Crestpoint University

FACULTY AND STAFF

Administration

Avi Katz

Avi Katz

Avi Katz, President, CEO, and co-founder of Crestpoint University, received his MBA degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and has practiced as a certified public accountant. He brings the perspective of the business world to Crestpoint’s curriculum and teaching method. Avi has 40 years of experience in corporate management and software development.

Mark Geller

Mark Geller

Mark Geller, Esq., Dean Emeritus and co-founder of Crestpoint University, began his legal career in 1981 at the law firm of Shea & Gould, one of the top ten law firms in New York, with its main office located in New York City. Early in his legal career, Mr. Geller established himself as a specialist in legal procedure and law office management. With his experience in large firm litigation management, Mr. Geller launched Legal Data Systems, Inc. (“LDS”), a company that specialized in designing, developing and implementing automated litigation management systems and databases for attorneys and law firms. In 1983, Mr. Geller sold LDS to The New York Law Publishing Company, publisher of The New York Law Journal, National Law Journal, Law Journal Seminars Press, Jury Verdict Reporter and many other legal newspapers, journals and periodicals throughout the United States. There he assumed the role of vice-president. Under Mr. Geller’s direction, litigation support systems designed and legal databases developed at New York Law Publishing Company’s Law Journal Information Systems (LJIS) have become the industry standard for cutting edge case management automation and online legal data integration. LJIS provided over 200 of the most prestigious law firms in the United States with critical time-sensitive information online via proprietary software. During this time, Mr. Geller oversaw the education and training of attorneys and paralegals in law firms across the United States. The following is a representative sampling of law firms, corporations and organizations whose personnel have been trained by Mr. Geller and his staff:

David Cohen

David Cohen

David Cohen, Vice-President and Chief Technology Officer of Crestpoint University, is a graduate of the Management and Technology Program of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in management from the Wharton School and a degree in computer and telecommunications engineering from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. David also earned a master’s degree in computer science, for which he developed a new algorithm for composition of a bridge between two existing pieces of music.

Stephen Haas

Stephen Haas

Stephen Haas, Esq., Vice-President, Chief Academic Officer, and Education Director of Crestpoint University, who has served on Crestpoint’s administration since 2003, graduated from Pace University School of Law, where he ranked in the top three percent of his class and served as a senior member of the Pace Law Review. Stephen has extensive law practice experience, mostly in the areas of estate planning and elder law and has taught in many different capacities. He has also worked at the United States Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York (federal prosecutor’s office) in White Plains, New York, and at the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. Stephen is the author of a college textbook entitled "Basic Trust Drafting."

Faculty – Compliance Law

Sue Pifer

Sue Pifer

Sue Pifer, Esq., Director of the Master of Science in Compliance Law Program, is the Vice President of Compliance for the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), a leading education and network provider in Washington, DC. In her role, Sue leads RILA’s Environmental Compliance, Internal Audit and Financial Leadership Councils. She also recently served as the Chief Compliance Officer for a leading retailer. Her other Fortune 500 experience includes two years with a global chemical company, six years with another national retailer and eight years with Walt Disney World, primarily in financial and compliance roles. She has also served in government as Bureau Director for the Michigan Department of Treasury and the Director of Internal Audit for a municipal utility. Sue has multiple certifications and advanced degrees, including a JD and an LLM from Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University and an MBA from Michigan State University, as well as practicing as a certified public accountant, attorney at law, and a certified compliance and ethics professional.

Leonard Saphire-Bernstein

Leonard Saphire-Bernstein

Leonard Saphire-Bernstein, Esq., a 1980 JD graduate of Harvard Law School, has conducted and overseen litigation from the private sector and on behalf of the federal government, for hundreds of federal and state civil litigation matters. Beginning at a major LaSalle Street law firm in Chicago, he has also worked for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he headed up a team of litigators responding to social security lawsuits; created his own law firm conducting ERISA actions on behalf of major hospitals, and labor law actions on behalf of large regional unions; and most recently, helped the FDIC resolve the bank failure crisis by closing and dismantling more than four hundred banks nationwide. He has successfully conducted contract, labor, banking, foreclosure, and insurance cases in court, in arbitrations, in mediation, and on appeal, overseen outside counsel in offensive and defensive litigation, and directed responses to complex electronic discovery and FOIA requests.

