Academic Dean

Dr. Wendy Miller retired in June 2024 from Elgin Community College (ECC) after 32 years. In her most recent position at ECC, she served as Dean of the Health Professions and Math, Science, and Engineering divisions. Under Dr. Miller's leadership, the college opened a health and life science facility that is now home to 17 health professions degree and certificate programs. In addition to setting the strategic vision for the divisions, Dr. Miller was responsible for managing curricula, assessment, programmatic accreditations, and resources, as well as promoting faculty development. Dr. Miller began her career in academia as the Director of the Clinical Laboratory Technology and Histotechnology programs at ECC. She is an innovative educator who challenged students to become critical thinkers and role-modeled what it meant to be a healthcare professional. Dr. Miller is committed to helping didactic and clinical faculty engage in their instructional roles and embrace a sense of identity as educators. As part of Wendy's retirement celebration, Elgin Community College established the Dr. Wendy Miller Be Inspired Scholarship as a tribute to her long career as a student advocate and motivational leader.

Dr. van Delden joined the Winthrop family in January 2024 as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Computer Science. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Dean of Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering at the College of Charleston. He also held Chairship positions at Southeastern Louisiana University and the University of South Carolina Upstate. Originally from a small Dutch island in the Caribbean called Saba, he came to America as an international student and, in 2003, earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Central Florida, where he met his wife, Elizabeth, a licensed clinical social worker and therapist. Sebastian and Elizabeth have two daughters, Ava and Bels. Dr. van Delden has published 30 scholarly articles in the areas of artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and industrial robotics, many of which include undergraduate student co-authors. He has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses, including algorithms, data structures, robotics, computer vision, machine learning, artificial intelligence, parallel and distributed computing, web programming, software engineering, computer organization and digital logic, discrete structures, and natural language processing. Dr. van Delden has been a Rotarian for almost 20 years and enjoys a great sense of fulfillment in giving back to the community in this capacity. He has held several leadership positions in Rotary, including being the President of the Rotary Club of Charleston Breakfast where he led meal packing events, community center restoration projects, clothing drives for those in need, and environmental clean-up and protection initiatives.  

Dr. Ulrich earned his Associate of Arts degree from Iowa Central before pursing his Bachelor of Arts degree from Buena Vista University. He continued his education at Iowa State University (ISU) and obtained his Master's of Education Degree in Educational Leadership.  He then earned his Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at ISU. Additionally, Dr. Ulrich holds a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational Administration (Superintendent Licensure) from Iowa State University. Dr. Ulrich has served as Superintendent of Schools for Fort Dodge, AHSTW (Avoca, IA), and Graettinger-Terril Community School Districts. His collaborative and relational leadership, along with his consensus-building skills, were the catalyst to leading over $20 million dollars of capital projects and three successful public referendums.  Thriving on innovation and a drive to elevate student academic excellence, Dr. Ulrich leveraged his ability to instill trust and worked with stakeholders and the Fort Dodge School Board to implement a grade realignment to improve the systematic approach to teaching and learning.  Through effective consensus building, communication and building a community coalition of support, he led the AHSTW district in developing a long-range facility plan to meet the growing population of students within the district as well as leading the districts through a whole-grade sharing agreement.  Prior to his Superintendent roles, he served as Principal at Graettinger-Terril Community School District from July 2009 through June 2013.  At Dallas Center-Grimes he held the positions of Student Services Coordinator, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, and High School Social Science Teacher. Since August 2019, he has been an adjunct instructor at Northwestern College in Orange City, IA.  Dr. Ulrich inspires his passion for teaching, learning, and leadership into his students.  Being an instructor at a higher education institution provides him perspective on how decisions impact the classroom and to effectively educate students. Passionate about community involvement, Dr. Ulrich is a member of Rotary International Club and a Board of Director for the NAACP in Fort Dodge. Dr. Ulrich also serves on Advisory Boards for both Buena Vista University and Iowa State University to provide feedback on the preparedness of their future teachers.  His work with the School Administrators of Iowa has been extensive including currently serving as a member of the Legislative Advocacy Committee, serving on their Executive Committee from 2016-2018, and serving as the District 3 President in 2011. Dr. Ulrich was selected for and recently completed the Iowa Association of Business and Industry's yearlong  Leadership Iowa program and currently sits on the Statewide Advisory Board for SBDC.  

Vern Lindquist is the fourth president of Johnston CC. Prior to coming to North Carolina, he served as the Vice President of Academic Services at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois, the Dean of Faculty and Chief Academic Officer of Richard Bland College of William & Mary in Petersburg, Virginia and the dean of liberal arts and sciences at the State University of New York at Delhi. He also spent nearly 20 years at Sullivan County Community College as professor and chair of the Arts and Letters Division and Honors Program coordinator. Lindquist earned his master's and Ph.D. degrees in English language and literature from Indiana University, Bloomington and a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In addition to his graduate degrees, he completed the Executive Leadership Institute through the League for Innovation in the Community College. He is the recipient of Chancellor's Awards for Excellence in Scholarship and Excellence in Teaching from the State University of New York and a Digital Fellowship from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Dr. Nicholas Vick is the current Dean of Applied Sciences and Technology at Tallahassee State College. A seasoned administrator dedicated to student success, Nick has demonstrated impactful leadership and achieved several milestones throughout his career. As the former Director of the Honors Program, he increased enrollment by an impressive 301%, showcasing his ability to drive institutional growth. In his current role, he has led the launch of several new AS and bachelor's degree programs, significantly enhancing the college's academic offerings. His strategic initiatives have earned him numerous accolades, including the North Carolina Tutoring and Learning Association Center of the Year, the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center recognition from the National College Learning Center Association at two different institutions, and the Association of Florida Colleges' Technology Commission Award. Additionally, he has published several articles related to community college leadership and instruction, contributing to the academic discourse in his field. Nick holds bachelor's and master's degrees in English, a master's in English Education, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Sam Houston State University. He is also a graduate of the American Association of Community Colleges Future Leaders Institute and the Pitt County Chamber Leadership Institute. In 2018, he completed the Global Education Leaders Program through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and in 2020, he participated in the President's Leadership Institute at Tallahassee State College. Nick has also been instrumental in securing significant grants and developing partnerships with local industries, further demonstrating his commitment to advancing the mission of community colleges and improving student outcomes.

Jessica Howard is the president and CEO of Chemeketa Community College. She holds a Ph.D. from New York University and a master's and two bachelor's degrees from Rice University. Prior to joining Chemeketa in 2019, Dr. Howard served as a campus president at Portland Community College Southeast Campus. Before coming to Oregon, Dr. Howard enjoyed a long tenure at San Antonio College in Texas. There she served as an assistant and associate professor, a faculty department chair, and the vice president for academic affairs. During her time in the VP role, and in order to emphasize the importance of student completion and community college credentials, Dr. Howard earned her associate of arts degree. Dr. Howard is an Aspen Fellow and has held positions on multiple boards, including Campus Compact, the Oregon Workforce Investment Board, SEDCOR, Willamette Workforce Partnership, the Latino Network, and the American Association of Women in Community Colleges. She serves on the Student Success Commission of the American Association of Community Colleges and represents community colleges on the Oregon STEM Investment Council. Throughout her career and in a variety of contexts, Dr. Howard's commitment to equitable student success, community- and future-focused workforce development, and innovative and collaborative solutions has shaped and driven her work.  

