Episodes
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Dr. Michael McDonough, Raritan Valley Community College
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
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.
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Ms. Lynn LaGrone, Hawkeye Community College
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
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.
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Ms. Michele Poulos, East Coast Polytechnic Institute
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
Tuesday Feb 20, 2024
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.
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Dr. Dennis Lancaster, Missouri State University-West Plains
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
Tuesday Feb 06, 2024
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.
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Dr. Laurie Borowicz, Kishwaukee College
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
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.
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Dr. Chad Brown, Zane State College
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
Tuesday Jan 09, 2024
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.
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Dr. Christine Webster-Hansen, Brookdale Community College
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
Tuesday Dec 26, 2023
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.
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Dr. Beth Brunk University of Texas El Paso
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
Tuesday Dec 12, 2023
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.
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Dr. Leigh Goodson, Tulsa Community College
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
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.
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Dr. Marc Seigar, University of Toledo
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
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.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Dr. Jacqueline Edmondson, University of Southern Maine
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
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.
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Dr. Robert Exley, Alvin Community College
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
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.
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Dr. Colleen Perry Keith, Goldey-Beacom College
Monday Oct 02, 2023
Monday Oct 02, 2023
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.
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Dr. Suzanne Ames, Peninsula College
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
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.
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Mr. Barry Hasenkopf, Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting
Friday Sep 01, 2023
Friday Sep 01, 2023
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.
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Dr. Rodney Reed, former Chancellor, Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
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.
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Dr. Kelly Otter, Georgetown University
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
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).
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Dr. Stephen Healey, Cambridge College
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
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.
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Dr. Karen Brown, University of the Virgin Islands
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
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).
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Dr. Robin Kay, Ontario Tech University
Monday Jun 05, 2023
Monday Jun 05, 2023
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.
Monday May 22, 2023
Dr. Rafael Castilla, Eastwick College
Monday May 22, 2023
Monday May 22, 2023
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.
Monday May 08, 2023
Dr. Anne Alexander, University of Wyoming
Monday May 08, 2023
Monday May 08, 2023
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.
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Dr. Arthur Keiser, Keiser University
Monday Apr 24, 2023
Monday Apr 24, 2023
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.
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Dr. Curt Lox, University of North Florida
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
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
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Dr. Catherine Wehlburg, Athens State University
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
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.
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Dr. Stephen Maynard Caliendo, North Central College
Monday Mar 13, 2023
Monday Mar 13, 2023
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.
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Dr. Steven Bloomberg, Southeast Arkansas College
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
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.
Monday Feb 13, 2023
Dr. Jeff Coker, Shenandoah University
Monday Feb 13, 2023
Monday Feb 13, 2023
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.
Monday Jan 30, 2023
Mr. Clay Christensen, Mountainland Technical College
Monday Jan 30, 2023
Monday Jan 30, 2023
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.
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Dr. Kellie Bean, University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
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.
Monday Jan 02, 2023
Dr. Christina Clark, Marywood University
Monday Jan 02, 2023
Monday Jan 02, 2023
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].
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Mr. Paul Gladen, Accelerate Montana
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Monday Dec 19, 2022
Paul Gladen is the Director of Accelerate Montana, the University of Montana’s portfolio of economic and workforce development programs.
Paul is a co-founder of the Montana Code School and the Hellgate Venture Network, an entrepreneurial networking group. He also serves on the Board of the Missoula Economic Partnership and was the 2017 Montana Ambassador Educator of the Year.
Originally from England, Paul has an MA in Mathematics from Oxford University and an MBA from Manchester Business School.
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Dr. Gregory Feeney, Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Monday Dec 05, 2022
Dr. Greg Feeney is Provost at Bluegrass Community and
Technical College (BCTC). In this role, he serves as the chief
academic officer and provides leadership for academic and
student support areas at the college, including adult education,
global learning, and workforce development. Dr. Feeney served
in other administrative roles including Vice President of
Academics and Workforce Development, Dean of Academics,
Dean of Academic Support, and Assistant Dean of History,
Languages, and Social Sciences at the college. He achieved the
faculty rank of full professor and has been at BCTC since 1998.
He earned his doctorate, with an emphasis in interpersonal and
health communication, at the University of Kentucky. He
completed his masters at Northern Illinois University, with an
emphasis in communication theory and organizational
communication.
