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.
Dr. Will Roberts has worked in higher education student affairs, academic affairs, and institutional effectiveness roles since 2001. He spent ten years at Arizona State University (ASU), primarily in academic advising roles, including six years as Director of Academic Services at ASU’s Barrett Honors College. From 2016-2019, Will served as Dean of Students at Nebraska Methodist College (NMC). In his current role as Director of Outcomes Assessment at NMC, he works with academic and student affairs leadership to improve student outcomes. Will’s academic background includes studying psychology and history at Vassar College, followed by counseling at the University of Maryland. In 2017 he completed an EdD in interdisciplinary leadership at Creighton University. His dissertation focused on leading higher education transformation efforts through service blueprinting. Will has given multiple presentations to national conferences on topics related to improving the student experience with service design, leading cross-division collaborations, using data to drive student success, maximizing academic advising, and navigating change in higher education. He has published manuscripts related to using service design in student affairs. Will also serves as an HLC peer reviewer, participates in local civic engagement groups, and has previously served as a school board member. He lives in Omaha with […]
Ashley Stokes serves as the Senior Philanthropic Advisor at UC Santa Cruz. She is responsible for advising campus leadership on strategic planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of principal gift prospects. She also plays a key role in managing select senior volunteer boards for the university. Prior to joining UC Santa Cruz, Ashley served as the Director of Development, Principal Gifts and Strategic Initiatives at UC Davis, where she led the strategic direction for the university’s One Climate Big Idea initiative focused on environmental sustainability and justice. She also served on the Development and Alumni Relations (DEVAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, working to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization by fostering collaboration and cultural understanding. Ashley, a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), brings more than 17 years of experience in major gift fundraising, campaign planning, board development, and organizing specialized donor events. She has held roles at Old Dominion University and the University of Connecticut, showcasing her expertise in these areas. Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany and a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut. Continuing her dedication to assisting individuals in obtaining the essential resources to support remarkable initiatives worldwide, Ashley serves as a non-profit consultant, executive […]
