Speaker & Moderator Biographies
Rana Altenburg
Associate Vice President of Public Affairs, Marquette University (WI)
Rana Altenburg leads Marquette University’s government affairs and community engagement initiatives. She represents Marquette’s priorities at the federal, state, local and tribal levels. In the community, she serves as president of Near West Side Partners and as a member of the boards of directors of Business Improvement District No. 10, Seton Catholic Schools and the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Nationally, she serves on the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation Board of Directors and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU).
Altenburg joined Marquette in 1996 and has served as a member of the university’s leadership team since 1998. She previously served as a partner at a public affairs firm in Washington, D.C.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish from Marquette and an MBA from the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management (IL)
Connie Ledoux Book, Ph.D.
President, Elon University (NC) and Immediate Past Chair, NAICU Board of Directors
President of Elon University since 2018, Connie Book is a passionate advocate for higher education and its power to transform students’ lives. She spent 17 years as an Elon faculty member and administrative leader, helping to build the university’s reputation for excellence in engaged teaching and learning. In 2015, she accepted a groundbreaking role as the first female provost and chief academic officer at The Citadel (SC). She returned to Elon as the university’s ninth president in 2018, bringing a deep appreciation for the university’s unique history and its rapid rise to national prominence.
Under President Book’s leadership, Elon launched the 10-year Boldly Elon strategic plan to advance the university’s national leadership in experiential education, mentoring and student success. In addition, Book also spearheaded the successful $250 million Elon LEADS comprehensive campaign, which surpassed its goal by $10M and has funded more than 200 new endowed scholarships and increased resources for students, faculty and programs.
Book earned a doctorate from the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, a master’s degree in education administration and supervision from Northwestern State University (LA) and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Louisiana State University.
Book is board member of the North Carolina Independent College and Universities and the immediate past chair of the NAICU Board of Directors.
David A. Armstrong, J.D.
President, St. Thomas University (FL)
Since taking the helm in August 2018, David Armstrong has led St. Thomas University to record enrollment, historic highs in fundraising, and the development of over 400,000 square feet of new facilities. Under his leadership, STU is recognized as one of the nation’s fastest-growing faith-based schools of higher education. Fall 2019 through Fall 2024 saw the six largest incoming undergraduate classes in university history.
Prior to St. Thomas, Armstrong was president of Thomas More University, a Catholic liberal arts college belonging to the Diocese of Covington, KY. He also served as vice president and general counsel of Notre Dame College (OH), where he oversaw divisions of the college that set records in enrollment and fundraising. His background in higher education administration at Notre Dame College, Mercyhurst University (PA) and Thiel College (PA) includes a span of experience in development, student life, recruitment, higher education law and policy, and athletics.
Armstrong, a nationally recognized speaker on future trends of higher education law and Title IX, has dedicated his career to ensuring small, faith-based colleges and universities not only survive but thrive in the new landscape of higher education. His commitment to the transformative power of education has driven the colleges he has worked for to experience remarkable growth in enrollment, corporate partnerships, and collaboration.
Armstrong serves on the boards of The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida (ICUF), The Florida Chamber of Commerce, Students ACES, the Florida Council of 100, and the Florida Tax Watch. He serves on the Orange Bowl Committee, and is a member of the Beacon Council’s Board of Directors and its Academic Leaders Council.
Armstrong earned a Juris Doctor from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and a bachelor's degree in political science, with a minor in accounting, from Mercyhurst University.
He is a member of the NAICU Board of Directors.
Michael J. Beals, Ph.D.
President, Vanguard University of Southern California
Michael Beals began his service as the tenth president of Vanguard University—Orange County, California’s first four-year college—on August 1, 2013. As president, he has enacted a bold vision for Vanguard to become the leading source of Christian higher education in California. Vanguard has expanded its academic programs, increased graduation rates, raised record philanthropic support, transformed the residential campus, strengthened the endowment and net assets, and ascended in national rankings—all the while remaining committed to the university mission “to equip each student for a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service.”
A 1981 undergraduate alumnus of Vanguard, President Beals’s service to his alma mater includes over 30 years as professor, dean and president. Prior to his appointment as president, he served Vanguard as dean of spiritual formation and assistant professor of philosophical theology and christian ethics. He also served 31 years in local church ministry, including 23 years as senior pastor of Mission Hills Community Church in Rancho Santa Margarita (CA).
President Beals earned a Ph.D. in christian ethics from Fuller Theological Seminary (TX), where he also earned a master’s degree in biblical studies and theology. He also earned a master’s degree in church leadership studies and a bachelor's degree in religion/psychology from Vanguard University.
Active in service throughout Orange County and globally, President Beals serves on the board of directors for the Forum of Christian Business Leaders, Orange County Business Council, Gospel Relief Missions, and the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities. He also serves as a member of NAICU's Committee on Policy Analysis and Public Relations
Amaris Benavidez
Professional Staff Member, Committee on Education & Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives
Amaris Benavidez is a higher education professional staff member for the Committee on Education and Workforce under Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA-03). Previously, she was a post-graduate fellow with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and worked for The Education Trust-Massachusetts.
Benavidez is a first-generation college graduate and Pell Grant recipient, earning a B.S. in computer science from Columbia University (NY) and an M.A. in higher education from Boston College (MA).
Amy Bragg Carey, Ed.D.
President, Friends University (KS)
Amy Carey began her role as president of Friends University on July 1, 2015. She came to Friends from Minnesota, where she had served as the vice president of institutional advancement for the University of Northwestern.
Carey has been active in many organizations and served on the National Standards Committee for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability in Washington, D.C., the NAIA Financial Aid Task Force, and the Wichita Salvation Army advisory Board. She currently serves on the boards the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, Evangelical Friends International Mission, and KU Med 4-Wichita.
