Our People
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Meghan Dovick, PhD
PSM Program Director
Associate Instructor
Alexandra Rivas, MBA
PSM Associate Director
Associate Instructor
Meghan Dovick, PhD
MST 6963 – Environmental Methods and Analysis, Summer
Meghan Dovick is the Director of the Professional Science Masters program at the University of Utah. She has over fifteen years of higher education experience, including course creation, instruction, research, and administration. Her expertise is at the intersection of environmental science, sustainability, and policy. Meghan has a passion for interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to higher education to help best prepare tomorrow’s workforce to be leaders and agents of change.
Meghan is currently on the Board of Directors for the National Professional Science
Masters Association. This organization helps to guide PSM programs nationwide and
is considered the leader in STEM and workforce development. Meghan frequently presents
at the annual NPSMA
national conference on topics of professional development and strategies to improve
the graduate student experience.
Meghan has a BS in biology, an MS in environmental law and policy, and a PhD in geomicrobiology. She currently teaches MST 6200 – Professional Development and MST 6963 – Special Topics: Environmental Field Methods and Analysis.
Alexandra Rivas, MBA
MST 6110 – Business Development
MST 6200 Professional Development
MST 6974 Professional Experience Project Planning
MST 6975 Professional Experience Project
Alexandra Rivas is the Associate Director of the Professional Science Masters program at the University of Utah. She has over 20 years of experience in higher education. She has organized and created various academic programs. Alexandra loves to share knowledge and inspire a love for learning. She has expertise in business, economics, marketing, leadership, entrepreneurship, and project management, as well as a deep understanding of the Spanish language and Hispanic culture. She is passionate about discovering solutions for addressing disparities and inequalities in access to resources and education.
Alexandra serves the National Professional Science Masters Association on the website update committee. This organization helps to guide PSM programs nationwide and is considered the leader in STEM and workforce development.
Alexandra has a BS in Information Systems, an MS in Economics, an MBA, and is PMP certified.
Michelle Mooy, MS
Michelle studied biology and English as an undergraduate and went on to work as a
field biologist and high school science teacher. She then returned to the University
of Utah to complete a PSM in Environmental Science. Her deep interest in the intersection
of science and culture led her to work in
informal science outreach and education before returning to the PSM as program coordinator
in January 2023. As a former student in the program, Michelle is passionate about
the student experience and uses her unique perspective to ease the way for incoming
and current students.
Bryan Benham, PhD
MST 6500 – Scientific Reasoning, Spring
Bryan has a degree in the philosophy of science, focusing on biology and psychology. His academic research focused on many areas, mostly on explaining intelligent behavior and associated ethical issues. He has worked in technology for the last dozen years, leading various companies' virtual and in-person educational programs.
Ray Hoobler, PhD
MST 6600 – Applied Statistics, Fall
Dr. Ray Hoobler is currently a director of technical program and project management for Applied Materials, Inc. He was the PSM program director from 2016 until 2022 and has taught both professional and technical courses for the PSM program including the Applied Statistical Techniques course since 2017. He brings 20+ years of industry experience to the PSM program having roles in both science and management.
Dr. Hoobler completed an MBA from Western Governors University, a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State University, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Marshall University. Prior to his industry work, his academic experience includes positions as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder, and as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the University of South Alabama.
Shad Slaughter, MS
MST 6210 – Business Operations, Spring
Shad Slaughter is a proud University of Utah alumnus and is currently the head of warehousing and fulfillment for Monolith Brands Group. He has been teaching the operations and project management course in the PSM program since 2015. He is a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a LEAN Six Sigma Green Belt. He has 20 years of operations and supply chain experience in upper management roles including VP of Operations for Xlear, Inc., and CEO of Utah Truffles. Shad earned an MBA from Westminster College.