Monday Nov 21, 2022
J. Kim McNutt, California State University Dominguez Hills
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
J. Kim McNutt is currently in his 8th year as Dean of the College of Extended & International Education at California State University Dominguez Hills. The self-support college generates nearly $18M annually in tuition, delivering a portfolio of nearly 50 online and classroom-based education and training programs. The educational offerings cover the entire lifelong learning spectrum. He has co-launched several new programs at CSUDH including new master’s degree in Cyber Security and a new MS in Systems Engineering. A graduate degree in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences launched Spring 2021 and can be completed in 12 months. A new MS in Accounting is rolling out Fall 2023.
His college is leading a new initiative to reengage “stopped out” CSUDH students to come back and finish their degree through an innovative concierge style service.
His college also led the way as the first Cal State to offer alternative credentials and digital badges to students so they can easily share their skills and competencies with employers more and add it to their lifelong digital backpacks as a Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR).
Kim is a 1st generation college graduate. This drives his passion to expand access to underserved populations, including adult, returning and non-traditional students.
Over a 30-year career, he has worked for public and private universities, including Cal Maritime, SMU, ASU, OLLU and NMSU.
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Dr. Elaine Carey, Oakland University
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Monday Nov 07, 2022
Dr. Elaine Carey is an accomplished historian, acclaimed scholar and passionate academic leader. In 2021, she added dean of Oakland University’s College of Arts and Sciences to the vast list of roles she’s held.
Having originally pursued her Ph.D. in history from the University of New Mexico with the intention of becoming a journalist, Carey’s detour into academia was as unanticipated as it was enlightening. It took hesitantly declining a dream job offer that’s area of focus didn’t correlate enough with her studies for her to make the transition, quickly realizing just how valuable her personal expertise was within the classroom.
Following her first position post graduate school at The University of Detroit Mercy, she continued expanding her teaching resume through positions at various schools across the nation, whilst simultaneously advancing her remarkable contributions to academic research. Having published dozens of works, she highlights her book Women Drug Traffickers: Mules, Bosses, and Organized Crime as one of her proudest achievements. Instrumental in altering the conversation surrounding women in the drug trade, this source is considered the first to assign focus to the ways in which these women have often been bosses in a number of ways — a focus previously so under explored, several fellow scholars initially assumed Carey’s presentation to be one of fiction.
Carey’s recent position was founding dean of Purdue University Northwest’s College of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. Arriving in 2017 at the university’s inception, she played an instrumental role in the school’s development, collaborating with faculty, administration, librarians and students across all of the university’s colleges on endeavors such as general education offerings.
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Dr. Paaige Turner, Ball State University
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Monday Oct 24, 2022
Dean Turner is an experienced higher education administrator, communication teacher-scholar and organizational consultant with an extensive background in gender in the workplace, strategic planning, mentoring, change management, budgeting, education technology and international education. Her focus upon collaborative working partnership has allowed her to support the creation of year-round high school to college programs, assessment practices with 100% compliance, faculty and student mentoring programs, award winning faculty educator/learning technology platforms, budget/mission alignment for net revenue gain, and award-winning international programs.
Her background in organizational communication and commitment to achieving goals that fulfill an organization’s mission has garnered her the opportunity to serve higher education in a variety of roles.Currently she serves as the finance chair for the ACE Women’s Network of Indiana, Vice Chair of Operations for the Muncie Chamber of Commerce, and Principal associate in Communication Resource Associates, LLC. Prior to arriving at Ball State University Dean Turner served as the executive director for the National Communication Association, Associate Dean at Webster University, and Associate Vice President at Saint Louis University. Her peers elected her to serve as president of the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language and Gender and chair of the Organizational Communication Division of the National Communication Association.
As an award-winning teacher-scholar, Dean Turner has published over 40 books, chapters and articles in the area of organizational communication, specifically on topics of internationalization, organizational socialization, customer satisfaction, gender, midwifery and birth, breastfeeding, and the body. In recognition of the breadth of her background she has been invited to serve on national and editorial boards including the Journal of the Association for Communication Administration, Journal of Media Critiques, Women’s Studies in Communication, Women and Language, Journal of Applied Communication, Management Communication Quarterly, Communication Monographs, and Communications Studies.