Carey earned an Ed.D from Azusa Pacific University (CA) in higher education leadership, a M.A. in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University (MN) and an undergraduate degree in communications from Bethel University (MN).
She is a member of the NAICU Board of Directors.
John E. Cech, Ph.D.
President, Carroll College
John Cech is the 18th president of Carroll College and has served in this role since 2018. During his tenure at Carroll College, he launched the college’s "Healthcare Professions Initiative," leading to the establishment of Carroll’s second graduate program in Social Work, an accelerated nursing program, a Healthcare Leadership Certificate, and the preliminary stages of a Physician Assistant program. In addition, his tenure is marked by the major renovation of the nursing facilities and the creation of the E. L. Wiegand Nursing Simulation Center.
Under Cech’s leadership, Carroll College saw the construction of the Anthrozoology Canine Center and the transformation of the library into the Corette Library and Simperman Learning Commons, establishing it as the academic hub of campus. He also implemented notable partnerships with the University of Oxford and the Keck Observatory in Hawaii.
Prior to Carroll College, Cech served 16 years in the Montana University System, notably as deputy commissioner for academic, research, and student affairs. His leadership was recognized nationally, especially for advancing student success and completion initiatives through Complete College America.
Cech’s earlier career spanned 15 years at Rocky Mountain College (CO), where he progressed from faculty instructor to dean of community services, continuing education and summer sessions.
He earned a doctorate in higher education leadership, a master’s in nonprofit management, and a bachelor’s in business administration and computer information systems.
Jenna Moore Colvin
President, Georgia Independent College Association (GICA)
Jenna Colvin is responsible for statewide representation with Congress, the governor, the Georgia General Assembly and the public K-12 and higher education sectors for Georgia's 24 Independent Colleges that are part of the voluntary association, GICA.
Before leading GICA, Jenna served as General Counsel for the University of North Georgia, a five-campus public institution with 20,000 students, where she oversaw governance, compliance, and legal affairs. She is a passionate advocate for higher education, focusing on access, innovation, and student success. Colvin previously served as a partner at FisherBroyles, where she created and led the firm’s higher education practice area and served as outside general counsel for the University of North Georgia, Young Harris College and GICA. Colvin began her legal career in Atlanta, as an attorney with Alston & Bird.
A native of Illinois, she earned a bachelor's degree in art and art history from the University of Miami (FL) and a juris doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law.
Adam Connolly
Senior Vice President, RNL
Adam Connolly is a seasoned higher education leader with over 20 years of experience in enrollment management. As senior vice president at RNL, he leads a team of experts who partner with institutions to develop and implement comprehensive solutions for enrollment growth and student success.
Prior to joining RNL, Connolly served as vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Coker University (SC). During his tenure, he led the enrollment team to achieve record enrollment numbers for several years.
His expertise lies in senior leadership and board development, strategic enrollment planning, building robust enrollment pipelines, optimizing financial aid strategies, and implementing best practices for comprehensive enrollment and student retention.
Connolly is a graduate of the University of Mount Saint Vincent (NY) and Drexel University (PA).
Joseph Corazzini
Vice President of Government and Community Affairs, Clark University
Joseph Corazzini has led local, state and federal engagement for three years as the vice president of government and community affairs at Clark University. He led the expansion of the nationally recognized University Park Partnership (UPP) Scholarship Zone with the addition of 40 plus streets making over 1,000 potential students eligible for free tuition at Clark.
Clark offers city residents who have lived in the University Park neighborhood for five years or more to qualify to attend the university tuition-free. Clark has awarded 165 scholarships — an investment of approximately $11.3 million in the UPP Scholarship program — since the fall of 2000. The award does not include room and board). Currently, ten UPP scholars are enrolled at Clark.
Corazzini earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Worcester State University (MA).
Barry H. Corey
President, Biola University (CA)
Since assuming the role of president in 2007, Barry Corey has led Biola University into its second century with the launch of an ambitious 10‐year university plan, completing the largest fundraising campaign in Biola’s history by exceeding its $180 million goal, creating four new academic schools and embarking on a major university transformation journey to position Biola to flourish for decades to come. He has done this while honoring the mission of the university and its unique contribution to the landscape of higher education.
A native of New England, Corey previously served as dean of the faculty and vice president for education at Gordon‐Conwell Theological Seminary as well as its vice president for development.
He earned a B.A. in English and biblical studies from Evangel University and an M.A. in American studies and Ph.D. in education from Boston College. As a Fulbright scholar, Corey lived in Bangladesh, where he researched educational programs for children of the landless poor. Corey is the author of the books Make the Most of It: A Guide to Loving Your College Years (Tyndale, 2020) and Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue (Tyndale, 2016), and his writing has been featured in publications like The Washington Post, The National Review, Relevant and Converge, among others.
He currently serves or has recently served on governing boards such as that of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the Museum of the Bible, Christianbook International Outreach and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. He is a member of the NAICU Board of Directors.
Jeffrey R. Docking, Ph.D.
President, Adrian College (MI)
Jeff Docking began transforming Adrian College from a struggling institution of less than 900 students to over 1,850 today on July 1, 2005. During this same period, he tripled the endowment to over $70 million and raised the academic profile of incoming students in nearly every important benchmark category. Under his leadership, Adrian College experienced a five-fold increase in applications and invested significant revenue in the local community including over $110 million in new on-campus construction, nearly 100 new jobs, increasing faculty positions from 63 to 83, and the purchasing power of over 650 additional first-year students each year.
This renaissance of Adrian College is the result of a unique business plan Docking implemented and then wrote about in his popular book, “Crisis in Higher Education: A Plan to Save Small Liberal Arts Colleges in America.” His most recent book, “The College of the Future: Lowering Costs for Students by Fixing the Business Model of Higher Education,” lays out a bold plan to help America’s colleges flourish by working together to start dozens of new high-demand majors.