Originally from Liberia, Dr. Matthew Waritay Guah is professor of Management and Dean of the College of Business & Information Systems at South Carolina State University.  He heads a college that is accredited by AACSB International—being one of only 5% of the top business schools in the world. Previous roles Dr. Guah has held at SC State University include Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Department Chair for the Business Administration, MBA Program Director, and Faculty Athletic Representative for NCAA (Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference) Matthew Guah earned a PhD in Information Systems and Management Controls from Warwick University (2006), Masters in Technology Management from Manchester University (1998) and Bachelors in Information Technology from Salford University (1996).  He brings into academia industry experience from British Airways, Merrill Lynch, British Standards Institute, and UNICEF. Before joining SC State University ten years ago, Dr. Guah worked at Claflin University (SC), Erasmus School of Economics (Rotterdam), University of Hawaii (Honolulu), Warwick University (UK) and Brunel University (London). As an academic researcher, his primary focus is business systems in healthcare organizations—reforming healthcare delivery process and performance evaluation.  His research work also involves Big Data—considered the next frontier for innovation, competition, and productivity. He has written six books and around 90 journal articles, book chapters and international conference papers, mostly in healthcare management, project management and business accountability.  Dr. Guah has served on editorial boards for several academic journals as well as track chair, session chair and panelist for many international conferences. This proud son of Liberia, West Africa, has been married to Evelyn Morgan Guah since 1995, with two grown children, Within the past year, Dean Guah has spearheaded a team of American academics to tour universities in Ghana (West Africa) and Kenya (East Africa) for the purpose of establishing collaborations that will bring developments and improved facilities for the benefits of African youth in preparation for more ethical leadership on the motherland. He even met with a few officials at UL and CUC in Monrovia. Dean Guah is Lector, Eucharistic Minister, and a Parish Council member at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Orangeburg, SC.  He has served on the African American board at the Commission of Minority Affairs since 2015. He strongly believes in the power of minority voice in America and persistently promotes the Ethos for Black People in America.

Dr. Christine Mangino serves as the sixth president of Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York (CUNY). Before this role, she served in various faculty positions, including, department chair, Dean for Faculty and Curriculum, and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hostos Community College. Earlier in her career, President Mangino was a pre-school and elementary school teacher. The first person in her family to attend college, Dr. Mangino earned an Associate of Applied Arts at Nassau Community College, a bachelor's and master's degree in Elementary Education at Hofstra University, and a doctoral degree in Instructional Leadership at St. John's University. Since starting her tenure at Queensborough Community College, she has led the college in the creation of its first Five-Year Strategic Plan, established a Truth, Transformation and Racial Healing Center, a Men's Resource Center, and an equity dashboard for the campus to follow its progress in eliminating equity gaps for faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Mangino serves as a Middle States Commission on Higher Education peer evaluator, on the Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues for the American Association for Community Colleges, as a board member for the Higher Education Research and Development Institute, on the Steering Committee for the Research Alliance for NYC Schools, and as an alum of the Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence, a leadership program that prepares community college presidents to transform institutions to achieve high and equitable levels of student success.  

Dr. Harold E. Nolte has 44 years of distinguished service in executive leader roles, including presidencies at Dodge City Community College (KS) for the past nine years, Blinn (TX), and Navarro (TX), and vice presidencies in student services and athletics at Kilgore (TX) and Edison Community College (FL). His achievements include the development and successful implementation of institutional strategic and master plans, forging transfer pathways with Baylor, Texas A&M, and regent universities throughout Kansas that has resulted in significant increases in enrollment (including workforce and concurrent/dual), transfers and degree completions. He has championed successful institutional and programmatic accreditation with SAC, HLC and various state and industry entities. Athletic teams at each of his colleges have garnered national athletic championships. Throughout his career, his fundraising efforts have resulted in millions to support scholarships and facility improvements. He is widely renowned for his support of student learning and activities, most recently recognized by the international honor society of Phi Theta Kappa with their Shirley B. Gordon award for community college presidents who support student leadership, scholarship, fellowship and community service. He is actively involved in many civic and community organizations. Dr. Nolte began his educational path obtaining an Associate of Arts Degree at McLennan Community College; his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees from Baylor University. He obtained his Doctorate from Mississippi State University and his Postdoctoral Leadership Certification from Harvard University. Dr. Nolte is married to Dr. Lynn Nolte and they dote upon two daughters, two granddaughters and two dogs.

Douglas Palmer, the 11th President of Siena Heights University began his term on July 1, 2023. He comes to Siena Heights from Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, where he served as President. As president of Culver-Stockton, Palmer guided the college through the COVID pandemic while adding a number of high-demand programs designed to meet the needs of the local workforce. He secured a gift of more than $1 million to make Culver-Stockton the permanent home of the Tri-State Development Summit, an economic development organization covering 36 counties and three states. He expanded programs to meet local workforce needs, including establishing new majors in agricultural business and data analytics. Palmer has a strong belief that a high-quality private education should be accessible for all students. He was a non-traditional student himself, earning his bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville following an enlistment as an active-duty soldier and paratrooper in the U.S. Army. He used the G.I. Bill to fund his undergraduate education and subsequently earned full tuition scholarships to pursue graduate work. He completed his Ph.D. in history at The Ohio State University where he won a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to study in the Netherlands. He was also awarded the Presidential Fellowship given to the 25 top dissertation writers in the university. Palmer started his career at Walsh University, a Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio teaching world history where he became chair of the Humanities Division. His interest in helping students prepare for an interconnected world and global economy through the lens of Catholic social teaching led him to establish Walsh's global learning program. Founder of Walsh's campus in Rome, Italy, Palmer oversaw programs in Europe, Latin America and Africa. He worked with students to lead Walsh's efforts in Universities Fighting World Hunger and attended a United Nations charter signing event in which higher education leaders from around the world pledged to direct the teaching and research efforts of modern colleges and universities to solve global hunger. In addition, he worked with local leaders and healthcare institutions as Provost to create programs which served the needs of the local community. He led the efforts to create a fully online nurse practitioner program in mental health and addictions treatment and a Master's in Occupational Health to better serve Ohio's healthcare needs. As a researcher, Palmer has published and spoken often about law, politics and religion, particularly in the context of the American and French Revolutions. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Law. He is also recognized as a leader in the field of international education where he served as the Chair of the Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship committee for NAFSA: the Association of International Educators. He has worked with higher education leaders around the world, having led workshops and training on global learning to national and international audiences. Palmer and his wife (Cathy) are both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and they have three boys. Palmer has completed a full marathon and five half-marathons and is an avid fly fisherman.

A highly respected higher education administrator and a first-generation college student born of immigrant parents, Dr. Cronin has served in community colleges for more than two decades. Before beginning her presidency at Delaware County Community College in July 2023, Dr. Cronin spent five years as president of Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles, Oregon. Dr. Cronin is the second woman and the first Latina to lead the College. Since her arrival her priorities have included providing greater accessibility to education to students in eastern Delaware County—via the future Southeast Center in Drexel Hill, Pa.—and in Chester County, where the College is expanding its offerings. She has focused on increasing high school dual enrollment with pilot programs such as the Teacher Education and Social Work programs for high school student. Passionate about inclusion, she has overseen the growth and expansion of the College's Center for Equity and Social Justice as well as the College's intercollegiate athletics programs She serves on the boards of the Chester County Economic Development Council and the Riverfront Alliance of Chester County. Dr. Cronin served as co-chair of the Oregon Community College Association's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, co-chair of the Board for the Oregon League of Minority Voters and president of the Comunidades board, a bi-state organization dedicated to advocating for and empowering Latino women and youth in the region. She also served on the American Association of Community Colleges' Commission on Small and Rural Colleges, as a commissioner for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and on former Oregon Governor Kate Brown's Regional Solutions Advisory Committee. Under Dr. Cronin's leadership, Columbia Gorge Community College secured funding for a $16.4 million capital project, which led to the design and construction of the Columbia Gorge Regional Skills Center and Chinook Residence Hall on its main campus. Prior to that Dr. Cronin served in administrative and faculty roles at Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Florida, including vice president of Academic Affairs, dean of the School of Education, department chair and full professor. She also has more than a decade of K-12 teaching experience in Florida. While there Dr. Cronin served on several Florida Department of Education committees and advisory groups, as the Florida Delegate for the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and as a representative for the college on the Achieving the Dream Core Team and the American Association of Community Colleges' National Guided Pathways Project. She also has more than a decade of K-12 teaching experience in Florida. Among the awards Dr. Cronin has received over her 30-year career in education are a Phi Theta Kappa International Distinguished Advisor Award and a League for Innovation in the Community College Innovation of the Year Award. Dr. Cronin holds a Doctor of Education with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction from the University of Sarasota, a Master of Science degree in Reading from Barry University and a bachelor's degree in French from the University of Miami.  