Dean Turner has earned international and national awards for her meritorious work in the field of communication including a Presidential Citation for Service from the National Communication Association, Fulbright-Nehru International Education Administrators Award for India, Learning Happens Everywhere Award for exemplary collaboration, Faculty Excellence Award and SLU Star Award. Most recently, she was an associate editor for the International Handbook of Organizational Communication that received the NCA Organizational Communication Division 2017 Edited Book Award.
She has presented or consulted for a range of Fortune 500 companies and educational associations, including the Australia and New Zealand Communication Association, American Council on Education, Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico Recinto de San Germán, National Brazilian Education Conference, Institute for Curriculum and Campus Internationalization, EducationUSA Training Institution, Boeing, Energizer.
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Dr. Kimberly Lawless, Penn State University
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Monday Oct 10, 2022
Kimberly Lawless is professor of education (educational psychology) and dean of the College of Education at Penn State. She earned her Ph.D. in educational psychology at the University of Connecticut in 1996; her M.A. in educational psychology from the University of Connecticut in 1994; and her B.A. in psychology from Boston College in 1991. She joined the College this fall after a 20-year career at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), where she most recently held the position of associate dean for research in that institution’s College of Education.
Lawless' research, which garnered more than $30 million in grants and contracts during her time at UIC, focuses on the meaningful integration of educational technology with an emphasis on seventh- and eighth-grade students’ STEM and writing skills development.
She has been recognized throughout her career with several honors and awards, which most recently include the 2018 Distinguished Researcher in the Social Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago; and the 2016 Best Paper Award from the Cognition and Engaged Learning in the Digital Age Conference (CELDA).
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Dr. Thomas Huebner, Meridian Community College
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Wednesday Sep 28, 2022
Tom Huebner has been described in many ways throughout his career, an energetic instructor, an inspiring professor, a trusted mentor, and a visionary leader.
A native of Kansas City, Missouri Huebner earned a bachelor’s degree in communication and English from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, a master’s degree in speech communication from the University of Georgia and a doctorate in communication from the University of Southern Mississippi. He also graduated from The University of Alabama's Community College Leadership Academy.
An educator for more than 30 years, Huebner began his professional career in 1990 at Southwest Baptist University as an instructor and assistant director of speech and debate. His first experience in Mississippi began in 1994 where he became an instructor of communication and director of speech and debate at William Carey University in Hattiesburg. At Carey, Huebner progressed from instructor to assistant professor to director of admissions and recruiting.
Huebner's ascent into higher education administration really began at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee in the early 2000's as he moved consecutively from assistant professor and director of speech and debate to become dean of admissions, vice president of enrollment management, and vice president of student affairs.
Moving to Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2010, Huebner was responsible for all student services of the College and began the pursuit of a presidency. Just five years later, he was named president of East Mississippi Community College. During his tenure at EMCC, the community college was twice named an Aspen Top 150 community college and was listed as the nation’s 3rd best community college by SmartAsset. The community college was also one of only four nationwide selected by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to receive an InsideTrack grant. Huebner was also instrumental in the production of the Netflix documentary, Last Chance U, an Emmy nominated documentary series based on the redemption of disadvantaged students through the college's football program.
Dr. Thomas Huebner became the third president of Meridian Community College on July 1, 2018. Since arriving at Meridian Community College Huebner has hit the ground running. In addition to leading efforts to tell the MCC story and elevate the presence of the institution, he has worked to secure multiple grants, including substantial awards for advanced manufacturing, has developed relationships with industry and educational partners, moved the College to develop a number of new industry-relevant programs, renovated campus facilities, implemented a new strategic planning process, and received the Phi Theta KappaPresident’s Paragon Award. He was recently named top 10 over 50 for Meridian and Lauderdale County by the Meridian Star and was recently recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as one of Mississippi’s top CEOs.
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Dr. Stefani Hicswa, Montana State University Billings
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
Stefani Gray Hicswa, Ph.D., became Montana State University Billings’ chancellor in January 2021. She is the first woman chancellor since the university’s founding in 1927.
Hicswa served as president of Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming from 2013-2021. Under her leadership, Northwest College achieved the highest completion rate in its history, and launched comprehensive strategic visioning, enrollment management, and facilities master plans. Prior to Northwest College, Hicswa served as president of Miles Community College in Miles City, Montana for seven years.
