As the Technical Project Coordinator, Enya is focused on supporting the development team to keep projects moving efficiently and ensuring technical solutions are delivered on time. She works closely with our cross-departmental product team to organize project development, manage timelines, problem-solve, and handle task management to meet both internal and external objectives. With a diverse background in real estate, marketing, and a BA in Business Administration from Creighton University, Enya is learning Agile Methodology frameworks to optimize project flow and support the team’s success. When she’s not at work, Enya is helping launch her family’s hydroponic container farm in Nebraska, playing tennis, and values spending quality time with friends and family.
I support faculty and leaders in crafting a clear vision, navigating conflict, and building buy-in—empowering them to manage change, align their purpose with personal growth, and drive meaningful success on their campuses. With over two decades of experience across small regional universities and large public and private R1 institutions, Kevin has navigated the challenges of leadership at every level, serving as a faculty member, assistant chair, research coordinator, director, and dean. Throughout his career, he has focused on coaching and leadership development to cultivate the skills needed to drive change and serve others. As a classically trained musician, Kevin brings a unique perspective to leadership and change management, emphasizing the power of creativity and teamwork in driving progress. The soft skills he honed as an artist—discipline, collaboration, adaptability, connection, and creative problem-solving—help him navigate the complexities of higher education, from managing diverse teams to guiding institutions through organizational change. Kevin is a certified coach through the International Coaching Federation and partners with academic leaders to tackle their most pressing challenges: Through coaching, Kevin helps his clients uncover roadblocks, embrace new perspectives, and move toward their goals. He believes in a collaborative process that fosters self-discovery and empowerment, enabling leaders to […]
Todd Migliaccio presently serves as the Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer, as well as Professor of Sociology, at Penn State Berks for the past four years, which included serving as the Interim Chancellor for seven months. Dr. Migliaccio has studied social relationships, aggression and the culture of institutions. His early work on domestic violence culminated in his ongoing collaboration with domestic violence shelters, including regular workshop for workers and volunteers at shelters, addressing key requirements determined by the state of California for education prior to working in facilities. For the past 16+ years, Dr. Migliaccio has focused on studying bullying as a social problem, which included the development of research-based prevention and intervention programs, having worked with teachers, administrators, schools and districts in implementing anti-bullying and culture change practices. He has published numerous articles and co-authored a book, Bullying as a Social Experience: Social Factors, Prevention and Intervention. More recently, he has studied bullying within academia. Realizing the limited awareness and understanding concerning bullying and incivility within academia, he focused on developing process for supporting administrators, as a key factor in limiting the impact these actions have on success of campus members, in responding to claims concerning bullying and […]
Robyn Betts is the Assistant Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at Bentley University in Waltham, MA, specializing in strategic program and outcome management. Strategy & Innovation acts as a university-wide accelerator, convener, and facilitator of strategic initiatives, furthering Bentley’s commitment to growth and innovation. Shortly after the division’s creation in 2022, Robyn launched an implementation framework for Falcons Forward 2030, Bentley’s strategic plan. This framework introduces enabling structures and processes across the university, ensuring successful implementation to realize desired outcomes and maximize the plan’s collective impact. Through the framework, Bentley is working to tackle some of the most complex challenges in higher education today. Robyn’s leadership currently focuses on market-driven academic program innovation for post-baccalaureate and pre-college students, diversifying revenue streams to bolster financial sustainability, and advancing strategies to increase access and opportunities for underrepresented populations. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, Robyn has played pivotal roles in establishing program and project management functions at multiple institutions, overseeing a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum reform, and leading complex IT initiatives. She holds an MBA from Babson College and a BA from Grinnell College.
Lisa currently leads the Livingston Innovation Group, a consultancy she founded focused on applying over 30 years of university administrative experience in creating and implementing new initiatives and approaches to higher ed’s most complex challenges. From ways to use co-design methodologies with multiple stakeholders, to strength-based innovation practices to help leaders move teams forward, the Livingston Innovation Group honors the unique cultures and practices of organizations in designing their solutions. Prior to Livingston, she served for over 15 years in various leadership capacities at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. This included Chief of Staff and Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Provost. In that capacity, she led the university’s ThinkBig strategic plan as well as worked with teams to realize a new set of General Education Requirements and ways to simplify approaches and structures in support of student advising. While serving within the Case School of Engineering, she led many multi-disciplinary and stakeholder initiatives including the establishment of the Great Lakes Energy Institute, the innovation & makerspace called Sears Think[box], the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship, and the first Manufacturing USA institute, America Makes. Lisa also led initiatives regionally in partnership with institutions such as […]
Dr. Sarah Edwards is a tenured professor in the Teacher Education Department and currently serves as an active participant in the administrative decision-making processes in the Academic Affairs Office at University of Nebraska Omaha. Her position is responsible for assisting the Senior Vice Chancellor in planning, directing, evaluating, and developing undergraduate academic programs; collaborating with other divisions of the University to analyze and develop recommendations in response to evolving issues; and providing leadership for developing and achieving strategic initiatives. Those primary responsibilities include leadership for meeting the goals and objectives of the University’s strategic plan for undergraduate education; implementation and administration of policies and regulations affecting students; and leadership and facilitation for the processes of curriculum development. In addition, this position is responsible for leadership and support for Academic Learning Communities, such as the Susan Thompson Buffett Scholars and the Army and AFROTC detachments, as well as coaching and guidance for the University Honors Program, National Honors, Scholarships and Awards, and oversight and planning of the Student Honors Convocation.
