For over one hundred years, Blackstone has been widely recognized as a leader in distance education. Our success revolves around our students’ eagerness to learn, and the dedicated faculty and staff who support them. Faculty members are leaders in their field of expertise, and the Blackstone staff has many years of experience in distance education. Our faculty includes instructors with years of practice in teaching and developing distance education programs. Their educational and professional backgrounds, as well as memberships in professional organizations, give them access to the most up-to-date training and changes in the field.
They work closely with our administration and staff to provide timely answers to students’ questions. Blackstone’s support and development team assists in writing and editing our educational materials, as well as updating and reviewing them for accuracy, and helps maintain our electronic databases and the Online Student Center. All of the staff, instructors, and support and development members work under the guidance of a skilled administration that has student satisfaction and course quality as its primary goals.
Administration
Kevin J. McCloskey
President
Kevin J. McCloskey is president of Direct Learning Systems, Inc. (DLS), a Lehigh Valley, PA, based distance education publishing company, which he founded in 1999. DLS is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a private licensed school and provides an Internet-based distance learning curriculum through Blackstone Career Institute. Blackstone is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, Washington, D.C.
Kevin’s previous experience includes over 15 years in senior management. He was Vice Chairman and managing partner of NLKK, Inc. the operator of Keystone National High School, a nationally accredited Internet-based secondary school with an enrollment of over 15,000 students. In 2000, he orchestrated the sale of NLKK, Inc. to KinderCare Learning Centers, Inc., a publicly traded firm. Prior to that time, he held various senior management positions in the medical equipment field. Kevin was primarily responsible for marketing, sales, business development and strategic planning throughout this period. He holds a BA degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Professionally, Kevin is active within the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), served on the Business Standards Committee (Vice Chairman), and was Chairman of the International Marketing Workshop of the DETC in 2000. Additionally, he has served on the long-range planning and membership committees of Brookside Country Club. Other professional affiliations include the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, and the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators. He also serves on the school board of St. Thomas More School as fundraising chairman.
Paul Grumbein
General Manager
Paul Grumbein graduated from Salem College with a bachelor of science in secondary education, earning a dual major in physical education and art with a minor in health sciences and safety education. Upon graduation, Paul was employed as a high school teacher for several years, and was active in the school’s scholastic sports programs, theatrical productions and other extracurricular activities. During this time he continued his education by enrolling in a master’s program at Millersville College, where he pursued a degree in school guidance. His career took a turn into the business world, where he elevated himself through the sales ranks to the position of district sales manager in a career spanning twenty-four years. Along the way he continued his education, enrolling in Albright College, where he took business-related courses. With the opportunity to merge his educational background and management abilities, Paul joined the staff of Direct Learning Systems, Inc. where he is responsible for the school’s operations.
Valerie L. Behrle
Director of Education
Valerie L. Behrle holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. She has over 20 years’ experience in education and has worked with students of all ages, including K-12 and post-graduate. She is currently the director of education at Blackstone Career Institute, where she supervises the evaluation staff for our distance-education schools. In addition, she writes and edits new programs for Blackstone. She has edited or written more than ten distance education courses over the past five years.
Staff
Darlene Boyle
Financial Administrator/Human Resource Coordinator
Darlene earned her Human Resource Certification at Penn State University. She is a member of the Society of Human Resources. Darlene is also a Certified QuickBooks user. Her professional experience and educational background in bookkeeping/human resources enable her to coordinate the financial needs and human resources development at Direct Learning Systems, Inc.
Moira Fleming
Technical Content Writer
Moira graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor’s of Arts and Sciences. She arrived at Direct Learning Systems in 2012 as a writer/editor and soon took on much more responsibility. She works with the other members of the development team to construct and revise various educational, marketing and web-based material. In addition to generating content Moira assists in the formation and maintenance of Direct Learning System’s digital resources.
