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 […]
Previous to her work at MDC, she served as Chief Diversity Officer, Vice Provost, and Professor of Counseling at the University of La Verne (ULV) in California. As Vice Provost, she led initiatives supporting teaching and learning, with responsibility for sponsored research & IRB, community-based learning, faculty development, student affairs, advisement & registration, interfaith dialogue, career services, and tutoring services. As Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. González led advocacy, education, and policy development for an inclusive, equitable and enriched campus experience. At ULV, Dr. González also taught in the University’s graduate education and business programs, undergraduate leadership courses in a select international program, and was selected as inaugural faculty of the Terrence E. Deal Leadership Institute. Prior to La Verne, Dr. González served as the Vice President for Planning and Enrollment at St. Thomas University (STU) in Miami Gardens, FL. While at STU, she also served as an academic dean, a presidential chief of staff, and faculty member for graduate counseling programs. As Vice President, Dr. González was responsible for institutional research and strategic planning, enrollment, marketing and communications, student affairs, and athletics. Dr. González is an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow, an E. Kika De La Garza Fellow (USDA), […]
Dana Veron is a professor and an associate provost for faculty development at the University of Delaware (UD). Veron is an equity-minded faculty success leader who cultivates a supportive environment for faculty to develop and advance in higher education. She is responsible for facilitating the ongoing development of programs, processes, resources, and policies to improve institutional climate, enhance faculty success, and develop leaders as they navigate their careers. During her time at UD, Veron has served in several leadership positions, including the associate chair of the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences, and director of several undergraduate and graduate programs. She is currently the director of First State Marine Wind, and co-director of the Gerald J. Mangone Climate Change Science and Policy Hub. A former co-director of UD’s Faculty Achievement Program, Veron has significant experience supporting peer-mentoring in small group settings, creating and implementing faculty professional development workshops focused on work-life dynamics, time management, and preparation of dossier materials for evaluation, promotion, and tenure. She has served as chair of the Faculty Senate’s Student and Faculty Honors Committee and as a member of the Provost’s Task Force on Equity in Promotion. Veron’s academic area is climate science, investigating local to […]
Debbie M. Thorne, Ph.D. is the Senior Vice Provost and a tenured Professor of Marketing at Texas State University, a designated Hispanic Serving Institution with 38,000 students located in the Austin to San Antonio innovation corridor. She is a primary advisor to the Provost and is responsible for leadership on strategic resource allocation and daily oversight of a $215M centralized budget; the recruitment, development, and enduring success of 2,000 faculty members; and an inclusive and engaged shared governance climate, including transparent management of more than 50 policies. Previously, she was the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA), Chair of the Department of Marketing, and Presidential Fellow at Texas State. As AVPAA, Dr. Thorne chaired the university’s successful NCAA recertification, developed 40 new academic programs at all levels, grew online enrollments, enhanced engagement with co-curricular experiences, and advanced national recognition in distance learning, curriculum, and education abroad. Before joining Texas State, she was a tenured Associate Professor at Mississippi State University where she taught at the undergraduate and doctoral level. She began her academic career at The University of Tampa as an Assistant Professor and served as Director of the Center for Ethics. In four years, she led the center […]
Dr. Tracey Sheetz serves as the Vice President of Enrollment at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania where she oversees the admissions and financial aid offices. Prior to joining Washington & Jefferson College, Tracey served as the Dean of Admissions at California University of Pennsylvania, Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions at West Virginia University, Manager of Enrollment and Outreach at Duquesne University, and Director of Graduate and Adult Studies at Seton Hill University. Tracey earned a Ph.D. in Instructional Management and leadership from Robert Morris University, a Master of Business Administration from Seton Hill University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Edinboro University. Former to higher education, Tracey had an eclectic career path: she was an elementary teacher; founded, owned, and operated a private school/education center; owned a yoga studio and trained yoga instructors; and was an adjunct instructor for Penn State University and Seton Hill University. Her research, publications, and presentations have covered topics such as: the adult learner, data analysis, workplace relations, admissions, enrollment management, graduate admissions, career path planning, customer service, instructional technology, student onboarding, leadership, and andragogy.