Dr. Chato Hazelbaker is the President of Pueblo Community College (PCC) a Hispanic Serving Institution in southern Colorado with a primary campus in Pueblo that is part of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).  PCC serves over 8,500 students annually across four counties.  The college has an innovative mobile lab program that provides career and technical education opportunities across the state and recently opened a state-of-the-art healthcare education facility in a former hospital.  Hazelbaker was previously the President at Northland Pioneer College (AZ). Hazelbaker earned his doctorate in Organization Development from the University of St. Thomas (MN), a masters in leadershipfrom Crown College (MN), and a bachelor degree in English from Rocky Mountain College (MT).  Professionally, he has held leadership positions in enrollment management, marketing, information technology and government relations.  He has taught at the associate degree through graduate degree level in organization development, communications, and leadership.    Committed to service, Hazelbaker is currently the Chair of the Mountain States Association of Community Colleges (MSACC) and serves on the Board of the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation and the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce.  Hazelbaker has completed several accreditation visits for the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC). Hazelbaker and his wife Shari Hazelbaker, RN have three adult children.   

Ms. Amy Williams joined the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP) as its Executive Director in 2019. NACEP is the nation's sole dual and concurrent enrollment accrediting body and has more than 23 years of experience in supporting programs, practitioners, and policy to advance early access to quality college courses for high school students. Previously, Ms. Williams was the State Director of Career & Technical Education and Dual Enrollment for Montana and led the state's efforts to expand access and increase affordability in dual enrollment through college and career pathways. Mrs. Williams has more than two decades of experience in secondary and postsecondary education and a strong background in research science.  She has a passion for exploring policy levers at the institution, state, and national level to build relevancy into education, ignite a passion for learning, and give students an early start on college and career. 

Pervis Evans has devoted over 20 years of his professional career in the fields of education and social services, in an effort to advance access and opportunity for underserved populations. He earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas Tech University and a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education from Sul Ross State University. Currently, Pervis serves as the Senior Dean for the School of Liberal Arts and Education at Odessa College, a nationally recognized community college in Odessa, Texas. He oversees six academic departments and provides leadership and support to several campus committees, including holistic advising, curriculum, accreditation, career/transfer, and program review committees. Dean Evans led the development of the college's first Honors Program and the establishment of a Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching. Previously, Pervis was employed as an academic advisor, an instructor, and a program director at Midland College. He was a regional community relations specialist and an equity specialist with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and he served as the founding Executive Director of Educate Midland, a nonprofit community impact organization. Mr. Evans serves on the Board of Trustees at Midland Memorial Hospital and was selected as a 2022 Fellow for Deans for Impact, a national network of academic leaders committed to transforming educator preparation. As a performing artist, public speaker, educator, community organizer, and executive leader, Pervis has utilized numerous roles, abilities, and platforms to amplify the voice of hope and to make an impact in his community and abroad.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia named Dr. David Schecter the President of East Georgia State College on January 3, 2022. Since that time he has helped lead the College through its “50th Anniversary” year in 2023 and his main focus is on growing enrollment and ensuring students have a terrific experience on campus. Dr. Schecter leads an outstanding Cabinet that includes the Provost/Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs, Vice President for Information Technology, Chief of Staff/Legal Counsel, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Associate Vice President for Grants and Data Analytics, Director of East Georgia State College-Augusta, Director of East Georgia State College-Statesboro, Director of Strategic Planning and Institutional Research, Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, Director of Human Resources, and the Director of Athletics. This team led the successful implementation of the new FY2024 - FY2028 Campus Strategic Plan and is in the process of launching a new Bachelor's of Business Administration degree.      Dr. Schecter currently serves on the Boards of the Golden Harvest Food Bank, United Way of Southeast Georgia, Bulloch-Chatham Regional Education Collaborative, Central Savannah River Area/Regional Educational Service Agency, and the Magnolia Midlands Georgia Youth Science & Technology Center. He is most proud to be partnering with Golden Harvest Food Bank to open the Bobcat Food Pantry and work on other projects that support students' basic needs. Schecter previously served as Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of South Carolina - Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C., where he managed a budget of $38 million, administered a department of 686 employees and supervised deans of the schools and colleges and the library. Prior to serving at USC Upstate, Schecter served as Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and then Vice Provost at California State University, Bakersfield. He provided oversight for the university's Office of Research and Grants as well as the Kegley Institute of Ethics. Before joining the administration at CSU Bakersfield, Schecter was Chair of the Department of Political Science at California State University, Fresno where he was granted tenure as a full professor and earned the Provost's Award for Faculty Service. He also previously taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A Florida native, Schecter holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Florida and both a master's degree in political science and a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies and history from Florida State University. He also holds an MBA from Fresno State. In his spare time, he can usually be found walking on the beach in his hometown of Ormond Beach, Florida, going to a concert to hear one of his favorite 80s bands, playing "No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em," or cringing as he watches his beloved Miami Dolphins in a close game.      

Dr. Roger Parrott is one of America's most experienced presidents. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in Higher Education Administration. Dr. Parrott is a third-generation College president and was one of America's youngest college presidents first elected at age 34. He has served on various boards and was Chair of the 2004 Forum for World Evangelization hosted by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. Dr. Parrott is the author of The Longview: Lasting Strategies for Rising Leaders and Opportunity Leadership: Stop Planning And Start Leading. His wife, MaryLou, earned her Ph.D. in English and is a Professor at Belhaven. They have two adult children who graduated from Belhaven.

On July 1, 2016, Christon Arthur began serving as the provost of Andrews University following his election to the position by the Andrews University Board of Trustees on May 11, 2016. He is married to Carmelita, and they have one adult son, Christon Arthur Jr. Proceeding that appointment, Arthur has served as dean of the Andrews University School of Graduate Studies & Research since 2010. In addition to that role, he has also served as associate provost, with responsibilities for faculty policy and faculty development, since 2012. Prior to coming to Andrews University, Arthur served as an associate professor of Educational Administration and associate dean of the College of Education, at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. Arthur has been an educator for more than 30 years. He worked as both an elementary and secondary teacher. He holds a bachelor's degree in theology from University of the Southern Caribbean (Trinidad & Tobago) and graduate degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Administration from Andrews University and has completed postgraduate studies at Harvard University's Institute for Management and Leadership in Education

Dr. Eric Heiser proudly serves as the sixth President & CEO of Coconino Community College (CCC) in Flagstaff, Arizona. He guides a college of passionate faculty and staff who are dedicated to changing the lives of their students. He has worked in higher education nearly two decades starting as a full-time faculty member and progressing to senior leadership. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Colorado State University Prior to assuming the presidency at CCC, Dr. Heiser was the inaugural Provost ofCentral Ohio Technical College (COTC). He served as the Chief Academic, Student Support, and Workforce officer for COTC. Dr. Heiser started his career as a faculty member at Central Wyoming College (CWC) and taught in the areas of business, management, and criminal justice.  He also spent time as a director and workforce training coordinator during his time at CWC.  He spent six years at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) serving first as an Associate Dean and then moving into a Dean role. He and his team built one of the nation's largest Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs, from which the college was recognized nationally by multiple outlets.  He has delivered over three dozen conference presentations and key notes and published several articles on the topic of CBE and academic innovation over the past seven years.  Dr. Heiser was appointed as a content expert to the U.S. Department of Education's What Works Clearinghouse to advise the department on best practices in career and technical education and guided pathways.

