Dr. Mark Blegen is Carroll University’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He brings over 15 years of higher education leadership grounded in a dedication to student-centered learning. Blegen’s career highlights include pioneering initiatives in health sciences and liberal arts integration. As the former Dean of Health Sciences at St. Catherine University, MN, Blegen spearheaded strategic planning, fundraising, and innovative online programs, impacting over 500 students nationally. Notable achievements include interdisciplinary research labs and groundbreaking degree pathways. Blegen, a St. Olaf College, St. Cloud State University, and Kent State alumnus, is a distinguished fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He and his wife, Kristin Schroeder, are proud parents of two daughters, embodying Blegen’s commitment to education, family, and lifelong learning. Joining Carroll University aligns with his mission-driven ethos, poised to enrich its academic landscape under Dr. Gnadinger’s leadership.
Dana Cruikshank is the Vice President for Client Growth at UQ Solutions, where he helps connect the UQ user community together and guides new partnerships for UQ. Prior to joining the company, Dana spent 6 years as the Vice President of Market Strategy and Business Development at VisionPoint Marketing, an enrollment marketing agency focused on higher education. During that time, he helped guide brand strategies for more than a dozen institutions across the country. On the institution side, Dana spent 7 years at Virginia Tech, leading marketing for the university’s continuing and professional education unit. He also spent over 10 years in Washington, DC where he worked as an account executive at a K Street PR firm, a speech writer for two cabinet secretaries and a three-star Army general, and managed public and Congressional affairs for the National Science Foundation. Prior to that, he was a web producer for the Discovery Channel’s international markets. A native of Ithaca, NY, Dana is a graduate of American University (Washington), Bowie State University and Virginia Tech. He lives and works in Blacksburg, Va.
Dr. Seth Houston, is the founder and CEO of UQ Solutions, Inc., which specializes in empowering colleges and universities with data-driven strategies for student recruitment, retention, and academic excellence. Seth’s career trajectory reflects a passion for higher education, marked by impactful roles at institutions like Carroll University and the University of California, Irvine, where he fostered innovation and collaboration as a choral conductor and composer. His quest for broader influence led him to pursue an MBA at UCLA Anderson, honing expertise in strategy and finance. Following this, Seth contributed his insights to Gray Associates before founding UQ Solutions. With a robust academic background, including a doctorate from USC Thornton and degrees from Oberlin and the University of Michigan, Seth’s consultancy spans diverse educational landscapes nationwide. Based in Charlottesville, Virginia, Seth continues to shape the future of higher education with his blend of academic rigor and strategic vision.
Stephanie works in Faculty Relations in the Office of the Provost at Boise State University. Prior to her role at Boise State, she was an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the College of Western Idaho for 12 years, where she was the founding faculty member of the Criminal Justice program. While at CWI, Stephanie also served four years as the faculty senate president. This role sparked a passion for supporting and advocating for faculty, which prompted her transition to Boise State. Stephanie holds a M.A. in Criminal Justice Administration from Boise State and a B.S. in Crime and Justice Studies from the University of Idaho. She has also sought out additional education in civil mediation, leading with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and project management. Stephanie is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration.
Jill C. Anderson serves as the vice president for development and alumni engagement at Moravian University & Moravian Theological Seminary (Bethlehem, Pa.) and Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA). Before her time at Moravian, Jill served in engagement and development leadership positions at Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA), Drew University & Theological School (Madison, NJ), and at her alma mater, Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA). It was here that she began her career in higher education in 1999. Before this, Jill excelled in management roles in finance and supervisory positions for a children’s residential treatment center. In all her roles, Jill has been a strategic leader in successfully developing, supporting, implementing, and closing innumerable mini-campaigns and comprehensive fundraising campaigns, ranging between $75M to $500M. Most recently, she publicly launched one institution’s multi-million-dollar campaign at 77% of the goal while simultaneously closing another institution’s multi-million-dollar campaign at 121% over the plan. She consistently demonstrates her agility and intuitive nature and is an accomplished frontline fundraiser, adept at partnering with high-net-worth individuals, families, corporations, and foundations. Jill is exceptionally proficient at identifying and amplifying the intersection of philanthropic interests and community needs. She is a proven industry leader who regularly presents topics ranging from campaign […]
With over a decade of higher education fundraising experience, Allison Kolb has served in roles from annual giving to major and principal gifts, operating in both large development operations and small bespoke shops. Her broad experience in the field affords a pipeline-driven and data-informed approach to fundraising that prioritizes building and sustaining philanthropic community for organizations. At Stevens for seven years, Allison became Director of Annual Giving in January 2022. As Director, she provides strategic oversight and comprehensive management of a multi-channel annual giving program that prioritizes retention and increased overall support for Stevens. Previously, Allison held roles at New Jersey City University, the University of Maryland, Rutgers University, and her alma mater, Pennsylvania State University, where she holds a BS of Economics.
