Education Faculty & Staff

Education

• ED.D., Oral Roberts University
• M.Ed., Southwestern Assemblies of God University
• B.S., Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Biography

Dr Manley has served in SAGU’s Teacher Education program for over twenty years. Before joining the SAGU faculty, Dr. Manley taught elementary school, and then later served as Elementary Principal. at Trinity Christian School in Cedar Hill, Texas, where she currently serves on the school board. In addition to her role as faculty, Dr. Manley also serves as sponsor for Student Congress and as Director for South Dallas Royal Family Kids. She considers the opportunity to teach SAGU students as her greatest honor and privilege.

Dr. Alexander has served as the university’s Vice President for Academics (1992-2000). He also was a member of the Board of Directors of the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges. An ordained minister with the North Texas District Council of the Assemblies of God, Dr. Alexander’s ministry has encompassed numerous roles: youth minister, music minister, seminar speaker, and evangelist. For thirteen years, Dr. Alexander was Co-Pastor of First Assembly of God in Commerce, Texas. Alexander’s ministry not only includes preaching but also ministry in song and music. Dr. Alexander and his wife, Dr. Amy Alexander, constantly travel ministering in seminars and revival services, in addition to their responsibilities at the university.

Education

• PhD, English, University of Texas, Arlington
• M.A., University of Texas, Arlington
• B.S., Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Biography

Dr. Blair has served as faculty in English and Teacher Education since 2005 and currently chairs the English department. She is also developmental curriculum coordinator and graduate coordinator for the MA in English. She has published articles and web projects on contemporary and Young Adult literature as well as academic integrity and writing pedagogy. She has also presented continuing education workshops on teaching writing, academic integrity, young adult literature, adolescent literacy, and developing cross-disciplinary curricula.

Education

• Degrees
  • DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts), University of North Texas
  • M.M., University of North Texas
  • B.A., University of Arkansas Monticello

Biography

Dr. Tyrone J. Block, born in Dumas, Arkansas, has been playing trombone since he was a young child. During his career he has won numerous competitions including the Northeast Arkansas Young Artist Concerto Competition, Walt Disney All-American Marching and Duke Ellington Jazz Band, and voted Brass Player of the Year at University of Arkansas-Monticello for two years. Dr. Block’s formal training began at Dumas High School where he was named to the All-State Band for three years and also the prestigious Governor’s School. He attended the University of Arkansas-Monticello where he received his B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in music performance. In addition, he attended the Armed Forces School of Music where he graduated first in his class. During this time, he traveled with the United States Navy Show Band, and toured three continents, many countries, and the United States.

Block received his M.M. (Masters of Music) in performance form the University of North Texas with a related field in ethnomusicology. It was during this time, that he recorded several series with the G.I.A. project teaching Music Through Performance in Band under direction of Eugene Corporon.

He also completed his D.M.A. (Doctorate of Musical Arts) at the University of North Texas. It was during this time, he attended the Army School of Music and was selected as the Honor Graduate receiving the Distinguished Leadership Award.

He is on summer staff at the University of Arkansas at Monticello teaching and performing at their jazz camp. He has been on staff in Fort Worth ISD, Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD, and Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Dr. Block received the Distinguished Teacher Award for Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD and the Distinguished Faculty Award for Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

Dr. Block has performed in the following groups: Duke Ellington Orchestra, Southeast Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Chamber Orchestra, Fort Worth Civic Orchestra, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Mesquite Jazz Repertoire Ensemble, Metra Praise Jazz Orchestra, Joshua Experience Big Band, South Arkansas Brass Ensemble, Joint Armed Forces Wind Symphony, and North Texas Wind Symphony. Block has been a featured soloist with the University of North Texas Wind Ensemble, the 106^th Arkansas National Guard Jazz Band and the Navy Atlantic Fleet Show Band.

Dr. Block is a member of TMEA, TJEA, ITA, MENC, and has been named to Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Sigma Lambda, SALUTE, and Golden Key Honor Society.

John Savell holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in working with Children and Families. With over four-and-a-half decades of experience in the mental health field, he has worked in psychiatric hospitals, outpatient clinics, prison settings, neuropsychological rehabilitation centers, private practice, and several colleges and universities throughout Texas. He currently serves full-time as the Department Chair for Behavioral Sciences and Community Services, and Professor of Psychology at Â鶹´«Ă˝ and is the Program Coordinator of the Human Services Program and the General Psychology Graduate Program. An ordained minister through Foundation Ministries, he serves on the Board of Directors for Chi Alpha Ministries at TCU in Fort Worth and Bethesda School of Ministry. He is also an accomplished author and is in the process of completing a book titled, “Matters of the Heart, How Wounds Become Sin”.

Dr. Shelly Zaldivar currently serves as the Vice President for Marketing at Â鶹´«Ă˝. She also teaches both business and marketing courses and enjoys speaking opportunities both within and outside the University. Additionally, Dr. Zaldivar serves as the Faculty Sponsor for Nelson’s American Marketing Association chapter. When available, she consults with businesses, as well as, and church/ministry/non-profits related to their marketing and leadership growth.

Her professional experience encompassed senior leadership roles culminating as the Senior Vice President for Digital Online Servicing at Bank of America. During her tenure at the Bank, she also worked in the Small Business division where she managed the strategy and development of the small business deposits application and online experience, and as a Product Manager for the newly formed chat sales team. Prior to working at the Bank, Dr. Zaldivar was honored to work with several other well-known companies including Macy’s and Walt Disney World.

Dr. Zaldivar earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Nelson in 2007. She then continued on to earn an MBA specializing in Marketing Management from the University of Dallas in 2010 and completed her Ph.D. in Management specializing in Leadership and Organizational Change from Walden University in the summer of 2018. Dr. Zaldivar’s research interests include virtual team leadership, marketing strategy and management, retention/attrition in virtual teams, change management, and servant leadership.  Additionally, Dr. Zaldivar is Six Sigma Greenbelt Certified.

Dr. Zaldivar currently serves as a mentor both within and outside of Nelson. She enjoys working with leaders at all levels to help them achieve their full potential. She has taught at Nelson since 2011 and feels blessed to be able to help students see the connection between business and ministry. Outside of work, she leads a support forum for foster care/adoptive families of older children (school age and above) and enjoys serving her church where needed.