Instructors
Amir assumed his current role at California State University, Fullerton in December 2008. At Cal State Fullerton, Amir oversees all enterprise services of IT in support of the University’s mission and strategic plan. He has over 35 years of experience in the field of information technology and is the former Assistant Vice Chancellor of Information Technology Services (ITS) for the California State University, Office of the Chancellor.
Dr. David Forgues has served as Vice President of the Division of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion since January 2017 at Cal State Fullerton where he is responsible for the development of University-wide human resource management and strategies and diversity & equity initiatives. He joined CSUF in 2012 as chief of operations for Student Affairs providing oversight for the office operations, division wide efforts in the areas of advancement, assessment, staff development, divisional budget and human resources matters. Prior to joining CSUF, Dr. Forgues served as the assistant dean in the Academic Success Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where he built a comprehensive learning support area; oversaw a developmental academic advising unit for all undeclared majors at the institution and created an academic success coaching program. He also has held positions in Residence Life, Admissions, Judicial Affairs and Student Life. He earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education and an Ed. M. in Student Affairs Administration from the University at Buffalo, and a B.A. in English from Mesa State College.
Carolyn provides leadership and support for Titan students, staff, and faculty who seek, through learning, to create a more equitable, just, and sustainable world. She received her Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Ryan has been in his role since July 2014. He is responsible for facilitating the university’s achievement of its state and federal legislative agendas and coordinating the governmental relations activities of the university. Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, he served as legal counsel for Missouri State University for almost four years. Before arriving at Missouri State, Ryan was an associate at Husch Blackwell, LLP and a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr. DeBoef received his law degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2005. He received his Bachelor of Science degree summa cum laude in 2001 from Evangel University with majors in government and public administration.
Rick holds a dual role at Michigan Technological University. He is as Professor of Practice in the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMET) and Director of the Enterprise Program, housed in the Pavlis Honors College (PHC). Since 2015, Rick has led Enterprise – an innovative multi-year, interdisciplinary, project-based, and industrial-sponsored program – available to undergraduate and graduate students from all majors. The program’s scope includes a portfolio of 25 teams, 900 students from 35 majors, 38 faculty involved in advising and instruction, and annual support from 40+ external partners and supporters. Additionally, Rick serves on Michigan Tech’s Corporate Council, which facilitates corporate engagement and holistic corporate partnerships across the areas of research, recruitment, student projects, technology transfer, and philanthropy. From 2006-2015, Rick worked as the Sponsored Projects Manager for Michigan Tech’s Enterprise and Senior Design Programs, securing more than $6 million in externally-sponsored projects for these programs. As a professor of practice in the Department of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology, Rick’s teaching responsibilities and research interests include continuous improvement (Lean and Six Sigma), quality engineering, product development, and design methodologies. Since 2008, Rick has also served as the faculty advisor to Michigan Tech’s Supermileage Systems Enterprise, a […]
Norma has 20 years of experience in a diverse range of student affairs positions. In her current role, she oversees a diverse portfolio of administrative and student services functions, recently having led the development of the strategic plan. Her career began with the University of Alberta student association Students’ Union where she oversaw the orientation program and the SU suite of student services. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Alberta and a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University. Norma has always had a passion and commitment to developing emerging leaders and effective teams.
Melissa has 20 years of experience working in higher education and currently serves as Deputy Provost (Students and Enrollment) at the University of Alberta. She has held various roles within student affairs and academic administration. She has lead a number of institution- wide initiatives including acting as the administrative lead for the Student Service stream of our Service Excellence Transformation and serving as Chair of the Academic Impacts team for our institutional COVID response. She is currently spearheading a new Student Experience Action Plan for her institution using an innovative co-creation approach. Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a certificate in Globalization and Governance from the University of Alberta and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Victoria. She also completed a Certificate in University and College Administration from the Centre for Higher Education Research & Development at the University of Manitoba and the Management Development Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is passionate about helping build individual and team leadership capacity within higher education. When not working Melissa loves spending time with her family and friends exploring, either by foot, on x-country skis or traveling.
Shaunna (she/her/hers) is an educator, higher education administrator, ordained minister, and highly sought-after consultant in the equity and inclusion marketplace. Her primary goal is to support the Division of Academic Affairs by attracting, advancing, and retaining diverse staff, faculty, and librarians. Working in tandem with the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity and the Office of Human Resources, Shaunna is responsible for compliance and analytics, hiring, onboarding, funds development, faculty retention and cultural competency programming for faculty and librarians. Within the role, she serves as a train-the-trainer for difficult dialogues using the University of Michigan’s racial reconciliation model. Shaunna has been integral to the inaugural Steering Committee and a Faculty Affiliate for the Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program, a first-of-its-kind, statewide collaborative leadership program sponsored by the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and University of Baltimore’s Schaefer Center for Public Policy. Additionally, she has lectured on de-biasing organizations at the Maryland Municipal League where statewide mayors gather each year. Shaunna holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from James Madison University, a Master of Divinity from Eastern Mennonite University, and a Doctor of Education from The George Washington University.
Leah provides the leadership and vision for creating a more inclusive campus for students, faculty, and staff, who works collaboratively with all members of the campus and surrounding community. She is a recognized leader and popular keynote speaker who has created innovative programs and initiatives, led policy development and strategic planning efforts and has designed and led a variety of different DEI training programs. Her work has directly influenced recruitment and retention endeavors for academic institutions and businesses. With more than 30 years of experience working in higher education, business, healthcare, and community organizations she is recognized for promoting and creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive organizations. Her areas of specialization include personnel development, recruitment, retention, disability awareness, cultural competency, student success, and higher education leadership. Leah is a skilled trainer, mediator, and certified coach who facilitates dialogue surrounding difficult issues and supports conflict resolution efforts. Before joining Towson University, Leah was the Special Assistant to the President and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, where she oversaw the institution’s diversity and inclusion efforts, Title IX, and student success programs and college access programs for underrepresented students. She also spent many years working at Gallaudet University […]
Mary Spilde is a coach and consultant with over 30 years’ experience in higher education. She has extensive experience delivering leadership and organizational development programs. Mary consults with colleges and non-profits to develop emotionally intelligent and results-oriented organizations. Her consulting work includes engagement with boards of trustees, presidents, and senior leadership teams to clarify roles, align priorities, and to create the conditions where people can do their best work. Mary’s passion is developing the next generation of higher education leaders. She taught Adaptive Leadership in the Oregon State University Higher Education doctoral program for five years and leads leadership development programs at the state and national level including the League for Innovation Executive Leadership Institute and the American Association of Community Colleges New CEO Academy. She teaches workshops on Emotional Intelligence, Adaptive Leadership and Resilience. Mary coaches individuals at all levels in colleges including faculty and executive leadership. Drawing from research on emotional intelligence, positive psychology, appreciative inquiry and resilience she comes to coaching believing that individuals are creative, whole human beings with multiple roles, and capable of arriving at their own answers and best course of action when prompted by questions and deep listening. As a coach she is […]