Emily Berry is an accomplished development professional with more than two decades of expertise in fundraising, event planning, and donor relations at Miami University. Currently serving as the Assistant Vice President of Development for Individual and Annual Giving, Berry has significantly contributed to enhancing donor engagement and building lasting relationships. She is recognized for her strategic approach to annual giving, a result of her skills honed across various roles within its arena. She has been at the forefront of their annual day of giving, #MoveInMiami, spearheading its success for more than a decade. Berry’s academic background includes a Master of Arts in Instructional Design & Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Health & Sports Studies, both from Miami University. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on the current state of higher education fundraising. Her work has been recognized by multiple regional and international awards, including several CASE Circle of Excellence Grand Gold awards, demonstrating her commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of development.
Dr. Laura Treanor is a passionate and dedicated leader with a demonstrated record of achievement in higher education. As Provost at Vincennes University, she provides the primary leadership and direction for all academic programs, personnel and activities. A staunch advocate for professional development, mentoring, instructional quality and student success, her professional history includes rich experiences across many higher education settings and roles. Over the course of her 34-year career, Dr. Treanor has served as an exemplary innovator and transformative leader who has developed high-impact teams, heralded new programs and championed academic quality. She has a proven record of collaborative change management and transparent communication and is a respected leader, mentor and teacher. Dr. Treanor has been named Outstanding College/University Educator, Outstanding Grantsperson and Distinguished Woman Leader. She is the co-founder of the University DEI Council, founder of the Leadership Lunch and Learn Series and serves on several boards, including as State Co-Director for the ACE Women’s Network of Indiana. Dr. Treanor earned a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech University and holds a Masters of Education from the Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech.
Kenneth T. Christensen is the Provost, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at the Illinois Institute of Technology after serving in an interim capacity for one year. He joined Illinois Tech in November 2020 as the Carol and Ed Kaplan Dean of the Armour College of Engineering. As Provost, Christensen is focusing on expanding the academic offerings of Illinois Tech to maximize access by meeting an expanded base of learners (both traditional and life-long) where they are and when they are available to learn, growing the research enterprise by emphasizing translational activities and spearheading strategic industry and government partnerships, and is leading a comprehensive digital transformation of the entire university. As Dean, Christensen focused on enhancing student experience and success as well as improving the industry relevance of Illinois Tech’s engineering curricula via strategic partnerships to ensure they better meet workforce needs. Before this, he was the Viola D. Hank Professor at the University of Notre Dame and served as Chair of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering (2017-2020), Assistant Dean for Faculty Development (2015-2017) and a Provost Fellow (2017-2019). Prior to August 2014, he was a Professor and Kritzer Faculty Scholar in the Department of Mechanical Science […]
Phillippa has over 20 years of higher education experience and is currently the Assistant Vice President of Student Access and Success and a Lecturer at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Saunders College of Business in the Service Leadership and Innovation program. Her administrative portfolio includes supervision of the McNair Scholars Program, the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP); the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP), TriO Upward Bound, and the Multicultural Center for Academic Success (MCAS). She regularly teaches RIT students in Dubai and Croatia and has expanded her knowledge and expertise in service design, human-centered design, and managing and leveraging cultural diversity in teams. Phillippa’s commitment and appreciation of cross-cultural awareness continues as she maintains language fluency in Swahili, conversational French and Arabic additionally conducting workshops in the areas of multicultural competence.