Docking is a veteran speaker and leader in higher education, having served as Chair of the Division III Presidents Council of the NCAA, the NCAA Board of Governors, and a member of the five-person NCAA Executive Committee. He has chaired the American Council on Education Fellows Board, the Michigan Colleges Alliance, the Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities, and the NAICU Tax Committee. He has testified to the Education and Workforce Committee for the United States Congress.
Docking earned a Ph.D. in ethics from Boston University and wrote his dissertation on the life and thinking of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. He also earned a masters of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Seminary (IL) and a bachelor of arts degree from Michigan State University.
Tracy Y. Espy, Ph.D.
President, Mitchell College
Tracy Espy became the eighth president and first African American woman to lead Mitchell College (CT) on July 1, 2020. Her teaching and research expertise include systemic theory, ethnic identity and self-esteem, servant leadership, service-learning, and student engagement.
Previously, Espy served as provost and vice president of academic affairs at Pfeiffer University in North Carolina from 2008, overseeing all academic programs and divisions and working in various aspects of university administration such as enrollment management, strategic planning and fundraising. She also was vice president for servant leadership and oversaw the Francis Center for Servant Leadership, establishing more than 100 community partnerships, along with university-wide servant-leadership initiatives, earning the university a Community Engagement Classification from the Carnegie Foundation, as well as the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
She is currently engaged with the Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 1 Covid-19 Long-Term Recovery Task Force, and the Connecticut Higher Education Resilience Working Group on Workforce Development. She was also recently appointed to serve on the Council of Independent Colleges and Universities administered Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a nationwide network of colleges and universities formed to enrich intellectual and theological exploration of vocation among undergraduate students.
In April 2019, Espy received the national Zenobia L. Hikes Faculty Women of Color Award at Virginia Tech University. The award honored her accomplishment in improving faculty salaries and institutional diversity at Pfeiffer University.
Espy earned a Ph.D. in Child/Family-Marriage and Family Therapy from Syracuse University (NY), a master of science in Family Studies from Miami University (OH), and a bachelor's degree from Berea College (KY).
Jody Feder, J.D.
Director of Accountability and Regulatory Affairs, NAICU
Jody Feder represents NAICU on issues including: accreditation, state authorization, Title IX, and educational privacy with Congress and the Administration. She joined the NAICU staff in March 2017 after more than 14 years as a legislative attorney with the Congressional Research Service. At CRS, she provided nonpartisan advice and analysis to Members of Congress on civil rights and education law. Prior to attending law school, she wrote about federal education issues as an editor for Thompson Publishing Group. Feder earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Brown University (RI) and a law degree from Yale University (CT).
Katherine Rowe Fell, Ph.D.
President, University of Findlay (OH)
Katherine Fell has served as president of the University of Findlay since 2010. She is known for her deep commitment to student success, respect for the university’s culture of shared governance, and passion for supporting the community.
Under her leadership, the university has added 11 new bachelor’s degrees, six master’s degrees, and three doctoral degrees, as well as a number of minors and certificates to meet workforce demands.
Fell earned a bachelor of science in education in English, with a minor in speech, from Southern Arkansas University and a master of arts in English from Louisiana Technical University. She completed a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University.
She is a member of the Executive Committee for the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Ohio and was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the Ohio Humanities Board. Locally, Fell is on the board for the Center for Civic Engagement and Raise the Bar. She is a founding board member of the Center to Advance Manufacturing, and has served as past chair and founding board member of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.
Chief Executive Officer, Fiorini & Associates
Eugene Fiorini has over 25 years’ experience developing and administering a broad range of grants at the intersection of research and education. He is the Muhlenberg College Truman Koehler Professor Emeritus of Mathematics and a former Associate Director for the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science (DIMACS) at Rutgers University (NJ). Fiorini has been principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or senior personnel on over 30 grants from various governmental agencies, professional organizations, and private foundations, and has sat on proposal review panels for federal agencies and professional organizations. Previously, he served as associate director for DIMACS-Rutgers University (NJ), and associate dean and interim dean at Shippensburg University (PA).
Sarah A. Flanagan
Vice President for Government Relations and Policy Development, NAICU
Sarah Flanagan leads the NAICU government relations team. As vice president, she directs a comprehensive government relations effort, in coordination with related state associations, that focuses on issues of government regulation, student financial assistance, and tax policy. Before joining NAICU, she was the professional staff member for higher education on the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Education, Arts and Humanities under Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI), and staff director for the Senate Subcommittee on Children, Families, Drugs and Alcoholism under Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Flanagan earned a B.A. degree from Providence College (RI) and a M.A.T. degree from Rhode Island College. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Beacon College (FL) and is a Trustee Emerita at Providence College (RI) and Mary Baldwin University (VA).
Jan Friis, J.D.
Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Council for Higher Education Accreditation
Jan Friis joined CHEA in May 2006 from Final Analysis Communication Services, Inc., where he was vice president of administration and director of government relations.
He previously served as chief of staff for two former Members of Congress, Rep. Jon Fox (R-PA) and Rep. Michael Forbes (NY), and as district administrator for a third Member, Rep. Richard Schulze (R-PA). He has also been in private law practice.
Friis is graduate of Brigham Young University (UT) and Widener University School of Law (PA)
Richard Garrett
Eduventures Chief Research Officer at Encoura
Richard Garrett has almost 30 years of experience in higher education, specializing in online learning, nontraditional students, innovative program and institutional models, market research, and internationalization.
Garrett has also worked at the Observatory on Borderless Higher Education, i-graduate, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, University of Surrey (UK), and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (UK). He is co-founder and co-director of the CHLOE (Changing Landscape of Online Education) project with Quality Matters and EDUCAUSE.
