In this edition of our Staff Spotlight, we are proud to highlight the dynamic team behind the Office of the Dean at Rutgers School of Business–Camden. From strategic leadership and academic planning to event coordination and financial management, these professionals play a vital role in shaping the school’s operations and supporting its mission. Whether guiding small business development, managing faculty affairs, or driving innovation in executive education, each team member brings unique expertise—and a few fun surprises—to their role.
Under the leadership of Dean Monica Adya, Ph.D., the team is comprised of:
- Dr. Akeel Gaines, Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Rutgers–Camden
- Sharesse Jackson, Administrative Coordinator, Faculty and Staff Operations
- Nathan Levinson, Director of Academic Administration
- Dr. Peter McAliney, Director of Director of both Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER) and The Ragone Center for Excellence in Accounting
- Michelle Sudler, Administrative Coordinator, Office of the Dean
- Chris Sweeney, Business Manager
- Dr. Rachel Tomlinson, Director of Operations and Administration
Get to know the faces behind RSBC’s success and the stories that make them stand out.
Dr. Akeel Gaines, Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Rutgers–Camden
Akeel is Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center (SBDC). In his role, he provides strategic leadership and oversight for regional programs that support entrepreneurs and small businesses through training, consulting, and resource development. He collaborates with local governments, educational institutions, and financial partners to drive economic growth and business innovation within his region. As the Regional Director, he ensures program effectiveness, manages staff and budgets, and aligns regional initiatives with state and national SBDC goals, as well as collaborates with RSBC.
Fun Fact: Akeel served over 21 years in the Army.
Sharesse Jackson, Administrative Coordinator, Faculty and Staff Operations
Sharesse handles a variety of administrative and HR tasks that support faculty, staff, and student workers. For example, she coordinates faculty hiring, contracts, promotions, and tenure reviews, making sure all materials are complete and submitted on time. She also facilitates onboarding for new faculty, processes adjunct and lecturer contracts, and assists with payroll and timekeeping. In addition, she maintains records for sabbaticals and leaves, supports internal faculty awards and student worker recruitment, and helps keep daily operations running smoothly across multiple departments.
Fun Fact: Sharesse is a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan.
Nathan Levinson, Director of Academic Administration
Nathan serves as the Director of Academic Administration, providing strategic and operational leadership in academic planning, faculty support, and accreditation management. This role ensures the effective administration of academic programs and the continuous improvement of teaching and learning outcomes within the school.
Fun Fact: Nathan drank out of the Stanley Cup when the Colorado Avalanche won the cup in 1996 (a private team party at a player’s home, where he served on the catering staff).
Dr. Peter McAliney, Director of Director of both Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER) and The Ragone Center for Excellence in Accounting
Peter serves as the Director of both Professional and Executive Education at Rutgers (PEER) and The Ragone Center for Excellence in Accounting. In these roles, Peter is responsible for enhancing the RSBC brand in the corporate, governmental, and non-profit communities through the delivery of revenue-generating training programs to organizations and individuals. The portfolio has flagship programs in Lean Six Sigma, Project Management, Leadership, and recently, the integration of AI into the workplace. The full portfolio of individual and corporate programs is available at the PEER website.
Fun Fact: Peter tried out for the Olympic Luge team (but sadly, did not make the cut).
Michelle Sudler, Administrative Coordinator, Office of the Dean
Michelle serves as the Administrative Coordinator for the Office of the Dean at Rutgers School of Business–Camden (RSBC) manages daily operations and serves as a key liaison to internal and external stakeholders on behalf of the Dean. In this role, she manages Dean’s calendar and front office communications, coordinates major school-wide events, such as commencement and honors ceremonies, and organizes meetings for the Dean’s Leadership Council, as well as other special guests to the school.
Fun Fact: Michelle owned and operated a specialty shoe Boutique (up to size 14) for women in Glenside, PA.
Chris Sweeney, Business Manager
Chris Sweeney joined the team in summer 2025 and serves as the Business Manager overseeing RSBC budget management and forecasting processes to ensure effective use of financial resources. In this role, he supports key functions of the school in partnership with the Dean, the Office of Budget and Finance, academic administration, and school faculty and staff to ensure efficient business processes related to accounting, budgeting, expense management, procurement, and payroll.
Fun Fact: Chris enjoys world travel and is a big sports fan.
Dr. Rachel Tomlinson, Director of Operations and Administration
The Director of Operations and Administration provides strategic leadership and oversight for non-academic operations, including human resources, marketing and communications, and facilities management. Reporting directly to the Dean, the role is pivotal in driving organizational development, stakeholder engagement, and operational excellence across the school.
Fun Fact: Rachel has been tapdancing for over 10 years and is excited to perform in the “Philly Nutcracker” this December.