Faculty & Staff

  • Paul Kosempel, PhD

    Director & Teaching Professor

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    Paul's professional experience includes over twenty years in institutions of higher education in various capacities including career development, leadership development, operations, and event management. He received his doctorate from the University of Denver in 2008 and his dissertation has explored the communication dynamics in mentoring relationships. Paul has presented at multiple conferences including the International Leadership Association and the Association of Leadership Educators. His research interests lie in the areas of leadership for sustainability and leadership education. One of his most significant achievements at DU is co-creating the Leadership and Sustainability in Belize course. Outside of DU, Paul stays active with his family and enjoys golf, volleyball, and the Denver Broncos.

  • Effley N. Brooks III, MBA

    Teaching Associate Professor 

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    Effley is President and owner of Tiger Bee Consulting, LLC a company that he established in order to expand his opportunities in working toward positive social change. Effley specializes in leadership development workshops and seminars. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Effley is a Buckeye- born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. However, he decided to move to Colorado after just one visit to this beautiful state. Effley is an avid snowboarder, skier, and fisherman. He has a daughter starting at DU this fall, and two dogs from Rocky Mountain Puppy Rescue. Effley serves on the Board of Directors for REACH Charter School and is a member of Denver African American Philanthropists (DAAP).

  • Ontario Duley, BA

    Program & Recruitment Coordinator 

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    Ontario Duley is a DU alumnus and the new program coordinator. He has a passion for using his skills and life experience to give back to communities. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a Daniels Fund Scholarship recipient and received the DU Crimson and Gold Award for Most Outstanding Senior. His degree is in Political Science and during his time in college he was involved as a student leader with the Native Student Alliance and the Black Male Initiative Summit. Wherever he finds himself, he strives to leave his environments better than he found them. In his free time, he is a basketball fan (Go Nuggets!), a watch enthusiast and a lover of all genres of music. Stop by the PLP office to say hi!

  • Leah A. McFail, MS
    Assistant Director
     
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    Leah's non-linear path to higher education means she's able to weave unique leadership experiences from multiple sectors into programming. A servant leader and former Peace Corps volunteer, she's worked in non-profits, hospitals, surrogacy & egg donation, and even a Finnish sled dog farm, eventually entering academia at MSU Denver before calling DU home. She's lived, traveled, or volunteered in over 50 countries and her passion surrounding global community suffuses her personal and professional life. Leah holds a dual bachelor's in Women's Studies and Ethnic Studies, and a master's in Adult Education and Training. She's an ardent believer in the transformative power of learning and that even the tiniest action can create a powerful butterfly effect. Outside of work she volunteers on nonprofit boards, devours non-fiction, loves thrifting, enjoys walks with her shelter pup, plots her next travel adventures, and works to craft a social justice-oriented family with her husband and young son. 

     
     
  • Joe Walsh, MA

    Teaching Assistant Professor

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    Joe is a leadership scholar passionate about shifting the public consciousness about the transformative and emergent properties of leadership from the individual to the systemic level. He is currently a PhD candidate at Gonzaga University. His teaching and research interests are in leadership education, adaptive leadership, servant-leadership, and the development of equitable systems. Leadership is an inherently relational and power sensitive phenomenon and through its practice, and in the classroom, Joe believes we can collaboratively invite ourselves into more critical and ethical relationships. Outside of the classroom you can find Joe walking the botanical gardens, at the movies, or reading epic fantasy.