Administration

Craig D. Swenson, PhD

With a career in higher education that spans more than 25 years, Dr. Craig Swenson is a recognized national leader in adult higher education. Dr. Swenson joined Argosy University as its President designate in September 2007 and officially became President on January 1, 2008. He was previously Provost and Academic Vice President at Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, UT. Prior to that he was Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic a airs for the University of Phoenix system, where he had also served as a Senior Regional Vice President, and as a Vice President/Campus Director. He joined that institution as a faculty member.

Dr. Swenson is a member of the Board of Directors of CHEA (Council for Higher Education Accreditation). He served on the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), advising the U.S. Secretary of Education on matters related to accreditation and to the eligibility and certification process for institutions of higher education. He also served as a non-federal negotiator for the U.S. Department of Education 2007 Negotiated Rule-making process. Additionally, he is a member of the U.S. Army Educational Advisory Committee, advising the Secretary of the Army on education and training matters. He previously served on the Army’s Distance Education and Training Subcommittee. He formerly served as a peer reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.

Dr. Swenson holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in Organizational Communication from Brigham Young University. His Ph.D. in Education was awarded by Walden University.

He has published frequently in the areas of higher education, organizational management, distance learning, and faculty development. He has also served as a consultant for several large corporations and nonprofit organizations.

William Brown, PsyD

Dr. William Brown serves as Group Vice President, East for Argosy University. Dr. Brown joined Argosy University in 2003 as the Chair of the Forensic Psychology program and Associate Professor of Psychology at the Argosy University, Washington, DC campus, where he later served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs, and as the Campus President.

Prior to joining Argosy University, Dr. Brown worked as a clinical and forensic psychologist in inpatient, outpatient, and private practice settings. He is both an experienced professor and practitioner in the areas of clinical and forensic psychology.

Dr. Brown holds both a Doctorate of Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida. He completed his postdoctoral residency in forensic psychology at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Virginia. He is an active member of the American Psychological Association and the University of Florida Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

Mike Falotico, PsyD

Dr. Falotico serves as Group Vice President, West for Argosy University. He joined Argosy University in 2005 as Chair of Undergraduate Studies. He later chaired the Organizational Leadership and Graduate Business programs, helping to developing new curricula and ensuring program compliance with university, state, and accreditation policies and requirements. During this time, Dr. Falotico also served as program director for Argosy University Online programs. In 2007, he was named Argosy University’s Vice President of Academic Operations and Student Services, working to develop best practices across academic and student services for all of Argosy University’s campuses. Since that time, he served as acting president of Argosy University’s Atlanta campus and president of Argosy University, Chicago.

Prior to joining Argosy University, Falotico served as a practicing clinical therapist with the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Dr. Falotico holds a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, both from the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Central Michigan University.

Jeff Cross, MBA

Jeff Cross serves as Vice President of Admissions for Argosy University, overseeing Admissions operations for the university’s campuses.

Jeff brings more than 15 years experience in higher education to his role, having served as Vice President of Admissions at Ashford University and having worked in the University of Phoenix system for 10 years in a number of admissions and operation leadership positions for campuses in Nevada, California and Florida.

Jeff holds an MBA from Webster University and BA in Business Administration from California State University- Fullerton where he graduated with Honors. He is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society.

Stephanie Thurston, MBA

Stephanie Thurston serves as Associate Vice President of Reporting and Strategic Development for Argosy University. Ms. Thurston brings almost 15 years experience in strategic planning, financial planning and analysis, driver-based forecasting, profitability modeling, P&L management, executive-level presentation preparation, process establishment and financial risk management to the organization.

She joined Argosy University in 2001 as a Business Analyst and has held additional positions as Senior Financial Analyst, Assistant Vice President of Financial Operations, Interim Vice President of Finance and Regional Vice President of Finance – West Region. Prior to joining Argosy, Ms. Thurston held finance positions at Southwestern Bell Corporation, Inc., Omron Electronics, Inc., and Arthur Anderson, LLP.

Stephanie holds a Masters of Business Administration from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign. She is an avid runner and community volunteer.

Leanne Wruck, PhD

Dr. Leanne Wruck serves as the interim Vice President of Academic Affairs for Argosy University. Dr. Wruck joined Argosy University in 2003 as the Director of Curriculum Planning for Business & Information Technology and has since held roles as Assistant Vice President of Curriculum Planning and, most recently, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs. In addition to her background in higher education, Dr. Wruck has worked in corporate training and technical training environments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Western Illinois University, a master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of Phoenix and a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis on Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University.