Stephanie T. Giesecke
Assistant Vice President for Government Relations, NAICU
Stephanie Giesecke represents NAICU with Congress, the administration, and the higher education community on budget and appropriations issues. Previously, she was a legislative assistant for Rep. Bill Alexander (D-AR), and a legislative assistant for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). She is an active member of the Committee for Education Funding and served as its president in 2006 and 2019. Giesecke is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis (MO) and The George Washington University (DC).
Rick Grafmeyer
Partner, Capitol Tax Partners
Rick Grafmeyer, who joined Capitol Tax Partners in 2003, specializes in exempt organization, executive compensation, employee benefit, and health-related issues for the firm. He also handles tax administration, tax compliance, and aviation tax issues for clients.
Most recently, he was part of a small group of former and current senior Congressional staff who were responsible for official proceedings activities and floor access for speakers and members of Congress at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
Grafmeyer formerly served as the deputy chief of staff for the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) from 1998 through 2000. He was responsible for legislation, technical studies, and published recommendations, including a study of corporate tax shelters, a comprehensive study of the penalty and interest system, and two studies on disclosures impacting tax-exempt organizations. He also was one of the leaders for the last major tax simplification study, a JCT three-volume tax simplification set of proposals covering all areas of the tax code. After serving at JCT, Grafmeyer handled tax and business issues for the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain.
Grafmeyer earned an LLM in taxation from Georgetown University Law Center (DC), a Juris Doctor from University of Akron School of Law (OH), and bachelor's degree in accounting from Walsh College (Ohio).
Jonathan D. Green, D.M.A.
President, Susquehanna University (PA)
Jonathan Green has been president of Susquehanna University since 2017. Previously, he was provost and dean of the faculty at Illinois Wesleyan University where he was named the first recipient of the Outstanding Advisor Award, and dean of the college and vice president for academic affairs at Sweet Briar College (VA) where he received the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Green also is chair of the board of the Annapolis Group, chair emeritus of the board of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, board member of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, and a member of the NAICU Board of Directors while serving on the Tax Policy Committee.
He earned a bachelor's in music and received an Outstanding Alumnus Award from SUNY Fredonia. He also earned a master's in music degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he was an Ornest Fellow, and a D.M.A. in conducting from UNC-Greensboro where he was a University Excellence Fellow and was recently named a Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Fine Arts.
Marjorie Hass, Ph.D.
President, Council of Independent Colleges
Marjorie Hass is a philosopher, leader, award-winning teacher, mentor, author, and an influential thinker in independent higher education. She has led the Council of Independent Colleges since 2021. and guides the organization's programming to ensure it engages a diverse membership; supports member financial health and innovation; and strengthens CIC's role as a champion of independent higher education.
Before joining CIC, Hass served as president of Rhodes College (TN) and of Austin College (TX). She also served at Muhlenberg College (PA) as a member of the philosophy faculty and as provost.
A philosopher by training, Hass has published widely on the philosophy of language, logic, and feminist philosophy and speaks frequently on leadership, shared governance, and the independent sector in higher education. She is the author of A Leadership Guide for Women in Higher Education (Johns Hopkins Press, 2021).
Hass earned bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in philosophy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a former NAICU board chair and currently is a trustee at Brandeis University (MA).
Jon Hazelgren
Vice President of Partnership, CampusWorks
Jon Hazelgren joined CampusWorks with more than 25 years of experience in higher education. He posses a expertise in ERP, SIS, and CRM systems, along with technology strategy and operational excellence. Passionate about student success, Hazelgren is committed to solving higher education’s most complex challenges, helping institutions achieve their goals and fulfill their mission.
Prior to CampusWorks, he consulted on technology and business process optimization for Salesforce CRM and Xerox Education Services. He also held administrative roles in student services at Salt Lake Community College (UT) and San Juan College (NM).
Hazelgren earned an MBA with an emphasis in information resource systems from Westminster College (PA) and a BA in Communications from Brigham Young University (UT).
Robyn Hiestand
Vice President, Bose Public Affairs Group
Robin Hiestand uses her deep knowledge of federal policy and vast experience with the legislative process to advise Bose Public Affairs Group clients in a variety of industries. She helps clients navigate the complexities of Washington, D.C., multiple committees and federal agencies. Last year, she was able to secure over $300 million in programmatic funding for various client projects.
Prior to joining Bose Public Affairs Group, Hiestand spent 20 years working in government and non-profit organizations. In the U.S. Senate, she wrote Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) college affordability platform—the College for All Act—and took a lead role in drafting and developing the 2013 Bipartisan Budget Act (Murray-Ryan) for Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA). In addition, she worked on the education titles of two reconciliation bills in 2010 and 2007. In the U.S. House of Representatives, she held roles as deputy chief of staff and senior legislative analyst on appropriations. As a principal of her own consulting company, she worked with the Gates Foundation and the Bipartisan Policy Center on issues related to higher education policy and finance.
Hiestand is a graduate of Augsburg College (MN) with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science. She earned a master’s degree in public policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science, where she wrote her dissertation on the congressional dynamics of earmarks.
Mary Dana Hinton, Ph.D.,
President, Hollins University (VA)
Mary Dana Hinton became the thirteenth president of Hollins University in August 2020. An active and respected proponent of the liberal arts and inclusion, her leadership reflects a deep and abiding commitment to educational equity and the education of women. Previously, she served six years as president of the College of Saint Benedict (MN). During her tenure, the college completed a $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign and implemented a $43 million campus facilities update.
Hinton’s scholarship focuses on higher education leadership, strategic planning, the role of education in peace building, African American religious history, and inclusion in higher education. She is the author of The Commercial Church: Black Churches and the New Religious Marketplace in America and a frequent op-ed contributor across higher education publications.
