Dr. Elizabeth Pack

Society Secretary

Chapter Councilor for Gamma Beta Upsilon

Gardner-Webb University

Elizabeth is a native North Carolinian with her formative years spent in the Winston-Salem area. After graduating from high school, she planned to enter the workforce, but her parents had other ideas. Still thinking she was not college material, she entered the Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem, NC. After completing two associate’s degrees in business and marketing, she realized she would need a bachelor’s to be competitive in the workforce. Fortunately, at the community college, she discovered information on a private college that would accept most of her credits. She would not have to start over, but she would have to move.

Elizabeth completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in two years and a master’s degree in business two years later from Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. She had every intention of becoming a vice president of marketing at a Fortune 500 company. The only glitch was there were no companies or positions of that nature in the small town where she lived. Eventually, Elizabeth would find a marketing position in a small company an hour away from the town. She loved the job but not the commute.

Almost four years later, by happenstance, she was given an opportunity to work at her alma mater as an academic advisor in the program from which she graduated. The higher education bug bit her. Championing adult students to achieve a degree became her passion. After completing the requirements of an Ed.D. in Adult and Community College Education at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC, Elizabeth achieved the position of dean of the program from which she graduated over 20 years ago. She continues to be an advocate for adult education at the university level.

Elizabeth has served as Councilor for the Gamma Beta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda at Gardner-Webb University since 2016. She has overseen the induction of more than 200 students to the honor society since 2012. She was inducted as an honorary member in 2006.

Bob Charlebois

Member at Large

Chapter Councilor for Theta Tau

Office of Adult Learner Services, University of South Alabama

Bob Charlebois has worked in higher education for almost ten years. He has a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership from Appalachian State University and started his career as an academic advisor in their Walker College of Business. After three and a half years in the advising center, he moved to the Office of Transfer Services at Appalachian State. There he directed a transfer student support and advising program for students at three regional community colleges. Jump Start Appalachian provided support and guidance to students planning to transfer to Appalachian. In 2016, he was hired to implement a similar program at the University of South Alabama. Pathway USA quickly grew to serve five community colleges in three states. After four years with Pathway USA, in November 2019, he accepted the newly created director position in USA’s Office of Adult Learner Services.

Having worked with many adult Business majors and community college transfer students over the span of ten years, Bob is very familiar with the adult student population and their unique needs. They are among his favorite students to work with. On a daily basis, he assists interested, admitted, and current adult and non-traditional students at South, helping them navigate the admission and financial aid process, find support resources, and connect with academic departments. Soon after starting with the Office of Adult Learner Services, Bob re-activated the dormant Theta Tau chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society. In spring 2020 the chapter inducted 95 new members. Previously, Bob advised Appalachian’s chapter of Tau Sigma, the transfer student honor society, for eight years.

Maria R. Altobello, Ed.D.

Society Treasurer

Education provides upward economic mobility and I am living proof of its power. This is why I am passionate about higher education.

For over 20 years, I have worked with first-generation college students through the development of undergraduate, graduate, and pathway programs. I aim to reduce the entry barriers by providing potential students with access to higher education opportunities. I also strive to create environments that support diversity and inclusion to assist students through their journey. Increased access and a supportive environment have a positive impact on student retention and success.

I received an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Distance Education and an M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University, a specialization in Finance and an A.L.M. in Information Technology from Harvard University, and a B.S. in Business from Universidad Metropolitana (Venezuela).

As Dean of the College of Health and Natural Sciences at Franklin Pierce University, I am committed to lifelong learning. My research interests relate to issues surrounding adult learners, including prior learning assessment, retention, and quality in distance education. I have been the recipient of grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Center for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) destined to study prior learning assessment and retention in adult student populations.

Engaging in community service is an important component of my work. I served as Chapter Vice President of Sigma Beta Delta Local Chapter 2004-2018. I also served as Chapter Councilor for Alpha Sigma Lambda 2013-2019. In 2017, I began my service as a Member at Large of Alpha Sigma Lambda, and in 2019, I became the Treasurer. As the Treasurer, I changed the structure used to report to the board about finances to a more interactive format. This has resulted in more engaging discussions about the future of the organization, and about ways in which we can increase the scope of the annual scholarships.

Alpha Sigma Lambda recognizes academically outstanding adult students in higher education. As a member of the Board of Directors, I am able to act on my passion for assisting students as they navigate their way towards graduation by providing access to and exploring opportunities. I am looking forward to continuing my service should I be chosen.

William C. Hine Awardee Edward Singleton, Jr.

Edward Singleton, Jr.

Alpha Sigma Lambda Iota Delta Chapter Councilor

Director at Bethune-Cookman University

The Continuing Education Program at Bethune-Cookman University was initiated in 1978 under the administration of Dr. Cleo S. Higgins, then Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty. In the Fall of 1979 Edward Singleton, Jr. was recruited as Coordinator of two extension sites. The first site was located in St. Augustine, Florida at Trinity United Methodist Church and the second was located in Palatka, Florida at Palatka High School. In 1980 a business site was located in Spuds, Florida and donated to the University by a Trustee Board member, George C. Miller, Jr., and after extensive renovations of the existing building were completed 30 students from St. Augustine and Palatka campuses were relocated to the Bethune-Cookman University Spuds Branch campus. As of this date, over 1,000 students have graduated from the John W. Miller Center (previously known as the Spuds Branch campus).

For the last 41 years, Edward Singleton, Jr., has remained committed to building a program for adult learners, and he continues to provide programs that will serve the needs of non-traditional students, giving them the opportunity to gain knowledge, develop their creative potentials, and become productive citizens in a pluralistic society.

Edward Singleton, Jr., while committed to education also determined to make a difference in the lives of the citizenry of the Town of Hastings. Because of his commitment and dedication to service, Edward Singleton, Jr., became involved with the governing body of the Town of Hastings, where he served on the Town Commission in 1993 – 1998. From 1997 to 2004 he served as the first African American Mayor for the Town of Hastings (and in St. Johns County), a term he held with professionalism, integrity, and pride, and as Mayor was instrumental in the Town saving the Old Hastings High School, now (known as HHS Community Building) which is occupied by offices of the Town of Hastings, the St. Johns County Tax Collector, a St John’s County Sherriff’s Annex office and a branch of the St. Johns County Library.

Edward Singleton, Jr., is an integral part of our community and the surrounding areas, and it is most appropriate that we recognize Mr. Edward Singleton, Jr., for his untiring dedication and commitment to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve”.