Instructor Biographies

Wu-Chyuan (Gary) Gau, Ph.D., ASA, is an assistant professor of the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at the University of Central Florida, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in actuarial models, loss models, credibility theory, and related areas. Dr. Gau received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Boston University in 2003, and became an Associate of the Society of Actuaries in December 2007. Professor Gau has published several papers on Credibility Theory and Loss Reserving.

James Cowling is an adjunct professor for the University of Central Florida. He began teaching GMAT preparation courses for the UCF's Department of Continuing Education in the Spring of 2000. Since then, James has instructed 23 GMAT preparation classes. James graduated with a Bachelors of Electrical Engineering from Auburn University in 1986 and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Central Florida in 1999. He is also registered in the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer.

Zhongxian Han, Ph.D., A.S.A (soon to be), (jerryhan@mail.ucf.edu) has industry experience with Nationwide Insurance and Motorists Insurance Group. He is now an assistant professor of Actuarial Science at the University of Central Florida’s Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate actuarial core courses including: Life Contingency, Theory of Interest, Risk Theory, Property & Casualty Insurance.

Dr. Han received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Ohio State University in 2003, and became an Associate of the Society of Actuaries in January 2008. Professor Han has published several papers on loss reserving in property & casualty insurance and mortality models for the oldest population.

Ruth Anne Johnson, Ph.D., is a Latinist with a flair for mathematical shortcuts, a penchant for clarity and precision, a gift of good-humored patience, and a call to teach. Ruth Anne has taught GMAT, GRE, and SAT preparation courses for several years in California. She has experience teaching different age levels, from kindergarten to graduate-level students, and in many different educational settings. Ruth Anne’s favorite teaching moments occur whenever a student “gets” a new concept or technique. Ruth Anne did her undergraduate work at Brown University, received her Master’s degree in Medieval Latin from The Catholic University of America, and earned her doctorate at UCLA.

Stephen Kellison, FSA, MAAA, EA is a retired Senior Vice President from the Institutional Services Division of American General Retirement Services in Houston, Texas. He currently is serving as a Visiting Professor in Actuarial Science at the University of Central Florida, has extensive teaching experience and also focuses on actuarial consulting. During his career he has also been Director of the Actuarial Science Program at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and Chair of the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at Georgia State University. He has taught actuarial seminars for over ten years. He also is the author of The Theory of Interest,a well-known reference covering material on the current syllabus for SOA/CAS Course FM/2. He is currently a Past President of the Society of Actuaries and is a past Executive Director of the American Academy of Actuaries.

NOTABLE PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:

• Past President of the Society of Actuaries
• Fellow of Society of Actuaries
• Member of the American Academy of Actuaries
• Enrolled Actuary under ERISA (EA)
• Past Executive Director of the American Academy of Actuaries

Erin Mander is currently the president of a curriculum consulting company that services a number of private institutions in Orange County. She taught in the middle grades for eight years while earning her Masters degree from the University of Minnesota with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction. Beyond leading this company, she is in the process of writing her dissertation for her doctoral degree at the University of Central Florida. Her passion is equipping professionals with the tools needed to make a lasting impact on students.  She is a state certified teacher in Florida and in Illinois.

Irene Mojica is an adjunct faculty member and learning specialist at Daytona Beach Community College. She is currently pursuing her Master of Science degree in mathematics at the University of Central Florida. Irene earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from the College of Staten Island, City University of New York. She has been teaching mathematics and computer classes at DBCC since 1994. Irene also worked for Sylvan Learning Centers as a tutor and Director of Education as well as taught at alternative educational programs at the high school and middle school levels.

Professor Gavin J. Putzer, M.D., Ph.D. & M.P.H., is a member of the graduate adjunct faculty of UCF in the College of Health and Public Affairs. Dr. Putzer’s preparatory course is part of the university’s UCF Preparatory program and is offered at several other colleges including Stetson University. Dr. Putzer is an adjunct professor of medicine at UCF in the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. Dr. Putzer is a Harvard graduate, has been involved in premedical education for many years and is an expert on test preparation for the MCAT and PCAT.

Cary Ragsdale brings a very eclectic instructional background to the program. He has many years of experience in both the public and private sectors and more than six years in SAT preparation specifically. For the last four years, he has been instructing many of the inmates at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility in Seminole County in a broad range of computer skills, English grammar, basic math, ethics, business plan development, resume writing, and personal responsibility. He also clings tenaciously to the belief that learning opportunities should never be serial because life isn’t.