In 2021, Hinton was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, an organization established more than 240 years ago by the nation’s founders to honor exceptionally accomplished individuals and engage them in advancing the public good.
Hinton earned a Ph.D. in religion and religious education with high honors from Fordham University (NY), an M.A. in clinical child psychology from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and a B.A. in psychology from Williams College (MA). She is the 2023-24 vice chair of the NAICU board of directors.
Jack Jarmon, Ph.D.
Chief Financial Officer, Fiorini and Associates.
Jack Jarmon’s career spans over 40 years of progressive corporate experience, academic research, international business and policy development. He has taught international relations courses at the University of Pennsylvania, the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University (NJ), and Rutgers University (NJ) where he was also associate director of the Command, Control and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis – a Center of Excellence of the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Division. Grant awards where he has been either a PI or associated director run the dollar range between $650 million to $25,000. Corporate and government experience includes Arthur Andersen, Nortel Networks, and USAID.
Karin L. Johns
Director of Tax Policy, NAICU
As director of tax policy, Karin Johns is responsible for developing NAICU's legislative strategies and representing the association on tax policy issues and nonprofit governance. She also serves as liaison to the NAICU Secretariat, co-chairs the Section 127 Coalition, handles issues affecting international students, immigration, and several Department of Labor issues like the overtime rule. Previously, she was legislative director for Rep. Phil English (R-PA), and a legislative assistant for Rep. Fred Grandy (R-IA). Johns graduated from Westminster College (PA) and attended the Fund for American Studies Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University (DC).
Dottie L. King, Ph.D.
President & CEO, Independent Colleges of Indiana
Dottie King directs, encourages, and sustains a range of services to ICI’s 29 member institutions – Indiana’s private colleges and universities. She also advocates on behalf of Indiana’s students at the Indiana State House as well as in Washington, DC and works to strengthen relationships with people and organizations who can assist the ICI institutions.
Prior to taking the leadership of ICI, King served 13 years as president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (IN). Her career at Saint Mary of the Woods began in 2002 as an assistant professor of mathematics. Then she became an associate professor of mathematics, chair of the sciences and mathematics department, assistant dean for undergraduate and international programs, vice president for academic affairs and interim president. She was awarded the College’s highest teaching honors, the Sister Mary Joseph Pomeroy Award for Faculty Excellence for teaching and another for service.
She earned a doctorate in curriculum, instruction and education leadership from Indiana State University.
Robert L. Manuel, Ph.D.
President, DePaul University (IL)
Rob Manuel became president at DePaul University on August 1, 2022. Since joining the university, he has engaged faculty, staff, students, and alumni in developing and implementing Designing DePaul - the framework to becoming a national model for quality higher education. Current initiatives include advancing interdisciplinary research to address the most pressing challenges facing society and launching new retention strategies to eliminate the achievement gap for all students.
Prior to DePaul, he served as president at the University of Indianapolis for 10 years. Manuel also served as dean and associate provost at Georgetown University (DC) and has held several senior-level administrative positions at New York University.
He earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Allegheny College (PA), a master's degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University (NY), and a doctorate in higher education administration from New York University.
Manuel is a member of the Cristo Rey Network Board of Directors, EAB President’s Advisory Board and the Institute of International Education. He also serves as the vice chair of the NAICU Board of Directors.
Stephanie Marken
Senior Partner, Gallup
Stephanie Marken leads Gallup's U.S. custom research division, which includes research programs it performs on behalf of foundations, agencies, corporations and higher education institutions. She is responsible for the strategic direction of Gallup’s research in education, workforce development, climate, technology and the social sciences, which includes complex, multimode qualitative and quantitative research projects.
Marken previously served as chief methodologist for Gallup. She was responsible for the sample design, data collection approach and methodology for Gallup's public release studies in education and workforce development areas.
Before joining Gallup, Marken was a researcher in the education division at Westat, a research firm specializing in complex social science studies for the federal government, state agencies and foundations. While at Westat, she worked on large-scale, complex, multimode education studies for the U.S. Department of Education, including the National Household Education Survey, Postsecondary Education Quick Information System, Fast Response Survey System, Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, and other quantitative and qualitative research projects for education foundations and organizations.
Marken earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Elon University (NC) and a master's degree in survey research from the University of Connecticut.
Politics Bureau Chief and Senior Political Columnist, POLITICO
Jonathan Martin is a distinguished political journalist renowned for his incisive coverage that spans from the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., to the campaign trails across America. As POLITICO's bureau chief and senior political columnist, he is celebrated for delivering the inside scoop on White House dynamics, Capitol Hill maneuvering, and national elections. Martin's reporting is underpinned by deep-rooted connections to key political figures and insiders on both sides of the aisle, offering unparalleled insights into American politics at the highest levels.
Martin embodies a commitment to factual reporting and a comprehensive understanding of political trends shaping business and society. With a career spanning pivotal roles at The New York Times and National Journal, he brings a wealth of experience and firsthand anecdotes to his analysis. Co-author of the bestseller This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future, Martin is recognized for his ability to demystify complex political landscapes and provide clarity on emerging issues.
A seasoned CNN analyst and contributor to leading publications such as The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, Martin's work is distinguished by its depth and integrity. He continues to be a driving force in political journalism, exploring the evolving dynamics of governance and policy with unmatched expertise and enthusiasm.
John N. McKeegan, J.D.
President, Mount Aloysius College (PA)
John McKeegan became Mount Aloysius College’s 15th president on June 1, 2020. During his tenure, Mount Aloysius has achieved its largest incoming class since 2016; launched a $10 million residence hall upgrade; initiated the “Future Heroes” program to address the region’s need for more nurses; and adopted an innovative 5-year strategic plan, “Growing Greater.”