Shawna M. Lusk brings over two decades of distinguished experience in higher education and nonprofit leadership, specializing in advancing diversity, equity, and belonging. As the Senior Associate Director for Student Belonging at Rochester Institute of Technology, she leads initiatives that support intersectional student identities, driving continuous improvement through strategic assessment and program innovation. Shawna is known for her service excellence, building effective multigenerational teams, and fostering valuable partnerships to expand support for marginalized communities. Her dedication extends beyond campus life through her consulting work delivering impactful diversity and inclusion training for organizations across the country. She has also co-founded and led numerous community-driven initiatives, including the Ruby Begonia Foundation, which supports animal rescue through sustainable programs, and Westside Inclusion Initiative, promoting cultural understanding in Rochester’s communities. With advanced degrees in Educational Leadership and Higher Education Administration, Shawna’s career is defined by her exceptional ability to develop, support, and retain diverse teams. Her commitment to service, along with her expertise in public speaking, fiscal stewardship, and navigating organizational change, make her a transformative leader dedicated to fostering inclusive and supportive environments.
Chuck Elias is the CEO and a Co-founder of 42Chat, a leading provider of AI ChatBot Products and Services that improve customer service, lower costs and create amazing customer experiences. Prior to co-founding 42Chat, Chuck was a senior executive with several blue-chip companies, as well as several startups. He has been fortunate to lead amazing teams, tackling the most important strategic, operational and IT challenges to grow and transform businesses in the most difficult operating environments. At Home Depot, he led homedepot.com, successfully turned around and grew a $4 billion retail P&L and later led Home Depot’s retail store entry into China. At SuperValu, he led the transformation of the $25 billion grocery business, deploying new merchandising and operations capabilities to reduce cost and reinvest in the business. At General Electric and Fortune Brands, Chuck developed and implemented global acquisition-based growth strategies and IT to support decentralized business operations. As a technologist, he was one of the earliest adopters of Agile Development Methodologies and was on the forefront of using the mobile apps, tables and dashboards to improve business operations. He is a student, a fan, and a practitioner of the “Theory of Disruption and using “Jobs to be Done” […]
Before her current role at Georgia State, Margie Ferguson was a Professor of Political Science and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs at IU Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI). Margie’s work focuses on policies and practices related to faculty development and success. Relevant examples include promotion and tenure, faculty grievances, career enhancement, faculty leadership development and managing new degree proposals. In addition, Margie serves as the Academic Affairs contact for new program and degree proposals. Margie manages the program and unit review process as well as serving as the campus liaison to the Higher Learning Commission. Given the recent split between IU and PU, Margie led the university’s response to the Higher Learning Commission for the Change of Control, Structure or Organization process. Margie received her baccalaureate degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She began her academic career at IUPUI in 1996. Her research interests revolve around state politics and policy, especially the role of the governor in both the legislative and executive arenas.
Emily provides leadership, design, development, implementation, change management and ongoing improvement efforts for employee and high potential talent development, workforce identification, and succession planning efforts. Prior to joining CMU in 2019, Emily served as a HR Partner and Talent Development Manager at West Virginia University and worked as a Professional Development Manager for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. She is a GALLUP Certified Strengths Coach, an HCI Certified Strategic Human Resources Business Partner, and a SHRM certified professional. In addition, Emily maintains more than a dozen professional certifications in human resources, leadership, and executive coaching. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education, both from California University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Instructional Management and Leadership from Robert Morris University. In addition to her work at CMU, Emily also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses at West Virginia University and Pennsylvania State University focusing on human resources and organizational development. Emily’s recent awards include “One to Watch” from the Association for Talent Development, “Teaching MVP” and “Dean’s Award for Distinction in Teaching” from West Virginia University, “40 under 40” from California University of Pennsylvania and “Leadership 500: #1 Leadership Development Program in Higher Education” from HR.com. Recently, Emily […]
