Episodes
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!
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Dr. David Hellmich, Sauk Valley Community College
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Dave began his tenure as the President of Sauk Valley Community College in July of 2015. He serves on the Board of the Council for the Study of Community Colleges, Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce/Main Street, KSB Hospital, KSB Foundation, Sauk Valley Community Leadership Program, Sterling Noon Rotary Club, and the Shaw Media Advisory Board. In 2021, he was selected as the Dixon Citizen of the Year and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber Champion. Prior to coming to SVCC, he served 28 years as an administrator and as an English professor at community colleges in Florida, Minnesota, and Kentucky. Dave has taught graduate courses in ethical leadership in Minnesota and Kentucky. He is the editor of and contributing author for Ethical Leadership in Community Colleges: Bridging Theory and Daily Practice and the co-editor of Ethical Decision-making in Community Colleges: Not Losing Our Way, in which he and his wife Linda wrote a chapter on narcissistic leadership. Dave earned his B.A. in English from DePauw University, his M.A. in American Literature from Indiana University, and his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida. He and Linda, a clinical psychologist, have been married for more than 36 years; they are parents of three kind, intelligent, and beautiful adult daughters and have three wonderful grandchildren. Dave is the fourth of eleven children and grew up in small-town Indiana. He is a cyclist and a life-long Packer fan.
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Dr. Paul Watson, Kellogg Community College
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Dr. Paul R. Watson II serves as the Vice President for Instruction at Kellogg Community College. Prior to that appointment, he has served Pennsylvania College of Technology in multiple administrative roles, as a high school teacher in Jefferson, New York, and as an assistant professor of mathematics at Houghton College.
With an outlook that systems-thinking effects positive change, Watson creates and supports leadership teams and communities that are bases for sustainable change. As a transformative leader, he excels in building relationships that allow for authenticity, transparency, and collaboration where one can exemplify the curiosity, inquiry skills, and scholarly competencies needed to investigate an idea and transform it into meaningful action. Additionally, rooted in the personal belief that all students can learn and can be successful, Watson’s emphasis on the learning paradigm provides a focused perspective on student success. He is committed to ensuring the academic and economic empowerment of diverse learners and their communities by developing authentic partnerships that ensure safe and equitable learning environments that promote belonging, active engagement, and student success. He regularly engages with students, faculty and staff – sharing a meal, attending performances or athletic events, participating in student orientations and leadership development programs, as well as intentionally making connections in hallways and offices.
He has extensive experiences in higher education, and has successfully worked to provide intentional and innovative pathways for transfer, dual and concurrent enrollment, continuing education, workforce development, and career and technical education. Watson fully engages in fostering community connections as respected partners and has been recognized at the state-level for his work on chamber of commerce taskforces, civic organizations, and contributing towards multi-county economic development efforts. He has had the opportunity and experience in advocating at the local, regional, state, and national level for meaningful change in legislation that would positively affect his community, higher education, and students.
Watson serves as a Higher Learning Commission Peer Reviewer, and serves on the Executive Board of the Council of Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges.
Watson holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Management from Drexel University, an M.S. in Teaching & Curriculum from the University of Rochester, an M.S. in Mathematics Education from Syracuse University, and a B.A. in Mathematics from Houghton College.
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Dr. Laurie Chesley, Central Oregon Community College
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Monday Feb 28, 2022
A first-generation college student from a rural, working-class family, Laurie Chesley understands the transformative power of education first-hand. Her entire career has been dedicated to helping other students have the same life-changing experience that she was fortunate to have. It has been the honor and privilege of her life to serve this mission.
Prior to becoming the sixth President of Central Oregon Community College, Chesley was the provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs at Grand Rapids (Michigan) Community College. She taught English at a variety of higher education institutions for 14 years, serving diverse student populations. She has 20 years of administrative experience, including as interim dean of learning at Northwestern Michigan, assistant vice president for academic affairs at Ferris State (Michigan) University, dean of humanities at Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Community College, and then associate dean and dean of arts and sciences at Grand Rapids Community College, before becoming its vice president in 2015.
As the president of a community college – one of “democracy’s colleges” – that serves a diverse district spanning over 100,000 square miles, Chesley understands the importance of providing both the access and the supports needed by all learners who are seeking a better future – through enrichment courses, basic skills development, job training, certifications, degrees, or transfer to a four-year institution.
Monday Feb 14, 2022
Dr. Marnel Niles Goins, Marymount University
Monday Feb 14, 2022
Monday Feb 14, 2022
Marnel Niles Goins is the Dean in the College of Sciences and Humanities at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. Prior to this appointment, she was Professor of Communication at California State University, Fresno for 12 years. She is a native of Philadelphia, PA. She earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Communication and Culture at Howard University in Washington, DC and her BA from the Department of Communication at Oakwood College in Huntsville, AL. She taught courses in Small Group Communication and Organizational Communication and has a special interest in gender and racial dynamics in organizational settings.
At Marymount, a number of new academic programs have been developed under Marnel’s leadership, including a graduate certificate program for Ethics and Leadership in Criminal Justice, which launched in the Fall 2021 semester, and a B.S. in Engineering. Also new is the 4+1 M.A. in English program, which enables students to earn a B.A. in Literature & Languages or Digital Writing & Narrative Design and a M.A. in English & Humanities over five years of study at Marymount. This program facilitates a student’s transition from a broad-based liberal arts B.A. into a flexible, customizable and interdisciplinary M.A. program that concludes with a thesis or an advanced internship practicum that addresses the student’s professional goals.
Marnel has several books, book chapters, and articles published in the Communication discipline She is co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Gender and Communication and Still Searching for Our Mothers’ Gardens: Experiences of New Tenure-Track Women of Color in ‘Majority’ Institutions. She has articles published in Communication Studies, Women & Language, and The Alliance of Black School Educators, in addition to book chapters published in Let’s Communicate and the Routledge Handbook of Applied Communication Research. She has presented papers and panels at a number of conferences, including the National Communication Association convention, Western States Communication Association convention, and Eastern Communication Association convention.
Marnel is President of the Western States Communication Association. She is the former President of the Organization for Research on Women and Communication, a former member of the National Communication Association’s Executive Committee, past Chair of the National Communication Association’s Black Caucus, and former Secretary of the National Communication Association’s Group Communication Division.