Before his service at Mount Aloysius College, John McKeegan was vice president for institutional advancement and general counsel at Linfield University (OR) and held leadership positions there since 2010.
At Linfield, he coordinated fundraising activities, handled communications to internal and external constituencies, and led alumni, parent and community engagement. McKeegan joined Linfield in 2010 as advisor to the president and general counsel and was named a vice president in 2013. Prior to that he practiced law in Oregon and Arizona.
McKeegan earned a bachelor of arts degree in English from Bucknell University (PA), and a juris doctor from the University of Notre Dame (IN). He attended the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Institute for Educational Management and has presented at the Council on Independent College's Chief Academic Officer Institute.
Dianne Miller
Senior Director of Federal Relations, Cornell University (NY)
Dianne Miller serves as Cornell's principal advocate before Congress and the executive branch agencies. Prior to joining Cornell in 2005, she was legislative director and counsel to Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY). She began her career as an attorney with the Securities & Exchange Commission.
Miller is an honors graduate of Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan Law School.
Barbara K. Mistick, D.B.A.
President, NAICU
Barbara Mistick has led NAICU since September 2019. Coming out of the pandemic, she helped organize the higher education community and spearheaded efforts to double the Pell Grant maximum award to $13,000. The effort secured a down payment increase of $400 in the FY2022 federal budget and $500 in the FY2023 federal budget, the largest increases in the Pell Grant maximum award since 2009. NAICU advocacy efforts also helped secure substantial increases in each of the core student and institutional aid programs in the 2023 omnibus spending package.
Mistick expanded NAICU’s mission to secure institutional aid, along with student aid, to ensure private, nonprofit colleges and universities were equitably treated when Congress distributed $77 billion in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds in each of the three stimulus rounds. She has enhanced NAICU’s communication efforts and virtual tools to keep members informed of federal efforts and opportunities for assistance. These efforts were critical to ensuring the health and safety for our nation’s campuses and the communities they serve.
During the course of her 30-year career in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Mistick has been an entrepreneur, educator and leader at institutions such as Wilson College (PA), the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the H.J. Heinz School of Public Policy and Management at Carnegie Mellon University (PA), the National Education Center for Women in Business at Seton Hill University (PA), and at various businesses she managed and/or founded. She is a graduate of Carlow University (PA) and the University of Pittsburgh (PA), and earned a doctor of management from Case Western Reserve University (OH).
Justin Monk
Director of Student and Institutional Aid Policy, NAICU
Monk is NAICU’s lead policy expert on Title IV federal student assistance programs and the institutional aid programs found in Titles III and V of the Higher Education Act (HEA). He also is responsible for developing association policy positions on student and institutional aid, in conjunction with the association’s member college, university, and association presidents. Previously, Monk was the director of government affairs for the KIPP Foundation, where he was the key advocate advancing the foundation’s policy, legislative and regulatory priorities. Prior to KIPP, he served as Student Veterans of America’s director of policy, during which time he led efforts to increase protections for and improve outcomes of student veterans in higher education. Monk earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from Wake Forest University (NC) and a bachelor of science in business administration in economics from Appalachian State University (NC).
Frederick V. Moore, J.D.,
President Emeritus, Buena Vista University, and Executive Advisor, CampusWorks
Fred Moore served as president of Buena Vista University for twenty-two years and was named president emeritus in 2017. He is currently a search consultant with AGB Search.
Prior to his service at BVU, Fred was vice president for development and general counsel at North Carolina Wesleyan College. He has served on the boards of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.
Moore earned a juris doctor with honors, an MBA, and a bachelor's degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Milton C. Moreland, Ph.D.
President, Centre College (KY)
A renowned scholar of archaeology, ancient history, and religion, Milton Moreland was appointed as the 21st -president of Centre College in 2020. While he safely and successfully led Centre through the COVID pandemic, he also launched a strategic planning initiative which culminated in Centre’s Strategic Plan 2022-25, expanding the College’s investments in career readiness, experiential learning and community engagement, and campus well-being. Moreland has committed to increasing access and opportunity for students at Centre and galvanized efforts to recruit and retain faculty and staff, raising more than $165 million for financial aid, faculty and staff salaries, and campus infrastructure in his first three years.
Prior to joining the Centre community, Moreland served for six years as the provost and chief academic officer at Rhodes College (TN). He first joined the Rhodes campus community in 2003 and was promoted to associate and full professor, serving as the R.A. Webb Professor of Religious Studies, and Chair of the Archaeology Program.
His scholarly work appears in leading journals and focuses on Roman archaeology and religious traditions in the Mediterranean region. Moreland has also edited several books, including Between Text and Artifact: Integrating Archaeology into Biblical Studies Teaching.
A native of Boise, Idaho, Moreland earned an undergraduate degree in history with honors from the University of Memphis, where his mentor, Dr. Marcus Orr, introduced him to the joy of studying ancient texts, languages, and artifacts. Moreland wrote his honors thesis on the Nag Hammadi Library, a set of early Christian texts discovered in Egypt in 1945. He continued his study of archaeology, ancient history, and religion at the Claremont Graduate University in California, where he earned a master's and doctorate degrees.
Barbara Morris
President, Prescott College (AZ)
Prescott College’s 18th president, Barbara Morris came to the college after serving as the associate vice provost and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the State University of New York (SUNY) System. Morris led education reform across the SUNY campuses as well as efforts to expand Indigenous learning and support systems. Morris served as co-chair for the Native American Council which includes the Indigenous Learning Center.