Tammy Kromer
Financial Assistant/Sr. Student Services Representative
Tammy has over 20 years of experience in customer service and began at Direct Learning Systems in the fall of 2001. As a Sr. Student Service Representative Tammy serves as a mentor to the staff. Her responsibilities include assisting students with their financial accounts and assuring each student has their appropriate course resources. Tammy enrolls new students and assists the General Manager and Financial administrator in matters that concern the school and students accounts. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with her family and with her pets.
Stacy Feifel
Student Services Representative
A graduate of Kutztown University with a BS in telecommunications, Stacy has many years of experience as an administrative assistant and customer service manager. Her responsibilities include responding to student queries, providing educational assistance to students, handling requests for program information, and processing Veterans’ Administration forms. She also assists in the editing of course material.
Cheri Pagliaro
Student Services Representative
Cheri attended Kutztown University, where she majored in art. She is an assistant in our Education Department, where she handles grading and various student services.
Consultant Instructors
Jeffrey Peter A. M. Hauck, Sr., CLET
Paralegal Consultant
Jeffrey Peter A. M. Hauck, Sr. is President of Hauck & Associates Corporation, a consulting and training business. He is also a retired municipal police sergeant with 15 years of experience in law enforcement. As a certified law enforcement and police academy instructor, Jeffrey writes and teaches on issues involving Constitutional Law, Use of Force, and Search and Seizure. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice from DeSales University, a juris doctor degree from Widener University School of Law, and a certification in law and government from the Law & Government Institute of Widener University School of Law.
Donald R. Chaplin, Pharm.D., MBA
General Health, Director of Pharmacogenomics
Pharmacy Technician Consultant
At Generation Health, a genetic testing benefit management company, Don is responsible for creation and oversight of the content of all pharmacogenomic communications. Via telephone and web-based consultation Don guides clinicians in identifying patients who are appropriate candidates for pharmacogenetic testing. He also educates physicians in interpreting the results of genetic tests and their implications for patients’ pharmacotherapy.
In 2007 Don earned his Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences-Worcester. He also holds an M.B.A. and B.S. degree from Lehigh University. Don began his career in Pharmacy as a Hospital Pharmacist at Warren Hospital HealthCare System where he evaluated medication orders for safety, efficacy, and clinical appropriateness. After a short time, he assumed the role of Assistant Director of the Department of Pharmacy Services. As Assistant Director he was responsible for management of all pharmacy programs at Warren Hospital. He controlled the department’s budget and lead clinical pharmaceutical services.
Currently Don also works as a Clinical Pharmacist on a per diem basis at Partners Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At Spaulding Don continues to sharpen his skills as a hospital-based pharmacist by interpreting and verifying medication orders. In addition, he dispenses oral medications and compounds intravenous medications for inpatients.
Don is a member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research.
Yasmine Candis, CPC, PCS, CMBS
Allied Health Consultant
Yasmine Candis has over 16 years of experience in the healthcare industry with an emphasis in Medical Billing and Coding for the past 8 years. Currently she holds credentials as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Physician Coding Specialist (PCS), and Certified Medical Billing Specialist (CMBS). She is an active member of the American Academy of Professional Coders, the American College of Medical Coding Specialists, the Medical Association of Billers, and the American Medical Billing Association. Yasmine has also earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems from DeVry Institute of Technology. Her extensive experience in the healthcare industry has proven to be beneficial in accordance with being a Medical Billing and Coding instructor in the learning capacity of online and face-to-face instruction. At this time Yasmine applies her industry-validated experience as an independent contractor performing remote medical coding services.
Christopher Boyle
BA in Accounting, Moravian College
Business and Corporate Training Consultant
Christopher holds a BA in accounting from Moravian College with a minor in Economics. While enrolled at Moravian Christopher has held several leadership positions within business related organizations as well as other campus programs. He was the director of ethics for Moravian’s Accounting Club from 2007 to 2009 and the organizations treasurer from 2009 to 2010. Christopher was the vice chief justice of the Moravian College United Student Government from 2008 to 2010. In addition, he was the treasurer for Moravian’s Ice Hockey team from 2008 until he was elected as the organizations president in 2009. Currently, Christopher is pursuing his MBA at LaSalle University with a focus on management.