Erin Steffin

Erin Steffin

Erin Steffin, Esq., is a sole practitioner focusing on Estate Planning, IRS Defense, and Federal Tort Claims for medical malpractice. She obtained her JD and her LLM in taxation from the University of San Diego, School of Law in San Diego, CA. Prior to that, she studied Psychology as an undergraduate, earning her BS at Arizona State University. Erin serves as a Judge pro tempore for Maricopa County Superior Court and for the city of Avondale, Arizona, and has volunteered for organizations providing assistance for those with special needs as well as free legal services to first line responders including firefighters and police. She has appeared on Channel 10’s Lawyers on Call, and provides the baked goods in her office herself.

Faculty – Business Administration

Michael Jones

Michael Jones

Michael C. Jones, Esq., Director of the Bachelor of Business Administration Program, obtained his Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, majoring in American Political Studies, and Master of Administration (MAdm), with distinction, from Northern Arizona University. Michael earned his JD from Arizona Summit Law School, graduating cum laude. During law school, Michael presented at the 2013 International Academy of Law and Mental Health (IALMH) Conference in Amsterdam, was published in the Law Review, served as Vice-President of the Public Interest Law Association, and received CALI awards for academic excellence (highest grade awards) for Criminal Procedure and Professional Responsibility.

For the last 10 years Michael has worked with the Maricopa County Office of the Legal Defender in Phoenix, Arizona, where he currently serves as the Law Office Administrative Manager, overseeing administrative and staff operations. Prior to this appointment, Michael provided specialized legal support in the Maricopa County Early Disposition court and Regional Court Center.

In his spare time, Michael enjoys hiking, playing basketball, and volunteering in his community.

Mike Agron

Mike Agron

Mike Agron earned his MBA from Rockhurst University in Kansas City and has more than 25 years of college teaching experience. He has taught business-related courses in diverse subjects such as economics, finance, marketing, management and mathematics in more than 10 colleges and universities. In addition to teaching for Crestpoint, Mike is also a full time professor at Gillet College in Gillette, WY.

James Bayliff

James Bayliff

Dr. James M. Bayliff earned his Master of Arts from Harvard University and his PhD in Organizational Psychology from Capella University. He also has various other graduate and undergraduate degrees in history, diplomacy, business and psychology. He has served as Dean of Academic Affairs at Virginia College and has held various other roles as academic administrator and professor. Dr. Bayliff also has a long record business management experience, mainly in finance and management. James is also a former United States marine and has served as a miliary instructor and Drill Sergeant.

Sarina Caldwell

Sarina Caldwell

Dr. Sarina Michelle Caldwell is a summa cum laude graduate of Capella University, where she earned both her Doctorate in Business Administration with a specialization in Organizational Leadership and Development and her Master of Health Administration. A seasoned organizational strategist, she brings over a decade of experience leading transformative initiatives that strengthen leadership pipelines, elevate workplace culture, and drive lasting impact across industries. In addition to her teaching at Crestpoint, she is an independent leadership consultant, partnering with organizations to align strategy, cultivate talent, and build high-performing, values-driven teams. Her doctoral research examined leadership advancement challenges in healthcare, with a focus on strategies to support women's progression into leadership roles, while her MHA capstone addressed mental health stigma through community-based interventions. Known for her results-driven mindset and people-centered approach, Dr. Caldwell is passionate about empowering individuals and institutions to lead, grow, and create meaningful impact.

Ebony Mason

Ebony Mason earned her DBA from Walden University and her MS in Instructional Technology from Texas A&M.

Heather Nestorick

Heather Nestorick earned her DBA from Drexel University and her MBA from Strayer University.

Justin Nobles

Justin Nobles

Justin S. Nobles is an educator and business owner who has obtained numerous degrees from many different institutions: an Associates in Applied Arts and Science from Blinn College, a Bachelors in Applied Arts and Science from Sam Houston State University, a Masters of Business Administration (emphasis in Finance) from Aspen University, a Masters in Psychology (emphasis in Addiction Counseling) from Aspen University, a Masters in Taxation from National Juris University, a Doctor in Biblical Counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary, and an Executive Juris Doctor from an online law school based in California. Justin also is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Georgia, Texas, and Pennsylvania along with being a Licensed Professional Counselor, Insurance Agent, Public Adjuster, Mortgage Broker, and Enrolled Agent. Education has always been extremely important for Justin and he enjoys sharing his knowledge with everyone around him. No matter what time of day it is, Justin is always ready to assist his students.