Prior to her work at the SUNY System, Morris served as president of SUNY Oneonta. One-third of SUNY Oneonta’s students are first generation and come from under-represented backgrounds. While at Oneonta, Morris launched a $25 million comprehensive campaign, secured funding for a general education pathway for students, and received the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Excellence and Innovation Award for Sustainability and Sustainable Development.
With a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State and a advanced degrees from the University of California Santa Barbara, Morris has taught courses on American foreign policy, gender, power, and public policy, and political activism. Her work includes co-authoring Recreating the Circle: The Renewal of American Indian Self-Determination, with LaDonna Harris and Stephen M. Sachs. Additionally, Morris served as the co-president of the Race and Ethnicity, and Politics Section of the American Political Science Association.
Alex Nock
Principal, Penn Hill Group
Alex Nock has more than 25 years of experience in federal education, disability, labor and health policy, and has been a part of every major piece of federal education and disability policy legislation. At the Penn Hills Group, he helps clients identify and secure their policy goals with Congress, the Administration, and congressional and presidential campaigns. He also helps clients better communicate their policy goals and objectives to policymakers and the public.
Prior to joining Penn Hill Group, Nock served as the Democratic deputy staff director for the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor. From 2007–10, he oversaw all aspects of the committee’s work on elementary and secondary education, higher education, disability policy, early childhood education, health care, retirement security, workplace safety, mine safety, workforce training and national service.
Nock led numerous reauthorizations while working on Capitol Hill, including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Workforce Investment Act, the Higher Education Act, the Head Start Act, and Federal child nutrition laws. He also played key roles in advancing and securing passage of the two major higher education budget reconciliation bills in 2008 and 2010, as well as the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
He also served as the director of the Commission on No Child Left Behind, a bipartisan, independent effort to improve the No Child Left Behind Act. Prior to the commission, Nock developed education and social policy on Capitol Hill. He held several staff positions, including U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Rep. Matthew G. Martinez (D-CA), the Human Resources Subcommittee, the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, and Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD).
Nock earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Maryland.
Scott D. Nostaja
Senior Vice President and National Organizational Effectiveness Practice Leader, New York, Segal
Scott Nostaja has more than 20 years of experience with specialized expertise in organizational effectiveness and in creating high-performing organizations. Nostaja leads Segal’s Organizational Effectiveness Practice and provides a wide range of services to clients including strategic planning and initiatives involving organizational, operational and cultural transformation.
He has led large scale institutional assessments, transformations and comprehensive strategic planning efforts at several leading institutions of higher education including Virginia Tech, University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, Bucknell University (PA), NC State University, Texas Christian University, University of Alabama, the University of California system, University of Denver, California State University System, the University of Louisville, and many others.
Prior to joining Segal, Nostaja served as the president and CEO of Excelcor, a leading higher education consulting firm. Segal acquired Excelcor in 2014. In prior roles, he served as the chief operations officer at the University at Buffalo and served as the senior vice president of human resources and administration for Universal Studios, where he guided the company’s global workforce across all operating divisions, including motion pictures, television, theme parks and music. He held similar position with CBS Television and SONY Pictures. He also led the West Coast Change Management at Accenture.
Nostaja earned a BS degree from the California State University - Northridge. He has served on numerous boards and commissions including the State of California Workers Compensation Task Force, the State of California Tourism and Marketing Commission, and the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
Elizabeth Paul, Ph.D.
President, Nazareth University (NY)
Elizabeth Paul has served as president of Nazareth University (NY) since 2020. Paul’s strategic acumen has enabled her to successfully lead Nazareth through the COVID-19 pandemic, a transition from a college to university, and its centennial celebration. She continues expertly navigating Nazareth through turbulent waters in both society and the higher education industry.
Previously she served as president of Capital University (OH), and senior academic officer at Stetson University (FL) and as vice provost and professor of psychology at The College of New Jersey.
Paul earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and a doctorate in personality psychology, both from Boston University. She did a pre-doctoral training fellowship with the National Institute of Mental Health, and earned a certificate in higher education administration from Harvard Institute for Educational Management.
She is a member of the NAICU Board of Directors.
Chance Russell
Economist and Policy Advisor, Committee on Education & Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives
Chance Russell manages the higher education portfolio for the House Committee on Education & Workforce. Russell has worked for the Education Committee since 2019, and previously served as a legislative assistant under the policy team. Prior to joining the committee, he served in the office of former Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN) and for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs when Rep. Roe served as chairman.
He earned a B.A. in economics and public policy from the University of Mississippi, and master’s degree in economics from American University (DC).
Leslie C. Ryser, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement, University of the Cumberlands (KY)
With more than 25 years of experience in marketing and brand management, Leslie Ryser leads public relations, development, alumni, and external affairs for University of the Cumberlands. She is a member of the university’s executive leadership team and also serves as the liaison for the Board of Trustees.
Prior to Cumberlands, Ryser worked on Capitol Hill, serving as the deputy press secretary for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and as communications director for Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (R-KY). In those roles, Ryser provided public relations services and promoted a wide variety of legislative initiatives while working closely with Kentucky and national media organizations.
Ryerson earned a bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University and master's and doctorate degrees from University of the Cumberlands.
James W. Smith, Ph.D.
Senior Consultant, Gonser Gerber
James Smith has more than 20 years of advancement and nonprofit leadership experience in a variety of senior leadership roles. At Gonser Gerber, he provides advancement and leadership consulting services to faith-based ministries, higher education, K-12 independent schools, healthcare systems, foundations, arts, social service, and other non-profit organizations. His areas of expertise include expanding philanthropic capacity through annual, capital, major and planned gift programs; campaign planning and execution; strategic planning and visioning; advancement team building; public relations; integrated marketing; executive search; and other aspects of institutional advancement.