Dr. Russell Frohardt currently serves as Dean for Academic Success at Northwest Vista College, overseeing the Science & Technology and Health & Biosciences Institutes, include the departments for Natural & Physical Sciences, Mathematics & Engineering, and Computer Science, Technology & Business (CSTB). The CSTB Department houses all of the 15 career and technical education (CTE) programs at the college. Prior to his time at NVC, Dr. Frohardt served as Interim Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, where he held various faculty and administrative positions since joining the community in 2003.  Before his Dean role at SEU, he was an American Council on Education Fellow, hosted by Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, where he learned about administrative, curricular, and co-curricular practices across the country. Dr. Frohardt received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, his M.A. and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Vermont, and he completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship studying the electrophysiology of head direction cells and their role in spatial navigation at Dartmouth College before coming to Texas. His research interests include the neurobiology of learning and memory, spatial navigation, sexual behavior, models of relapse and addiction, and higher education administration and strategy. In his free time, Russ enjoys playing basketball, attending live music shows, and spending time with his friends and his wife, Dr. Fay Guarraci, and his seventeen-year-old son, Cole.  

Ronald A. Matthews joined Eastern University in 1992 and was appointed the 10th President of Eastern University effective March 1, 2018. Prior to this call, Dr. Matthews served as Professor of Music, Chair of the Music Department, and since 2010, Executive Director of the Fine and Performing Arts Division. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dr. Matthews graduated from Central High School. Having received a Philadelphia Board of Education music scholarship, he did his undergraduate work in Church Music and Organ at Westminster Choir College where he graduated magna cum laude and received both the Senior Class Conducting Award and the Christian Leadership Award. Dr. Matthews received the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University, during which time he was invited to conduct the Jerusalem Chamber Orchestra for a recording project in Tel Aviv. At the age of 23, Dr. Matthews was invited to join the faculty of Nyack College as the Director of Choral Activities. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Combs College of Music in Composition with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting. From 1982-1992, Dr. Matthews was the Chair of the Department of Music at what is now Cairn University. For several years, he was a Thomas F. Staley Foundation lecturer/artist and served on professional and denominational boards and task forces. From 2005 until 2018, he was the Pastor of Worship Arts at Church of the Saviour in Wayne, PA. Dr. Matthews has conducted, recorded, and performed in France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Switzerland and the Vatican. He is a commissioned and published composer. He has performed and recorded regularly with his younger brother, Rev. Dr. Gary Matthews, in concerts and workshops throughout the United States and internationally. His older brother, Dr. John T. Matthews, is Professor of English at Boston University. Dr. Matthews' most recent release is a jazz piano Christmas recording, Holly and Ivory. Dr. Matthews is married to Pamela R. Matthews, who was raised in Oreland, PA and graduated from Springfield High School. She graduated from Chestnut Hill Hospital's School of Radiologic Technology. Mrs. Matthews is a registered Ultrasonographer and received her training in Ultrasonography from Jefferson University and Chestnut Hill Hospital. For over thirty years she worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology with Abington Hospital - Jefferson Health until 2017. She served as the President of the Home and School Association for the Upper Moreland Round Meadow Elementary School during which she raised funds for new playground equipment. For the Middle School, she organized a campaign resulting in the purchase of a new grand piano for the music program. Mrs. Matthews is an avid tennis player and is also interested in charitable and mission work. She has organized fundraising projects for Haiti and the Cherokee Indians in Cherokee, NC, and she has traveled to Cartagena, Colombia on a sports mission trip. Dr. and Mrs. Matthews have two adult sons.  

Since June 2014, Dr. Michael J. McDonough has served as Raritan Valley Community College's (RVCC) eighth president. The College, with an enrollment of 6,600 students, serves the residents and businesses of Somerset and Hunterdon counties, offering more than 90 associate degree and certificate programs. In addition, the College offers a dynamic set of workforce programs, a full range of professional development opportunities, innovative and customized business training, and enrichment programs for the entire community. Prior to joining RVCC, McDonough served as provost and vice president of academic services at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY (2011-2014); as dean of Liberal Arts at Monroe Community College (2007-2011); and as the Fred H. Gertz Professor of English at Alfred University in Alfred, NY (1987-2007). Currently, McDonough serves as the chair of the NJCC Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development; he is the chair of the Academic Issues Committee; and is a board member for Engage NJ. He is a past chair of the College Board's National Academic Council and a former College Board Trustee. McDonough received his B.A. (Hons) in Film and Drama and a Post Graduate Certificate of Education from Reading University in England; an M.A. in English from Oklahoma State University; a Ph.D. in English from Pennsylvania State University; and an I.E.M. from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.   

Lynn LaGrone assumed the role of Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, IA in August of 2020. Undaunted about starting a new role at Hawkeye, Lynn had the additional challenge of tackling the unknowns in the middle of the pandemic. She previously served as District Chair of Humanities, the Ankeny Campus Group Leader for English Composition, and an associate professor of English and literature at Des Moines Area Community College for over six years. In addition to several years of teaching for both Houston Community College and Lonestar Community College in Texas, she was an assistant professor at Five Towns College in Dix Hills, New York, and has experience teaching at Dowling College in New York.  Ms. LaGrone holds an MFA from Southampton College of Long Island University in New York, a bachelor's degree in journalism and broadcast communication from Eastern Michigan University, and an associate degree in liberal studies from C.S. Mott Community College. She completed additional graduate coursework at Colorado State University. Lynn's career in higher education goes to back to 2001 after a dozen years as an award winning broadcast journalist where she worked as a news anchor and reporter for stations in Flint and Grand Rapids, MI, Sacramento, CA and Memphis, TN. With her husband of 30+ years and two adult “kids,” the family moved to Iowa in 2010, after living in Texas, New York, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida, California and Michigan. A self-proclaimed nerd, she likes to read for fun, work jigsaw puzzles, listen to old school hip-hop and R&B and is an avid fan of Wordle.  

Michele Poulos has been in education for the past twenty-two years, working in elementary, secondary and post-secondary settings. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, a Master's Degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Psychology.   She has learned and taught in traditional and online environments. She currently serves as Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences with ECPI University. She was recently initiated into Marquis's Who's Who in America for 2022 and 2023. She resides in Naples, Florida with her husband, nine-year-old son, Trenton, and seven-year-old daughter, Eliana. One fun fact about her is that she was a contestant on the Price is Right. While she never made it out of “contestant's row,” she did win a year's supply of Ivory soap and a vacuum.  

Dennis is in his third year as Chancellor of Missouri State University-West Plains and in his 30th year as a Missouri State-West Plains staff and faculty member. Over the past three decades, he has served in several capacities including Dean of Academic Affairs, Assistant to the Chancellor, Director of the William and Virginia Darr Honors Program, Assistant Coordinator of Public Relations, Special Projects Coordinator, and throughout his career, as a teacher. Teaching is important to Dennis, and he maintains his assistant professor of letters status and continues to teach when he can and connect with students throughout the year. Dennis obtained his bachelor's degree in English Literature and Philosophy from Drury University in 1984, a master's degree in Journalism with an emphasis in political communication and media ethics from the University of Missouri in 1996, and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Lindenwood University, St. Louis, Mo., in 2014. Prior to coming to Missouri State-West Plains, Dennis worked as a reporter/photographer for a small town daily newspaper, owned a bookstore, and worked as a waiter during college, all three formative experiences in his life and career. For the past 40 years, Dennis has been married to Rita, and they have four children, Seth (and daughter-in-law Beth), Leslie, Kori (and son-in-law Jarred), and Nicholas (and daughter-in-law Sarah), and seven grandchildren who he loves dearly and is amused by constantly. In his spare time, Dennis enjoys traveling, hiking, writing and working to restore his family's 100-year-old farmhouse and grounds.  