A first-generation college student, Hicswa holds a doctorate in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin; a master’s degree in adult, community, and higher education from Montana State University; and a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from the University of Montana. She was raised in Dillon, Montana, and is married to Scott Hicswa, a consulting forester. They have two teenage sons.
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Dr. Scott Dolan, Excelsior University
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Monday Aug 29, 2022
Scott Dolan is a leader and innovator in the development of flexible and affordable online education. He was named dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Excelsior College in May 2019.
As dean, he provides strategic academic and administrative leadership to the School of Graduate Studies, and is responsible for all academic matters, including strategic planning, budget oversight, and curriculum development, delivery, and assessment. Currently, he oversees programs in business, human resources, organizational leadership, data analytics, cybersecurity, public administration, health sciences, and criminal justice. Dr. Dolan joined Excelsior College in 2014, and has served in various roles including: Director of Assessment and Program Evaluation, Executive Director of Accreditation, Assessment and Strategy, Associate Dean of Business and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.
Prior to joining Excelsior College, Dr. Dolan worked in the private sector as a Senior Researcher conducting program evaluations of federally- and foundation-funded programs in the P-20 education and health and human services sectors, including projects on the role of technology in education. His experience also includes nearly 15 years as an instructor at the College of Saint Rose, Siena College, Schenectady County Community College, University at Albany, and Excelsior College.
His areas of expertise include assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, and program evaluation, with research interests in complex organizations and political and economic sociology. He is published in his field and has presented widely on current issues in online higher education. When not pursuing his passion for higher education, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, playing golf, and following his favorite sports teams—especially the Yankees. Dr. Dolan has his PhD in Sociology from the University at Albany—State University of New York.
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Dr. Devin Byrd, Bastyr University
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Devin Byrd, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and currently serves as the President for Bastyr University. Prior to joining Bastyr, he served as the Vice President for Academic Affairs for Saybrook University where he provided oversight for programs such as the Mind Body Medicine and Integrative Functional Nutrition programs, Counseling, Psychology, and Clinical Psychology degrees. His fiscal responsibility included overseeing budgets for all academic programs (for both Colleges) and the Academic Affairs Operations division (e.g., registrar, library, writing center, department of research).
He spent 13 years at South University in several roles including Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, wherein his responsibilities included oversight for five (5) Colleges and one (1) School of the Institution (Arts and Sciences, Business, Health professions, Nursing and Public Health, Theology and School of Pharmacy), supervision of the College/School Deans, Faculty, and curriculum. An additional function of this role was to oversee the development and launch of new academic programs and to achieve programmatic accreditation (including reaffirmations) and programs offered across eleven campuses.
Dr. Byrd graduated from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and from Virginia Tech with a Master of Science and PhD degrees in Clinical Psychology. During his graduate studies, he completed his pre-doctoral internship at Brown University where he served as the Intern Representative for the Child track and completed rotations at the VA PTSD clinic, Bradley School, Child/Adolescent Inpatient facility, and the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Disorders clinic. His personal interests include spending time with his family and friends, traveling, boating, golf, and home projects.
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Dr. Jeffrey Cass, Arkansas Tech University
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Wednesday Aug 03, 2022
Jeffrey Cass is the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, AR. Prior to this appointment he was Provost at the University of Houston-Victoria and Professor of English. He also been a faculty member and administrator at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Texas A&M International University. Jeffrey is a native of Valley Center, CA and received is Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego. His professional field is British Romanticism and has published in the area of women and Orientalism. More recently, he has published research on the work of John Galt and William Godwin.
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Dr. DeWayne Frazier, Iowa Wesleyan University
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Tuesday Jul 19, 2022
Dr. DeWayne Frazier currently serves as the University Provost where he is the Chief Academic and Student Development Officer for Iowa Wesleyan University. Dr. Frazier is known as an academic entrepreneur and his career is marked by enrollment growth through creative academic programming. Dr. Frazier’s portfolio includes the Adult and Graduate Programs, library services, academic support, international education, Registrar Office, Office of Student Development, career services, community service office, campus ministries and the university academic divisions (Business, Education, Humanities, Nursing, and Sciences). Dr. Frazier serves on the President’s Cabinet and is also a full professor in the Division of Business. Under Dr. Frazier’s leadership, Iowa Wesleyan has seen over 100% increase in overall student enrollment in less than two years. Under Frazier’s leadership, Wesleyan has increased international student enrollment by over 600% (18 to 120 students). Frazier has designed and incorporated a step-by-step plan for designing new academic programs and has implemented in the university wide strategic plan metrics to develop a minimum two new programs for review each academic year. Under his leadership the university has launched its first two graduate programs as well as an aggressive micro-credential program. Frazier is a national presenter on academic entrepreneurship.
