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Faculty

• Dr. Joan Lawson

  

  Visiting Assistant Professor MSCIS;
  Program Director, Executive Information Technology & Cybersecurity and Data Science & Analytics
  Office: John Lyons Center
  Email: jlawson@nec.edu

  Educational Background
  EdD in Information Technology, University of the Cumberlands
  MS in Software Engineering with specialization in Database Technologies, Regis University
  BS in Computer Information Systems, Bentley University

  Bio
  Joan Lawson had an extensive career in Information Technology—working in enterprise architecture, IT management, software development, and more—at companies such as IBM, Monster, and Kronos. She has over 15 years as an adjunct professor and completed her doctoral studies to expand her knowledge of the educational environment. Joan joined NEC in 2022 and assumed the role of Program Director in 2023.

  Joan feels very fortunate to have been involved in the evolution of IT. She started with paper tape and punch cards and is now working on artificial intelligence, with so many great experiences on the way. Outside of NEC, Joan loves to travel, cook, quilt, ski, kayak, and camp.

• Dr. Joseph Chavez

  Associate Professor of Business Administration

  Educational Background
  Doctor of Public Administration, Nova Southeastern University
  MS in Urban Affairs, Boston University
  Studies in Administration and Management Graduate Certificate, Harvard University
  BS, UMass Boston

• Mike Prasad

  
  Adjunct Faculty
  Email: mprasad@nec.edu

  Educational Background
  MS in Computer Science

  Bio
  Mike Prasad is a software professional and educator with over 30 years of industry experience and 26 years in academia. Throughout his career, he has served as a developer, designer, and chief architect across a diverse array of sectors, including space, defense, energy, finance, pay-TV, and government. His professional portfolio is defined by a commitment to rigorous software engineering principles and the successful delivery of large-scale, distributed systems.

  His current technical focus centers on the development of scalable, cloud-native, and data-driven architectures. At present, he is leading the design of AI-enabled portfolio management software—a sophisticated platform that integrates data science, statistical modeling, and risk analysis to facilitate informed investment decision-making. This work represents a culmination of his expertise in building robust systems that solve complex, real-world financial challenges.

  In addition to his industry leadership, Mike maintains a significant presence in higher education as an adjunct faculty member at several institutions. His research interests are dedicated to exploring the intersection of software engineering, artificial intelligence, and domain-specific applications. A frequent collaborator, he works alongside researchers across multiple disciplines in science and engineering to investigate the potential of emerging technologies. He brings the combination of practical, industry experience and academic inquiry to both his research and his teaching, bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and industrial-scale implementation.

• Dr. Lina Parra

  

  Director, Spanish Language and Graduate Management Programs
  Email: lparra@nec.edu

  Bio
  Born in Medellin, Colombia, Dr. Parra dreamed of acquiring a prestigious education in the United States. She came to the U.S. with an international student visa, and through the years, she had the opportunity to study at institutions such as Miami-Dade College, Barry University, Florida Gulf Coast University, and Nova Southeastern University where she earned her Doctorate in Public Administration. A professional with over 19 years of experience in the field of education, Dr. Parra presents significant contributions as an administrator and faculty member, including exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. She offers 18+ years of multi-site college/university leadership experience gained via exemplary long-term tenures with two of Florida’s largest academic institutions.

  As an Enrollment Services Administrator with a background covering all aspects of undergraduate and graduate student support services, her experience includes:

  • Recruitment and admissions
  • Academic advisement
  • Registration and retention
  • Financial aid
  • Employment services
  • Career/vocational counseling
  • Student academic progress
  • Judicial affairs

   

  Dr. Parra’s ability to work with a diverse population of national and international students has allowed her to oversee academic programs in English and Spanish. This includes teaching from undergraduate to doctoral courses in both languages.