Dr. Laurie Borowicz has served as the 5th President of Kishwaukee College since January 2016.  She has led the College through some of its most challenging times, including the state of Illinois two-year budget impasse and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiscal constraints, declining enrollments, and the changing landscape of higher education has allowed Dr. Borowicz to demonstrate transformational leadership. As an advocate of student success and with a focus on continuous quality improvement, Dr. Borowicz championed expanded student and academic support services, increased the use of technology for both internal and external stakeholders, and joined the Partnership for College Completion to eliminate the achievement gap for students of color.  Under her leadership, partnerships were forged with the business community to serve local workforce needs.  Partnering with other educational institutions, dual credit and transfer options were expanded for students. Before coming to Kishwaukee College, Dr. Borowicz served as Vice President of Student Services at Northcentral Technical College (NTC), in Wausau, WI.  With a 16 year career at NTC, she held two earlier positions at the college, focusing on student success and partnerships with local K-12, higher education, and employers.  Prior to entering higher education, she worked as a high school guidance counselor and county social services specialist.  Dr. Borowicz has demonstrated a commitment to helping others achieve their personal and educational goals throughout her professional career. Dr. Borowicz holds a Bachelor of Science in Retailing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison; a Master of Science in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin- Stout; and a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership from Edgewood College, Madison, WI. Her doctoral dissertation was an examination of Leading Organizational Change.   

Flashback to 1991. As a graduate of Bloom-Carrol High School, 18-year-old Brown, a student-athlete, packed up his car to head to Capital University, where he would play football while setting his sights on pre-med and athletic training degrees. Following a devastating knee injury during his sophomore year while playing football, he became increasingly interested in athletic training and helping others with their sports careers. Brown moved north to continue his education at the University of Michigan (for OSU fans, don't hold that against him!) to pursue a Master's in kinesiology. “I'll never forget my first game at Michigan,” he explained, “running out of the tunnel, jumping to touch the famous ‘Go Blue' banner. Graduate school was crazy busy, working full time as an athletic trainer with football and wrestling, carrying a full-time graduate course load in kinesiology, and even teaching classes.”  Flash forward another eight years. Dr. Brown earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Ohio University. He was ready to take on a leadership role, only switching up the playbook a bit. Instead of staying on the field, he expanded his career goals inside the walls of a community college where he could make a difference in the lives of students and the community. Arriving at Zane State in 2005 as Dean of Health, Public Service, and Service-Related programs, he earned promotion after promotion over the years. And in 2015, he was appointed the sixth president of Zane State College. This role is rewarding as well as increasingly challenging. “My outlook on my community college president profession can be summed up by one of my all-time favorite heroes, President Teddy Roosevelt. He said, ‘Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.' And even on the hardest and longest days, I enjoy my work and the people I work with. I love the work we do.” Dr. Brown is a servant leader who is passionate about empowering his employees in a creative and compassionate workplace culture. His leadership style shows a commitment to building trust, igniting passion, and caring deeply about the success of others. Keeping the local community at the forefront, he is involved in various boards and organizations that collectively benefit those most in need. While Dr. Brown's academic accomplishments are honorable and respected, they do not truly explain who Dr. Brown is.  Family First. With his wife, Dr. Susan Farus-Brown, Dr. Brown raised a son, Joey, who has taken on his parents' passion for football. A student-athlete himself, Joey is earning a bachelor's degree in business at Muskingum University. Must Love Dogs. As a dog dad to three lovable pups, Dr. Brown enjoys watching football and taking naps with English Bulldog named Lincoln and French Bulldogs named Ike and Churchill. Being Present. Having a chronic neurological condition called dystonia means Dr. Brown is thoughtful with every step he takes, every conversation he has, and every interaction he makes. Even on the toughest of days, he always sees our students as a source of inspiration. As he says, they are the purpose behind our vision of creating A Promising Future for Every One. Work Hard. Play Hard. This bio wouldn't be complete without a plug for Dr. Brown's woodworking talent and appreciation for bourbon. In his free time, he likes woodworking projects that range from cabinetry to wine racks to raised beds for his garden.  

Dr. Christine Webster-Hansen is Dean of the Humanities Institute at Brookdale Community College in NJ. After earning her B.A. in Communication at Rowan University, she earned an M.A. in English from Rutgers University and a Ph.D. in English from Temple University. After teaching as an adjunct instructor for four years, she became a tenured, full professor and department chair at Camden County College. Eventually, she served as Assistant Dean of e-Learning at Ocean County College, and now she proudly serves the students, faculty, and staff at Brookdale.

Beth Brunk Ph.D. is Dean of Extended University at the University of Texas at El Paso. Extended University supports Professional and Public Programs; the Center for Instructional Design; The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute; UTEP Connect, UTEP's suite of fully online degree programs; and the Office of Youth Program Development and Support. Dr. Brunk is professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies and has served in several other administrative roles at UTEP including Director of First-Year Composition and Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. A member of the inaugural class of University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers, Dr. Brunk is also a recipient of the University of Texas Academy Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award. Dr. Brunk has served on several national boards, task forces, and committees and has published in the areas of online teaching and learning, online collaboration, student retention and persistence, serving diverse student populations, and academic administration. She has served on nearly 40 dissertation committees and chaired 24 of them. She is PI, co-PI, or supporting staff on several awarded grants and gifts from the Department of Education, American Public and Land-Grant Universities, the University of Texas System, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and HCA. Dr. Brunk holds a Ph.D. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington, A Master of Arts in English from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications/Advertising from New Mexico State University. She previously taught at James Madison University.

Leigh B. Goodson has served as president and chief executive officer of Tulsa Community College since July 2014. Under her leadership, the college launched and met the College's $20 million campaign, developed Oklahoma's first “early college high school program,” and gained TCC acceptance into the Aspen Institute Unlocking Opportunity: The Post-Graduation Success and Equity Network. Dr. Goodson is a key contributing member of the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, a collaborative partnership with local universities. Dr. Goodson earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Research and Evaluation from Oklahoma State University, a Master of Science in Organizational Communication from Fort Hays State University in Hays, KS, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from OSU. She is a graduate of Leadership Oklahoma class XXIII and Leadership Tulsa Class 35 and completed an Aspen Presidential Fellowship in 2016. In 2020, The Journal Record recognized Goodson as Oklahoma's Most Admired CEO in the public category and inducted her into the Circle of Excellence for being honored three times as a 50 Making a Difference honoree at its annual Woman of the Year event. In addition, Dr. Goodson received the Leadership Oklahoma 2023 Distinguished Graduate Award. She is an active member of her community, and currently serves on the boards of AACC, Tulsa Area United Way, Oklahoma Business Roundtable, Jobs for the Future Policy Trust, CCCSE National Advisory Board and Tulsa Regional Chamber. She is a sought after local and national guest speaker on various topics including leadership development and community college student success. Goodson has invested herself and her career in education, having served previously as a university faculty member, university administrator and school board member for Tulsa Public Schools. Her priority and passion is student success.  