Prior to serving at Iowa Wesleyan, Dr. Frazier was the associate vice president for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School at Campbellsville University in Kentucky. At Campbellsville University, Dr. Frazier oversaw 17 different graduate programs across various disciplines including business, counseling, education, music, social work, social science, and teaching English to speakers of other languages. Frazier was responsible for implementing recruitment strategies, overseeing curriculum development and monitoring program resources. Under his leadership, the Graduate Programs grew steadily from a Full-Time Equivalency (FTE) of 453 in the Fall 2010 to 535 FTE in the Fall 2012. Two of the programs have recently (2014) been ranked by U.S. News and World Report in the top online programs in the United States.
Dr. Frazier came to Campbellsville University after serving three years as the Senior Vice President for International Programs (SVP for IP) at Upper Iowa University (UIU) in Fayette, Iowa. Dr. Frazier was responsible for overseeing UIU’s academic extension centers located in foreign locations. Upper Iowa University currently has centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia. Under Dr. Frazier’s leadership, full-time student numbers at the international academic extension locations have increased from 399 to 831 over the past three years. The enrollment growth reflects a 108 percent increase in total students. As the Sr. VP for IP, Dr. Frazier oversaw all academic requests, including final grade appeals, internship extensions, appeals from suspension, approval of faculty, and final review of course substitutions. Frazier served on the university wide curriculum committee and graduate curriculum committee as an ex-officio member. He also worked closely with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association on Accreditation to assure that all programs operate within the given principles and parameters of the commission.
Dr. Frazier has presented at various conferences on topics ranging from job satisfaction to immigration regulations. He has presented at the World Conference of the International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education and the NAFSA national conference. Dr. Frazier has presented on “F-1 Students for Admissions Offices” and “International Student Recruitment 101” at the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers as well as presentations on globalization. He has published numerous articles on topics such as internationalization of the campus and international recruitment.
Dr. Frazier’s earned his Bachelor’s degree from Campbellsville University in Political Science/ Mathematics. He completed his M.A. in international politics at the Patterson School for Diplomacy and International Commerce on the campus of the University of Kentucky and finished an additional M.A. at the University of Louisville in higher education administration. Dr. Frazier completed his Ph.D. in leadership at the University of Louisville. The topic of his dissertation was the “Job Satisfaction of International Educators in the Post-September 11th Era”.
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Dr. Roger Best, University of Central Missouri
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Tuesday Jul 05, 2022
Dr. Best joined UCM in August 1995 as an assistant professor of finance and became a professor in 2005. He was named chair of the Department of Economics and Finance in 2003, associate dean of the Harmon College of Business Administration in 2008 and dean of the college in 2010. Following an extensive restructuring of academic programs, Dr. Best began service as dean of the newly formed Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies in 2011. His strong business acumen contributed to Dr. Best becoming interim senior vice president for Finance and Administration in August 2017, and concurrent with a university administrative reorganization, he was appointed executive vice president and chief operating officer in January 2018. In this capacity, he was responsible for implementing a three-year budget planning cycle for the university, revising university fiscal policies and leading efforts to provide more robust reporting for budget managers. With board oversight, he also helped formalize the university’s contingency reserves guidelines.
Early in his tenure as president, Dr. Best established priorities that include: ensuring a focus on and highlight on academic quality; building a sustainable financial model, which includes automation and streamlining practices; expanding the spectrum of educational opportunities available to students, including seeking out markets beyond undergraduate and graduate degrees; strengthening alumni engagement and developing a strong fundraising arm through the UCM Alumni Foundation, including filling key staff and leadership positions; and engaging marketing and branding efforts to roll out a new slogan and graphic icon that relates to students and assists with building program-level recruitment. He has also challenged faculty and staff to continue a long legacy of being service-minded toward students and to become problem solvers.