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, Cedar Valley College
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Dr. Jennifer Wimbish, President Emeritus for Cedar Valley College (CVC) of the Dallas College System, was the first African American President of the College. She is the CEO of BW Success Strategies, Incorporated, a consulting firm focused on strategic planning, success coaching, and solutions connected to problem-solving. Her leadership journey has included her serving as Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Lansing Community College in Michigan; Dean of Students and Faculty Counselor at Brookhaven College in the Dallas, Texas area; and teacher and counselor within the public school system of Corpus Christi, Texas. She is a member of the steering committee for the Texas Poor People’s Campaign, and a Co-Chair for the Dallas Affiliate Group. Dr. Jennifer Wimbish is also a member of the Dallas Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Wimbish has designed and taught leadership courses, presented at leadership conferences across the nation, and published a guide to student leadership. Her recent book, Leadership Wisdom for All Generations, is being used for professional development across the nation with a variety of populations. Recently, she has engaged in professional development for students, and college professionals relative to the topics of Multigenerational, Collaborative Learning, Equity in the Classroom, and Pathways to Career Success. She is a member of the Presidents’ Roundtable, a national organization committed to training and mentoring individuals aspiring to become college presidents. Dr. Wimbish is also active with her Church’s Outreach and Economic/Workforce Programs.
Dr. Wimbish’s legacy includes a number of key accomplishments. She is the founder of the Corpus Christi, Texas Black History Cultural Committee, an organization that more than forty years later continues to engage the community in historical, cultural, and equity related activities. While in Michigan, as Provost of Lansing Community College, she was instrumental in uniting organizations to develop both transitional housing for homeless families and increase access to technology for underserved populations. At CVC, she led the college to recognition as a military friendly campus, established several Early College High Schools, and initiated a Minority Male program to influence positively college youth. The college’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter won the title of Most Distinguished Chapter in the world, contributing to Wimbish receiving its prestigious Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award. Moreover, the college enrollment, completion and graduation rates increased significantly. Dr. Wimbish’s dynamic leadership has been acknowledged through such awards as the National Role Model Award from Minority Access, Incorporated, and the Woman of the Year Award from the Dallas Women’s Council.
Her involvement in the Dallas community includes service with the Best Southwest Partnership and Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce Boards, Methodist Hospital Citizens Advisory Group, and Head Start of Greater Dallas.
Dr. Wimbish holds a Doctorate in Higher Adult and Lifelong Learning Education from Michigan State University, a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Texas A & M University in Kingsville, Texas, and a Bachelor’s Degree in History Education from Hampton University. She is proudest of being a daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother.
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Dr. Ricky Shabazz, San Diego City College
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Dr. Ricky Shabazz is an enthusiastic, student-centered leader with over 20 years of executive experience advancing academic achievement, educational equity, diversity, and improving access to higher education. He is an effective public speaker and team builder with an accomplished track record developing collaborative partnerships that improve student success. He specializes in enrollment management and cultivating institutional policies, processes, and culture that provide personalized student experiences and improves student outcomes. Dr. Shabazz's demonstrated strengths include using data informed decisions to lead high impact models of practice, promoting innovative solutions that stimulate inclusive dialogue amongst all stakeholders, and being a passionate lifelong learner who is absolutely committed to the mission of community colleges to educate a diverse community of learners.
As San Diego City College's President and CEO, Dr. Shabazz provides executive leadership at one of the most innovative and socially active community colleges in the nation with a focus on student completion, success, and social justice. He has previously held positions as Vice President of Student Services, San Bernardino Valley College; Dean of Student Services, El Camino College Compton Center; Associate Director of Admissions, Harvey Mudd College; MESA Program Director and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of California, Davis (UCD); and Analyst in the University of California Office of the President.
Dr. Shabazz earned an Ed.D. in educational leadership, a master's degree in educational administration from California State University, San Bernardino, and a bachelor's degree from UCD. His research expertise is in increasing college access for underrepresented students.
Dr. Shabazz was the first person in his family to attend college. His mother was a teenage parent and his father is a veteran. He takes pride in helping students from diverse communities achieve academic excellence and building highly effective teams. Dr. Shabazz serves on the boards of Sharp Hospitals, the San Diego Workforce Partnership, the Jackie Robinson YMCA, YPO Pacific West, A2MEND, The President's Round Table, and a host of other community agencies.
San Diego City College is an Aspen Institute Top 20 community college that is accredited by the ACCJC. City College is a Hispanic Serving Institution serving approximately 17,000 students in credit and noncredit programs. City College has nearly 1,000 employees and an annual budget of approximately $70 million.
Monday Jan 03, 2022
Mr. Kenny Daugherty, Myers McRae Executive Search
Monday Jan 03, 2022
Monday Jan 03, 2022
Kenny Daugherty joined Myers McRae in 2008 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was named President in 2016. Identifying and attracting highly qualified, undeclared candidates to searches is one of his specialty.
His ability to relate to search committees and candidates stems from his 28 years of managerial experience in public and independent institutions. Throughout his career in higher education, he had responsibilities that involved interdepartmental cooperation and personnel management at multiple levels. He became known for his ability to assess candidates, which resulted in his placement on numerous search committees for professional staff and administrators across the university community.
His career in higher education administration began at the University of Alabama, where Mr. Daugherty served in the areas of facilities, planning, and services for Housing and Residential Life. During his 11-year tenure at the state flagship institution, he designed and managed the facility planning process that included a seven-year plan for building renovations, projects, and new construction, as well as developed, implemented, and maintained a building audit system for housing facilities. As a University Total Quality Management Facilitator, he led TQM teams in the Housing and Recreation departments. With student services, he also served as a judicial officer for the university.
In 1996, he joined Mercer University as Assistant Vice President for Development, steadily progressing in leadership roles to Vice President for Advancement Administration by 2003. He provided strategic management and planning for 10 operational areas including development, capital campaign, alumni services, public relations, government relations, records and research, admissions, and financial aid. Additionally, he had a major role in recruiting volunteer leadership and major contributors for Mercer University. During his career at Mercer, the university had a 35 percent growth in donors.
