Disney College Program- Education: Instructor Biographies

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Who Teaches the Disney College Program Curriculum?

Disney College Program instructors are Cast Members who are industry and content-area experts with years of practical experience in their fields. All of our instructors hold one or more advanced degrees. Feedback from the students about our instructors is extremely positive, with survey data indicating that subject-matter knowledge among the faculty is outstanding. Like faculty on your campus, our instructors are expected to stay current in their field, engage in continuing education and be involved in student activities.

What follows are the abbreviated biographies of our education team. We are very proud of these talented individuals and have shared with you just a sampling of their many skills and experiences. We hope you enjoy meeting the team that delivers the learning program to your students on our campus!

Frank Barnes, Instructor

PhD, Philosophy (Applied Ethics), University of South Florida, 2000
MA, Philosophy, University of South Florida, 1996
BA, Philosophy, University of Central Florida, 1992

Frank brings university-level faculty experience to his role as an instructor. Frank has taught Formal Logic and Critical Thinking courses at the University of South Florida and currently teaches Medical Ethics at Valencia Community College. Frank has more than 20 years of Merchandise, Operations and Human Resources experience at the Walt Disney World® Resort. His training and development experience includes Instructional Systems Design, evaluation, quality assurance and facilitation/instruction. Frank joined the Education Team in 2002 and teaches Disney Organizational Leadership.

Pamela Campbell, Instructor

MA, Organizational Management, University of Phoenix, 2001
BS, Food Production Management, Grambling State University, 1993
BS, Liberal Arts, Louisiana Technological University, 1992

Pamela joined Walt Disney World in 1990 as a Food and Beverage Hostess at Epcot®. After graduating from college, she worked at the New Orleans International Airport as the Manager of Restaurants. Pamela returned to Florida in 1993 and accepted an offer to participate in the Disney Leadership Development Program, which broadened her leadership skills through mentoring and management courses. Since then, Pamela has worked in various areas of the Walt Disney World Resort in positions of increasing responsibility. Pam joined the Education Team in 2002 and teaches Disney Advanced Studies in Hospitality Management.

Scott Duncan, Instructor

PhD, Communications Research, University of Southern California, 1978
MA, Communications Theory, University of Southern California, 1977
MS, Public Relations, Boston University, 1969
BS, Humanities, U.S. Air Force Academy, 1965

Scott has a variety of faculty experiences, including teaching in the graduate programs of the University of Southern California and Colorado State University, as well as the undergraduate program at the U.S. Air Force Academy. His expertise is broad, including specialties in communication research and theory as well as political science and history. Scott is a retired Air Force Colonel who led major corporate communication organizations in his 26-year career. Scott joined the Education Team in 2003 and teaches Disney Corporate Communications.

Tricia Garwood, Instructor

M.S. Counseling and Human Relations, Villanova University 1983
B.A. History and Education, Immaculata University 1980

Tricia spent 15 years as an educator and consultant to businesses, universities, school districts and individuals before joining the Walt Disney World Resort. Her work and research has resulted in co-authoring three books in the field of psychology and several dozen articles published in both professional and popular journals. Tricia began her Walt Disney World Resort career in Food and Beverage Operations and has held positions of increasing responsibility with various arms of the Training and Development Organization focusing on program design and delivery. Tricia joined the Education Team in 2006 and teaches Disney Creativity & Innovation: Gaining the Edge!

Gloria Hardee, Instruction & Curriculum Manager

MBA, Nova Southeastern University, 1995
BS, Business, Nova Southeastern University, 1993

Gloria is a 31-year Walt Disney World Cast Member with nearly 24 years of progressive leadership experience and 4 years of experience teaching college courses. Her most recent roles include Area Manager of World Showcase Custodial at Epcot, Operations Manager of Disney's Hollywood Studios™ Attractions and Area Manager of Magic Kingdom® Park Main Entrance. She also has experience in numerous other areas of the company, including several years in training and development at Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. An adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida's Rosen College of Hospitality, Gloria previously taught business courses at Nova Southeastern University.

Penny Hightower, Instructor

MA, Organizational Management, University of Phoenix, 2001
BS, Retail Management/Business Administration, Florida A&M University, 1974

Penny brings more than 20 years of Walt Disney World Resort Operations and Human Resources experience to her role as an instructor. She has held both administrative and instructional duties on our joining the Disney College Program Education Team in 1995. Penny currently teaches Disney Marketing You: Personal and Career Development Strategies.University.

Jennifer Hilzer, Facilitator

BA, Communication, Colorado Christian University, 2004

Jennifer started her Disney career in 2001 on the Disney College Program working in Operations and enjoying two Disney collegiate courses. After graduating from CCU in 2004 she moved from Colorado to Florida to start an internship in Guest Relations at the Disney's Hollywood Studios™, where she also was a VIP Tour Guide. That led her to a leadership position as a front desk Guest Service Manager in resorts. In 2006, Jennifer had the great honor of serving on the Traditions Team. She is now delighted to join the Education team in 2007 facilitating several of the Disney Exploration Series.

David Horvath, Facilitator

BA, Promotional Communications, Cleveland State University, 1994

David began his career with The Walt Disney Company in 1993 on the Disney College Program. After graduation, David returned to the company and spent the following two years in Consumer Products as a Disney Store Manager and was later selected as one of the opening Retail Guest Service Managers for Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. David spent five years traveling the world recruiting for the Disney College, International and CareerStart Programs. He joined the Disney College Program Education team in 2007, where he shares his knowledge of these programs and the company while facilitating several of the Disney Exploration Series.