• Dr. Reza Jalili

  

  K. H. William and Andrea Krueger Endowed Faculty Chair in Business Administration with a focus on Accounting
  Email: ajalili@nec.edu

  Expertise and Affiliations

  Expertise

  • Business economics
  • Experimental and behavioral economics
  • International accounting
  • Internal audit
  • Risk management
  • Research and publications in areas of managerial economics, quantitative methods, Middle Eastern economies, and behavioral economics

   

  Affiliations

  • Member of nine academic and professional organizations
  • Reviewer for six academic journals

   

  Educational Background
  PhD in Economics, University of New Hampshire
  MSA in Accounting, Bentley University
  MA in Economics, University of New Hampshire
  MBA in Managerial Accounting, James Madison University
  MS in Operation Management, Rensselaer Polytechnic institute
  BS in Accounting and Finance, N.I.O.C., College of Accountancy and Finance, Tehran, Iran

  Bio
  Dr. Jalili’s accounting career includes five years of experience as a staff accountant and supervising auditor, two years as an internal auditor, and three years as a chief financial officer. Beyond his hands-on accounting experience, he has worked as an independent consultant and has taught at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels for over 25 years.

  Dr. Jalili is married with two children. His interests include reading, formulating and solving problems, soccer, martial arts, mountain climbing, watching classic movies, opera, and old boxing matches.

• Dr. Tori Dodla

  
  Adjunct Faculty
  Email: tdodla@nec.edu

  Expertise, Awards, and Certifications

  Expertise
  Book: Mastering Knowledge Management Using Microsoft Technologies (2024)
  Knowledge Journeys with Microsoft 365—KMWorld Conference
  2024 Healthcare Summit—Potomac Officers Club
  2025 Domesticating Cyber Defense—HammerCon Conference
  2026 Digital Knowledge Management—U.S.Army Medical Command (MEDCOM)

  Awards
  2025 International Impact Book Awards
  Distinguished Military Graduate

  Certifications
  Microsoft: Azure AI Engineer Associate
  Microsoft: AI Fundamentals
  Microsoft: Security, Compliance, and Identity
  Project Management Professional
  Microsoft: Power Platform App Maker
  ITIL v4
  CompTIA Security +
  Certified Knowledge Manager
  Splunk Core Certified
  Federal Sales- Sanctum Federal

  Educational Background
  Executive Education, Chief Data and AI Officer, Carnegie Mellon University
  PhD in Technology, Capitol Technology University
  MS in Management Information Systems, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  BS in Funeral Service, University of Central Oklahoma

  Research Interests
  AI-driven Knowledge Management
  Data Governance, Metadata, and Information Architecture as AI Infrastructure
  Responsible AI, Privacy, and Risk Management
  Enterprise AI Strategy and Innovation Enablement

  Bio
  Tori Reddy Dodla came to NEC after more than a decade of leadership across federal, defense, healthcare, and higher education environments, where she specialized in enterprise data governance, digital transformation, and AI-driven knowledge management. With over 12 years of experience in highly regulated settings, she brings deep expertise in responsible AI, information assurance, and the operationalization of Microsoft 365 ecosystems. Her work emphasizes translating governance frameworks and academic theory into practical, scalable solutions that improve decision-making, compliance, and organizational resilience.

  Her professional career outside of academia includes senior leadership roles with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, SAIC, Calibre Systems, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Most recently, she served as a Chief of Digital (GS-14) with the Department of Veterans Affairs, leading enterprise governance for SharePoint, Power Platform, and Microsoft 365. Earlier roles span data governance and visualization for the Department of State, digital transformation initiatives supporting National Guard Aviation, healthcare IT modernization, and military leadership as a U.S. Army officer in Germany.

  She is active with thought leadership and applied scholarship in knowledge management, AI governance, and enterprise innovation. She is the author of Mastering Knowledge Management Using Microsoft Technologies and a frequent speaker at national conferences including KMWorld, HammerCon, and healthcare and defense forums. In addition to her professional practice, she serves as adjunct faculty teaching information assurance, AI-driven innovation, database management, and network management.