In the area of admissions, he assisted with the restructuring of the Admissions Office, including the development and implementation of recruiting and scholarship strategies for incoming undergraduates. In the first year of the restructuring and redesign, freshman enrollment increased by over 50 students making it the largest freshman class in Mercer history while SAT averages rose by 67 points.
Mr. Daugherty earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mercer University. While in graduate school, he served as the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, recruiting high school and junior college basketball players in the Southeast and Midwest and hiring and supervising the managerial staff.
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Dr. JD Rottweiler, Cochise College
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Dr. James Dale (J.D.) Rottweiler became the 11th president of Cochise College on July 1, 2009. A first-generation college graduate himself, J.D. understands the importance of education in enhancing one’s quality of life.
J.D. earned a bachelor of arts in sociology with a Japanese minor in 1990, and a master of arts in sociology in 1992 from the University of Wyoming. In 2005, he earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah. His dissertation, “Presidential Profiles: University Presidents by Institutional Type, Control, and Reputation,” established mobility patterns for American university presidents.
J.D.’s area of expertise is in cultural studies and social mobility. He has spent a significant amount of time in Japan and produced the documentary film “A 20th Century Matsuri: The Secularization of the Japanese Religious Festival.” A teacher at heart, J.D. enjoys any opportunity to teach others the subtle meanings and influences of culture and social structure.
J.D. has over 25 years of higher education experience, ranging from small, rural colleges to large, multi-campus, urban institutions. Prior to becoming president of Cochise College, he was executive vice president for academic services and professor of sociology at Central Wyoming College. He has served as associate dean of instruction at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City, Iowa, and on the faculty at Ricks College, now Brigham Young University – Idaho, and was associate professor/chair of the Department of Sociology at Salt Lake Community College. He also is a consultant/evaluator with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
J.D. is a graduate of the Community College Leadership Initiative Consortium, the Salt Lake Leadership Academy, and Leadership Fremont County in Wyoming. In 2006, he was recognized as one of Wyoming’s “40 under 40,” individuals under the age of 40 making a difference in Wyoming.
J.D.’s wife, Melanie, is also an educator; the couple has three children, and two grandsons.
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Dr. Daria Willis, Everett Community College
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Dr. Daria J. Willis serves as the 17th president of Everett Community College, an institution with over 19,000 credit and non-credit students in the Seattle Metropolitan area. She is the school’s first African American president and fourth woman in this role in its 78-year history. Everett Community College is one of eleven community colleges nationwide that earned recognition from Achieving the Dream as a “Leader College of Distinction.” EvCC was recognized for increases in the number of students completing math and English requirements during their first year, year-to-year retention and degree completion.
Drawing from her experience as a first-generation college student and a student parent, Dr. Willis has partnered actively with public school districts, four-year universities, local businesses, and not-for-profit organizations to offer services and support to students from all backgrounds. She is a member of the American Association of Community College’s Commission on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Aspen Ascent President Advisory Group, and the Presidential Advisory Board for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Her community service activities include the United Way of Snohomish County, the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County, and the Girl Scouts of Western Washington.
Dr. Willis was named a 2018 recipient of the American Association for Women in Community Colleges’ “40 Under 40” Award. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University and Florida State University, earning her BA, MA, and PhD in African American History.
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Dr. Lori Sundberg, Kirkwood Community College
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Dr. Lori Sundberg is the 5th president of Kirkwood Community College and the first female to serve in that role. Sundberg holds a Doctor of Business Administration in Management from St. Ambrose University (2003) as well as a Master in Business Administration in Marketing from Western Illinois University (1998). She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Knox College with a double major in Economics and History (1995). Prior to coming to Kirkwood, Sundberg served for eight years as the President of Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, Illinois. Sundberg was the 6th president for Carl Sandburg College and the first graduate and female to lead the institution. She has more than 25 years in community College leadership.
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Dr. Lee Lambert, Pima Community College
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Monday Nov 01, 2021
Lee D. Lambert, J.D., has been Chancellor of Pima Community College since July 2013. Chancellor Lambert has long held that community colleges such as Pima are uniquely positioned to address systemic educational and economic inequity. Throughout his community college career, he has been an innovator in connecting industry and community colleges in order to revitalize communities through educational opportunity in an age marked by rapid technological and demographic change.
A graduate of The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Wash., Chancellor Lambert appreciates the lifelong value that a Liberal Arts education provides for thousands of our students. Chancellor Lambert received a Juris Doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Evergreen. Chancellor Lambert is a U.S. Army veteran. He was born in Seoul, South Korea, grew up on three continents, and graduated from high school in the Olympia, Wash., area.
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Dr. Sandra Bauman, Helena College
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Monday Oct 18, 2021
Dr. Sandra Bauman is currently serving as the Dean/CEO for Helena College. Prior to moving into her current position, Bauman served as the college’s Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Modern Language from MSU-Bozeman; her Master’s degree in Public Relations from MSU-Billings; and her Doctorate in Adult and Higher Education from MSU-Bozeman, where her dissertation was on student success and retention of 2-year college students. Before her roles with Helena College, she served as Director of Academic Success for Great Falls College MSU, where she also served as an instructor and academic advisor. Additionally, she was the Director of Financial Aid at University of Providence (formerly University of Great Falls) and worked for many years with the Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program, serving as a default prevention counselor, Default Prevention Manager, and Client Services Manager.
Monday Oct 04, 2021
Dr. Josh Baker, Pikes Peak Community College
Monday Oct 04, 2021
Monday Oct 04, 2021
Dr. Josh Baker is the vice president of instructional services at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado. He oversees academics, including supports such as libraries and tutoring. Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) offers more than 200 certificates and degrees and prepares students for transfer and/or employment in a variety of fields. PPCC serves nearly 20,000 students annually at three campuses and other off-site locations.
Prior to PPCC, Josh was a campus and academic dean at Bates Technical College in Washington, an assistant dean at Vincennes University in Indiana, and a faculty member/coordinator/program manager/coach at Highline College in Washington.
Josh earned a doctoral degree from Oregon State University, where he completed the Community College Leadership Program and researched actions of community college presidents that increased organizational trust. His master’s and bachelor’s degrees are from Brigham Young University.
Josh and his wife, Toni, invest their free time in the activities of their three kids, and enjoy exploring the beautiful hiking trails of Colorado.
