Meet the Staff
Jessica Franks, JD
Dr. Jessica Franks serves as the Director of Graduate Programs at the Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama, where she provides strategic and operational oversight of the MBA, MAcc, and PhD programs. With a Juris Doctor degree from The University of Alabama School of Law, she brings extensive experience in academic administration, student success, and program development. Dr. Franks also serves as the primary academic advisor, guiding graduate students through every stage of their academic journey. In addition to her leadership role, Dr. Jessica Franks also teaches courses in Business Law, including Legal Environment of Business, Business Law II, and Employment Law at the Mitchell College of Business. Her legal expertise enhances her ability to engage students in critical discussions on commercial law, contracts, and the regulatory environment, providing practical insights that bridge theory and real-world application. Dr. Franks is dedicated to fostering a deep understanding of legal principles in business, preparing students for leadership roles in a complex global marketplace.
Christina Wassenaar, PhD
Christina L. Wassenaar is an Associate Professor of Management at the Mitchell College of Business, University of South Alabama, where she also serves as the current Faculty Senate President and Faculty Director for the MBA/EMBA programs. She earned her PhD and MBA from the Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University and her BSc in Agricultural Business Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
An award-winning international management consultant, Dr. Wassenaar specializes in leadership development, corporate strategy, and educational planning. Her extensive teaching experience spans undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels, both in the US and internationally. She also served for five years as the Academic Director for the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University. Before transitioning to academia and consulting, Dr. Wassenaar accumulated eleven years of experience in research, marketing, and development with leading companies such as Johnson & Johnson, MGM, ACNielsen, and Verizon.
Dr. Wassenaar has recently completed her award with the US Fulbright Scholars program, focusing on accreditation projects for several universities, the development of a cybersecurity center as well as qualitative research on the role of leaders and organizations in peace creation in North Macedonia.
Her current research interests include shared leadership theory, corporate social responsibility (with a focus on irresponsibility), the role of leaders in peace creation, and corruption. Dr. Wassenaar is dedicated to advancing understanding and practice in these areas through her innovative research and teaching.
Alexis Pierce, MA
Alexis currently serves as the Assistant Director of Graduate Career & Professional Development for the Mitchell College of Business. Prior to joining the Mitchell College of Business, Alexis worked in academic advising and student retention at the University of Alabama. She earned her M.A. from the University of Texas in 2021 and her B.A. from the University of Alabama in 2017. When she is not assisting students in achieving their career goals, Alexis enjoys painting, hiking, and spending time with her pets.
Cynthia Garey
Cynthia Garey serves as the Administrative Assistant for Mitchell College of Business Graduate Programs. Prior to this position, she was the Secretary for the Management Department from April 2007 to October 2021. She is a wife, a mother of one and a grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren.