Manda University

Staff of Manda University

our staff

Chancellor/President

Rev. Teresa Allissa Citro, Ph.D.

Rev. Teresa Allissa Citro, Ph.D., is the Founder and President of Manda University,  Thread of Hope, Inc., and CITRO Company. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Learning Disabilities Worldwide, Inc. Dr. Citro is the Editor-In-Chief of Everyday Life Magazine and the creator, executive producer, and host of the live talk-show Light of the World.

Dr. Citro is a graduate of Tufts New England Medical School, Boston, MA; Northeastern University, Boston, MA; and Manda University, Boston, MA. She holds a Ph.D. in Education Leadership and a Ph.D. in Corporate Leadership.


Dr. Citro is an international public speaker.

She is a well-respected authority in the field of Education/Special Education. She has written extensively in the fields of education, counseling, parenting, and Christian theology. She is the Co-Editor of two respected peer-reviewed journals on Special Education, “Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal” and “Insights on Learning Disabilities: From Prevailing Theories to Validated Practices.” Dr. Citro annually runs the World Congress on Special Education.

Dr. Citro has received numerous awards for her contributions in the field of Special Education, and was awarded the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the President of the United States in 2021.

Staff of Manda University

Provost

Rev. Carol Drake Wheatley, Ph.D.

Manda’s Provost is the primary academic overseer, providing primary administrative leadership, direction, and evaluation for all academic activities and faculty affairs of Manda. The Provost conducts the duties of the office of President when the President is unable or unavailable.

University Pastor & Chief of Staff

Rev. Edwin Masih, Ph.D.

Manda’s University Pastor & Chief of Staff provides spiritual and administrative oversight to all staff of the organization. The Pastor/Chief is available for spiritual guidance and ensures all staff are working according to Biblical ethics and integrity.

Vice President, Office of Student Affairs

Rev. Justin Noah Citro, Ph.D.

Manda’s Vice President of Student Affairs identifies and responds to student needs and participates in the planning of programs for student inclusion. The VP of Student Affairs’ primary role is to help with student issues, communicate with students and teachers, and plan activities for students.

Vice President, Office of the Governing Board / Vice President, Office of Global Engagement

Rev. John G. Ndungu Dawkins, M.D., Ph. D.

Manda’s Vice President of the Governing Board serves as the liaison between the board and college leadership, and demonstrates strength in leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. The Chair also serves as an ex-officio member of all committees.
Manda’s Vice President of Global Engagement oversees, supports and fosters international collaborations and affiliations, ensuring compliance with applicable governmental regulations. The Chair also coordinates efforts with strategic partners, and promotes awareness and interest in international affiliations and partners.

Vice President of Academic Affairs

Bishop Michael Aboagye Ghansah

Manda’s Vice President of Academic Affairs manages the maintenance and integrity of all student academic records, the approved curriculum, the creation and maintenance of course schedules, all areas of student registration and the recording and reporting of grades, compliance with policies and procedures as they relate to registration and academic record keeping.

Registrar

Rev. Linda Agnes Knowles, Ph.D.

The Registrar provides strong leadership consistent with the academic goals and mission of Manda University.

Dean of Counseling

Dr. Jonathan DiStaulo

Jonathan was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. As a young adult, serving alongside his father in an Italian/English speaking congregation, Jonathan began to observe the pressures placed on families in vocational ministry. After years of working in the mental health field Jonathan began his own clinical practice in 2020, Foundations Counseling & Consulting, to communicate the belief that lives may be lived in a variety of ways but any life worth living starts with a solid foundation and that foundation is faith in Jesus Christ. In addition to his own private practice Jonathan works at Focus on the Family as a marriage intensive therapist leading private intensives and group intensives. Jonathan is a licensed minister and served as a worship leader and pastoral care minister for many years in churches in Missouri and Massachusetts. Jonathan joined the Manda University faculty as Dean of Counseling in 2021 earning his PhD in counseling from Manda, his Masters in Counseling from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and BA in Biblical studies from North Point college. Jonathan met his wife Dusty in college, they've been married for 25 years and have 4 children.

Dean of Education Doctorate Degree

Dr. Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor, Ph.D., is an instructor in educational research for Elms and Springfield College.  He holds a BA from UMASS, and M.Ed and Ed.D from American international College. Dr. Taylor holds a Ph.D., in Education Leadership from Manda University.  He holds a Special Ed certification in CT and MA. He is a Learning Disability specialist and is an author of several books and articles.

Executive Director of Curriculum and Experiential Learning

Elizabeth J. Bienia, Ed.D

Manda's Executive Director of Curriculum and Experiential Learning works with professors, curriculum specialists, and information technology experts to create and execute a curriculum plan that ensures all coursework and teaching/learning experiences meet or exceed university requirements. Additional responsibilities include cultivating and strengthening relationships in order to develop experiential learning opportunities for students that extend beyond the classroom.

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