Kate Pina

Kate Piña

Kate Piña, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, is originally from Oregon, but her military career with the U.S. Air Force (Active & Reserve) provided her the opportunity to travel and live in many locations in the U.S. and overseas. Kate's education includes a Bachelor of Science in Management/Human Resources, Master of Arts in Legal Analysis and an MBA from the University of Arizona. Kate offers over 20 years of experience in various operational and HR leadership roles, predominately in the healthcare, non-profit and the financial services industries. She has been an active member of SHRM since 1999 and is certified as a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SCP).

As a paralegal in the Air Force Kate has been deployed twice. In 2006 she worked in Iraq for the Central Criminal Courts of Iraq Liaison Office. The joint services office assisted the Iraqi Courts in prosecuting individuals that had been detained by allied forces for crimes within the borders of Iraq. In 2008 she deployed to Washington D.C. and worked for the Office of Military Commissions as a prosecution paralegal at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

She eventually landed full-time in Phoenix, Arizona where she lives with her fiancé, son, three dogs and a cat.

Audra Sherwood

Audra Sherwood

Audra R. Sherwood earned her PhD at Walden University in management with an emphasis in finance, and has a master’s degree in economics from the University of Wyoming at Laramie. She has 20 years of higher education experience including 13 years of online, blended, and face-to-face teaching at various institutions. She prides herself at being adept at integrating methods of differentiated teaching to accommodate a variety of learning styles and abilities. She has taught more than 2,800 students from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds while overcoming language and cultural barriers. Her courses taught include: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Principles of Economics, Intermediate Economics, Managerial Economics, Human Resources Management, Computers, Communications, Business Management, Math, and Marketing.

Faculty – Psychology

Marina Gelfand

Marina Gelfand, Director of Psychology Programs, earned her PhD in clinical psychology and her MA in psychology from the Catholic University of America..

Chana Avtzon

Chana Avtzon earned her MSW from the Wuraweiler School of Social work at Yeshiva University.

Danielle Coulson

Danielle Coulson earned her MA in psychology from American Public University and her MEd of Instructional Technology from University of Maine.

Debra Doubrava

Debra Doubrava earned her PhD in clinical psychology from Walden University.

Meira Levy

Meira Levy earned her MSW from the Wuraweiler School of Social work at Yeshiva University.

Chaya Suri Malek

Chaya Suri Malek earned her MSW from the Wuraweiler School of Social work at Yeshiva University.

Faculty – Child Psychology

Aidella Avtzon

Aidella Avtzon earned her MS in early childhood education from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY.

Leiba Ginsburg

Leiba Ginsburg earned her MS in general and special education from Concordia College in NY..

Faculty – General Education

Lisa Burkart-Chalmers

Lisa Burkart-Chalmers

Lisa Burkhart-Chalmers, Esq. earned her Juris Doctor from Duquesne University, her Master's in English from East Carolina University and a double BA from University of Pittsburgh in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies. She also completed a certification in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. Lisa has been a college professor for 10 years and has extensive experience teaching online and in physical classrooms. Lisa’s other previous jobs have included internal affairs investigator; law clerk, 911 emergency dispatcher, correctional officer, private investigator and armed guard. Lisa also volunteers for the Center for Victims of Violence and Crime. Lisa is also the happy grandmother of three and makes home for a myriad of pets.

Delma Church

Delma Church earned MA degrees in education and in mathematics from Chadron State College in Nebraska.

Donna Douglas

Donna Douglas

Donna Douglas graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a MS in Biomedical Science and an emphasis in Microbiology. She has taught a variety of courses at the university and high school levels in varied subjects including microbiology, environmental biology and anatomy and physiology, as well as courses in other fields such as chemistry and mathematics. She also has experience in advising students on career development in the biomedical field. Prof. Douglas went on to also earn a JD degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, and is a licensed attorney in addition to being a science and math professor. Prof. Douglas currently works as a professor and curriculum developer for several institutions, and her main focus is on assisting students reach their educational goals.

Hugh Hansen

Odelia Schlisser earned his MS in computer science from Nova Southeastern University..

James Kabala

James Kabala

James S. Kabala received his PhD. in U.S. history from Brown University after graduating from Providence College, also with a degree in history. He has taught at several universities, including Johnson & Wales University, University of Rhode Island and Roger Williams University. He is the author of more than 20 publications and conference papers on topics such as church and state and religious freedom. He is also the author of the book Church-State Relations in the Early American Republic, 1787-1846 (Routledge).

