Jennifer Varney

Jennifer has over fifteen years’ experience in higher education. She has held roles in student advising, academic administration, and as a faculty member. She has written articles on proactive advising, adult learning theories, and distance learning. She has presented at SLOAN, NACADA, and AAC&U. In addition she has also delivered webinars for Academic Impressions and is a contributing author to NACADA’s advising manual. She is a member of AAC&U and NACADA. She is passionate about helping students be successful in the classroom. She teaches business related courses, where she specializes in working with at-risk students. She has also been a subject matter expert in leadership courses at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and is currently working on a doctorate degree in organizational leadership.

Jeremy Podany

Jeremy serves as the Executive Director of Career and Corporate Services, overseeing The Career Center and Ascend at Colorado State University. He provides strategic direction to all facets of student career education, employer connections, and corporate education and services. Jeremy is also the co-inventor of two technologies started at Colorado State that are now being used at multiple universities around the nation: The Fairs App and Career Tools. Prior to coming to Colorado State in 2012, Jeremy spent 11 years in Career Services at Indiana University where he was The Director of Career Services at the School of Informatics and Computing for 6 of those years. Jeremy has spent time with nearly 1000 companies, has trained hundreds of organizations, leaders, and students and is passionate about building partnerships with industry. Jeremy received his Bachelors degree in Education from Western Michigan University, and his Masters in Higher Education Administration from Indiana University. Outside of work, he enjoys walking and laughing with his wife and four children, is an avid college basketball fan, and loves trying new restaurants.

Jennifer Lynham Cunningham

In Jennifer’s current role she provides strategy and direction for the ways in which Lehigh engages with its 80,000 alumni around the globe. She came to Lehigh in early 2016. To her delight, many of the staff members on her team and in the Advancement division have used survey information to better inform their decisions and communicate with alumni; the trick is to systematize the processes and start sharing the information more regularly with the Lehigh University Alumni Association and other volunteers. Previously, Jennifer worked at Cornell University for nine years as the Senior Director of Metrics and Marketing. Prior to arriving at Cornell, she ran a copywriting and resume writing business in Seattle, and spent seven years in Portland, OR and New York City working at advertising agencies on accounts including Microsoft, MasterCard, AT&T Wireless, Popeye’s and Loews Hotels.

Jill Sible

At Virginia Tech, Dr. Sible led an innovative cell biology research program for a decade then moved into university administration twelve years ago to work for the improvement of the undergraduate learning experience. Dr. Sible first served as the Academic Associate Dean in the College of Science. In that role, she introduced her campus to the SCALE-UP concept and spearheaded the design and construction of SCALE-UP classrooms and adoption of the associated active learning pedagogy at Virginia Tech. Dr. Sible has taught courses in cell and molecular biology, developmental biology, and cancer biology and cites the learning experiences she shares with her students as her greatest professional reward. In her current role as Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Dr. Sible oversees the offices of General Education, First Year Experiences, Undergraduate Research, and Academic Integrity. Her recent projects include leading a revision of Virginia Tech’s general education curriculum to be more integrated, outcomes-oriented and infused with contemporary pedagogy, and chairing a Beyond Boundaries committee to develop strategies to bring experiential learning opportunities to every Virginia Tech student. She has also worked on the vision and programming for Virginia Tech’s new classroom building and new undergraduate science laboratory building. She has […]

Jessica Neno Cloud, CFRE

Jessica has held the Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) designation since 2013 and has worked in fundraising for over 20 years. She has worked for the Libertarian National Committee, RuffaloCODY (now Ruffalo Noel Levitz), the University of South Carolina, the University of Southern Mississippi, and Starr King School for the Ministry. Through her consulting work, she has also closely advised Samford University and the University of Alabama. She maintains her blog, Real Deal Fundraising, posting weekly on Thursdays. When she worked for her alma mater, The University of Southern Mississippi, in one year, she increased the total dollars raised by over 300%, and in three years, she increased the number of first-time donors by 285%. During her tenure, the total number of yearly donors to the USM Foundation increased from about 3,000 to over 8,000. Her boss there nicknamed her the “Tasmanian Devil of Fundraising”. She is also an AI author, with her book, Successful Fundraising Calls: A Phonathon Scripting Workshop.

Julie Nash

Julie Nash is the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs where she provides leadership in student and faculty success. She oversees the University Library, the Honors College, the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, and the Advance Office for Faculty Equity. She has expertise in accreditation, curriculum, pedagogy, and leadership. Dr. Nash is passionate about access to higher education for all students and has championed initiatives that promote equity such as lowering the cost of textbooks, programs for first-generation college students, creating a student emergency fund, and improving opportunities for community college transfer students. Nash joined the UMass Lowell community as a faculty member in the English Department, where holds the tenured position of associate professor. Prior to her current appointment, she served in a number of administrative roles such as Director of the Gender Studies Program, Honors Director, and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Vice Provost Nash is a regular presenter at national workshops and conferences on leadership, higher education collaborations, student equity, supporting first-generation students, and other issues in higher education.

Keith Ellis

Keith Ellis has been recognized nationally for his efforts in hazing prevention, risk management education, and leading change in fraternity and sorority communities across the southeastern United States. Keith brings passion to the topic of prevention education and community change and has led workshops for students and professionals at numerous regional and national conferences. In 2011, Keith joined the faculty of the Novak Institute for Hazing Prevention where he engages participants in conversations of partnership, policy, research, and applying prevention science to the topic of hazing. Keith is committed to the creation of environments where students, faculty, and staff can come together in partnership and shared responsibility. Keith is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in educational policy evaluation from the University of Kentucky, focusing on issues relative to Greek letter organizations, hazing, and the law.

Dr. Kristen Betts

Dr. Betts has over 20 years of experience in higher education serving in key leadership positions within private, public, and for-profit institutions as a program director, Senior Director for e-Learning, (90+ online and blended programs), Director of Online & Blended Learning, and Chief Academic Officer. She has also served as a Trustee at a research university. Dr. Betts’ expertise is in higher education, online and blended learning, curriculum and instructional design, strategic planning, and evaluation. Her research focus is on online and blended learning, Online Human Touch/high touch, Brain-Targeted Teaching, 21st century skills, workforce/career development, student/faculty retention, eAdvising, eStudent Affairs, accessibility, and faculty development. Dr. Betts is a reviewer for a regional accrediting organization, a Quality Matters certified peer reviewer, and an instructor for the Online Learning Consortium Advanced Certificate program. Dr. Betts serves as a conference reviewer for several national and international associations. She has been a reviewer for 12 journals and been a guest editor for two special issues of a refereed journal. Dr. Betts has received distinguished national awards for her work in higher education and online learning including the CITE 2015 Award by Pearson for Excellence in Online Administration. Dr. Betts has also been a keynote […]

Kim Eberbach

Kim Eberbach is vice president of human resources at Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia. In this role, Kim is responsible for the development and execution of the people and culture strategy to support shortand long-term business performance. Since joining Independence Blue Cross in 2003, Kim has held various leadership roles in the areas of training and development, leadership and executive development, employee communications, employee initiatives, talent acquisition, and compensation and benefits. Prior to joining Independence Blue Cross, Kim spent 10 years consulting in the arenas of change management, leadership and team development, process improvement, and training and education. Her clients reflected a broad spectrum of industries and segments, including technology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, healthcare, education, and government. Before she entered into consulting, Kim worked in higher education and clinical psychology research.