Jenn believes in the transformative power of higher education and values curiosity, perspective-taking, and active listening in developing relationships as a leader at any level of an institution. As a Senior Learning & Development Manager at Academic Impressions, she most often works with development and alumni engagement professionals, deans, and other academic leaders who are invested in maintaining collaborative relationships with alumni, donors, and other constituents. Jenn designs engagements that help leaders improve interpersonal relationships, foster a thriving team culture, strengthen donor engagement, and align alumni and donors’ passions with initiatives of purpose. Prior to joining Academic Impressions in early 2022, Jenn spent a decade as a higher education leader. Her professional experience with individual and team supervision, strategic planning, program and policy development, crisis response, and student support services, along with several years of service as an alumni board member, informs how she approaches her leadership and organizational development work with advancement and academic leaders. Jenn received her dual B.A. in Spanish and Intercultural Studies from Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University), her M.A. in Higher Education & Student Affairs from University of Connecticut, and her Ed.D. in Student Affairs Administration & Leadership from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She works […]
Autumn Joseph (she/they) is an Operations Manager at Academic Impressions. Autumn works on a wide variety of projects related to program and process development. She enjoys problem solving and finding new efficiencies with the rest of the wonderful Operations Team. Autumn recently received her MBA from Colorado State University. When not working, you can find Autumn exploring Colorado on foot or on a bike, or playing with her dog and cat.
Grace Oh-Willeke is a Project Coordinator at Academic Impressions. In this role, she is responsible for managing the day-to-day tasks and projects of the development team. Grace collaborates with departments across the company to ensure that technological improvements meet their needs. Grace has a bachelor of arts in environmental science from Colby College and enjoys gardening, camping, and spending time outside.
René is from Honduras, Central America. He is a husband and dad, with a degree in Computer Science and has been a full-stack developer for more than 10 years. He has worked for different industries such as financial, e-commerce, and now Higher Ed. He is passionate about bringing valuable user experience and solutions through coding.
Dr. Raquel Wright-Mair is an Associate Professor of Higher Education at Rowan University. She conducts research that is grounded in social justice, equity, and inclusion in higher education. Dr. Wright-Mair’s research agenda seeks to transform and advocate for the creation of more equitable and inclusive campus environments for underrepresented populations, specifically for racially minoritized faculty members. Dr. Wright-Mair also works collaboratively with the National Institute for Transformation and Equity (NITE) as a faculty researcher, conducting work focused on cultivating supportive campus environments that maximize success among diverse populations. Dr. Wright-Mair has produced several publications and national presentations focused on social justice, equity, and inclusion across higher education. She is also co-editor and contributing author for the book: College Students and Their Environments.
Dr. Delma Ramos is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Ramos’ work examines the experiences of minoritized populations in higher education through an equity and social justice lens. Thus, she studies issues at the intersection of race, class, and gender. Her research is unified by a focus on interrogating paradigms and ideologies that sustain inequity in higher education while highlighting the assets, agency, and resistance of minoritized communities. Dr. Ramos is a first-generation graduate; she earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education with a concentration in Research Methods and Statistics from the University of Denver.
Sarah joined Academic Impressions in 2022 as a learning and development manager. In her time at AI, she has led efforts in student success, faculty leadership, and student leadership. She now manages the production process at AI, taking events and courses from idea to live on the website, and she serves as the strategic lead for the Leadership Insights newsletter, writing many of the issues. As a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methods and Five Paths to Leadership® facilitator, she also enjoys developing innovative learning experiences for higher ed faculty, staff, and students. Sarah has a PhD in Philosophy from Indiana University, Bloomington, where she worked on 19th century German philosophy, environmental ethics, and feminist ethics. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor of ethics at Southern New Hampshire University and at IU, she taught courses in ethics, political philosophy, and logic. Prior to joining AI, Sarah worked in residence life at University of Southern Indiana and Savannah College of Art and Design. When she isn’t working, Sarah loves to bake, hike, ski, and eat a lot of tacos.
Nichole Dyer Fannin is the Executive Director of Development at the University of West Georgia (UWG). A native of Trion, Georgia, Nichole has spent nearly a decade working to promote philanthropy and showcase the empowerment that comes from giving – for both the donor and recipient. At UWG, Nichole has served to enhance institutional visibility and success through the institution’s Strategic Plan Steering Team, helping to guide the stakeholder-based process involving more than 1,300 individuals from across campus and community; worked to position the university for success in receiving the Carnegie Foundation’s classification recognition for community engagement in 2020 as part of the Community Engagement Scout Team; and in helping to lead the UWG Foundations to success in the institution’s first-ever comprehensive campaign. Before joining the UWG Office of Development, Nichole served as Regional Director with Action Ministries, Sales Account Manager for Southwire Company, and as the Executive Director for the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce. Nichole has been actively involved in many organizations and groups, including the UWG Alumni Association Board of Directors, Southwire 12 for Life Mentor Program, Historic High-Country Travel Association, Chattooga County Tourism Committee, Chattooga County Adult Literacy Group, Leadership Chattooga, and the Georgia Academy for […]
Trajan Dubiel, Director of Development, represents Michigan State University in Southwest Michigan working with Spartans and philanthropists. His role also encompasses a major part of the University Advancement talent development program by managing both the Development Associates Program and the Advance-U Program. After earning his Masters degree in Student Affairs Administration from MSU in 2003, Trajan began his fundraising career at Albion College. Trajan returned to MSU in 2013 and spent 7 years as a major gift officer within the College of Communication Arts & Sciences before moving into his current position. Originally from Ohio, Trajan earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Vermont. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Communities In Schools of Michigan.
“I am here to ‘hold up a mirror’ to help you see yourself, your potential, and your future more clearly” Annie started out her career with the goal of becoming the next Barbara Walters. However, the twists and turns of her career path guided Annie from Television news to public relations, then to software training, and finally, to a university professor and administrator. As a speaker and coach, she uses her experience and expertise to help people navigate a career path to their next level of success. Her approach to coaching is centered on the philosophy that you already possess what you need to be successful. Sometimes, you simply need assistance figuring out where you want to go and how to get there. Through collaborative interactions, Annie helps you uncover and gain clarity about your strengths, areas of growth, core values, motivation and vision for your future. Annie’s authentic and humorous approach makes people feel an instant connection to her. She has guided clients in all career levels through strategic career development, job search planning, resume writing, interview preparation, negotiation, leadership evolution, successful supervising, public speaking, and professional branding. With over 20 years of service in higher education as both […]
