Faculty & Staff
Meet our Administrative & Admissions Staff
Dr. Elad Granot
Dr. Granot came to Ashland from his prior position as Dean of the College of Business Administration at Rider University. Prior to his most recent role, he was Assistant Dean at the Monte Ahuja College of Business at Cleveland State University where he oversaw MBA programs and worked extensively with online learning. He holds a PhD in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts, an MS in Marketing and Management from Boston University, and a BA from Tel Aviv University.
Dr. Granot has over 25 years of management, administration, and leadership experience in a variety of military, business, and academic institutions. He has served as an executive in large multinational organizations in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Israel and has spoken extensively to diverse groups of managers, companies, and executives around the globe on various business topics. Dr. Granot has advised numerous companies, start-ups, and non-profits on strategic marketing, branding strategies, marketing research, customer service, and competitive positioning.
Dr. Granot possesses a wealth of academic and professional experience, including a record of effective and inspiring leadership, proven management and financial skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit. He has a multifaceted skillset, which includes strategic planning, e-learning and mobile learning, curriculum development, program assessment, policy development, and international educational programs and partnerships.
The Dauch College of Business & Economics is committed to providing the same level of quality for online students as is provided in the classroom setting.
Dr. Raymond Jacobs
Dr. Raymond Jacobs, associate dean and professor of management in the Dauch College of Business & Economics, joined the Ashland University faculty in 1990.
Dr. Jacobs previously served as chair of the MBA program, and is currently the assessment coordinator for the college. He has published articles in several journals on seveal topics, including management science, decision sciences and production and operations management, and has made numerous presentations at national and regional conferences. He has taught a wide variety of courses, primarily in operations management, management and management information systems.
Dr. Jacobs received a M.S. in operations research and systems analysis and a Ph.D. in business administration, in the area of operations management, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received a B.A. in economics and mathematics/computer science from the College of William & Mary.
Ronald Mickler, Jr.
Ronald Mickler, Jr. currently serves as the Executive Director of MBA Programs. Having over 20 years of professional experience within higher educational institutions, he has been responsible for improving organizational processes and job-level performance initiatives within the field of student services.
Ronald joined Ashland University in 2016 and is a member of the Dauch College of Business and Economics Dean’s Council, a member of Graduate Council, and serves on the MBA Curriculum Committee. Additionally, he is a member of the MBA Admissions Committee and is involved with the MBA Programs Marketing Committee.
Ronald received his Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Human Resources Management with Honors and his Master’s of Education Degree from Cleveland State University. He is currently enrolled in the Doctoral Program in Leadership at Ashland University and is an honorary member of Beta Gamma Sigma (National Honorary Business Society). Ronald and his wife Lindsey have two children, Miles and Chandler, and reside in Medina.
Steve Krispinsky
Steve has worked at Ashland University for more than 30 years. In 1979, Steve started his career as Assistant Director of Special Programs and was promoted to Director in 1980. He soon became director of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration evening and weekend program. He became director of the BSBA and MBA Extension programs and served in that role until he was appointed to his current position as executive director of the MBA Program in 1996.
Steve is a member of the Dauch College of Business and Economics Dean’s Council, a member of Graduate Council and has served on numerous faculty and administrative search committees. He also is a member of the MBA Curriculum Committee and a member of the MBA Admissions Committee and chaired search committees for Assistant Director of MBA Program. He also served as a member of the Ashland University Marketing Committee during the 1990s.
Steve received the Ellis Award from the Dauch College of Business and Economics in 1994 and 1995, as well as the Academic Mentor Award in 1996. He is an honorary member of Delta Mu Delta (National Honorary Business Society) and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership society. He also served on the initial ACBSP committee for the Business School accreditation in 1992-1993.
Steve has a master of arts degree from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor of science degree from Ferris State University, and Ph.D. coursework completed at Ohio University. He and his wife, Patti, have three children, Danny (’06, ’10 MBA), Michael and Kelly, currently a sophomore at Ashland.
Jennifer Homan
Jennifer Homan currently serves as the Recruiter and Academic Advisor for Ashland University’s MBA Programs Office. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Arts in Paralegal Studies from Kent State University, and her Master’s in Business Administration specializing in Human Resources, Pre-Law & Ethics from Ashland University. Jennifer was inducted into the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society in 2018 and is certified by the American Marketing Association in Digital Marketing. Additionally, she serves as the Philanthropy Advisor for the Alpha Phi, Epsilon Alpha Sorority at Ashland University and is a Notary Public.
The positive experiences provided by the Ashland MBA Program encouraged her to pursue employment with AU and was hired as an Administrative Assistant and Event Planner for the Dauch College of Business & Economics in 2017. Upon completion of her MBA, Jennifer accepted her current position with the MBA team in 2018.
Jenny is committed to assisting students on their journey through the AU MBA Program to ensure a positive & life-changing experience similar to her own.
Jacob Moss
Jacob joined the MBA office in 2018. As an Ashland Ohio native and COBE undergraduate student, Jacob graduated from Ashland University in 2016; his degrees were in Business Management and Supply Chain Management, with minors in Information Technology and Religion. Following his undergraduate experience, Jacob has since enrolled in the AU MBA program.
Prior to working in the MBA office, Jacob served as the International Student Services & Study Abroad Coordinator on campus. He still serves as an academic advisor, and immigration advisor, to international students and diverse student populations studying in the MBA program. Jacob has a passion for developing creative spaces and experiences to foster and inspire growth in relational communities. We are excited to have Jacob’s leadership abilities and AU passion on our team. Go Eagles!