SOPHIA was founded in 2023 by a small group led by Constantinos E. (“Dino”) Scaros – JD, PhD, whose biography appears below.
ADMINISTRATION
Founder and President
ConstantinoS E. Scaros
Constantinos E. Scaros has been a college/university professor and administrator for decades and has served as an attorney and newspaper editor. He is the author of several books. He earned a BA in political science with a double minor in history and journalism from Fordham University; an MA in history from the American Military University (his thesis was about the role of third parties in the 1976 U.S. presidential election); a JD from New York Law School; a PhD in history from the University of New England (his dissertation was about the impact of debates on U.S. presidential elections); and has earned certificates for completing courses offered at the following institutions: Civil War & Reconstruction (Columbia University), Ethical Decisionmaking (Georgetown University), Higher Education Teaching (Harvard University), Executive Leadership (University of Oxford); and Constitutional Interpretation (Princeton University). He is the Editor-in-Chief of SOPHIA’s Journal of the American Presidency. He lives with his wife and children in Florida
Director of Marketing & Technology
Gabriele N. Barr
Gabriele N. Barr is a marketing professional with 10 years marketing experience. She earned a BS in computer sciences with concentrations in both web & interactive media design from the Art Institutes, and an MS in Marketing with a focus on market research & analytics from Southern New Hampshire University. Gabriele lives with her husband in Pennsylvania.
Events & External Relations Coordinator
ANNA SKAMANGAS-SCAROS
Anna Skamangas-Scaros has spent many years in elementary and higher education. She is the Founder of the Early Childhood Education Training Academy (ECETA), which regularly conducts in-person and online trainings. She earned a BA in Greek history and archeology, and a BS in education, both from Pennsylvania State University, and an MS in Science Education from Lebanon Valley College. She live with her husband and children in Florida.
Outreach Manager
JENNY VILLAVERDE
Jenny Villaverde has a vast array of experience in business and management, particularly banking and finance, as well as serving in human resources and housing director capacities in higher education. She lives in Central Florida.
Memberships Coordinator
CORTINA WEATHERHOLtZ
Cortina Weatherholtz has many years of experience in customer service and organizational management. She lives in Central Pennsylvania.
Student Scholars Liaison
Hannah ADAMS
Hannah Adams is majoring in business and has experience in sales and customer relations. She lives with her family in Florida.
SOPHIA EXECUTIVE BOARD
John S. Bougiamas
John S. Bougiamas is a small business owner, scholar, and educator. He earned a BA in political science from Hofstra University, an MPS in political management from George Washington University, and a JD from Widener Commonwealth Law School. He teaches political science and has been an active participant in the political process as a consultant, treasurer, and campaign manager for local and citywide candidates in New York City. He lives in Oyster Bay, NY with his wife and children.
Bryan Cain
Born and raised in Michigan, Bryan D. Cain is a seasoned leader in higher education with a profound commitment to student and community engagement. As the Senior Vice President at Endicott College since 2017, he has led initiatives to increase undergraduate and graduate enrollment and retention and led Endicott’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign. He earned a BA in speech communication from Wayne State University, an MLS (master of liberal studies) from the University of Detroit – Mercy, and a PhD in higher education leadership from Endicott College. His dissertation focused on succession planning for the presidency at higher education institutions, reflecting his deep understanding of institutional dynamics and leadership challenges. Bryan enjoys antique tractors, spending time with his Great Pyrenees dogs, and engaging in conversations about Detroit’s revitalization and leadership crisis management.
LOUIS CAPEZZUTO
Louis Capezzuto is an intellectual property attorney, having served in that capacity for decades at Johnson & Johnson. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, earning a BS in management, where he was exposed to a core curriculum of military history. After graduation, he served in all three components of the U.S. Army (active, National Guard, and reserve) where he achieved the rank of Major. He also earned an MA in Biotechnology from Columbia University and a JD from New York Law School. He lives in New Jersey.