Debi Immel, Instructor and Learning Consultant

MA, Library and Information Science, University of South Florida, 1997
BA, Mathematics, University of South Florida, 1995

While pursuing her master's degree, Debi worked as a teacher's assistant in the Mathematics Department and the Library Sciences Department at the University of South Florida. She later taught mathematics courses at Valencia Community College. Debi joined Walt Disney World Resort as a participant on the Disney College Program as a Professional Intern on the Pre-opening team of Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park. After completing her internship, she joined Walt Disney World Co. full time in a leadership role with Disney Learning Centers. Debi joined the Education Operations Team in 2001 and teaches Disney Experiential Learning.

Joyce Jenkins, Instructor

MA, Educational Leadership, National-Louis University, 2004
BS, Sociology, Secondary Education, Florida A&M University, 1971

After previous employment in city, county and state government, Joyce brings more than 20 years of Human Resources experience to her role as an instructor. Joyce began her career at the Walt Disney World Resort in 1998 with the Employee Relations/Labor Relations Department. While serving as a Senior Employee Representative, Joyce provided advice and recommendations to Disney's management on company policy, collective bargaining obligations and employment law. She also provided Employee Relations support to Disney's Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom Park, and Disney's global resorts. Joyce has facilitated Leading in a Unionized Environment classes at Disney University, as well as Leaders of Minors classes at the Magic Kingdom Park. Joyce also taught a Cultural Diversity course at Valencia Community College. Joyce joined the Education Team in 2006 and teaches Disney Human Resource Management.

Corrie Kelly, Instructor

MBA, Business Administration, Webster University, 2000
BS, Restaurant, Hotel, Institutional and Tourism Management, Purdue University, 1996

While in school, Corrie held various positions in both the food-and-beverage and tourism industries. Corrie began her Disney career in 1994, when she participated in the Disney College Program at the Disneyland® Resort. Enjoying her experience, she spent the following summer at the Walt Disney World Resort as a Disney Professional Management Intern. After graduation, Corrie returned to the Walt Disney World Resort where she assumed a role in Operations. Corrie has assumed roles of increasing responsibility in Operations and Human Resources, and she joined the Education Team in 2000. She currently teaches Disney Corporate Analysis.

Don Levonius, Site Operations & Delivery Manager

MA, Business and Organizational Security Management, Webster University, 2004
BS, Professional Management, Nova Southeastern University, 2000

Don joined the Walt Disney World Resort in 1997, where he held a number of positions in security leadership. Following the 9/11 attacks, Don led efforts to heighten security's training requirements and significantly enhanced its curriculum to address the new threat of terrorism. Later, as Regional Manager of Learning & Development, he assumed responsibility for training at all Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Resort Transportation and the Walt Disney World Resort Call Center. Don joined the Education Team in 2007 and leads the team responsible for delivering the overall educational experience for our Disney College, International, and CareerStart students at the Florida site.

Brian Ruppe, Business Manager & Registrar

MBA, University of Florida, 2006
BS, Business Administration, University of Florida, 1997

Brian began his Disney career as a participant on the Disney College Program in 1994, which during that time he earned his Ducktorate for completing Leadership: Disney Style. After graduation, Brian returned to the Walt Disney World Resort as a Restaurant Guest Service Manager in Food & Beverage at the Disney's Hollywood Studios. During his 10 year career at Disney's Hollywood Studios Food & Beverage, Brian was promoted to Area Manager, had the opportunity to lead in many different restaurants and launched multiple new venues. Brian joined the Education Team in 2007 and is responsible for the scheduling and registration of all Education courses and the operation of the Disney Learning Center at Vista Way.

Karen Toney, Instructor

MA, Human Resource Development and Management, Webster University, 2006
BS, Hotel Restaurant Management, Virginia State University, 1990

Karen brings a real-world perspective to the classroom gleaned from her years of experience in Walt Disney World Resort Operations and Human Resources. Prior to joining the Education Team, Karen was responsible for the recruitment and selection of front line Cast Members and administrative staff. Karen currently teaches Disney Marketing You: Personal and Career Development Strategies.

Brenda Vander Pol, Instructor

MBA, Webster University, 2000
BS, Speech Communications, Baldwin-Wallace College, 1991

Brenda joined Walt Disney World Co. in 1991 after graduating from college. During her tenure, Brenda held Operations and Human Resources roles of increasing responsibility. In 1994, Brenda accepted an offer to participate in the Disney Leadership Development Program, which allowed her to develop managerial skills through mentoring and management courses. Brenda joined our team in 2000 and teaches Disney Marketing You: Personal and Career Development Strategies.

Kathleen Winningham, Learning & Development Manager, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

MBA, University of Florida, 2000
BA, Business Administration, University of Florida, 1999

Kathleen brings a variety of academic experiences to The Walt Disney Company. With more than 12 years of experience at the University of Florida, she worked in both the Warrington College of Business and the College of Dentistry in admissions, student services, recruitment and program administrative roles. After completing her graduate education, she worked at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management as an admissions & marketing recruiter. Kathleen joined the Education Team in 2003 and serves as the Learning & Development Manager responsible for the overall educational experience for our Disney College, International, and CareerStart participants at all sites. In addition, Kathleen teaches the Entertainment Show Production Professional Development Study.

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