Dr. Gillespie became UHCL’s new Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer in August of 2023. She earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, where her dissertation focused on the review of transformational change initiatives in higher education. She also holds a Master of Science in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Science in Education, both from the University of Miami, where she also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music. Her 30+ years of experience include serving as Assistant Director of Admissions, Assistant Dean of Students, Director of Commencement and Special Projects, Assistant to the Vice President and, most recently, Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her key accomplishments range from facilitating the development of an Academic Affairs Master Plan, to transitioning faculty application and review processes to fully digital formats, to implementing a student enrollment data dashboard system. As the Chief of Staff/Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Gillespie is responsible for ensuring the execution and completion of transformational initiatives, implementing UHCL’s strategic plan, engaging with UH System Government and Community Relations and external stakeholders, coordinating with the Office of Marketing and Communication on all strategic communications for the president, coordinating planning […]
Eric Guerin serves as Senior Director of Foundation Development for Franciscan Ministries of Our Lady Health | Our Lady of the Lake Foundation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he leads major, principal, and planned giving efforts as well as prospect development strategy for the Greater Baton Rouge region. A Baton Rouge native, Eric brings more than 18 years of fundraising experience across healthcare, higher education, faith-based organizations, and national nonprofits. Prior to his current role, he held development leadership positions with the LSU Foundation and the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, securing transformational gifts and advancing strategic philanthropic initiatives. Eric is a 2007 graduate of LSU with minors in chemistry, biology, and sociology. He was recognized as a Baton Rouge Business Report 40 Under 40 honoree in 2015 and has been a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) since 2014.
Larry is a career hospitality professional who grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He started in private clubs evolving to resort development and management, before becoming a university administrator and then development officer. He joined UCCS in early 2022 from Aramark Higher Education where he served as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Before Aramark, Larry served as Vice President of Operations for Chartwells Higher Ed and Senior Director of Development for Guckenheimer. Since arriving at UCCS Larry has directed the strategic evolution of Dining & Hospitality Services, Retail Services, the University Center, Event and Conference Services, the Family Development Center, and the UCCS Farm realizing exponential programmatic and financial growth through the implementation of radically innovative course materials models, retail dining experiences, service excellence training, and universal programming integrations throughout University departments and Colleges. Prior to his positions in contracted hospitality services he was the Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of Auxiliaries & Contractual Services at the University of Southern Mississippi. While at Southern Miss he led and directed a multi-disciplinary team that oversaw comprehensive dining services, bookstore, photo services, post office, and copy services. He also developed and implemented the first institutional sustainability initiative in the state of […]
Jay Stefanelli, Ph.D. serves as the Director of the One Stop Student Services Center at Rutgers University, where he leads a university-wide effort to modernize and integrate student services. He provides strategic direction, fosters cross-campus collaboration, and drives innovation to improve access, efficiency, and the overall student experience. Under his leadership, the One Stop has become a national model for student-centered service delivery and earned Rutgers recognition for excellence in enrollment management and student success. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Stefanelli has advanced institutional initiatives in enrollment management, technology integration, and student support. He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education, an MBA, and a B.S. from Rutgers University, and is a frequent national presenter on topics related to student experience design, organizational leadership, and the future of integrated student services.
Tusty ten Bensel is Professor of Criminal Justice and Associate Dean for Student Success, Curriculum, and Research in the College of Business, Health, and Human Services at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She brings more than a decade of experience in academic leadership, faculty development, strategic planning, and program innovation within higher education. As an Associate Dean, Tusty has led efforts to expand student success initiatives, strengthen faculty research support, and build meaningful partnerships across higher education and community organizations. Currently, she serves as the Provost’s Faculty Fellow in Accreditation, where she co-leads the university’s accreditation processes and academic strategic initiatives. She also co-chairs several university-wide committees focused on integrated planning, mission alignment, and leadership development. In addition, she is Director of the Justice Research and Policy Center, where she collaborates extensively with state and local agencies to translate research into policy and practice. A central focus of Tusty’s work is cultivating effective academic leaders. She co-developed and co-chairs the Academic Leadership Academy at UA Little Rock, a comprehensive leadership development program designed to support faculty and administrators transitioning into leadership roles. Her experience includes curriculum design, facilitation of leadership cohorts, and mentoring department chairs, associate deans, and […]
Shannon Collier-Tenison is Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for Faculty Relations and Administration at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a tenured Professor of Social Work. She has served in a wide range of roles across academic affairs, from faculty to program coordinator to administrator. Shannon’s current role encompasses faculty support and development, academic personnel processes, position management and budgets, support for academic advising and student support initiatives within the colleges, and institutional reports. In support of faculty development, Shannon co-created and co-facilitates the Academic Leadership Academy, an initiative to cultivate and strengthen academic leadership on the UA Little Rock campus through cohort-based skill-building and support. She also facilitates the Faculty Mentoring Program for faculty new to the university. Shannon serves as the Provost Office liaison for a team of licensed social workers who provide support and resources to students in a variety of areas including emotional/mental health concerns, financial stress, academic challenges. She has experience working with survivors of interpersonal violence and sexual assault as a crisis counselor, researcher, and an advocate. Her teaching interests and scholarly work focus on interpersonal violence, bystander intervention, economic assets, social welfare programs and policy, and student success. In […]
Dr. Allison Sahl is Director of Faculty Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she manages and provides leadership on administrative processes, policy development, faculty programming, and strategic initiatives that shape the faculty experience across the academic lifecycle. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, she advises academic leaders on complex faculty matters and supports consistent, equitable decision-making across colleges and departments. In addition to her administrative leadership, Dr. Sahl is a social scientist with experience leading research on faculty satisfaction and organizational conditions, translating data into actionable insights for faculty, governance bodies, and senior leadership. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology.
John Dixon is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Eastern Kentucky University where he also previously served as Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity as well as Title IX Coordinator. As Chief Human Resources Officer at EKU, John oversees all employee relations and employee benefits at all EKU campuses. Prior to joining EKU, John was a member of the marketing, communications, and public relations team for Bingham McCutchen, a global law firm, and before that he operated his own private law practice. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s J. David Rosenberg College of Law.