Christopher is employed at Lockheed Martin within their Finance Leadership Development Program where he began his career in 2010. As a member of the FLDP program he has held positions in financial systems, global supply chain operations as well as pricing and cost estimating. Christopher has also held internships with Air Products and Chemicals where he supported the corporate audit and contracts divisions, as well as Levin Savchak and Associates where he supported to the firms tax operations.
He enjoys traveling with his family, playing ice hockey, skiing and helping out with his company’s community service initiatives.
Donna S. Lepkoski
Consultant/Program Reviewer
Donna S. Lepkoski has over 30 years’ experience in dental education and is a certified dental assistant. She is a full-time faculty member in the dental health department of Luzerne County Community College, Nanticoke, Pennsylvania, where she teaches courses in dental assisting and has served on numerous college committees including the College Senate. Donna is a consultant for the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation and has developed, presented, and published seminars and articles on dental infection control procedures. She holds a bachelor of science degree in dental health education from Greenwich University. She was awarded a fellowship in the American Dental Assistant Association in 2001 and was the recipient of the Allan Faculty Excellence Award in 1998.
Alexandra Geiger
5th Grade Teacher
Child Day Care Consultant
Alexandra received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Kindergarten Education from Penn State University. She was selected as the program marshal to represent the Elementary and Kindergarten education program at the Spring 2011 Penn State commencement ceremony, and graduated with highest distinction. Alexandra also acquired a minor in Special Education, which has allowed her to work with students with diverse needs. Alexandra helped co-teach a kindergarten and first grade summer program at World of Imagination Childcare center and has volunteered at Neff’s Union United Church of Christ’s children’s church and vacation bible school programs, working with children aged infant to nine. Currently, Alexandra is a 5th grade teacher in the Parkland School District.
Raenette Schneck
Medical Transcriptionist
Raenette Schneck has over 17 years’ experience as a professional medical transcriptionist and medical office secretary. She holds an associate of science degree from United Wesleyan College. She has varied work experience as an at-home independent contractor, as well as a hospital based medical transcriptionist with additional editing experience.
Dr. Mary Powers
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Mary Powers has 12 years of experience working for a progressive small animal practice as an associate veterinarian. She has experience in orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, as well as internal medicine, dentistry and radiography. Dr. Powers focuses her medicine on small animals, but has worked on many exotic species and large animals as well. She received her doctorate in veterinary medicine from the University of Pennsylvania in 1999 and her B.S. in Biology, Pre-Medicine from Messiah College in 1994.
She is an active member of many professional associations including the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Megan Eyvazzadeh
Physical Therapist
Megan Eyvazzadeh, PT, DPT earned her masters in physical therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. She went on to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy and a certificate of advance study in orthopedic physical therapy from The Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA. She has worked in a variety of settings, including long term care and hospital based out-patient orthopedic and neurological care. She is interested in prevention of illness/injury, and the promotion of health, and wellness through an integrative approach.
Heidi N. Kober BA, RN
Children’s Clinic at LVHN
Medical Office Assistant
As a Registered Nurse in the outpatient setting, Heidi is involved in front office responsibilities as well as planning and implementing patient care. She also provides private consulting services to individuals wanting to meet a health goal.
Heidi holds a B.A. degree from DeSales University as well as an ADN, RN from Lehigh Carbon Community College. Heidi’s career in the healthcare field began in 1995 as a unit clerk on an inpatient unit, progressing to a technical partner/nursing aid with direct patient care, and then finally a Registered Nurse. Heidi has been in the outpatient care setting for two years.
Heidi lives in the Lehigh Valley, PA with her husband and 3 teenage children. She became interested in medicine after her first child was born with multiple challenges. She is active in research, and passionate about health, fitness and wellness; particularly, educating how lifestyle choices can prevent diseases that plague America today. She enjoys watching her children play sports, working out, reading, and helping people take control of their health.
