Dr. Roger Bounds serves as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs at Northern Arizona University and is a Professor in the Department of Health Sciences. Dr. Bounds provides leadership for the Faculty Affairs division in the office of the Provost and for the Teaching and Learning Center at NAU. He also co-facilitates the NAU University Leadership Program. Dr. Bounds previously served as Dean for a large College of Health and Human Services during and as department chair for a multidisciplinary department offering both traditional programs and clinical education programs. Prior to Joining NAU, he worked in full-time faculty roles at Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, TX) and Texas A&M University (College Station, TX). He holds a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and has worked in multiple emergency medical service systems. Roger believes equitable access to the value of high quality post-secondary education is fundamental to the success of society and that quality professional development for university faculty and staff is an important first step in realizing this goal.
Lisa, as Senior Vice President of Business Development, spearheads the company’s strategic expansion and partner ecosystem, leveraging her extensive experience to forge valuable relationships and secure vital partnerships. Lisa has 20+ years of experience working with higher education institutions and service providers. At four-year colleges, she worked in enrollment management and operations. For OPMs and education consulting firms, she helped sustain current client relationships and develop new business. She aims to help institutions use Gray DI’s data and software systems to drive growth and improve transformation through comprehensive program evaluation processes. Lisa holds a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, MI.
Meagan Decker is the Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Northern Arizona University. In this role, she oversees various HR functions, including recruitment and hiring, benefits administration, payroll management, compensation and classification, employee relations, and learning and development. Meagan has over 20 years of experience in human resources, including 4 years in higher education. She spent the majority of her career in the public sector, working for municipal government in the State of Florida. Her focus has been on optimizing core HR processes, implementing effective performance management strategies, and fostering continuous learning and development within organizations. Meagan holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the University of South Florida. She also boasts certifications from several professional organizations, including SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), HRCI (Human Resources Certification Institute), IPMA (International Public Management Association), PROSCI (Change Management), HCI (Human Capital Institute), and Florida State University’s public manager program. Currently, Meagan is pursuing her doctoral studies in Northern Arizona University’s Higher Education Leadership program, further deepening her understanding of organizational leadership and management. Beyond her academic and professional achievements, Meagan actively contributes to the field of human resources. She has served on multiple state and local HR and public […]
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.