Cameron is an accomplished executive with progressive experience defining and driving strategies to inform donor acquisition and retention. He excels in building better programs from the ground up by using data analytics to improve strategies, processes, and procedures. He is adept at cultivating partnerships and building lasting relationships across departments, ensuring the optimal conditions in which to empower staff, enhance outcomes, and support ongoing growth. Cameron currently serves at the University of South Carolina, overseeing Annual Giving Programs and Services, Digital Annual Giving Programs and Strategies, and Donor Experience. He provides senior-level leadership and strategy to the annual giving department and is defining and building the lead generation program in preparation for a system-wide capital campaign. He also serves as a senior leadership team member for the Division of Development. He previously served as Senior Director of Annual Giving at the Texas Tech University System, where he increased revenue from annual gifts by more than $1 million (USD), developed a digital marketing program, and developed an email marketing strategy that surpassed direct mail marketing in revenue by more than $120 thousand. He also led the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve annual giving, prospect research, and planned giving. Before […]
Krista Klein is a lifelong learner, educator, scholar, and mother dedicated to supporting other women-identified folks who are navigating major transitions in their personal and professional lives. Throughout her nearly 20 years of leadership experience, several anticipated and unanticipated changes led her to study, practice, and collaborate with others on how to put together the pieces of the complex mosaic of life. Krista’s leadership is centered in higher education and includes community engagement, student transitions, training and development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Most recently, she led a team focused on equitable college admissions and enrollment practices. Outside of traditional work experience, Krista frequently advocates for the needs of women professionals. She led one of the first professional presentations focused on returning to work after maternity leave within higher education. She recently completed her dissertation centered on undergraduate women’s leadership development during a major life transition.
Felicia Moore Mensah, PhD (@docmensah | she, her) is the Department Chair of Mathematics, Science, and Technology and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University (New York City). Her work addresses diversity, equity, and identity issues in science teacher education. Her most recent research utilizes critical race theory, racial literacy, and intersectionality to transform teacher education research and practice. Her focus on preparing future teacher educators and teacher educators of color for racial literacy combines years of teaching, mentoring, and outreach in PreK12 schools, postsecondary education, and teacher professional development. She was an Associate Dean at Teachers College. She worked closely with the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Community and Diversity, and the Provost Office in doing faculty development. She is currently the faculty advisor for the Black Student Network, past advisor to the Doctoral Research Collective on Race & Ethnicity, and the moderator/host of monthly CITED Conversations, which stands for Critical Conversations in Teacher Education and Development. This platform promotes scholars of Color doing innovative research across diverse fields in teacher education and professional development. Dr. Mensah is the recipient of the 2024 Mentor Award (ASTE); the 2017 Outstanding Science Teacher Educator of the Year (ASTE); the […]
Dr. Melanie Hulbert currently serves as the Sr. Executive Director of Academic Equity and Student Support at University of Alaska Anchorage. Prior to this she served as the VIce Provost for Student Success and Dean of the Honor’s College. Melanie has spent the past 20 years in higher ed as a professor of sociology and in several executive level administrative positions. She cares deeply about student success and believes that it is our role, as leaders, to create academic pathways that are equitable and tailored to each unique student’s aspirations. “Student success isn’t just a buzz word in higher education, it is a fundamental commitment to holistically meeting students where they are in their academic journey.”
Tiffany Williams joined ODU in 2019 as the Director of Donor Relations, tasked with advancing donor relations and stewardship efforts. With an extensive background spanning close to 18 years, she has excelled in crucial aspects of university advancement, overseeing Parents and Corporate Programs, managing portfolios, and conducting prospect research. Tiffany’s proficiency extends beyond traditional roles, reflecting her comprehensive understanding of the complexities of university advancement. Tiffany has played a pivotal role in managing endowment reporting and orchestrating impactful donor special events. This showcases her ability to create memorable experiences that foster meaningful connections. Beyond event management, Tiffany has demonstrated her strategic judgment by crafting policies and procedures that significantly contribute to the overall success of advancement initiatives. Her commitment goes beyond the professional realm, evident in her leadership roles in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Tiffany’s philanthropic dedication shines through her past presidency of the Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, where she played a crucial role in meaningful community initiatives. Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Public Administration from Norfolk State University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Public Administration at Old Dominion University.