Prior to joining the firm, Smith served at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio for 16 years in positions of increasing responsibility in areas ranging from recruitment and financial aid to marketing and advancement. His entire higher education career was focused on the two revenue-generating areas on campus: Enrollment/Marketing and Advancement.
He earned a doctorate in higher education administration at Azusa Pacific University focusing on highly regarded, higher education, senior leadership teams.
André Stephens, Ph.D.
President, Fresno Pacific University (CA)
André Stephens has served as president of Fresno Pacific University (CA) since July 2022, bringing over 30 years of experience in higher education. Under his leadership, FPU has advanced policies and programs that prioritize student success and integrate faith with learning. Stephens is committed to fostering academic excellence, spiritual growth, and holistic development for all students.
Previously, he served as vice president for student development at Biola University (CA), where he led a team that provided authentic, meaningful learning experiences to foster the Christian character of students through areas such as spiritual development and chapel programs, athletics, new student orientation and community life, comprising the offices of Housing and Residence Life, Student Care, Global Student Programs and Development, Commuter Life, Campus Engagement, the Student Health Center, the Learning Center and Student Government.
Stephens completed a bachelor's degree in communication with a public relations emphasis from Biola, a master's in speech communication with an emphasis in intercultural/interpersonal communication from California State University at Fullerton, and a Ph.D. in education with an emphasis in higher education administration/student affairs from Claremont Graduate University (CA).
Larry Stimpert, Ph.D.
President, Hampden-Sydney College (VA)
Larry Stimpert has served as the 25th president of Hampden-Sydney College since 2016. Reflecting his deep commitment to the liberal arts and the college’s distinctive mission, “to form good men and good citizens,” his presidency is focused on providing students with an extraordinary educational experience and outcomes. Under his leadership, the college has implemented curricular and co-curricular enhancements, including an experiential learning initiative, a four-year leadership program, and new programs in entrepreneurship and outdoor education. The college also has set fundraising records in each of the last five years and it has pursued a vigorous building and renovation agenda.
Previously, Stimpert served as vice president for academic affairs and professor of economics and management at DePauw University (IN) and for 17 years as a professor in the Economics and Business Department at Colorado College.
While serving as Hampden-Sydney’s president, Stimpert has chaired the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) and the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC), and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Stimpert earned a B.A. in economics from Illinois Wesleyan University, an M.B.A. from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.
He is currently a member of the NAICU Board of Directors.
Sen. John Thune (R-SD)
Majority Leader, U.S. Senate
John Thune grew up in Murdo, SD. His interest in politics was sparked at a young age after making five of six free throws during a freshman high school basketball game. He was later greeted by a spectator who said, “I noticed you missed one.” That spectator happened to be a well-known sports enthusiast and then-South Dakota U.S. Rep. Jim Abdnor. The introduction was the start of a friendship that ignited Thune's career in public service.
In the 119th Congress, Thune serves as the Senate Majority Leader and also serves on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee; the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee; and the Finance Committee. He previously served as the Senate Republican Whip from 2019 to 2024, chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee from 2009 to 2011, and chairman of the Senate Republican Conference from 2012 to 2018.
Thune's attraction to public service took him to Washington, D.C., to work then-U.S. Sen. Jim Abdnor and later served at the Small Business Administration under an appointment from President Ronald Reagan.
In 1989, Thune returned to South Dakota, where he served as the executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party. In 1991, then-Gov. George S. Mickelson appointed him to be state railroad director, a position he held until 1993, when he became executive director of the South Dakota Municipal League.
In 1996, with a shoestring budget and the support of family and friends, Thune won his first term as South Dakota’s lone member of the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected to a second term by the largest margin in South Dakota history and returned again to Washington in 2001 to serve his third term in the House.
Thune then honored his 1996 campaign pledge to serve only three terms in the House. After a narrow loss in a U.S. Senate race in 2002, he won his current Senate seat in 2004, when he made history by defeating a sitting Senate party leader for the first time in 52 years. He is currently serving his fourth term in the Senate.
Thune earned an undergraduate degree at Biola University (CA) and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Dakota.
Suzanne Stokes Vieth
Director of State Relations and Outreach, NAICU
Suzanne Stokes Vieth is responsible for cultivating and managing the association’s network of state executives, tracking emerging higher education issues at the state level, and serving as primary liaison with the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus. She joined NAICU from the Population Association of America/ Association of Population Centers where she served as deputy director for government affairs. Previously, she served as the manager of congressional relations for the Association of Public Television Stations and began her career as a legislative assistant in the office of former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT). Vieth is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI)
Chair, House Committee on Education & the Workforce
Tim Walberg is currently serving his ninth term in Congress as the representative of southern Michigan, making him dean of the Michigan congressional delegation. He serves as chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee. He also serves on the House Natural Resources Committee.
The diverse constituency of Michigan’s 5th District encompasses Branch, Cass, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, and St. Joseph Counties, along with portions of Berrien, Calhoun, and Kalamazoo Counties. Since first taking office, Rep. Walberg has hosted hundreds of coffee and town hall meetings to better understand the thoughts and concerns of the district.
Prior to his time in public office, Rep. Walberg served as a pastor in Michigan and Indiana, as president of the Warren Reuther Center for Education and Community Impact, and as a division manager for Moody Bible Institute. He also served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1999, and is proud to bring his reputation as a principled legislator, fiscal reformer, and defender of traditional values to Washington.
Based on his record of legislative accomplishment, Rep. Walberg holds the designation as Michigan's most conservative Member of Congress, based on the American Conservative Union's lifetime score. He was also ranked by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a non-partisan collaboration between Vanderbilt University and University of Virginia, as the most effective member of Michigan's congressional delegation in the 115th Congress. In the following session of Congress, the Center for Effective Lawmaking once again recognized Tim for his policymaking success, naming him the top Republican legislator on technology issues.