to upper-level law students. She joined CSU in 2023 after 15 years of practicing law mainly in the areas of bankruptcy law and business litigation.

Sathish is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and the director of the Intelligent Secure Cyber Systems and Applications Research Lab. He’s held many leadership roles, including director of the Ph.D. Computer Science program, founding co-director of the CSU TECH Hub and undergraduate program committee chair in the Department of Computer Science. 

Shereen is an associate professor of Psychology with a focus on school psychology. Her research explores equitable educational practices and the development of inclusive school environments. Dr. Naser’s work includes experience in diverse educational contexts. She was a school psychologist in New Orleans before joining CSU. 

Cigdem serves as the director of the School of Film & Media Arts. She brings a diverse background in higher education having worked in a wide range of institutions. Her documentary films and immersive cinema experiences have been screened in film festivals around the world, garnering numerous awards and recognition.

Alexsandra (Alex) is an assistant lecturer in the Monte Ahuja College of Business. She is also a career coach, published author and owner of Creative Cadence LLC, a consulting agency. A global citizen who’s lived in and traveled to many countries, she thrives on bridging cultures. She received the CSU Golden Apple teaching award in 2023.

Neda is a professor in the Department of Political Science, teaching courses on international relations, U.S. foreign policy, environmental politics, cybersecurity and politics of the Middle East. She contributed to the establishment of a Middle East Studies minor, Arabic language major and interdisciplinary master's program in global interactions, which she directed for over eight years.