Jason Moir

Jason Moir earned his MS in computer science from Nova Southeastern University.

Diana Moore

Diana Moore earned her PhD in computer science from Nova Southeastern University and her MS in library and information science from Drexel University.

Barbara Pierpont

Barbara Pierpont

Dr. Barbara Pierpont graduated from the University of the Cumberland with an EdD in Educational Leadership. She received her Master's in Geoscience and Physics from Western Governors University and her Science Curriculum and Instructional Design from Walden University. She has taught online science courses since 2007 in subjects ranging from biology to geophysics. As well as teaching, she writes for various textbook companies in developing new curricula for the classroom. She is married with six children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Three Siamese cats round out the household.

Eve Rosenbaum

Eve Rosenbaum

Eve Rosenbaum holds an MA and PhD in English from the University of Iowa, and an MFA in creative writing from American University. Her dissertation focused on writers living and working in Washington, D.C. during the Civil War, and she is the recipient of research fellowships from the Organization of American Historians, the Capitol Historical Society, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, and the White House Historical Society. Eve has published fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in anthologies and literary journals including Brain Child, the Brooklyn Review, the Potomac Review, and the Cortland Review. She has taught in both traditional and nontraditional classrooms for more than a decade.

Odelia Schlisser

Odelia Schlisser earned her MS in sociology from University of Noth Texas ahd her MA in education from Touro College.

Jonathan Sholem

Jonathan Sholem

Jonathan Sholem is both the director of the department of social sciences at Crestpoint University and a professor. He has conducted research in Mexico, Brazil, Canada, and Cuba (under US government license), in addition to the US. His consulting work has included research for the US Department of State, US Interagency Colombia Task Force, Ford Motor Company, Research Data Analysis, Strativity Group, and Gallup. Along with PhD. candidacy in political science, he received master’s degrees in public policy (with specializations in economic policy and foreign policy), and in political science, all from the University of Michigan. He also taught classes in statistical research methods and political science classes at University of Michigan.

Miriam Slansky

Miriam Slansky earned her MS in food and nutrition from Bowling Green State University.

Admissions and Student Services

Dana Luksenburg

Dana Luksenburg

Dana Luksenburg, Admissions Director and Reigstrar, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Human Development from Arizona State University in 2011. She has held several positions involving human development, working with people of various ages and backgrounds, especially children. She has been responsible for planning and overseeing a variety of activities and curricula. Dana is also a member of the Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity and has served as a volunteer fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Chelsey Theriac

Chelsey Theriac

Chelsey Theriac, Assistant Admissions Director and Technical Support Associate, has many years of experience in a variety of areas including child and youth programming, retail, and customer service, as well as extensive knowledge in records management. Most recently, she worked as a legal secretary for a law office specializing in juvenile and social services. Her vast experience in customer service will bring a professional and talented approach to student services. She is excited to bring her expertise to Crestpoint.

Rena Gelb

Rena Gelb

Rena Gelb, Admissions Associate and Assistant to the Education Director, earned her Masters of Science in Education from Long Island University and has experience in both child and adult education. She has been working for online schools for close to 7 years in admissions, student services and academic departments.

Ariel Rosen

Ariel Rosen, Admissions Associate, has an expansive knowledge of higher education, having served in various roles at Crestpoint. She is an experienced educator, having taught preschool-aged children through college students while working with a local non-profit organization. Ariel received her Bachelor of Arts in theatre performance from Fordham University in New York, where she also spent some time abroad. Ariel is an Arizona native and is happy to be back in Phoenix with her family.

Finance and Financial Aid

Ayala Wohlgelernter

Ayala Tajerstein

Ayala Tajerstein, Finance Director and Bursar, holds a BS in accounting from the University of Baltimore and is a certified public accountant, certified in the state of Maryland. Ayala is a former senior accountant at a public accounting firm, and has extensive managerial experience. Ayala uses her background in accounting along with her managerial experience to benefit all of our students.

Lisa Pimber

Lisa Pimber

Lisa Pimber, Financial Aid Director, began her financial aid career in 1998. Lisa utilizes her enthusiasm and over 20 years of experience to assist students with all of their financial aid needs. Student success is Lisa’s foremost priority.

Rosa Garcia

Rosa Garcia

Rosa Garcia, Assistant Financial Aid Director, completed her associate degree in administration of justice from Estrella Mountain Community College in 2009. She has 14 years of financial aid experience, which allows her to provide detailed financial aid information to our student body. On her personal time she loves shopping and spending time with her husband, 4 children and her adorable shitzu, Gizmo.

