Milton D. Cox is founder and Director Emeritus of the Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching at Miami University where he initiated and continues to direct the annual Original Lilly Conference on College Teaching, now in its 39th year. He is also founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, celebrating its 30th anniversary, and the Learning Communities Journal. He facilitates the Hesburgh Award-winning Teaching Scholars Faculty Learning Community, now in its 40th year. Milt has been project director of state and federal grants establishing faculty learning community programs at other institutions, is co-editor of the book, Building Faculty Learning Communities, and has visited over 100 institutions in the U.S. and abroad to consult on various issues in higher education. He is recipient of a certificate of special achievement from the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education in recognition and appreciation of notable contributions to the profession of faculty, instructional, and organizational development.
Eduardo Prieto is an enrollment management professional whose twenty-six year career in higher education has included service at both public and private higher education institutions in four different states. In his current role, he is responsible for all enrollment functions, including undergraduate admissions, recruitment, and financial aid. Eduardo has led or been part of record-setting enrollment efforts at five different institutions. He is also a member of several civic and professional organizations and has presented extensively at the regional and national levels. Prieto earned a BA in public relations, a BA in communication, and an MA in mass communication from the University of Oklahoma, and is currently working on his doctorate in higher education.
Jennifer Schoen is passionate about helping first-generation college students get into and graduate from college. Jennifer has spent the last 30 years in higher education working with underrepresented students in both admission and retention roles. Currently, Jennifer is the director of the Opportunity Scholarship and Outreach Office at Northeastern University in Boston. She coordinates an alternate admissions process for the Torch Scholars program that uses non-cognitive variables to indicate potential beyond SAT scores and GPA. Jennifer is currently working on her doctoral dissertation, looking at the motivational factors of first-generation students from low-income backgrounds using the framework of The Hero’s Journey. In addition to her role as educator and student, Jennifer is also an author and speaker, helping first-generation students and their parents understand the college admissions process.
Dr. Barrington Price is originally from Rochester NY and found his way to Chicago by enrolling at his alma mater, North Park University. There, Barrington graduated with a BS in Psychology and went on to pursue graduate work in clinical Psychology. His passion for Higher education was fueled during his one of his clinical rotations where he returned to his North Park as a counseling intern. It was at this point, he realized his desire and passion to work with college students. As a first generation college student himself, he cares deeply about creating pathways for all students to see college as an option. Ensuring students, like him, aren’t the exceptions but are welcomed and valued as contributors to the fabric of the institution. Dr. Price’s most recent research centers around the retention of “at risk” students in higher education. After having served in many roles from mental health counselor, student success coach, advisor, to Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement at North Park University, Dr. Price is now in his inaugural year of a new Division as the Vice President for Student Success and Engagement at Dominican University.
Alan has been working with youth and families for more than twenty years. Nineteen years ago—prior to moving into higher education—he wore several hats as an elementary school teacher, mental health professional, and coach. He also spent several years as the Associate Executive Director of a local council of Camp Fire USA where he oversaw the development and expansion of after school programs. Alan’s work in admissions has primarily been at small liberal arts colleges where he’s spearheaded the colleges’ diversity recruitment efforts. Mr. Paynter has been a frequent guest speaker and panelist around the country on various topics surrounding the college admissions process and college access work. Alan has enjoyed publishing several local and national articles including two featured in the New York Times’ Room for Debate. Alan’s maintained active involvement in the PA Association of College Admissions Counseling and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Today, Ala
Mark was a Vice President of Operations for IBS, a software company, prior to joining Rutgers in 1999 where he was originally the undergraduate Dean of Students for Rutgers – New Brunswick until his current position in 2016, as the Dean for Graduate Student Life. Dean Schuster is affiliate faculty in American Studies, Educational Psychology of the Graduate School of Education, Psychology, and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Rutgers. He has been actively involved connecting all graduate students with the medical school at Rutgers and RWJ, on the board of the “Gender Center of NJ” through an interdisciplinary series on Humanities and Medicine. Dean Schuster has been a keynote speaker on civility, social justice, the impact of travel bans on graduate and international students, and the intersection of transforming bodies and identities, including transgender military service at the national and international level. He has a Bachelors in English and Communications from SUNY Plattsburgh and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire. He received a Master’s in Sport Psychology and Cultural Studies of Sport concurrently with his Ph.D. coursework in Higher Education, both from the University of Iowa. Before coming to Rutgers, Mark worked at the University of New […]
Melissa leads strategic communications and research development activities for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, working to connect the scholarly community with resources to conduct research, find collaborators, identify funding opportunities, develop and submit proposals, publicize awards, and share the impact of their discoveries. She also oversees a number of University-wide initiatives that support collaboration and communication, including the Illinois Research Development Community, an information sharing and professional development group that works to showcase the Illinois research enterprise and build member literacy in topics related to research administration, compliance, communication, and proposal development . A former Peace Corps Volunteer, she has a B.S. in Public Relations and an M.S in Journalism.
William Jones is Senior Director of University Career Services for Rutgers University – New Brunswick. He provides senior executive leadership to the department and manages the Operations & Strategic Initiatives unit (i.e., communication and marketing, technology and data management, administrative services and budget, strategic planning, and special initiatives). He works closely with the executive director of university career services and other members of the senior leadership team to ensure that the department has the resources necessary to serve Rutgers students. Immediately prior to Rutgers, Wil served as the Associate Director for External Relations & Information Technology within the University Career Center at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Jenn McKenzie has worked at her alma mater Hendrix College in Conway, AR since 2006. Currently, she serves as the Associate Director of Admission and Campus Visitation where she oversees the campus visit program, The Hendrix College Experience, and works as an admission counselor for high school seniors and transfer students. Prior to working at Hendrix College, Jenn accumulated over 13 years in customer service – five of her favorite years were working for the Disney Company! During her time in higher education, Jenn has been active with the Collegiate Information & Visitor Services Association (CIVSA) where she served as President of the association from 2012-2013. In 2016, she received the Nick Kovalakides Outstanding Member Award for service, devotion, and support to the success of CIVSA. Outside of work, Jenn is celebrating 20 years of marriage with her husband John, and is the proud mom of two spirited daughters.
Barbara oversees campus visits for prospective and admitted students and all on campus recruitment events for Rutgers University – New Brunswick. Their annual tour program hosts over 45,000 guests per year. Barbara plans all on campus yield events for admitted students including Rutgers’ signature Admitted Student Open House that last year saw over 18,000 people in attendance for the one day event. Barbara was honored to receive the Individual Achievement Award from the Collegiate Information & Visitor Services Association (CIVSA) for her work in establishing meaningful, long-term relationships with the local community that benefit visitors to campus. She has presented at several CIVSA conferences on visitor center operations and yield events. Barbara currently is the Chairman of the Board on the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce and a Trustee on the Central New Jersey Convention & Visitors Bureau Board. Barbara earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina, her master’s degree from Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and maintains a Certified Meeting Professional Certification (CMP).