Kevin Derby
Kevin Derby is from Florida, originally from Jacksonville and now living in Tallahassee. He teaches leadership and composition at Divine Mercy University. He earned a BA in history from Trinity College, an MA in liberal studies from Excelsior College, and a PhD in leadership from the University of the Cumberlands. Kevin previously worked at Jacksonville University, Edward Waters College, Bethany College, and West Suburban College of Nursing. He also worked as a campaign aide for Sen. Orrin Hatch; in communications with the Florida Chamber of Commerce; as a reporter and editor for the Sayfie Media Group, Sunshine State News, and Florida Daily; and as a legal and policy analyst with the Center for the Community Interest. Kevin’s work and insights have been featured on TV and radio and in many academic journals, magazines, and various other websites and publications. He is the Content Editor of SOPHIA’s Journal of the American Presidency.
Mudley Duge
Mudley Duge, originally from Haiti, is a currently pursuing a BA in international affairs at Florida State University. She previously attended Indian River State College, where she was a campus leader advocating for students to build community and serving as a voice for students in faculty-led conversations. Despite her young age, she became the president of a local nonprofit, aiming to encourage the creation of a circle of success. As a student, she is passionate about caring and making a difference in the communities around her.
Jared Freedline
Jared Freedline is a graduate student in the University of Central Florida (UCF) Public History program. He earned a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Certificate and a BA in history, both also from UCF, and researched early American and world cartography. His current thesis explores the early Florida salt industry during the Civil War, combining spatial analysis with historical research to examine the industry’s economic and strategic significance. His work bridges digital humanities and traditional historical methods, focusing on mapping and visualizing historical landscapes.
J. NOel Hubler
J. Noel Hubler is a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Politics at Lebanon Valley College. He earned a BA and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.
He is author of Overcoming Uncertainty in Ancient Greek Political Philosophy (Macmillan, 2021), a study of the role of opinion in the political philosophy of Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics. He has also written Race and the Politics of Fear: A History of an American Oligarchic Construct (Routledge, forthcoming), in which he examines the roles of James Madison, John C. Calhoun, Ben Tillman, and Ronald Reagan in developing racial myths in order to maintain oligarchic control within a mixed political system. He lives in Philadelphia, PA with his wife, Meredyth.
Donovan A. McFarlane
Donovan A. McFarlane teaches political science at Barry University and Florida International University. He earned BS and MBA degrees from Nova Southeastern University, an MIB and EdD from St. Thomas University, an MLS (Master of Liberal Studies) in Political Science from Fort Hays State University, and an MSL (Master of Science in Law) from California Southern University School of Law. He is published in the Journal of International Affairs and Global Strategy, the Journal of Civil and Legal Sciences, the International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, the Open Ethics and Law Journal, the Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization, and the Intercultural Human Rights Law Review. He is the Book Reviews Editor of SOPHIA’s Journal of the American Presidency.
OSCAR ODOM III
Oscar Odom III currently serves as an Associate Professor of Public Safety at the University of Virginia. Previously, he served as Vice President of Security for the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation, Commissioner on the New York City Districting Commission, and First Deputy Sheriff Commissioner and Four Star Chief of the New York City Sheriff’s Office. He is a retired New York City Police Detective, having served 20 years, where he held several assignments in the New York City Police Department: Patrol Officer, Police Academy Instructor, Intelligence Division, Career Criminal Investigation Unit and Juvenile Crime Squad (Fugitive Enforcement Division). He serves as a news commentator on policing, emergency management, criminal justice and terrorism issues. He has also served as a professor in graduate and undergraduate colleges in criminal justice, law, and emergency & disaster management. He is a member of the Oxford Roundtable in the United Kingdom and a Fulbright Scholar Criminology Peer Reviewer. He is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), New York State Chiefs of Police Association, and American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS). He earned a BS in correction administration from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, a JD from the City University of New York School of Law, where he served as Associate Editor of the Law Review, and an EdD with a Specialization in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. He lives in New York City.
Zachary Palmer
Zachary D. Palmer earned a BA degree in history from Hillsdale College and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University. He teaches American History & Government, Civics, and Western Civilization at Thales Academy. He is the author of several published essays and is currently writing a book about education. He is an Associate Editor of SOPHIA’s Journal of the American Presidency. He lives with his family in North Carolina.
Carolee Ramsay
Carolee Ramsay is a higher education professional with over 25 years of experience in teaching, student conduct administration, Title IX, and academic integrity research and implementation. She earned a BSc in public administration and government and an MSc in politics and government, both from the University of the West Indies, an MA in English literature from the City University of New York, and an EdD in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi. She has served as an English and political science faculty member, general education chair, interim dean for student affairs, academic integrity officer, and director of student conduct at various public and private institutions in New York City.