Cathy Connors

Cathy Connors, Financial Aid Associate, graduated from Western International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Health.  She has 16 years' experience in financial aid and higher education.  While not working, Cathy enjoys time with her two daughters Sydney & Karsyn as well as her two grandchildren Luna & Orion.

Technical Staff

Uri Borowski

Uri Borowski

Uri Borowski, Software Engineer and Technical Support Associate, received his training in programming and software writing from John Bryce Training Center. Before coming to Crestpoint, he worked for Simply-Y Financial Services, where he built web-based front-end and back-end programs and developed mobile banking apps for J2ME. His areas of expertise include Java, JSTL, AJAX, Tiles, HTML, JavaScript, CSS, Spring-WS and Ibatis.

Gil Teitelbaum

Gil Teitelbaum

Gil Teitelbaum, Software Engineer, graduated from Queens College, City University of New York with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science. He has worked as a full stack developer creating mission critical applications for software houses specializing in Banking, Finance, Document Management and ERP. Some of his past accomplishments include developing large-scale trading systems used at trading desks at some of the largest banks in the world, developing algorithmic trading systems, and creating risk management systems.

Academic Support

Anne Lewis

Anne Lewis, Academic Student Services Director, earned her paralegal certificate from Crestpoint University in 2010 with a 4.0 grade point average and successfully took the CP Exam shortly thereafter. Anne has about ten years of experience working as a paralegal and holds a BA in English from Linfield College. Anne assists both in mentoring new students and in assisting students in studying for the CP exam.

Rachel Nudell

Rachel Nudell

Rachel Nudell, Academic Student Services Associate, Assistant Education Director, and Technical Support Associate, graduated summa cum laude from Crestpoint University with a Master of Science Degree in Compliance Law. Rachel has eight years of experience working as a teacher and personal tutor, working with students of all ages, helping them succeed in their studies. Rachel assists in mentoring students in various classes in addition to her role as an instructor. She derives great joy and satisfaction from seeing her students achieve their own success.

Tara Miller

Tara Miller, Academic Advisor, earned her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Crestpoint University.

Teri Tolon

Teri Tolon

Teri Tolon, Academic Advisor, earned her Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Crestpoint University in 2014, graduating with a 3.95 grade point average. Afterwards, she continued at National Juris University, where she earned a Master’s of Science in Compliance Law in the Employment Law track. Before attending Crestpoint, Teri was active in the business world - owning her own businesses, working in management, and attending to all the different aspects that make a good business run successfully, enjoying every minute. Since graduating from Crestpoint, Teri has once again started her own business offering freelance paralegal, bookkeeping, and tax services. Teri is the mentor for Crestpoint’s business degree and joint degree students, and mentors legal program students who are enrolled in any kind of business courses.

Leah Van Divner

Leah VanDivner

Leah VanDivner, Academic Advisor, holds a BA in Psychology from Messiah College. She received her paralegal certificate from Crestpoint University in 2012 with a 4.0 average and was also certified by the National Association of Legal Assistants in 2012 by passing the CP Exam. Leah is also certified in LexisNexis® and WestLaw Next™. As a writer and editor for over 12 years, Leah has worked extensively on document preparation, contracts, textbook and doctoral thesis editing. She is currently a member of the Montgomery County Paralegal Association and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and works as a freelance paralegal in Pennsylvania and New York.

Compliance and Accreditation

Amy Dubitsky

Amy Dubitsky

Amy Dubitsky, Compliance Director and Career Services Director, earned her BA in English Communications/Advertising from Yeshiva University in New York. Amy spent four years in account management at a New York advertising agency working mostly on retail accounts including Bed Bath & Beyond. She also has extensive experience working with print publications as an advertising sales executive, marketing manager and as a writer. Amy joined Crestpoint as part of the financial aid department, but now uses her background and skills to make sure Crestpoint is compliant with all state, federal, and accrediting regulations. In 2019, Amy was appointed to the Standards Committee of the Distance Education Accreditation Committee.

Jeffrey Bodimer

Jeffrey Bodimer, Accreditation Director, earned his EdD in higher education and adult learning from Walden University, his MBA from Fontbonne University, and his MEd in higher education and higher education administration from the University of Missouri in St. Louis.

Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

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  • Admissions Office
  • Phone: 800-371-6105
  • 717 E Maryland Ave,
    Phoenix AZ 85014-1561