Dr. Marc Seigar earned a B.Sc. in Physics from Imperial College London in the U.K. in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the Liverpool Astrophysics Research Institute in 1998. Marc joined The University of Toledo as Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in August of 2021. After obtaining his Ph.D., Marc went onto various research positions at Ghent University (in Belgium) and the Joint Astronomy Center (in Hilo, Hawaii). He was hired into his first faculty position at the University of Arkansas, where he worked his way through the academic ranks. In 2014, he was hired as Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he also spent three years as Associate Dean of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering. Just before joining UToledo, from 2020 to 2021, Marc served as a Program Director (rotator) in the Division of Astronomical Sciences in the National Science Foundation. Marc's area of scholarship is astronomy and astrophysics. He studies nearby galaxies and is particularly interested in galaxy dynamics, structure and morphology. Throughout his career, Marc has used data from various astronomical observatories, such as the Hubble Space Telescope, Spitzer, Gemini, and facilities at Kitt Peak and Lick observatories.

Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson is the 14th President of the University of Southern Maine. She is an accomplished educator, scholar, and first-generation college student. For nearly twenty-five years, President Edmondson has fostered a student-focused model of higher education that prioritizes lasting community collaborations and inclusive excellence. Before coming to USM, President Edmondson was a full professor in the College of Education at Penn State University, where she has served in a number of administrative leadership roles, including, most recently, as chancellor and chief academic officer of the Greater Allegheny campus. As a scholar, President Edmondson focuses her research on education policy, rural education, teacher education, and popular culture. In addition to publication in numerous academic journals, she has authored eight books on subjects ranging from critical policy analysis to Jesse Owens to Jerry Garcia. She holds a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State.

Dr. Robert Exley is the seventh president of Alvin Community College. Prior to ACC he served as the 17th President of Snead State Community College in Boaz, Ala., from January 2008 to August 2020. During his nearly 13-year tenure in Alabama, Dr. Exley focused on providing a compassionate campus experience for students and staff with an emphasis on academic excellence and civic engagement. His own higher education experience began at the community college level and has provided a foundation for his passion to encourage well-rounded citizens through comprehensive higher education opportunities. He also served as President of Parkland College in Champaign, Ill., and as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He has held a number of administrative positions with Miami-Dade College (MDC) over a nearly 10-year period. Dr. Exley received his Associate of Arts degree from San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas, his BA and MS from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, and his Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin. In May 2007, Dr. Exley was named a Distinguished Graduate of the University of Texas at Austin's Community College Leadership Program in recognition of his national contribution to American Community Colleges. While a student at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, TX., he served as the 1979-1980 National President of Phi Theta Kappa. In January 2014, Phi Theta Kappa honored Dr. Exley with the prestigious Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction.

Colleen Perry Keith, Ph.D. is the14th president (and first female president) in the 136-year history of Goldey-Beacom College, assuming this role July 1, 2019. With more than 36 years of higher education experience, Dr. Keith served as president at Pfeiffer University, who moved from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division III during her tenure from 2015-2019 and at Spartanburg Methodist College, a member of the NJCAA, from 2009–2015. She currently serves on the The Partnership Board of Directors, the education affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce; the Board of Governors for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce; the Board of Directors of Transform Mid-Atlantic, serving as the Vice Chair of the Executive Committee; and as the Vice Chair for the Division II Executive Board of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Locally, Dr. Keith serves on the board of the Wilmington Rotary Club. Dr. Keith is also active with the Forum of Executive Women – Delaware, the Fund for Women, the Steering Committee for the Delaware Million Women Mentors and on the advisory committee for the Fresh Start Scholarship program. In 2010, she was named the South Carolina Career woman of the Year by the South Carolina Business and Professionals Woman's Foundation and was selected as a 2022 Women in Business Honoree by Delaware Today Magazine. As a doctoral student, she was awarded the Earl W. Anderson Award for Outstanding Graduate Students by The Ohio State University, College of Education  and as a master's student, she was inducted into Kappa Delta Pi (Education Honor Society) at the University of Pittsburgh. She is an invited speaker at many events each year, speaking to groups on the topic of leadership, women in leadership, and (of course) Goldey-Beacom College. Dr. Keith's career in higher education started following her work at a temporary help company in Pittsburgh in the mid-1980s. She saw the steel industry shutting down in the area, leaving many workers without jobs and without training for other work. Working with those displaced workers led to a strong commitment to help people to acquire some form of post-secondary training so that they could have economic security throughout their adult lives. That commitment led her to graduate degrees and eventually to Goldey-Beacom College, a place committed to providing post-secondary education that helps people to achieve economic security in an ever-changing world of work. Dr. Keith holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from Binghamton University; Master of Education Degree in Education Counseling from University of Pittsburgh; and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University. She lives in Pike Creek with her husband, Barry and their two English bulldogs, Daisy and Charlie. She has one son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Anna Hogan, residents of Silver Spring, MD.  

Dr. Suzy Ames is the 7th President of Peninsula College in Port Angeles, WA. Since joining the college, she was selected as Secretary of the Board for the Clallam County Economic Development Council and as a member of the Executive Board for West Sound STEM and the North Olympic Health Network. Prior to joining Peninsula College, she worked at Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, WA as Vice President of Instruction, Associate Vice President of Instruction and Dean of Instruction. She served as the Director of Planning and Institutional Effectiveness at Skagit Valley College where she also taught marketing and social media management. Much of her background is in marketing and communications including: Vice President of Advancement/Executive Director of the Foundation at Pierce College, Director of Marketing at the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and Director of Marketing and Communications at Cascadia College. In her first year as President of Peninsula College, she supported the college in the development of nine associates and applied bachelor's degrees that will start in Fall 2024. She formed relationships with community-based service providers to bring comprehensive wraparound support services to at-risk students on campus. As an instructional administrator, Suzy served as co-Principal Investigator on three National Science Foundation grants, including one that supported equity-focused IT education at eight community and technical colleges and led to the development of a bachelor's in computer science degree offered at these colleges. She led significant diversity, equity and inclusion efforts including the design and implementation of a diversity and social justice degree requirement for all students across transfer and professional-technical degree programs; the implementation of a cultural humility student learning outcome; and infusing DEI into the faculty tenure evaluation process. Suzy served as Vice President and Secretary of NCIA of the National Council of Instructional Administrators. Suzy is an evaluator for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership for Change from Fielding Graduate University, an MBA from City University, and two bachelor's degrees in Communications and Political Science from the University of Washington. She lives in Port Angeles, WA with her husband and two chocolate labs.

Joseph Barry Hasenkopf (Barry), Chief Operating Officer, has 30 years of experience as an executive consultant across multiple industries, cultures, and geographies. A proven leader, he is committed to the growth, education, and enrichment of his clients at every level of their career. Over his career he has assisted some of the largest global professional consulting firms in the world, including Ernst & Young, Capgemini, HP, IBM, and Tata Consulting. Mr. Hasenkopf has taught leadership, communication, and relationship skills to business students in Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business. His academic experience includes working with professors and department chairs as an adjunct professor to prepare and deliver a successful enterprise business process curriculum within the Information Systems, Master of Science degree program. As an executive of Myers McRae, he is committed to continuing the strategic direction and quality services that has earned the firm national recognition. The editors and analysts at Hunt Scanlon Media continue to name Myers McRae as one of the "Top 50 Education / Non-Profit Search Firms" in a special edition of Executive Search Review. The company stated the selected firms are considered the most prominent trailblazers in education and non-profit searches. Mr. Hasenkopf holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science with a minor in mathematics and Russian from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (now PennWest Edinboro). He received his Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in finance at the University of Pittsburgh, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business.