Monday Sep 20, 2021
Dr. Lin Zhou, Bates Technical College
Monday Sep 20, 2021
Monday Sep 20, 2021
Since her hire at Bates as the dean of continuing education, apprenticeship and child studies in 2013, Dr. Lin Zhou served as dean of instruction and executive dean before becoming the vice president of institutional effectiveness and student success in 2016. Previously, she held the positions of associate dean of extended learning, and director of branch campus and continuing education at Lake Washington Institute of Technology.
Dr. Zhou holds a Ph.D. in education, with an emphasis in community college leadership, from Oregon State University, a master's degree in business administration from City University in Seattle, an Associate Degree in computer science and networking technology from Lake Washington Institute of Technology, and an Associate Degree in accounting from Renmin University of China. In 2017, Dr. Zhou participated in the Harvard University's Institute for Educational Management, administered by the university's Graduate School of Education.
Dr. Zhou is a member of the Washington State Community and Technical Colleges, where she chaired the Capital Budget Committee and served on the Executive Committee during the 2019-2020 academic year. Dr. Zhou is a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Technical Education Association and the Past President of Region 6. She also serves on the board for the Pierce County Workforce Development Council and College Sparks Foundation, City Club of Tacoma. In November 2019, Dr. Zhou was appointed as the Board of Trustee for the Washington State Adult Education Advisory Council. Dr. Zhou was also appointed to serve on the board for Aerospace Joint Apprenticeship Committee (AJAC) in February 2021.
In addition to her career in education, Dr. Zhou has experience in the business sector as a project manager for IT companies in China. Dr. Zhou is the college's first female president, and the first female Chinese immigrant to serve as president at a public two-year college in Washington state.
Saturday Sep 04, 2021
Dr. Waded Cruzado, Montana State University
Saturday Sep 04, 2021
Saturday Sep 04, 2021
Dr. Waded Cruzado has served as the 12th president of Montana State University since 2010. She is well known for her understanding of the Morrill Act, which created the land-grant university system, and she is a passionate champion of the tripartite land-grant mission of education, research and public outreach.
MSU has set new student enrollment records under Cruzado's leadership, becoming the fastest growing and largest university in the state, and students routinely win prestigious national awards, including Rhodes, Goldwater, Truman and Udall scholarships. Cruzado is also known for placing student success as the campus’s top priority.
During Cruzado’s tenure MSU’s research enterprise has flourished; the university tallied an all-time high for research expenditures in 2019–2020, totaling $167 million, and MSU has competitively won more than $650 million for sponsored research projects. MSU is classified as R1 in the Carnegie Classification for "very high research activity," and is one of only two universities nationally with an R1 classification that is also classified as Very High Undergraduate enrollment.
Under Cruzado’s leadership the campus has seen numerous major construction and renovation projects. Current projects include the renovation and repurposing of Romney Hall and the construction of a new American Indian Hall. Completed projects include Norm Asbjornson Hall, Jabs Hall, Gaines Hall and the Animal Bioscience Building. Cruzado has also overseen significant improvements to student facilities, including new residence halls, recreation and dining facilities.
Philanthropic support has grown for MSU during her tenure. Among other efforts, MSU’s comprehensive fundraising campaign raised more than $413 million, and construction is underway on MSU’s donor-funded Bobcat Athletic Complex.
Cruzado has provided new pathways to higher education with the establishment of Gallatin College MSU, and she obtained approval to designate the Honors Program as the Honors College. MSU also won a grant for the LaunchPad, a program that introduces entrepreneurship as a viable career option and provides university students and alumni with support for entrepreneurial ventures.
MSU’s national reputation is strong. Notable recognition includes winning the C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching awarded MSU its community engagement classification. Cruzado has also enhanced alumni and community relations. One visible community project is the CatWalk, an annual celebration of the relationship between MSU and the community.
Cruzado chairs the board of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and is a commissioner of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. She has also served on numerous boards; current board memberships include the American Council on Education, Campus Compact, U.S. Bank and the Burton K. Wheeler Center.
Her awards include the “Hero” Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Montana Chapter; the Chief Executive HR Champion Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources; and the Michael P. Malone Educator of the Year from the Montana Ambassadors. She also was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International and was awarded the Seaman A. Knapp Memorial Lectureship.
Cruzado previously served as executive vice president and provost at New Mexico State University. A native of Puerto Rico, she has a son and a daughter and two grandchildren.
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Dr. Teresa Rivenes, Tillamook Bay Community College
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Teresa Rivenes, PhD and Ed.D, is in her third year as the Vice President of Instruction at Tillamook Bay Community College which is a small rural community college on the beautiful Oregon Coast. Teresa started her higher educational journey teaching psychology and sociology at Park University and then at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where she also served as campus center director. From there she went to work at Great Falls College-MSU where she fell in love with the mission of community college and community college student success. Believing that community college is the foundation of democracy, and a primary driver for socio-economic equality, Teresa cannot imagine a future where she does not further the work of community college.
Teresa has 19 years of experience leading teams to successful outcomes and 11 years of experience in midsize rural community college leadership which she considers her primary area of expertise. She is passionate about relationship based management, curriculum outcomes design, strategic planning for long term success, innovative educational solutions, and building community partnerships that support student success and economic mobility. Teresa is a recognized voice in Oregon academic affairs serving as Chair of the Oregon Chief Instructional Administrators (CIA) a statewide group consisting of Vice Presidents from all of Oregon’s 17 community colleges. Since 2013 she has also served as an NWCCU peer accreditor and chair of several mission fulfillment visits.
Teresa’s awards include the Distinguished Scholar award (2020) from Montana State University for her research in community college governance and unfunded mandates, the Rising Star in Education (2019), the 21016/2017 President’s Innovation Award, and the 2017 John And Suanne Rouesche Award among others. She graduated from both Leadership Great Falls and Leadership Medford. And, she is a 2020-2021 NWCCU Assessment fellow.
Teresa and her husband Bret live walking distance from the ocean where they share their home with two Old English Bulldogge’s, Diesel and Diva, who rule the house. Their seven grown children live across Montana and Oregon. Besides the dogs, their joys in life include their nine beautiful grandchildren.
