Meet Our Academic Quality Leads

Academic Quality Lead | 9 years at Park

Dr. Scot Cates has served Park University for nearly a decade as an Adjunct Faculty member and Academic Director. He also served two years each on both the Writing Across the Curriculum Committee and the FCI Advisory Council. He teaches Business Policy, International Business, and other management courses.

A retired U.S. Army Soldier, Dr. Cates brings experience in operations, quality assurance, law enforcement, and curriculum development. Outside Park University, he serves as an Associate Director for Finance, overseeing a $1 billion budget while leading a national financial management program. He holds a PhD, an MBA, and an M.Ed.

Academic Quality Lead | 40 years at Park

Paul R. Ford has served Park University in various teaching, academic leadership, and faculty mentoring roles. He has taught numerous Park University courses, including Principles of Marketing, Senior Seminar in Management, Marketing Management, Seminar in Marketing, Probability and Statistics, Quantitative Research Methods, Business Communications, and Labor Relations.

He has also developed online courses and authored instructor manuals for Park University faculty.

In his academic leadership roles, Paul has served as a Lead Academic Director and Online Mentor/Peer Review Fellow, guiding faculty, conducting course and faculty evaluations, and promoting best practices in online teaching. He has also assisted faculty with course quality, technology, and student engagement.

Paul has received Park University's Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award (2008), Mentor of the Year Award (2020–2021), and an Academic Excellence Award.

Academic Quality Lead | 23 years at Park

Dr. Deanna Jacobsen Koepke began teaching public speaking for Park University in 2004 at the Malmstrom Campus Center. After completing her PhD in 2009, she began teaching social sciences courses and moved into the role of the local Academic Director.

As Park's landscape changed, she became a Regional Academic Director. She enjoys mentoring online faculty and supporting campus centers on academic scheduling and quality.

Academic Quality Lead | 25 years at Park

Carol Povolish has served Park University in a variety of teaching, academic leadership, and faculty mentoring/training roles. She has taught numerous courses at Park University, including First Year Student Seminar, Introduction to HR Management, Leadership and Team Building, Planning and Staffing, Corporate Training and Development, Management and Organizational Behavior, and Compensation Management.

In her academic leadership roles, Carol has served as a Mentor and as an Academic Director for both campus centers and online programs. She currently serves as Academic Quality Lead/Mentor/Peer Review Fellow, providing guidance to adjunct faculty, conducting course and faculty evaluations, and promoting best practices in online teaching. She has also assisted adjunct faculty with their students and a variety of issues that have arisen. She also assisted adjunct faculty with technology and student engagement.

Carol has served as one of TLC’s Online Faculty Mentors for the 2025-2026 year.

Academic Quality Lead | 24 years at Park

Anna Whitehead serves as the Academic Director for Park University at the El Paso, Ft. Bliss Campus Centers and Online. She has been in higher education for over 23 years with Park University and is responsible for recruiting and training talented educators in the El Paso area.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology, a Master’s in Communication and Leadership, and a Master’s of Public Affairs (Non-profit and Community Service) from Park University. In her spare time she likes to read books on leadership and personal development and volunteers with local Non-Profits in her area. Anna is also a Certified Notary Signing Agent and small business owner.