Dr. Rodney Reed is the former chancellor at Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion. He also served as dean of Christian formation, university chaplain and associate professor of theology at John Brown University.  In addition to his work at John Brown University, Reed has worked as an affiliate consultant for CREDO Higher Education Counseling since 2013 providing executive coaching for local and national non-profit organizations. As consultant or peer advisor for over two decades, he has worked in more than 30 Christian universities in the United States, Canada, Asia and Africa in the areas of spiritual formation, faculty development, curriculum, retention and human resources.  Reed holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Sioux Falls College, a Master of Divinity from Bethel Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology from University of Bristol.

Dr. Kelly Otter is Dean of Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS). In this role, Dr. Otter oversees professional graduate programs; liberal studies programs at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels; professional certificate programs and custom education; and summer and special programs. Before coming to Georgetown in 2014, she served in academic dean roles at Northeastern University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the College of New Rochelle, and previously held positions in academic administration at New York University. She also taught at each of these institutions in the fields of media studies and interdisciplinary research. Dr. Otter's professional portfolio comprises academic program development, the design and management of technology-mediated education infrastructures and programs, veterans support services, international education and partnerships, and adult and workforce education. Dr. Otter is a member of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), the International Leadership Association (ILA), and the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO).

Stephen Healey is a seasoned Higher Education leader and innovator with experience at every level of administration in a university environment. His leadership experience includes serving as faculty leader, Dean of Arts and Sciences, Associate Provost, Provost, and most recently interim President.  He has significant experience developing programs (helped to create more than 30 programs), overseeing budgets, and managing accreditation, as well as skill in career development, student recruiting, and assessment. He specializes in identifying opportunities, institutional change, and online/campus hybridization. Over the course of his academic career, he has pioneered solutions to 21st century challenges.   Healey began his work as an educational professional by earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Boston College, focusing on the interdisciplinary intersection of theology, social sciences, philosophy, and ethics. His expertise on how social and institutional entities react to changing ideas has  informed his leadership roles over the past two decades. Healey served as the lead negotiator of the transfer of assets from the Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing to the University of Bridgeport. Through collaboration with other academic leaders and faculty, he has helped to create more than fifteen academic programs. Healey earned his Ph.D. from Boston College; an M.A. Andover Newton Theological School; and a B.A., Eastern Nazarene College.

Karen H. Brown, Ph.D., MPH, CCC-SLP is Dean of the School of Education and professor at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). The School of Education earned accreditation for seven years under Dr. Brown's leadership. She has greater than 20 years of higher education experience and 15 years in higher education leadership. She has served as Associate Director for the University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), also at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Prior to her employment with UVI, Dr. Brown was a tenured associate professor at an institution for higher education (IHE) in the continental United States. She was the first black and first speech-language pathology faculty member to achieve tenure in her department and program, respectively,  where she also led that program to achieve accreditation status for seven years. Dr. Brown holds a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in special education, a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology, and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences. Dr. Brown is a licensed speech-language pathologist with 30 years of experience. She continues to practice and maintains the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).  

Dr. Robin Kay is currently the Dean and a Full Professor in the Faculty of Education at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Canada. Dr. Kay received his MA in Computer Applications in Education at the University of Toronto and his Ph.D. in Cognitive Science (Educational Psychology) at the University of Toronto.  He has published over 160 articles, chapters and conference papers in the area of technology in education and has taught in the field of computer science, mathematics, and educational technology for over 25 years at the high school, college, undergraduate and graduate levels.

Rafael Castilla is the executive vice president and provost of Eastwick College, a New Jersey career-oriented institution offering certificates and degrees in health care, technology, and business. Dr. Castilla oversees strategic planning, program development, institutional and programmatic assessment, and institutional compliance at the state, programmatic accreditation, institutional accreditation, and federal levels. Dr. Castilla began his career at Eastwick College 25 years ago as an instructor of medical courses. Seven years later, he joined the administrative staff and rose through the positions of associate dean, dean of academics, corporate director of education, and vice president for academic affairs to his current position. He led the process to convert three independent career schools to Eastwick College and develop a portfolio of associate and bachelor's degrees, some of which hold programmatic accreditation. Previously, Dr. Castilla held a private practice in aesthetic medicine in Bogotá, Colombia, where he also taught medical courses, served as the director of an aesthetics certificate program, and organized continuing education courses in aesthetic medicine. Dr. Castilla is a member of the Academic Issues Committee of the New Jersey Presidents' Council. As a member of the Academic Quality Subcommittee, he collaborated in drafting regulatory text to implement portions of P.L. 2021, c.27. He is a former commissioner and chair of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools and a former member of the Advisory Council for Rider University's Executive MBA program. Dr. Castilla holds an MD degree from the Corpas School of Medicine and an MBA from Rider University. 

Anne Alexander is Vice Provost for Strategic Planning and Initiatives for Academic Affairs at the University of Wyoming. She earned her Ph.D. in Economics at UW, and her Master's and BBA in Economics from New Mexico State University. Dr. Alexander's research and teaching focuses on the history of American capitalism, international economics, and health economics. She regularly speaks to statewide audiences and state and national media about the status of the Wyoming, US, and global economies. She produces an annual economic and statewide engagement report on the impacts of the University on the state, and she has authored several publications on the political and economic impacts of transboundary pandemics and the productivity effects of various diseases. Prior to her position in Academic Affairs, she was the Director of International Programs and Associate Dean of Outreach at UW. She has also served as a Resources Economist in the U.S. Department of State, Assistant Dean of the UW College of Business, and Director of the interdisciplinary Health Economics Policy Center at UW. She is an alumni of Leadership Wyoming, Class of 2013.

As the Chancellor of Keiser University, Arthur Keiser. Ph.D., oversees and manages all operations at Keiser's 21 Florida campuses, three international campuses, two in China and the other in Nicaragua, as well as the graduate and online school. Under Dr. Keiser's four-plus decades of leadership, Keiser University, a private not-for-profit university, has become Florida's largest independent university and is regionally accredited as Level VI by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS). Dr. Keiser earned his doctorate in higher education administration at the Union Institute and University Graduate School, where he wrote his dissertation, “Benchmarking in Private Career Schools: A Preliminary Empirical Investigation in the Establishment of Quantitative Strategic Indicators in this Specialized Postsecondary Education Sector.” As a tireless advocate for students, he has given numerous presentations and published many articles and reports on various subjects related to private career-focused schools and not-for-profit institutions.

Curt Lox, Dean, Brooks College of Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL Curt was born and raised in Orange County (California).  He completed his bachelor's degree at the University of California, Riverside, received his master's degree from Miami (Ohio) University, and earned his doctoral degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Curt began his career at Northern Illinois University in 1994 before moving on to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 1996 where he later served as Dean, Associate Dean, and Coordinator of Grants & Research in the School of Education, Health, and Human Behavior as well as Chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education.  In 2017, he became Dean of the Brooks College of Health at the University of North Florida.  His research has centered broadly on the psychosocial benefits of physical activity for special populations including the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with traumatic brain injury, overweight adults, cardiac rehabilitation patients, and individuals with HIV-1.  He is co-author of The Psychology of Exercise: Integrating Theory and Practice, which is currently in its fifth edition.  Curt has served as a sport psychologist and leadership trainer for athletes and coaches at the interscholastic, intercollegiate

Catherine Wehlburg, Ph.D., currently serves as Interim President and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Athens State University. Prior to this role, she was named Senior Fellow at AAC&U. She also served as Founding Dean for the College of Sciences, Mathematics, and Education at Marymount University. She has served in several different roles in her thirty years of higher education as a tenured full professor, department chair, Associate Dean, Dean, and Associate Provost. In each of these roles, she has focused on assessment of learning, mission, enhancing student learning, and strategic decision making. Dr. Wehlburg has published many articles, books, and chapters and has always had a focus on educating the whole student as the essential role in higher education. She has been recognized for her work in student learning outcomes assessment by being elected president of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE) and received their Outstanding Achievement Award. Her leadership has been called innovative and inclusive as she seeks to engage others in the ongoing discussions surrounding access and success for all. Dr. Wehlburg received her Ph.D. from the University of Florida in Educational Psychology.  