Ione Riquelme is a graduate of Rice University and Columbia University School of Law. She is known as an entertaining speaker who captivates her audience whether the subject is SAT, GRE, LSAT, or GMAT preparation, or simply stand-up comedy. The National Platform Association awarded her Second Place at their annual Stand-up Comedy Competition for professional speakers. The Department of Defense, Boeing, and other Fortune 100 Companies have retained Ms. Riquelme to train their employees, recognizing her unique ability to connect with her audience and convey information in an easily understandable version. Her students have particularly commented upon her ability to simplify mathematics to make the problem solving methods easy to remember and apply. In vocabulary and critical reasoning, she has also been praised for making the material easy to comprehend and retain. Ms Riquelme has a natural gift for communication/teaching and enjoys using that talent to help students score the highest possible result.

Rex Roberts has been teaching SAT prep courses since 2000. He enjoys teaching his classes very much and challenging his students to improve their scores. He says that the key to improving SAT scores is arriving to every class on time, asking lots of questions, and doing the assigned homework. Rex has his BS degree in psychology and an MA degree in Liberal Studies. In addition to teaching SAT classes, Rex works as the Director of Advising for the Burnett Honors College at UCF.

Wallace M. Rudolph, J.D. is a graduate of the University of Chicago School of Law. He is a member of the Florida Bar, the United States Supreme Court Bar, and numerous additional federal and state bars. Mr. Rudolph has been a tenured professor at several law schools, and has served as the Dean of two law schools. He has published extensively and is included in Who's Who and Who's Who in American Law. He is one of only 2,000 lawyers to be honored as a life member of the America Law Institute.

Eric Sachon received his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University in 1986 and received a MBA from the University of Central Florida in 2006.  He has worked in the electric utility industry since graduating from Clemson.  Opportunities with two Investor-owned utilities and a municipal electric utility have provided Eric with an extensive background related to the electric distribution system and business management skills.  He is currently employed as a Distribution Asset Engineering Supervisor with Progress Energy Corporation, located in Lake Mary, Florida.  Eric has been working as a UCF Test Prep instructor since 2006.

Jill Schmidlkofer's most memorable teaching experience was at the US Air Force Academy, where she was assigned to teach advanced calculus. Jill has a BA in Psychology and an MS in Statistics, so she naturally fills the bill for test prep, being talented in both verbal and math areas. Her teaching style is informal and personal, and she gets her points across in an enthusiastic and totally understandable way. She is a retired Reserve Lieutenant Colonel with many years' experience in tutoring for SAT and GRE, as well as having taught at the University of Colorado, the University of Maryland, and several community colleges.

Jennifer Snyder graduated from Stetson University with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science. She is currently working towards a Masters in History at UCF. Jennifer has teaching experience in the Volusia County Public School system, as well as facilitating at Sylvan Learning Center, where she specializes in study skills, including Test Preparation (SAT and others). Jennifer joins UCF-Test Prep as a SAT review instructor.

Ben Taylor is a full-time professor in the Information Technology department and teaches in the Physical Science department at Seminole Community College.  He received his Master of Science in Physics from the University of Washington, his MBA/MIS from Pacific Lutheran University and is currently completing his EdD in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida (December, 2007).  He has over 20 years of experience in the private sector and higher education and has taught certification preparation courses for over ten years at Seminole, Barry University, and Florida Technical College.

Craig Tidwell is a full-time faculty member in the Management Information Systems (M.I.S) Department in the College of Business at UCF. He has taught at the college level for over 17 years in Florida and in North Carolina. He holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from California State University, and a M.S. degree in Business from the University of North Carolina. Craig Tidwell is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Modeling and Simulation at UCF. He has taught test preparation courses in technical subject matters for a number of years. Also, his experience includes over 6 years working on National Science Foundation grants and as a grant reviewer for both the NSF and HED in Washington, DC.

Dr. Joylene Hall Ware is an Associate Professor at Valencia Community College (VCC), an Adjunct Professor at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), and an Environmental Engineer (Sustainability) at NASA/Kennedy Space Center (KSC). Her research interests are Safety/Risk Engineering Management and Ergonomics/Human Factors. Joylene is a member of Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Joylene earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Cum Laude) from Florida A & M University, Master of Science with honors in Industrial Engineering specializing in Engineering Management from Florida State University, and  Doctor of Philosophy with honors in Industrial Engineering and Management Systems from University of Central Florida. Joylene will continue to teach Mathematics, Engineering, and Management courses at VCC and FIT. Joylene was honored in KSC Spaceport News as a Top NASA Engineer. Joylene is the only and the first African American Female to received a PhD in the NASA/Kennedy Space Center Operations Directorate. Joylene’s philosophy in life is “Attitude will determine your Altitude.” Joylene joined the instructional team in UCF Continuing Education to teach GRE and SAT Prep courses in September 2006.

DeeDee Williams is an educator with a diverse background. She received her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Florida with a focus in Specific Learning Disabilities and Mental Retardation supported by a minor in Psychology and Elementary Education. She is state certified in both Severe Learning Disabilities and K-12 Math. Beyond her education, she taught for almost ten years followed by 15 years in the Educational Sales industry. Currently, she is a private tutor with a commitment to helping students and teachers reach their full potential.