Cynthia Larson, EdD

Dr. Cynthia Larson serves as Dean of the College of Business for Argosy University. Dr. Larson joined Argosy University with more than twenty years experience in the fields of business and higher education. She most recently served for seven years as president of Spectrum Pacific Learning Company, an e-learning solutions provider housed in National University. Prior to her role there, Dr. Larson held positions with the Federal Reserve Bank and Chevy Chase Bank, working in human resource, training/development and performance management-related positions.

In addition to having taught at National University, Towson University, George Washington University and Pepperdine University, Dr. Larson is an accomplished presenter, publisher and consultant on the subject of e-learning. She holds a Doctorate of Education in Human and Organizational Learning from George Washington University. In addition, she received a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies: Management, Organizational Communications and Human Resources Development, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Towson University.

Carol Tolson, PhD

Dr. Carol Tolson serves as Interim Dean of the College of Education for Argosy University. Dr. Tolson joined Argosy University in 2009 and serves as the Associate Dean for the College of Education. She has four decades of experience in the field of education, with 18 of those years in higher education. In addition to her professional duties with Argosy University, Dr. Tolson serves as a national program reviewer for the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC). She holds a bachelor’s degree in German from Mundelein College, a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Roosevelt University and a Ph.D. in Sociological Foundations of Education from Loyola University.

Kristin Benson, PsyD

Dr. Kristin Benson serves as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences of Argosy University and the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Twin Cities campus. Dr. Benson has been with Argosy University since 2001.

Dr. Benson served as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences at the Twin Cities Campus. Prior to that she was the Director of Academic and Student Affairs at the Medical Institute of Minnesota and was a faculty member in general education. Dr. Benson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Gustavus Adolphus College, and Master of Arts and Doctorate degrees in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Jack O’Regan, PsyD

Dr. Jack O’Regan joined Argosy University in 1991 and served as the Dean of the College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences for six years before stepping down to return to the faculty. He brings his wealth of experience in education and psychology to his current role as a professor and director of the internship consortium at Argosy University, Twin Cities. Dr. O’Regan is a licensed psychologist in the state of Minnesota; a diplomate and current President of the American Academy of Counseling Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology; a member of the Minnesota Psychological Association, American Board of Professional Psychology, Inc., and American Psychological Association. He is also President of PsyBiz, Inc. Jack holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from St. John’s University, a Master of Business Administration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri

Mukul Bhalla, PhD

Dr. Mukul Bhalla will continue to serve as the Interim Dean of the College of Undergraduate Studies. In addition to holding the position of Associate Dean of the Psychology program for the College of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Bhalla is a psychology professor at Argosy University, Washington D.C., where she continues to teach and mentor graduate and undergraduate students. She joined the university in 2004 with more than a decade of experience in the field of higher education. Dr. Bhalla holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Political Science from Lucknow University in India, a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Virginia. She is a member of the Eastern Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, and the Association for Psychological Science and continues to be an active contributor to American Psychological Association’s working group on Undergraduate Education in Psychology.

William E. Adams, JD

William Adams serves as Dean and President for Western State College of Law at Argosy University.

Dean Adams brings to Western State a diverse background of creating and administering community clinical and legal services programs, as well extensive academic experience, both as an administrator and in front of a classroom.

Prior to joining Western State, Adams served as a professor of law and Associate Dean for international, online and graduate programs at the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). While at NSU, he held additional positions to include as Acting Dean, Director of the Law Center’s Civil Clinic and as Director of Clinical Programs. Prior to his time at NSU, Professor Adams held the position of Elderly Projects Director at the Center for Governmental Responsibility at the Holland Law Center at the University of Florida. Adams was also a legal services corporation attorney representing indigent persons for approximately nine years in Indiana and Florida.

In addition to experience as a law professor, Adams has chaired the Association of American Law Schools’ Section on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issus as well as its Section on Aging and the Law. He is also a prior chair of the Florida Bar’s Public Interest Law Section. The National Lesbian and Gay Law Association presented its Dan Bradley Award for significant contributions made to lesbian and gay rights to Dean Adams in 1994. Dean Adams received his Bachelors Degree and his JD, cum laude, from Indiana University.