Throughout his service at UCM, Dr. Best has shared his financial and administrative expertise to the benefit of the university. Early in his career, he was appointed to a Board of Governors Academic Affairs Subcommittee on Faculty Compensation, which recommended a new faculty compensation model ultimately approved by the board. During the 2014–2015 academic year, he played a role in the development of the university’s Strategic Resource Allocation Model (SRAM) by chairing a team that considered how the budget process could further enhance transparency and accountability, optimally allocate resources to academic programs and directly connect to student success, growth with quality and sustainability and efficiency metrics.
While serving the Harmon College, Dr. Best played a key role in the college’s accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), having been involved in three of the college’s Continuous Improvement Review visits by external teams. He was also engaged with AACSB at a national level, having served on the AACSB Continuous Improvement Review Committee and on numerous peer review teams for other university business programs. As dean, he oversaw the creation of the Donn G. Forbes Center for Financial Studies, funded through a private gift to the university, and facilitated a partnership with the UCM Alumni Foundation to create the Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) with an initial allocation of $500,000.
Dr. Best’s tenure at UCM includes a strong record of participation in department, college and university committees that have given him a broad, well-rounded knowledge of the campus community. He has served on the Faculty Senate, Academic Program Review Committee, University Research Committee, University Scholarship Committee, Professional Enhancement Committee and a number of other committees and work groups. His teaching assignments included more than 100 sections of a dozen unique courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels covering concepts in corporate finance, international finance, investments and personal finance. His professional contributions include publication of numerous scholarly research-based articles in peer-reviewed journals and more than 40 presentations at professional conferences, as well as service on the Board of Directors for both the MidAmerican Business Deans Association and the Southwestern Business Deans Association.
Dr. Best began his higher education at Georgia College in Milledgeville, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in management. Advanced study led to a Ph.D. in finance from Florida State University in Tallahassee.
Active members of the community, Dr. Best and his wife, Robin Best, reside in Warrensburg, Mo., and have two daughters, Amy Burk and Lindsey Keirsey, and six grandchildren. Previously, Dr. Best served as treasurer and board member of Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County, and he currently serves as a member of Johnson County Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors, Whiteman Area Leadership Council, Missouri Campus Compact Presidential Advisory Board and KCPT Board of Directors.
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Dr. Chris Bustamante, Arizona Community College Coordinating Council
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Dr. Chris Bustamante serves as the Executive Director of the Arizona Community College Coordinating Council (AC4). In this position, he leads the statewide council of presidents/chancellors of the ten community college districts in their work to advance the mission and interests of Arizona’s community colleges. He is also the former president of Rio Salado College (Rio) and the Maricopa Corporate College (MCOR), both located in Tempe, Arizona. The institutions are part of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) which serves approximately 200,000 students annually. Rio is the largest of the District’s ten individually accredited colleges and serves nearly 50,000 students each year. Dr. Bustamante retired in August 2018 after forty years of public service in Arizona, including over twenty-six years in MCCCD.
Dr. Bustamante is a well-known advocate for increasing access to higher education and degree completion. In addition, he is highly regarded for forging transformational partnerships with business, government, and educational providers.
He was appointed President of Rio in June 2010 and President of MCOR in August 2016. Prior leadership roles at Rio include: Vice President of Community Development and Student Services and Dean of Academic Affairs. Previously he served in senior level government affairs positions for MCCCD and as Assistant to the Superintendent for Community and Government Relations for the Phoenix Union High School District, and as a Legislative Assistant in the Arizona House of Representatives.
A native to Arizona, he holds both a doctorate and master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona and attended Pima Community College as a transfer student.
Dr. Bustamante’s commitment to higher education is noted by his leadership roles nationally and locally. He currently serves as the Board Chair for Higher Learning Advocates (HLA), a Lumina funded advocacy organization, and served as Chair of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) Board of Trustees (2016-17), and as a CAEL Senior Fellow (2020-21); currently serves as a CAEL Advisory Board member (2018-Present) and ED2Work Advisory Council member (2021-). In addition, he served as a board member for the American Council on Education (ACE) (2016-2018) and Chair of ACE’s Commission on Education, Attainment, and Innovation (2014-15). He served on the Board for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) (2015-2017) and its Executive Committee (2017), and as President of the National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC) (2014-15). In 2018, he completed service as a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the Presidents’ Forum Advisory Board, Credential Engine Board, and the Advisory Board for the Higher Education Research and Development Institute (HERDI). In addition, Dr. Bustamante served as President of the Continuous Quality Improvement Network (CQIN/AFIT) and member of its Executive Committee (2012-2018). He currently serves on the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) and its Executive Committee. Locally, he was co-chair of the Arizona-Mexico Commission’s Education Committee (2016-2018), Friends of Public Radio Arizona Board Member (2010-2018), and currently serves on the local boards of the Boy Scouts of America and the Be A Leader Foundation in Phoenix.