Born in Pittsburgh, Stephen Maynard Caliendo grew up in a Western Pennsylvania exurb and later attended Clarion University, as a first-generation college student, to study English literature and political science. He earned Master's and Ph.D. degrees in political science from Purdue University and has taught at the University of Missouri—St. Louis and Avila University (Kansas City, Missouri). He is currently dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of political science at North Central College (Naperville, Illinois). With Charlton D. McIlwain (New York University), Caliendo is co-author of Race Appeal (Temple University Press, 2011) and co-editor the Routledge Companion to Race and Ethnicity, which is now in its second edition (2022). They have co-authored articles in The Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics, The Journal of Black Studies, and American Behavioral Scientist and entries to a number of edited volumes and specialized encyclopedias. On his own, Caliendo is the author of Teachers Matter: The Trouble with Leaving Political Education to the Coaches (Praeger 2000), in which he examines the effects of political socialization on attitudes toward American political institutions. His textbook, Inequality in America: Race, Poverty, and Fulfilling Democracy's Promise (Routledge) is now available in its third edition (2022). He has authored or co-authored dozens of papers presented at national and regional professional conferences and is often called upon to provide analysis for print media stories and to appear on radio and television programs to lend his expertise to national, state and local political issues. Caliendo has been honored with numerous awards, including the American Political Science Association's Ralph Bunche Award for Race Appeal (shared with Charlton D. McIlwain), Purdue University's “Emerging Voice” (alumni) Award (2010), and awards for teaching (2007), research (2011), and service (2009) at North Central College. He was named Professor of the Year at Avila University in 2002. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Jillian, and is the proud father of Amelia, Gianni, and Stella.

Steven Bloomberg serves as President at Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK). He began his tenure on January 3, 2018. Among other accomplishments, under President Bloomberg's leadership, the College has opened a new campus Food Pantry and Career Closet, developed a new five-year strategic plan, lowered the cost of attendance through a textbook agreement with Cengage Unlimited, opened a new Health and Wellness Facility, SEARK@Seabrook, launched a new strategic marketing plan with the tagline “Make Your Mark at SEARK”, and debuted a new website.  In less than two years, President Bloomberg has raised over $11 million to support the construction of a new student center/classroom learning complex and 316 units of student housing. Most recently, SEARK became one of the first community colleges in the State of Arkansas to develop a two-year degree program in Cyber Security.  Prior to his tenure at SEARK, President Bloomberg was most recently the Executive Vice President at Oklahoma City Community College. He is also a certified economic developer and served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Borger, Texas Economic Development Corporation. President Bloomberg has worked for higher education institutions in California, Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. 

Jeff W. Coker, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of history at Shenandoah University (Winchester, Virginia), is a thought leader in higher education with more than twenty years of administrative leadership experience at multiple universities, including private and public institutions. Holding degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Ohio University, Coker is the author of books and articles in the fields of American politics, culture, and social thought.  He has served as a mentor of students throughout his career, overseeing undergraduate research initiatives, serving on graduate student thesis committees, and traveling abroad with students. He has served as a grant reviewer for the National Endowment for the Humanities, as a consultant for the College Board, and has experience in university accreditation. The U.S. Department of State has tapped Jeff on several occasions to speak internationally on American history and culture and also on trends in higher education.  

Clay Christensen has been the President at Mountainland Technical College since 2006.  He has responsibility for day to day operations of the multiple campuses in the three county service region and delivery of occupational programs that meet the needs of business and industry.   Prior to his employment at MTECH he was the Director of Career & Technical Education for Alpine School District.  He had direct supervisory responsibility for Career and Technical Education and Comprehensive Guidance programs, instructors, financial management, and operating budgets.   Previous assignments include Agriculture Specialist at the Utah State Office of Education with direct supervision and responsibility over secondary and post-secondary agriculture programs.  He also served as the Utah FFA and Young Farmers Educational Association State Advisor.  In addition, he had assignments with coordination of Career & Technical Education and Special Education, Post-Secondary and Technical Colleges.   He started his educational career as a high school agriculture/welding instructor at Lehi and Uintah High Schools. He has worked in education for over 40 years.  He lives with his wife Lori in Genola and they have three married children, three granddaughters and one grandson.

Dr. Kellie Bean has more than 25 years of experience as an educator and senior academic administrator serving small, non-profit, mission-driven institutions, including Marshall University, Northern Vermont University, Hartwick College, and more. Kellie began her career as Professor of English, at schools like these. She was the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost for Rio Grande University/Rio Grande Community College from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 and has recently moved on to her next assignment. Dr. Bean has dedicated her career to increasing access to higher education for traditionally underserved populations. Kellie has worked with institutions on a range of initiatives related to student success, faculty development and support, operational fitness and improvement, strategic curricular planning, workforce development, program creation and implementation.   She received a PhD in English Literature and Cultural/Feminist Theory from the University of Delaware; a Master of Arts in English as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Drama from The Ohio State University.  

Christina A. Clark, Ph.D., serves as the Chief Academic Officer at Marywood  University, providing leadership in all academic matters and working collaboratively with the deans, faculty, staff, students, and administration to further Marywood's mission and vision. Prior to her appointment at Marywood University, Dr. Clark served as Dean of the School of Design, Arts, and Humanities at Marymount University [Arlington, Va.], where she also was a tenured professor of literature and languages. Dr. Clark's academic administration skills include strategic planning, program assessment, recruitment and retention, curricular development, shared governance, university advancement, partnership development, and grant writing, among other issues of critical focus in higher education. She has had extensive leadership development experience, particularly at Marymount and Creighton Universities. Currently participating in the Council of Independent College's Executive Leadership Academy, she previously participated in Leadership Arlington and CASE Advanced Development for Deans and Academic Leaders. Committed to action enabling diversity, equity, and inclusion, she currently serves as chair of the Society for Classical Studies' Committee on Diversity in the Profession and has served on the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences' Committee on Cultural Diversity. Dr. Clark's professional specialty is in classics. As a scholar, Dr. Clark focuses on the representation of gender and nonverbal behavior in ancient Greek and Roman poetry and her professional contributions and research include peer-reviewed books, book chapters, articles, papers, and reviews. Dr. Clark has been recognized for her accomplishments and contributions with the Gamma Phi Beta's Shine (Teaching) Award at Creighton University and “Iggy” Award for Outstanding Freshmen Mentors, Role Models, and Advocates, also at Creighton. A member of the Eta Sigma Phi and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies, Dr. Clark also was a Junior Fellow at Harvard University's Center for Hellenic Studies.. Previously, Dr. Clark served as director of the world literature program and the health administration and policy program at Creighton University [Omaha, Neb.], where she also chaired the Classical and Near Eastern Studies department and served as a professor. She has served internationally as an associate professor at the Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies [Rome, Italy] and has taught in the United States at Iowa State University [Ames, Iowa]; Bowdoin College [New Brunswick, Maine]; Gustavus Adolphus College [St. Peter, Minn.]; Florida State University [Tallahassee, Fla.], and the University of Wisconsin-Madison [Madison, Wisc.]. Growing up in a military family and living in many different areas of the United States as well as the Philippines, Dr. Clark earned a BA in Classics from Georgetown University and a MA and PhD in Classics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During her undergraduate education, Dr. Clark spent her junior year abroad at Trinity College [Dublin, Ireland].