Lindsay Lewis is the Executive Director of Strategic Research Communications for the University of Houston Division of Research. She is responsible for increasing the external visibility of the university’s research and innovation enterprise and engaging the UH research community. Previously, Lindsay spent three years working at MD Anderson, where she developed the institution’s first patient communications program to standardize communications across more than 40 cancer centers, clinics and support services. Prior to that, she directed communications for the UH Cullen College of Engineering. Lindsay holds a BA degree in Communications Studies from Texas Lutheran University, an MA in Communications (digital production) from Baylor University, and an MS in Health Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Jennifer is a faculty and leadership coach with over 25 years of experience in higher education as a teacher, researcher, director of a research center, and school dean. She pursues coaching from a holistic, strengths-based, and mindful perspective, partnering with clients to support them in achieving their professional and personal goals. Clinically trained as an occupational therapist, with an expertise in mental health, Jennifer has worked to improve the quality of work-life for both working women and vulnerable working populations and to promote employee well-being and performance through research and policy interventions. Equity and social justice are core principles that inform Jennifer’s teaching, leadership, and management endeavors. She is dedicated to translating research findings into tools and resources that can be used by employers and policymakers to improve the quality of work-life and well-being for workers and their families. Her extensive knowledge in these areas provides a unique context for her coaching clients, as Jennifer incorporates the most current science on said topics to facilitate optimal outcomes for her clients. Jennifer is currently Dean of the School of Professional Studies and professor of health policy and management at Providence College (PC). Prior to Providence College, she was a professor at […]
Melissa Vito is a recognized higher education leader with over 35 years of experience in public higher education and most recently selected consulting. She served as both Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Affairs and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives and Student Success at the University of Arizona, retiring in July of 2018. She is currently Interim Vice Provost for Academic Innovation at University of Texas San Antonio and leads Melissa Vito and Associates Strategy Group. She has earned a reputation as a transformational leader, forward-thinking and team focused. Under her leadership, she initiated and developed University of Arizona’s Online programs, launching in Spring of 2015. Her decision to build all aspects of the online program internally (not outsource the management) was considered risky at the time, though today Arizona Online serves about 5,000 students and was recognized by UPCEA for the Innovation in Transformation Award. At Arizona, she also co-founded the Gender Based Violence Center; co-coordinated efforts resulting in Arizona’s designation as an Hispanic Serving Institution; envisioned and developed the Think Tank learning center, Arizona’s first comprehensive academic support area for students; she reimagined Career Services, linking a commitment of student engagement for all undergraduates and student […]
Kathryn Klose holds an PhD in Higher Education Policy from the University of Maryland College Park. She has over 18 years of experience in higher education as a faculty and administrator responsible for designing, implementing, and teaching hands-on real-world curriculum in varied and diverse learning environments. She augments her experience in the field of education with extensive management experience in the public and private sectors. Alive Learning works with colleges, universities, and professional development organizations to help envision and implement experiential and active learning programs in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, online, and hybrid. Founded by Kathryn Klose, PhD., Alive Learning employs expert knowledge, public and higher education experience, and a commitment to immersive learning experiences to enhance program relevance, student learning, and faculty-student engagement. Our expertise ranges from designing individual learning activities to developing complete program portfolios to better position organizations within the competitive landscape. With a commitment to relevant, relatable learning, let Alive Learning help bring lived learning experiences to your organization today!
Dr. Rauch earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Phoenix and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Higher Education from Grand Canyon University and has been attending Purdue University for her Master in Instructional Design & Technology. She has been in education for 20 years, starting as an elementary school teacher, and for the past 14 focused on online, curriculum development, instructional design, and university leadership. Rauch has had experience as an online professor since 2006 and was the Senior Instructional Designer & Associate Professor of Online at Arizona Christian University; A school that was ranked the number one on College Consensus’ Top Ranked Schools in Arizona for their online program. However, her current service is for Finlandia University as the Director of Innovation and Online Learning since November of 2018.