Keith Robbins
Keith Robbins is a military and naval historian, educator, and retired United States Army officer. He also served as a senior federal civil servant, and now works for the State of Florida. He earned a BA in history from the University of Georgia, an MA in history from the American Military University, and a PhD in history from Liberty University. He also earned an MA in Sports Administration from the University of Northern Colorado, and three professional certificates from Regis University, Washington University in St Louis, and Maine Maritime Academy. He was an instructor at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany, and is currently an instructor at South Florida State College. He is an Associate Editor of SOPHIA’s Journal of the American Presidency. He lives with his wife and English Bulldog in Florida.
Brandy Robinson
Brandy G. Robinson is a multifaceted professional with a rich background in the legal, regulatory, and educational fields. Her career highlights include leadership positions in advocacy, education, law, and compliance/regulatory affairs. She is equally passionate about education, having taught and mentored students at multiple universities, and she continues to champion human rights through her involvement in community service organizations. She has also created and developed college curricula for various liberal arts subjects, as well as published scholarly articles on topics ranging from anti-terrorism and constitutional rights to World Wars I and II and consumer rights. She earned BA in political science and an MA in history from Jackson State University, an MBA in International Business Management and Marketing from Northeastern University, a JD from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law, and an LLM in Transnational Law from Willamette University.
BRIAN STARK
Brian Stark is Associate Dean of Dual Credit at Southeast Community College. He also teaches online and chairs dissertations in Education and Leadership. He earned a BS in secondary education from the University of Wisconsin, an MA in curriculum and instruction from Doane University, an MA in reading and English as a second language from Concordia University, an MS in math education from Aurora University; an MS in educational psychology from Kaplan University, an EdD in Educational Leadership from College of Saint Mary, and a graduate certificate in history from Emporia State University. He lives with his family in Nebraska.
C. Ellen Washington
C. Ellen Washington is a Senior Associate Faculty and Area Faculty Chair at the University of Phoenix. She was a core faculty member in BA Psychology Program at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology; Director of STEM Continuing Education at Fielding Graduate University; Assistant Director of Leadership Development and Scholar-in-Residence at North Carolina State University; Chair of the Department of Psychology; and Chair of the IRB Committee at Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Washington completed the African American Board Leadership Institute; is a graduate of Leadership Raleigh and Emerging Leaders; and a graduate of the OURS Fellowship Program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she earned a Post Doc Certificate in Academic Leadership. She earned a BA in psychology at the University of Arkansas, an MA in counseling psychology at the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, and a PhD in organizational psychology from Walden University. She is an Associate Editor of SOPHIA’s Journal of the American Presidency. Her hobbies include reading, collecting art, international travel, attending music festivals and following the world of fashion.
Jeff P. Werle
Jeff P. Werle is an educator and academic publisher in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has served as an adjunct professor and field supervisor in secondary social studies education at Mount St. Joseph University and the University of Cincinnati. As an editor, Jeff specialized in Advanced Placement Social Studies and Humanities, and Career Technology Education curriculum for high school. He earned a BA in history, a BS in secondary education, an MEd at the University of Cincinnati, and a PhD in Education at Northcentral University. He lives in Cincinnati with his wife and daughters and teaches at the University of Cincinnati.
IN MEMORIAM: Philip Benesch (1959-2025)
Philip Benesch was Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of Prelaw Programs & External fellowships at Lebanon Valley College. He earned a BA in history, an LLM, a Postgraduate Certificate in Laws, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Laws, all from the University of London; an MA from the London School of Economics; and a PhD from the University of Delaware. He authored The Viennese Socrates: Karl Popper and the Reconstruction of Progressive Politics (Peter Lang, New York, NY, 2012), and organized the 2014 International Symposium on Karl Popper and the Open Society. Nineteen students he advised have been awarded Fulbright scholarships. At Lebanon Valley College, he established a dual enrollment law program with the University of London, the first for a fully-accredited American institution of higher learning. SOPHIA will forever be grateful for his contributions to our organization.
You must be logged in to post a comment.