Faculty Highlights

Jacklyn Ady, MBA

What are some of your teaching highlights?

I genuinely enjoy helping students encourage change inside their organizations with tangible, actionable results. My biggest teaching highlights happen in small moments within our innovation coursework, the progressive work of ChangeLab classes like social entrepreneurship, and special projects through the Center of Change and Innovation like the Toyota Innovation Lab.

What is your educational background?

  • Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design - University of Cincinnati's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP)
  • Master of Business Administration in the Global Leader Program - Nagoya University of Commerce and Business (NUCB)

What do you do professionally outside UE?

I am currently the Director of Product Development for the Brunswick Billiards Group, overseeing product design strategy for Brunswick Billiards, American Heritage Billiards, and Cue & Case. I am responsible for leading design and engineering teams, guiding product vision, identifying and applying market design trends to create future innovation across the billiards category.

What is your favorite part about UE?

I love the mission of UE "To empower each student to think critically, act bravely, serve responsibly, and live meaningfully in a changing world." One of the best representations of UE's mission in action is happening every day in the Center for Innovation & Change ChangeLab program. I am honored to be involved with the profound impact ChangeLab is making in our local community and the power our students have to impart positive change to the world around them.

What is your advice to prospective students?

Don't get so wrapped up in finding a career that you miss what you're truly passionate about. We need changemakers and leaders who are fueled by work they truly care about and believe they can encourage positive change in the world. Discover what ignites your passion, find what the world needs, and figure out how to get paid for that profession.

Share a fun fact about yourself.

I am an avid extreme sports enthusiast and enjoy mountain biking, snowboarding, and wake surfing on the weekend. I met my husband through the University of Cincinnati's water ski team, we were competitive water skiers in college!

Timothy A. Dickel, PhD

Dr. Tad Dickel serves as Executive in Residence-Leadership and Interim Faculty Program Director for the Master of Science in Leadership. He is a strategy, leadership, and creativity consultant who works with a wide variety of organizations.

With a career beginning in education, Tad has served as a school president, principal, and teacher. He regularly teaches graduate courses in strategic planning, leadership, and innovation.

Tad holds a PhD in Educational Leadership from Indiana State University and a Bachelors Degree in Music from the University of Evansville. He earned a Certificate in Family Business Advising from the Family Firm Institute and a Foundations in Design Thinking Certificate from IDEO U. Tad is a Certified Basadur Simplexity Thinking Facilitator and Trainer, Certified Basadur Innovation Profile Administrator, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®) Certified Practitioner.

What is your favorite part about UE?

I had an excellent experience as an undergraduate student at UE. In particular, I appreciated the small class sizes and one-on-one attention from my professors. I stay involved at UE through the Friends of UE Music Board and committees of the School of Education.

What is your advice to prospective students?

The world is changing faster than ever before. As a result, we need to be lifelong learners. This program will help students develop needed leadership skills and also focus on a concentration.

Fun Fact:

Plays the bagpipes!

Johnna Denning-Smith, MPSA, ABD

What are some of your teaching highlights?

When teaching Grant Writing I have been excited to see students become so involved with their community partners. We have even had students write successful grants for non-profit organizations.

What is your educational background?

  • Bachelors in Social Work
  • MPSA 09’
  • Currently ABD at Western Kentucky University
  • Dissertation topic: Is Design Thinking the Common Language Between Higher Education and Industry

What is your favorite part about UE?

I love how UE has embraced the Changemaker spirit. It allows us to be creative in how we teach and how students learn.

What is your advice to prospective students?

Enjoy your time at UE, it goes a lot faster than you can imagine. Embrace the new things you learn and different learning styles. Get to know your cohort, they are going to be your biggest supporters!

A fun fact about you.

I love old time radio shows.

Amy McBride, PhD

What are some of your teaching highlights?

One of my teaching highlights has to be the study abroad experience in Trinidad and Tobago. We have been taking students to Santa Flora, Trinidad since 2007 to immerse in another culture. We live in family homes, participate in the daily life, and teach at the local primary school. It is an eye-opening experience that really expands cultural competence.

What is your educational background?

  • PhD Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary and Math Education, Indiana State University
  • MSE Masters of Effective Teaching, Drake University
  • BA Elementary Education-Language Arts; Secondary Education-English

What is your favorite part about UE?

The students! No question! They are a delight to work with and brighten my day.

What is your advice to prospective students?

Make it happen. Don’t give up! Employers are looking for people with “grit.”

A fun fact about you.

This summer I was introduced to the dulcimer and now own one, take lessons, and participate in a jam group once a month. It brings me so much joy.