Melissa currently serves as the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. Prior to beginning this role in 2019, Melissa worked at the University of Delaware for 13 years in various executive and director-level positions across enrollment operations & student financial services. She holds an MBA from Niagara University.
Dr. Luke David Schultheis was appointed to the newly created position of Vice President for Enrollment, Planning and Effectiveness on December 1, 2017. A national leader in enrollment management, Dr. Schultheis has over 20 years of experience in higher education as a faculty member, chair, dean, and senior administrator, following an initial career in the hospitality industry. He is known widely for his expertise in ensuring student success, particularly for underserved populations, and served as Vice President for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers from 2014 to 2017, where he served as inaugural chair of the Strategic Planning Committee for two years. Dr. Schultheis most recently served as the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Director of the Neighborhood Student Success Collaborative at Michigan State University. He previously served as Vice Provost for Strategic Enrollment Management at Virginia Commonwealth University, and before that as Associate Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. While at Virginia Commonwealth, Dr. Schultheis’ efforts led to significant increases in retention and graduation rates, increased degree production, stronger and more diverse undergraduate, graduate and professional enrollments, and revenue increases that were channeled back into student support […]
Brontè Burleigh-Jones serves as the vice president for finance and administration at Dickinson College where she oversees all areas of finance and campus operations, including Facilities Management, Dining Services, Human Resource Services, Financial Operations, Conferences and Special Events, Bookstore, Mail Center and Children’s Center. Burleigh-Jones was presented with the Professional Development Award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) at its annual meeting in Minneapolis in 2017. She received the award for extensive volunteer service to the association’s professional development activities and publications programs. Burleigh-Jones is a frequent presenter on a variety of topics, including finance, accreditation, communication, leadership and diversity at NACUBO, American Council of Education (ACE) and Association of Governing Boards (AGB) conferences. She served as a member of NACUBO’s Small Institutions Council from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2014 to 2015 and served on the association’s Tuition Discounting Study Advisory Board from 2009 to 2012. She is a frequent author for NACUBO’s Business Officer magazine and, in 2015, presented the “CBO Speaks” podcast, which remains the most downloaded from NACUBO’s website. Burleigh-Jones has more than 25 years of experience in financial and facilities management in higher education in addition to project management […]
Melissa Eblen-Zayas has a BA from Smith College and a PhD from the University of Minnesota. She joined Carleton College as a faculty member in the physics and astronomy department in 2005. Her areas of focus include curriculum of advanced laboratory courses and the use of technology to enhance teaching. In 2016, Melissa became the Director of the Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching at Carleton College. Melissa has run Carleton’s Summer Bridge program since its inception. Carleton’s program was initially created to be online as a way to allow their students to attend to responsibilities they needed to in the summer like work or family and still be able to participate in the program. As a residential liberal arts college that prides itself on a high touch and intimate experience, a hallmark feature of Carleton’s Summer Bridge program has been high touch interaction and experiences from the start.
Lynn M. Disbrow, (Ph.D. Wayne State University, 1989), is Interim Associate Vice Provost for Student Success and Dean of the University College at Kennesaw State University. Disbrow previously served as Dean of Arts and Humanities and Professor of Communication Studies at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama. Disbrow’s professional life has emphasized innovation in pedagogical design and technology integration, advising, student support, and building trans-institutional relationships to create a wholistic approach to student success. Each year the National Communication Association awards the Lynn M. Disbrow Advisor of the Year award to an outstanding chapter advisor of the Sigma Chi Eta Communication honor society, in recognition of Disbrow’s role in founding this national student organization. Disbrow served as the Director of the Educational Policies Board of the National Communication Association, as a national team leader for the Lumina Foundation/NCA Learning Outcomes Grant project and is the recipient of numerous international, national, state, and institution specific awards for student service, teaching, and curricular development. Disbrow’s lengthy digital and traditional publication record emphasizes instructional design and delivery.
