The field of Public Service involves developing, establishing, and implementing initiatives and programs that have profound impact on the agencies, organizations, and communities that are served. Public Service includes most areas of government as well as private organizations and the nonprofit sector. National University offers several Law and Public Service programs that prepare students with the skills needed to succeed in the ever-changing landscape of public service.
Lisa S. Hutton, JD
Lisa Hutton has dedicated her knowledge and passion for education to the School of Law within the College of Law and Public Service since 2000. In 2005, she became Legal Studies Program Chair of the John F. Kennedy University College of Law and led the Bachelor Degree in Legal Studies and Paralegal Certificate Programs, earning American Bar Association (ABA) approval for the Bachelor degree not long after in 2009. She continued to lead the program and taught at both the paralegal and JD levels, including courses such as Legal Methods, Introduction to Law, Legal Research and Writing, and Capstone. In 2019, Lisa was named Dean of the John F. Kennedy University College of Law, (merged into Northcentral University in 2020 and later with National University in 2022 to become the School of Law within the College of Law and Public Service). Lisa had served as Associate Dean the year prior.
In 2021-2022, she proudly served as Interim Co-Provost of Northcentral University during the time of transition as Northcentral merged into National University. Most recently, she is leading the College of the Law and Public Service as Dean.
Additionally, Dean Hutton served as the JFK University Faculty Senate President (2009-2018), as Legal Studies Advisory Board Chair (2005-2019), and as a member of the Executive Board of the American Association for Paralegal and Legal Education (AAfPE) since 2018. Dean Hutton has presented on legal ethics, assessment in legal education, and paralegal education, and has published on paralegals in education.
Before transitioning to academia, Dean Hutton was with Rankin, Sproat, Mires, Beaty & Reynolds in Oakland, CA, practicing insurance defense litigation.
Dr. Adia J. Garrett, PhD
Dr. Adia J. Garrett earned a PhD in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She began teaching in 2003 and has devoted her career to inclusive excellence in education while teaching courses in the fields of educational and developmental psychology. Her interests include program evaluation, curriculum development, learning outcomes assessment, metacognitive awareness, and student engagement. Dr. Garrett has a range of higher education experience from community colleges to supporting students through the IRB process as they pursue doctoral work. She currently serves as the Associate Dean of Students for the College of Law and Public Service, where she is committed to supporting whole human education and ensuring equitable access to resources that meet learners' unique needs. When she’s not serving the NU community, Dr. Garrett enjoys traveling, weightlifting, and practicing yoga.
Jess Khachiyants, JD
jkhachiyants@nu.edu
Jess Khachiyants is the Director of Assessment and Accreditation, as well as one of the Legal Methods professors in the School of Law. He graduated with a Juris Doctorate from Texas Tech University, and has Masters degrees in Library Science and Environmental Management. He has a varied background, with experience in software development and technical writing, library science, data analysis, planetary science, and bar exam and academic support for law students. He has taught courses at other institutions in legal skills and analysis, legal research, bar support, and oral communication, and currently works with the College to guide assessment processes for review of course, program, school, and college level outcomes and initiatives, and to provide assistance with program-specific accreditation needs.
Judith Mathers Maloney, JD
Judith Mathers Maloney is a higher education curriculum innovator and subject matter expert with a background in serving nontraditional learners. Currently, she is Director of Curriculum for the College of Law and Public Service and remains part of its faculty.
Her previous academic roles include Program Chair for ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Programs at Northcentral University, Molloy University and Long Island University, Curriculum Specialist at Molloy University, Hofstra University, and Long Island University, and faculty at Northcentral University, Molloy University, Hofstra University, Berkeley College, Nassau Community College, and Long Island University.
Prior to entering academia, as a licensed attorney, Mathers Maloney was general counsel for a labor union and maintained a select solo practice concentrating on civil litigation, transactional law and conflict resolution.
Stephanie Johnson, MA
Stephanie Johnson is an experienced leader in higher education and currently serves as Project Manager. Stephanie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Colorado, a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Northcentral University, and specialized education in Industrial & Organizational Psychology, Social Emotional Learning, and Project Management. Stephanie specializes in student engagement, enhancing the student experience, strategic process optimization, and collaborating cross-functionally to provide optimal support to students, faculty, and staff. Prior to her role as Project Manager, Stephanie was instrumental in the successful transition and launch of the JFK School of Law Juris Doctor program at NU, formerly NCU. Additionally, she spent several years leading the admissions team for the College of Law and Public Service.
Dr. Stephanie Menefee, PhD
Dr. Menefee is an experienced administrator and professor with a demonstrated history of successfully serving nontraditional students in higher education. Dr. Menefee earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution in the public sector from Old Dominion University, a Master in Public Administration from Strome College of Business, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Old Dominion University. Prior to serving as the Associate Dean of the School of Public Service at National University, Dr. Menefee served as Associate Dean of Students for the School of Business at Northcentral University, Interim Dean, and Interim Associate Dean of Faculty. Dr. Menefee also has several years of teaching, research, and service experience.
Tina Stallone
Tina Stallone has been focused on education in one form or another since having graduated from the University of San Francisco as an undergrad, where her goal with a degree in Political Science was to serve public interests. Education, as it is key to improving individuals and society at large, has been her focus ever since. From teaching abroad, to training teachers, to managing the offices of leaders in education (university deans, provosts and presidents), she enjoys working for education-focused, mission-driven institutions. She has lived and worked abroad in both Germany and Mexico, but San Diego has been home for the majority of her career, where the SD alphabet soup of education-related work had been her background (USD, UCSD and SDUSD) before joining NU. She enjoys her role as an “air traffic controller” of sorts, supporting leadership, staff, faculty and students alike to provide the best experience for all stakeholders.
Jennifer Leathers
Jennifer is an experienced Academic Operations Manager within the School of Public Service with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. She joined National University in 2015 as an Administrative Assistant within the School of Professional Studies and has since grown in her career. Skilled in Leadership, Payroll Analysis, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, invoice processing, and Staffing Coordination, she is a strong administrative professional with a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) focused in Social Sciences from San Diego State University-California State University. In her spare time, she loves going outside and exploring with her husband and children.
