We are proud to showcase a few of the outstanding faculty that makes our institution so special. Our faculty are dedicated to teaching and mentoring our students, inspiring them to reach their highest potential. From experienced professionals to world-renowned scholars, our faculty offer our students a wide range of perspectives and expertise. We invite you to learn more about our faculty’s impressive credentials and accomplishments. Thank you for your interest in The University of Mid-Florida and our esteemed faculty.
Dale L. Gooden, DHSc, EJD, MBA
Department of Business
Dr. Dale L. Gooden, is an award-winning educator and subject-matter expert in business administration, health informatics, health administration, health law and compliance, health information technology, clinical information systems, and the health sciences. With over a decade of experience in macro healthcare projects in hospital and clinical environments, Dr. Gooden has held the corporate position of Senior Consultant for Infosys, and been the HIE Program Manager at Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp). He has also spearheaded clinical information systems projects for Healthcare Partners (Optum), WellPoint, Community Health Systems, and Kaiser-Permanente. Dr. Gooden received a Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) in Fundamentals of Education from A.T. Still University of Osteopathic Medicine in 2017. His dissertation analyzed cybersecurity breaches in modern healthcare organizations since the adoption of electronic health records. He earned an Executive Juris Doctorate (EJD) in Health Law from Concord Law School at Purdue University Global in 2021. Dr. Gooden was also conferred a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Health Services Management from the University of La Verne in 2011.
Dr. Alicia Holcomb, EdD, DBA
Department of Hospitality
Dr. Alicia Holcomb is an enthusiastic and dedicated educator, boasting a diverse background in the fields of hospitality, business, and education. With close to two decades of teaching and administrative experience under her belt, she has honed her teaching philosophy to prioritize real-world applications. Leveraging her extensive industry and academic background, Dr. Holcomb enriches classroom discussions, providing students with invaluable insights and practical knowledge. Her utmost commitment lies in nurturing young minds, fostering their innovation, and instilling a sense of social responsibility to become impactful leaders. Fueled by a passion for research and an unwavering dedication to contributing to the academic community, she pursued a Doctorate degree in Education, specializing in adult learning, from Argosy University. Through her doctoral studies, Dr. Holcomb had the opportunity to embark on valuable research focused on “Behaviors Influencing Student Performance in a College-Level Culinary Course,” making significant contributions to the collective knowledge in the field. Further enhancing her expertise, she earned a second Doctorate degree in Business, with a specialization in Human Resources, from San Ignacio University. This transformative program broadened Dr. Holcomb’s horizons, equipping her with a versatile skill set to excel in diverse professional environments. With a passion for both education and continuous personal growth, Dr. Alicia Holcomb embodies the spirit of a lifelong learner, inspiring her students and colleagues alike. Her achievements and commitment make her an invaluable asset to the academic community and a shining example of dedicated leadership in education.
Dr. Tai Cleveland, DSc
Department of Computer Science
Dr. Tai Cleveland is an esteemed professor at The Academy of Mid-Florida. He holds a Doctorate in Computer Science from Colorado Technical University and is the author of the book, Impact of LAN/WAN Security on Databases in Cloud Computing Environment. Dr. Cleveland has extensive experience teaching at universities and online programs, and his teaching style focuses on engaging students and providing real-world examples. Dr. Cleveland is an active member of the Florida Cyber Security Alliance and frequently speaks at industry events and conferences. He is passionate about technology and security and is committed to helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in the field. He enjoys working with students to develop creative solutions to complex problems and loves to share his knowledge and expertise. Dr. Cleveland is dedicated to providing a quality learning environment for students, while striving to promote excellence in teaching and research. He has an unwavering commitment to helping students reach their highest potential and is an invaluable asset to The University of Mid-Florida.
Dr. Blair Smith, PhD
Department of Business
Dr. Blair Smith is a U.S. Navy veteran with over 30 years of experience in the information systems and technology industry. He has been working in higher education for over 25 years and has extensive knowledge in programming, programming analysis, project management, system and programming management, information management consulting, and disaster recovery planning. Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Management Science from Metropolitan State University in Denver, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from California State University, Fullerton, and a Ph.D. in Organization and Management with a specialization in General Business. He is a Disaster Recovery Planner, Computer Systems Professional, and CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certified. Dr. Smith is passionate about helping students further their education and is dedicated to making sure they have access to the resources they need to succeed. He is an asset to The University of Mid Florida and is committed to providing the best educational experience possible for students.
Dr. Daniel Bernstein, MBA, EdD
Department of Hospitality
Dr. Bernstein has a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of South Dakota, MBA in Hospitality Administration from the University of New Haven, and a BA in English from Adelphi University. In 2016, Dr. Bernstein received his CHE Certification from the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
Dr. Bernstein has 25 years of teaching experience in Higher Education at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the areas of Hospitality Management and Business. Dr. Bernstein has taught previously at higher education institutions, Kansas State University, St. John’s University, Youngstown State University, Eastern Michigan University, Appalachian State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Bernstein has had numerous publications in hospitality textbooks and industry trade journals.
Dr. Bernstein also has extensive hospitality industry experience as a restaurant owner in Flagstaff, Arizona, Hotel Manager in Scottsdale, Arizona and Marketing Director in Boone, North Carolina Dr. Bernstein has also participated in numerous hospitality industry consulting projects.
Dr. Bernstein currently resides in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and is semi-retired and works part-time as a Job Coach for individuals with special needs.
Dr. Damien L. Duchamp, EdD
Department of Hospitality
Dr. Duchamp has over 30 years in the hospitality and tourism industry. Born in France, he leverages his European, American and African experiences in event planning, lodging, travel planning, restaurants, beverages and marketing. Highlights include producing major concerts with Ne-Yo, Common, The Roots and Ciara; launching brands and franchise concepts such as Cook&Go; developing a POS system for Recruit; and representing Evian Water in New York City. He is currently engaged in a fashion ecosystem (education, upcycling, tourism) project in Cameroon with FICOTA, and developing tourism applications using NFTs and augmented reality on the SuperWorld platform. As a tourism professor, Dr. Duchamp seeks to offer education and training that is ahead of the curve. This has resulted in a conference on alternative foods (plants, bugs), unique courses (dark tourism, franchise development), and blockchain think tanks (Bitcoin, Ethereum). Passionate about customer service and hospitality, he has hosted countless tourism workshops, developed certificate programs and new curriculums, and is currently writing a book on tourism entrepreneurship. When time permits, Dr. Duchamp works on global education and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) projects through Hospitalented, TravelUnity.org, and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He is especially committed to helping communities expand their economy through tourism – which requires significant skill development. Dr. Duchamp is a firm believer that almost anything can become a tourism site with a little creativity. ‘Prof’ excels at creating new revenue streams for communities large and small. Dr. Duchamp earned degrees from SUNY New Paltz, Clemson University, and Gwynedd Mercy University. His doctoral research was focused on tourism, entitled “Perceptions of the Hospitality and Tourism Industries by 18-24 year olds in Ghana, West Africa.”