Monday Aug 16, 2021
Dr. Tim Cook, Clackamas Community College
Monday Aug 16, 2021
Monday Aug 16, 2021
Dr. Tim Cook has spent the last 30 years working to improve student success at the individual and system level so all students can achieve their educational goals. He has a proven record of developing partnerships with business and education that lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. A first-generation college student, Dr. Cook personally understands how community colleges provide economic mobility for students and the communities where they live.
A native of Oregon City and proud graduate of Oregon City high school, Dr. Cook joined Clackamas Community College as its eighth president in 2018.
Prior to Clackamas, Dr. Cook was the chief academic officer at Clark College in Southwest Washington. Dr. Cook led the implementation of the college’s initial three Applied Bachelor’s degrees. He championed the redesign and remodel of the Culinary Institute and led the guided pathways college initiative.
Dr. Cook has worked as a faculty counselor, he taught courses in human development and sociology as a tenured faculty member for more than 14 years. He has served as division chair for the behavioral sciences, director of counseling and acting dean of student success and retention. He successfully co-led a college’s comprehensive accreditation self-study.
Dr. Cook earned a doctorate in community college leadership from Oregon State University. He holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Lewis & Clark College and a bachelor’s degree in English from Western Oregon University. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, three children and puppy. An avid runner, he has completed 33 marathons in 22 states.
Monday Aug 02, 2021
Dr. Daniel Corr, Arizona Western College
Monday Aug 02, 2021
Monday Aug 02, 2021
Dr. Daniel P. Corr has served as the ninth president of Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona since 2016. Dr. Corr is focused on facilitating student success, increasing access to higher education, creating a comprehensive strategic plan, and fostering a climate of innovation, collaboration and stewardship at AWC.
He has always placed an emphasis on establishing and maintaining community partnerships. He also remains committed to being responsive to local business needs. Locally, he serves on the Yuma County Workforce Development Board, the Yuma County Intergovernmental Public Transportation Authority Board of Directors, the Yuma County Ag Producers Scholarship Fund Review Committee, the Yuma Education Consortium, the Arizona Western College Foundation Board, and the Consortium for Higher Education Sonora-Arizona. Additionally, Dr. Corr Daniel serves on the AZ network (RRN)for the “Reskilling and Recovery” work in Arizona pairing College programs and resources to upskill and reskill workers for economic recovery. Under his leadership, AWC Career & Technical Education created the first Community College Manufacturing Program with TBIC certification (Transatlantic Business & Investment Council) to train students in the U.S. with global electrical and construction standards to attract more European companies to our community, and provide a well-prepared workforce.
Dr. Corr serves on a number of additional local, state, and national boards. However, his greatest passion is for AWC’s students and their success. This focus on student success and community partnerships is why you will hear Dr. Corr exclaim “It is a great day to be a Matador!”
Monday Jul 19, 2021
Dr. Michael Reed, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Monday Jul 19, 2021
Monday Jul 19, 2021
Dr. Michael Reed is currently serving as the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost for the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The Pennsylvania College of Technology is a national leader in applied technologies and a special affiliate of the Pennslyvania State University (Penn State). Prior to the provost role, Mike served as the Vice President for Academic Operations, and as the Dean and Assistant Dean for the School of Sciences, Humanities and Visual Communications. In all of these roles, Mike has had the opportunity to work closely with industry and faculty experts to ensure students are equipped to advance within their chosen degree fields.
Prior to joining the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Mike worked in public education for over 20 years, most recently serving as the principal for the Williamsport Area High School, a large urban public high school in Williamsport, PA and at SciTech High School, a STEM magnet school in Harrisburg, PA. At Williamsport, Mike worked closely with Advanced Placement and career and technical education programs to assist in the transformation of their high school, and at SciTech, he worked diligently to connect students and teachers with high demand, industry leaders and the local colleges. Both high schools created a culture of rigor and relevance and demonstrated historic achievement growth in all areas measured by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Mike earned his bachelor of science degree in secondary education through Clarion University. He completed his master’s degree and school counseling certification at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and his school administrative certifications were awarded through the Pennsylvania State University. Michael completed his doctoral studies through Drexel University with a focus on innovation and a concentration in educational leadership.
Michael has an extensive background in collaborative and system leadership, innovation, career readiness, instructional design, formative assessments, comprehensive literacy, problem-based learning, data driven decision-making, instructional coaching, and professional development.
Michael is active in the community, recently serving the Salvation Army as their board’s vice chairperson, and he currently serves on the Lycoming County Chamber of Commerce’s Advisory Board. In addition, Mike routinely volunteers in youth development programs and assists at a local outdoor conservation club.
Saturday Jul 03, 2021
Dr. Kimberly Moffitt, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Saturday Jul 03, 2021
Saturday Jul 03, 2021
Kimberly Moffitt (Ph.D. in communication/media studies from Howard University) joined the UMBC community as an assistant professor of American Studies. Before assuming the role of interim dean for the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, she was professor and director of the Language, Literacy and Culture doctoral program and affiliate professor of Africana Studies. A media critic whose research focuses on mediated representations of marginalized groups as well as the politicized nature of Black hair and the body, Dr. Moffitt has published several articles and book chapters, as well as five co-edited volumes, including Michelle Obama and the FLOTUS Effect: Platform, Presence, and Agency (Lexington Books, 2019), Gladiators in Suits: Race, Gender, and the Politics of Representation in Scandal (Syracuse University Press, 2019), Blackberries and Redbones: Critical Articulations of Black Hair and Body Politics in Africana Communities (Hampton Press, 2010), The Obama Effect: Multidisciplinary Renderings of the 2008 Campaign (SUNY Press, 2010) and The 1980s: A Transitional Decade? (Lexington Books, 2011). Her latest work explores the black body in Disney programming and the impact of colorism on Black teens. Dr. Moffitt often writes op-ed articles for the Baltimore Sun and is a frequent guest on local public radio, television, and Internet broadcasting programs. She is a member of the public service sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the secretary of the board of the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE), and the founding parent and former board member of Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys Charter School, a 4th-8th college preparatory school.
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Dr. Steve Nunez, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Steve began his 20-plus year career in higher education at Sauk Valley Community College where he spent 16 years serving students as a faculty member in the Department of Biology, 14 years as the advisor of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and two years as President of the Faculty Union. He spent his last eight years at Sauk Valley as a senior administrator supervising various departments. In his last role as vice president, Steve provided leadership over all for-credit and non-credit academic programs, student services, the Small Business Development Center, adult education (G.E.D./E.S.L.), and student recruitment. While at the College, Steve also served as a Higher Learning Commission peer reviewer where he participated in over ten accreditation reviews of community colleges.