Chris and his wife, Mary, live in Tempe, Arizona, where they are raising their three daughters.
Monday Jun 06, 2022
Dr. Tracy Hartzler, Central New Mexico Community College
Monday Jun 06, 2022
Monday Jun 06, 2022
On Nov. 12, 2019, the Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) Governing Board unanimously selected Tracy Hartzler to become the sixth president of CNM. She officially began her presidency on Jan. 1, 2020.
Before becoming CNM President, Ms. Hartzler was CNM’s Vice President for Finance and Operations and has been at CNM since 2015.
In September 2021, President Hartzler was one of 25 community college presidents nationwide selected to participate in the Aspen New Presidents Fellowship, managed by the prestigious Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. The program supports community college presidents in the early years of their tenure as they strive for higher and more equitable levels of student success.
President Hartzler has been a key leader among a partnership of five colleges in New Mexico to establish the Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS). The five partner colleges are collaborating on an unprecedented level to implement shared technology platforms that all five colleges will use to improve the student experience from recruitment and enrollment to completion and career, as well as modernizing and streamlining technology and processes that will be consistent across the colleges for administrative, HR and financial services. CHESS’ unique structure allows the colleges to take advantage of the efficiencies of a true college system while retaining their independence and unique connections to their local communities. In addition to CNM being a founding partner for CHESS, President Hartzler also serves as the Vice Chair on the CHESS Board.
Under President Hartzler’s leadership, CNM was one of five community colleges nationwide that helped found and launch Unmudl, a national skills-to-jobs marketplace that provides working learners with the shortest, most flexible and affordable options for skilling up quickly and improving their career prospects. Businesses use the service to find the skilled workers they need to grow. President Hartzler serves as Chair for the Unmudl Steering Committee.
President Hartzler has served the public sector for more than 25 years in education, government, and policy roles. She earned her Juris Doctorate from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. She earned her Master of Education Degree from the University of Virginia with highest honors; and she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana. She is a member of the New Mexico, Indiana (inactive), and District of Columbia Bars.
Monday May 23, 2022
Dr. Charlene Gilbert, University of Toledo
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
Dean Gilbert has been a leader in higher education for more than 20 years. She began her career as a faculty member and over the years has served in a variety of higher education leadership positions. She became the Dean of the University of Toledo’s College of Arts and Letters on July 10, 2017.
During her tenure, the College of Arts and Letters (CAL) has seen record highs in retention rates, graduation rates, and external research funding. Faculty in the College have received numerous accolades for their research excellence including four Fulbright scholars, a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow and a winner of the Kennedy Center’s National Playwright Award. In addition, students in the college have significantly increased their participation in undergraduate research both on campus and at regional and national conferences. This past fall CAL students represented over 20% of the student participants in the University’s annual undergraduate research showcase. In the spring CAL students were part of two teams of students who competed in the international Biodesign Challenge at the Museum of Modern Art in New York city.
During her first year as Dean, Gilbert led the College through a college-level strategic planning process that identified the following five key values as the foundation for achieving strategic success during the next five years: Integrity, Excellence, Diversity, Engagement and Innovation.
Dean Gilbert is deeply committed to building the College of Arts and Letters into one of the finest liberal arts colleges, housed in a public university, in the country. In her first year as Dean, the College approved a new minor in Data Analytics. In her second year, she led a university-wide initiative to develop new majors in data analytics and data science. Other curricular initiatives under her leadership have included: a LatinX curriculum infusion project, a graduate certificate in Disability Studies, a re-activated Masters in Public Administration program, and an ongoing effort to develop an interdisciplinary doctoral program in the humanities.
Gilbert believes that creating a supportive and engaging academic environment is essential to academic excellence. During her tenure as Dean, the College established a New Scholars Program designed to create an intellectual community for students who are highly engaged in terms of their academic achievements, commitment to service and/or leadership. In addition to co-curricular activities, Gilbert has prioritized scholarship support for students in need. Under her leadership the College has created the Strategic Scholarship Initiative designed to support students in academic good standing who need a small amount of financial assistance to stay on track to graduation.
From July 2014 to July 2017, Professor Gilbert served as the Dean and Director of the Ohio State University, Lima Campus. During this time the campus saw record increases in retention rates, graduation rates, and fundraising. Under Gilbert’s leadership, the campus became known for its commitment to community engagement efforts focused on creative collaborations and service. She also served as a Professor in the OSU Department of Women’s , Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Prior to this position, she had been at the University of Toledo as a full professor and Chair, in the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies and the founding director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.
In addition to serving as the Dean of the University of Toledo’s College of Arts and Letters, Gilbert is also a tenured full Professor in the Department of Theatre and Film. For the past 20 years Gilbert has been an independent documentary filmmaker, teacher and scholar. She has been a national producer for public television and has produced two award-winning feature documentaries and several short non-fiction films. Her first feature documentary film, Homecoming Sometimes I am Haunted by Memories of Red Dirt and Clay, premiered nationally on PBS and won several national awards for Best Documentary. Professor Gilbert also co-authored, with Quinn Eli, a companion book to the film, also entitled Homecoming, published by Beacon Press. Her documentary, Children Will Listen, which followed DC public school children engaged in a year-long theater arts project, premiered at the 2004 AFI Silverdocs Documentary Festival and had a national primetime PBS broadcast premiere. Her films and videos have been screened in numerous international and national festivals including the Women in the Director's Chair Festival, the Chicago International Television Festival, FESPACO, the Athens International Film and Video Festival, and the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema.
Gilbert is the recipient of several awards and fellowships including the Rockefeller Media Arts Fellowship, Harvard University's Bunting Fellowship, the Kellogg National Leadership Fellowship award and the American Council on Education Fellowship. Dean Gilbert received her bachelor's degree from Yale University, her Master of Fine Arts degree from Temple University and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska
Monday May 09, 2022
Dr. Tom Gallagher, Missoula College UM
Monday May 09, 2022
Monday May 09, 2022
Tom Gallagher serves as Dean at Missoula College and Point of Contact (POC) Director for Cybersecurity Center of Academic Excellence (CAE2Y) at Missoula College. Tom has been a professor of Information Technology and Computer Science at Missoula College, University of Montana since 2001. Prior to coming to UM, Tom served in the roles of Technology Director and System Administrator. He holds a doctoral and masters degree in Education Leadership from the University of Montana, masters degree in Computer Science from Western Washington University, and baccalaureate degree in Mathematics from Carroll College. His dissertation is entitled Baccalaureate Time-to-Degree for Montana University System Two-year College Transfer Students
Monday Apr 25, 2022
Ms. Marguerite Cotto, Northwestern Michigan College
Monday Apr 25, 2022
Monday Apr 25, 2022
Marguerite Cotto had nearly four decades of service to Northwestern Michigan College when she retired in 2021. She started her career at NMC in 1979 as a Spanish instructor. It was a long way from the University of Puerto Rico where she focused on Soil Science and Hispanic Studies. She advanced to become academic chair where she developed one of the richest modern language programs of its kind in the state. She was later tapped to lead the University Center. In that role, her diplomatic leadership style united independent minded institutions under a common goal. That strength also positioned her to lead a group of programs as diverse as College for Kids and the Marine Center as Vice President of Lifelong & Professional Learning. One of her strengths was her ability to connect with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds. The other was to see endless possibilities.
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Ms. Stephanie Gray, Gallatin College MSU
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Stephanie was born in Texas, raised in Colorado, and has lived, raised 3 daughters, and worked in Bozeman Montana for 26 years. All the men in her family where in construction, the ski industry, and ranching while the women were all educators going back 3 generations. It is no wonder that her professional life involves connecting industry to education and education to industry. Making these connections supports students as they reach their potential and a diverse local economy. Dean Gray holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from University of Colorado and a Master of Public Administration from Eastern Washington University. Stephanie has been with Gallatin College for 8 years, and two years the Dean. Prior to Gallatin College Dean Gray worked in a variety of non-profits in a home for pregnant teens, a teen shelter as a case worker, on a mental health team as a case manager, and at the local Human Resource Development Council as the Youth Development Director. Without a doubt, her favorite job, and the work that has made the largest difference in peoples lives and the communities future is as the Dean of Gallatin College!