In 2020, Steve was hired at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College as their fifth President. He currently serves as a Board Member for the Cambria Regional Chamber of Commerce, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, and the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Development Board. He is also a member of the Greater Johnstown Regional Partnership, the Ebensburg Rotary Club, and the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Executive Roundtable.
He earned an associate degree from Southwest Virginia Community College, both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biology from Virginia Tech, and a doctorate in community college leadership (Ed.D.) from Ferris State University.
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Dr. David Krueger, Montana State University Northern
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Monday Jun 07, 2021
Dr. David Krueger is a higher education professional with over 30 years extensive experience in collaborating and partnering with Career and Technical Education (CTE) professionals, university administrators, industry and community leaders. Dr. Krueger began his career as a high school agriculture teacher and CTE professional in Idaho before moving to Michigan to earn a doctorate degree in Agriculture and Extension Education at Michigan State University and begin preparing the next generation of CTE professionals. Dr. Krueger has collaborated on many CTE curriculum projects around the country and started CTE programs to meet the needs of the ever-changing skilled workforce landscape.
In the summer of 2018 Dr. Krueger accepted the position of Dean in the College of Technical Sciences at Montana State University – Northern. Dr. Krueger directs the college which offers a wide range of degrees and programs through a blend of applied, project-based curricula that educates a diverse group of students. Graduates of the College are equipped with strong analytical capabilities, the latest in cutting-edge technologies, and the skills for innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. They continue to fuel the economic and technological development of Montana and beyond. The College of Technical Sciences strives to become a leader nationwide in shaping new concepts of applied technical and apprenticeship education.
Saturday May 22, 2021
Dr.Jose Coll, Portland State University
Saturday May 22, 2021
Saturday May 22, 2021
Dr. Coll was born in Havana, Cuba, and migrated to the United States during the 1980 Mariel Boat Lift. After serving as a noncommissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Saint Leo University, his master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision from the University of South Florida.
Dr. Coll is the Dean of the School of Social Work and Acting Dean of the College of Education at Portland State University. Additionally, he has held administrative and faculty positions at Texas State University, University of Southern California, and Saint Leo University. His research interests have been predominantly on worldview development and counseling veterans with a focus on veteran transition. He is the author and co-editor of numerous publications, including The Counselors Primer for Counseling Veterans, Linus Publications; co-editor of The Handbook of Military Social Work, Wiley Press; Student Veterans in Higher Education: A Primer for Administrators, Faculty, and Advisors, Lyceum Books and most recent Civilian Lives of U.S. Veterans: Issues and Identities, Praeger Publishing.
He is a graduate of the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program, University of California, Berkeley, Executive Leadership Academy (ELA), Harvard’s Institute for Management Development Program (MDP), Harvard’s Institute for Management and Leadership in Education (MLE).
Monday May 10, 2021
Dr. Roberta Teahen, Ferris State University
Monday May 10, 2021
Monday May 10, 2021
Roberta “Robbie” Teahen’s professional experiences include secondary and postsecondary teaching and leadership roles. Dr. Teahen most recently served as Associate Provost at Ferris State University and as founding director of the Doctorate in Community College Leadership. Effective January 2021, she will continue teaching and dissertation advising in this nationally recognized leadership program.
Prior to joining Ferris as a dean and her subsequent associate provost role, Dr. Teahen spent more than 30 years at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan, where she began as an adjunct faculty member and concluded her career as the Dean of Workforce Development. Throughout her long administrative career, Dr. Teahen has consistently taught in the areas of business, education, and leadership. Teaching assignments have included undergraduate and graduate teaching for Northwestern, Ferris, Western Michigan University, and Michigan State University.
She earned her doctorate in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education at Michigan State University in 2000. Professional endeavors include extensive service to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as a team chair, assessment mentor, and member of the Institutional Actions Council. She is also a long-serving board member of the Community College Baccalaureate Association and serves on a committee of the Association for the Advancement of Learning in Higher Education.
Recent recognitions include the Athena Grand Traverse Award in 2014, the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education recognition by the Michigan chapter of the American Council on Education (ACE) in 2015, and being selected as a Fellow of Northwestern Michigan College, the college’s highest honor, in 2020.
Robbie is committed to the value of education and learning and regularly helps others to advance their educational and professional careers. In her personal life, she has been married for 50+ years, has two beautiful and intelligent grown daughters, and three amazing grandchildren. For fun, she enjoys theatre, travel, golf, cooking, and time with many good friends.
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Mr. Seth Bodnar, University of Montana
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Monday Apr 26, 2021
Seth Bodnar currently serves as the 19th president of the University of Montana where he works alongside students, faculty, staff and the community to ensure students from all walks of life and backgrounds have access to a quality education that prepares them for successful careers and lives as engaged, service-minded citizens.
Before coming to the University of Montana, President Bodnar was a senior executive at the General Electric Company, serving as its first-ever Chief Digital Officer and leading GE Transportation’s Digital Solutions business. Prior to GE, President Bodnar served on faculty at West Point where he taught economics.
President Bodnar graduated first in his class from West Point, received both the Rhodes and Truman scholarships, and earned two master’s degrees from the University of Oxford. President Bodnar had a distinguished military career, serving in the 101st Airborne Division and the U.S. Army’s First Special Forces Group. As a member of the Army’s elite Green Berets, he commanded a Special Forces detachment on multiple deployments around the world and later served as a special assistant to the Commanding General in Iraq.
President Bodnar is the son of two educators and the husband of a fifth-generation Montanan. He is very proud to be raising three kids in Montana, and he considers it a great honor to be working on behalf of public education in such a special place.
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, Mohave Community College
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Monday Apr 12, 2021
Dr. Stacy Klippenstein is the President of Mohave Community College (MCC). Prior to joining Mohave Community College, Dr. Klippenstein served as the President of Miles Community College (Miles City, Montana) from January 2014 – June 14, 2019. Previously, Dr. Klippenstein served as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Montana State University Billings, which includes the City College, a two-year technical college. From this experience, Dr. Klippenstein became passionate about two-year education and helping students attain industry recognized credentials, certificates, and two-year degrees. He knows that a college education can transform the lives of so many and a community college contributes to the economic growth of any small, rural community.
Prior to his time at Montana State University Billings, Dr. Klippenstein served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Housing and New Student Programs at Central Washington University. He has also worked at Texas Tech University and Northern Arizona University in various capacities. He received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University Billings) and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Klippenstein also serves as a Senior Associate Consultant for the Strategic Enrollment Planning division of Ruffalo Noel Levitz. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Klippenstein served as an instructor for many first-year experience, student leadership, psychology, and graduate courses.
Dr. Klippenstein is married to Carrie Klippenstein and has two sons, Steven and Ty. Both are successful college graduates. In his spare time, Dr. Klippenstein enjoys a round of golf, spending time outdoors, traveling with Carrie, and spending time with friends and family.
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Dr. Jane Karas, Flathead Valley Community College
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Dr. Jane A. Karas became the 11th president of Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) in Kalispell, Montana, on July 1, 2001. Dr. Karas began her service at FVCC as the vice-president/dean of instruction and student services beginning July 1999. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in social policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University. Dr. Karas has published numerous articles and has given presentations on education policy, economic development and workforce training.
Dr. Karas serves as chair of Montana Campus Compact (MTCC) Board of Directors, Past-Chair of the board of directors for North Valley Hospital, and Past-President of Kalispell Daybreak Rotary. She is also a board member of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce and a Board member of Logan Health Care. In addition, Dr. Karas has served as chair of the National Campus Compact Board Executive Committee and as a past board member of Northwest Healthcare. Dr. Karas served as chair of the Board for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) from 2013-2014.
She was honored with the 2009 and 2016 Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Chief Executive Officer Award for the Mountain Region and was the recipient of the 2003 Montana Ambassadors Educator of the Year Award. In addition, Dr. Karas received the 2016 Association of Community College Trustees, Marie Y. Martin Chief Executive Officer Award.
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Dr. Nicolle Parsons-Pollard, Georgia State University
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Monday Mar 15, 2021
Nicolle Parsons-Pollard is Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and a professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Georgia State University. In her administrative role, she is responsible for faculty development to strengthen teaching and research as well as leadership programming for administrators. She is also responsible for developing policies and assisting with the promotion and tenure process.
Dr. Parsons-Pollard continues her research on disproportionate minority contact and program evaluation. The second edition of Disproportionate Minority Contact Current Issues and Policies was released in 2017.
She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University and has a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration. Dr. Parsons-Pollard also completed the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Program in 2014-2015.
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Dr. Clifford Coppersmith, Chesapeake College
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Monday Mar 01, 2021
Clifford P. Coppersmith, Ph.D., is in his third year as the sixth president of Chesapeake College. He brought with his appointment almost 30 years of experience as a faculty member and leader in higher education, with a particular focus on applied technology education. In his work at Chesapeake he has focused on continuing the development of Chesapeake College as a rural comprehensive community college providing both liberal arts transfer and professional and career focused programming for the residents of the five counties of the Eastern Mid-Shore region of Maryland.
Born in the West Indies, he grew up on his Grandfather’s farm in Western New York and began his own college education at Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County Campus. He later completed advanced degrees at St. Bonaventure University and Oklahoma State University. He attended school and paid for college, including graduate school, through military service in the National Guard and Army Reserve as an enlisted man and later commissioned officer in military intelligence and civil affairs. He also served as an intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C. prior to pursuing his graduate education.
Cliff began his professional higher education career as faculty, teaching history and anthropology at the College of Eastern Utah where he was tenured before transitioning to administrative leadership as a dean and assistant dean at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, a special mission affiliate of the Pennsylvania State University. He last position before relocating to the Eastern Shore was Dean and CEO at City College at Montana State University in Billings, Montana.
Cliff and his wife Kathleen live in Queen Anne’s County and have three children and three grandchildren. They enjoy working and living in and exploring the Eastern Shore.
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Dr. Marie desJardins, Simmons University
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Monday Feb 15, 2021
Dr. Marie desJardins joined Simmons University as the Inaugural Dean of the College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences in 2018. Previously, she was a member of the computer science faculty at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, from 2001 to 2018, most recently as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering and Information Technology. Before joining the faculty at UMBC, she was a Senior Computer Scientist at SRI International. She earned her A.B. in Engineering from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley.
Her research is in artificial intelligence, focusing on the areas of machine learning, multi-agent systems, decision making, and interactive AI. She was named one of the "Ten AI Researchers to Follow on Twitter" by TechRepublic and one of "14 Women in AI You Should Follow on Twitter" by craigconnects. She has published over 135 scientific papers on AI and CS education, and has been PI or co-PI on nearly $12,000,000 of external research funding, including a prestigious NSF CAREER Award. She has mentored 13 Ph.D. students, 27 M.S. students, and nearly 100 undergraduate researchers. She is known on campus and throughout her professional community for her dedication to mentoring, diversity, outreach, and innovative educational practices.
Dr. desJardins is a Fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and a Distinguished Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). She is a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in Computer Science from UC Berkeley; the A. Richard Newton Educator ABIE Award from the Anita Borg Institute; the NCWIT Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award; and the CRA Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award. She was the 2014-2017 UMBC Distinguished Teaching Professor, was an inaugural UMBC Hrabowski Innovation Fellow, and was named one of UMBC's ten "Professors Not to Miss" in 2011.
Dr. desJardins is known nationally for her support of and commitment to improving student diversity, access, and quality of computer science courses at the high school level, and received multiple NSF awards to support her efforts in this area. She was the lead PI on the NSF-sponsored "CS Matters in Maryland" project, which created curriculum and trained high school teachers to teach the AP CS Principles course. She built a statewide coalition in Maryland to increase access to K-12 CS education, with a focus on inclusion and diversity, and cofounded the Maryland Center for Computing Education, which received $5,000,000 in state funding for teacher preparation and advocacy. She was the Maryland team leader for the Exploring Computing Education Pathways (ECEP) Alliance and a founding member of the Maryland chapter of the Computer Science Teachers Association.
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Dr. Susan Wolff, Great Falls College MSU
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Monday Feb 01, 2021
Dr. Susan J. Wolff, CEO/Dean of Great Falls College MSU is a 5th generation Montanan raised on a cattle ranch homesteaded in Hall, Montana in 1876. Susan earned her bachelor’s degree from Montana State University. Later in her career, she earned her master’s and doctorate degrees from Oregon State University. Dr. Wolff was an educational leader at the community college and university levels in the States of Oregon and Washington before returning to Montana July 2012 to accept the position at Great Falls College MSU.
Creating strong, collaborative relationships with community agencies, business and industry, government, and other education partners opens doors to success. Susan’s career passion is building community through education, economic growth, and workforce development. She has worked with national and state policy advisors, agencies, and departments to develop new education opportunities in her quest to improve the lives of others.
Dr. Wolff currently serves on the following boards: Great Falls Development Authority; Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and its Agriculture and Military Affairs Committees; United Way of Cascade County Campaign Cabinet; and within the last two years termed off the Montana Chamber of Commerce; Montana Manufacturing Extension Center Advisory Board; Montana Ambassadors; and the Mountain Pacific Patient and Family Advisory Council.
Susan is a Rotarian, a 2019 graduate of Leadership Montana, was named the Mike Malone Educator of the Year for the State of Montana in 2015 by the Montana Ambassadors, and honored to be given the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator Award in 2012.
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Mr. Ron Slinger, Miles Community College
Monday Jan 18, 2021
Monday Jan 18, 2021
In January 2020, Ron Slinger became the 9th President of Miles Community College located in Miles City, Montana. Prior to taking this position, he served as Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Strategic Partnerships, and Workforce Solutions at Red Rocks Community College in Colorado. During his career, he has raised over $36 million dollars in capital needs, scholarships, academic program support, and student support services. Ron has a long track record of building strategic partnerships that benefit the community, employers, and the faculty, staff, and students of the college he is working for.
Ron has been elected to four public offices: County Commissioner, Mayor, City Council, and School Board. He is currently in the final stages of completing his Doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University (Michigan). He holds a Masters Degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from Bowling Green State University (Ohio)and a Bachelors Degree in Communications from The Defiance College (Ohio). At Defiance College, he was a four-year starter and three-time captain on the football team as well as a four-time national qualifier on their speech team.
Monday Jan 04, 2021
Dr. Jon Harbor, Purdue Global
Monday Jan 04, 2021
Monday Jan 04, 2021
Dr. Jon Harbor joined Purdue Global as provost in 2020. Previously, he served as the provost and executive vice president for the University of Montana and as executive director of digital education and associate vice president for teaching and learning at Purdue University. Harbor champions teaching excellence and the expansion of quality online education to meet the needs of diverse learners. He is experienced in designing processes that help academic organizations develop and implement novel strategies for success, with a particular focus on access, innovation, and excellence.
At the University of Montana, Harbor oversaw academic and student affairs and, with his team, launched partnerships to develop new online programs, transitioned to a data-informed academic advising model, designed a new budget model, and encouraged pedagogical transformations through a teaching excellence initiative. He joined Purdue University as an associate professor in 1994 and was promoted to full professor in 2001.
Harbor was recognized with Purdue University’s top awards for both undergraduate teaching and graduate mentoring and was inducted into Purdue’s “Book of Great Teachers.” He has served in a wide range of leadership positions at the university level, including associate vice president for research, dean of a college of liberal arts and sciences, founding/interim director of a global sustainability institute, and founding co-director of a learning research center.
Harbor was born in England and completed his undergraduate studies at Cambridge University and his PhD in geological sciences at the University of Washington. His research and education initiatives have been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the Environmental Protection Agency, NASA, National Geographic, and international science foundations. Harbor has served as a Fulbright Senior Scholar, an American Council on Education Fellow, and a European Union Marie Curie Fellow. In 2015, Stockholm University awarded him an honorary doctorate.
An effective communicator with varied audiences, Harbor is a frequent speaker at conferences, at academic institutions, and for community, business, and K–12 audiences.
Friday Dec 18, 2020
Dr. John Cech, Carroll College
Friday Dec 18, 2020
Friday Dec 18, 2020
Dr. John Cech is the 18th President of Carroll College
Dr. Cech previously served in the Montana University System for the past 16 years, first as the leader of City College at MSU Billings, which doubled its enrollment and significantly expanded its campus footprint under Cech’s leadership. Cech spent eight year as Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education for the Montana University System, where he was responsible for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs for the State.
During his tenure, the Montana University System was recognized for its work through Complete College America as one of four states in the nation to make systemic advances in key initiatives around student success and completion. Cech has led the CCA efforts for Montana and was recently appointed by the Complete College America President as one of 50 CCA Fellows in the nation.
Prior to his tenure with the Montana University System, Cech served Rocky Mountain College for 15 years, first as a faculty instructor, then as a director, and eventually as Dean of Community Services, Continuing Education and Summer Sessions. Cech earned a doctorate in higher education leadership, a master’s degree in nonprofit management, and a baccalaureate in business administration and computer information systems.
Cech is also looking forward to working with Carroll faculty and staff to underscore the importance of the liberal arts as the foundation of Carroll’s academic programs and to explore opportunities for expansion of graduate and undergraduate opportunities for students at the College. During his interview, he discussed his desire to engage faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees to create a shared vision and strategic plan for the future of Carroll College. “Carroll’s future is so bright given its amazing academic reputation with outcomes such as highest athletic GPA in the NAIA conference, 85 percent acceptance rate into medical school, and nearly 100 percent acceptance rate into graduate schools,” said Cech.
Prior to applying for the presidency, Cech and his wife Victoria already had a special familiarity with Carroll. “As the parents of a Saint (son Isaiah is a current junior), both Victoria and I believe in Carroll College, its mission and the large impact the Carroll experience has on students,” said Cech.
For the past several years, I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the faculty, staff and Carroll community, the mission, and its Catholic identity. I’ve come to see firsthand that ‘Not for School, But for Life’, isn’t just some motto on a plaque. It’s something real and life-giving.”
Cech assumed the Carroll presidency in June 2018. He replaced Rev. Stephen Rowan, PhD, who served as interim president for the college since August 1, 2017, after former President Thomas Evans, PhD, stepped down to accept the position of president at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.D