WASHINGTON, February 22, 2021 – UPCEA, the Washington, D.C.-based association for college and university leaders in professional, continuing, and online education, is pleased to announce the election of two new officers and seven new directors to serve on the UPCEA Board of Directors. Elected earlier in February, these individuals will assume their roles at the conclusion of the virtual 2021 UPCEA Annual Conference on April 9, 2021.  

“On behalf of the Governance and Nominations Committee and the entire association, I am so pleased to welcome these exemplary individuals to their leadership roles,” said Nancy Coleman, Dean of the Division of Continuing Education and University Extension at Harvard University; 2020-2021 UPCEA President-Elect, and Chair, UPCEA Governance and Nominations Committee. “It is strong and qualified leaders like our new officers and directors that are enabling both our association and our field to thrive, and I’m looking forward to the impact they will have on the association.”

“The success of our association—and indeed our field—rests with leaders like these incoming Board members,” said Bob Hansen, UPCEA CEO. “It will be a pleasure to work with these professionals from across the field during their terms.”

UPCEA welcomes two officers and seven Directors At-Large to the 2021-2022 Board of Directors:

		Lisa L. Templeton, Associate Provost, Division of Ecampus at Oregon State University, will serve as President-Elect for a one-year term (2021-2022). At OSU, she provides strategic leadership for units that provide adult learners in Oregon and around the world with access to an OSU high-quality education. Ecampus encompasses OSU Online Education, OSU Ecampus Open Educational Resources Unit, and the OSU Ecampus Research Unit. Under Templeton’s leadership, Ecampus has built a reputation as one of the nation’s best providers of online education, delivering more than 1,500 courses and over 80 degree programs to distance learners in 50 states and more than 50 countries.
		Karen Bull, Dean, Division of Online Learning at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, will serve as Regional Cabinet Chair for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Bull previously served as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Syracuse University. Dr. Bull’s previous administrative appointments include Interim Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Online Programs and Manager of Online Programs and Services at Syracuse University. Dr. Bull also served as Director of Program Evaluation and Assistant Director of Distance Learning at Onondaga Community College.
		Mark Bernhard, Vice Provost for Continuing Education at North Carolina State University, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Bernhard oversees a $44 million operation that includes over 100 full-time employees as well as many part-time and temporary employees. He recently served as the co-chair of NC State’s University Strategic Plan Taskforce on Reenvisioning Lifelong Education and Credentialing. Dr. Bernhard previously served as Associate Provost for Outreach and Engagement at the University of Southern Indiana, as Director of Continuing and Professional Education at Virginia Tech, and as a Senior Conference Planner and Conference Planner at Penn State. He holds a Ph.D. in Workforce Education and Development from Penn State, and has co-edited a book on succession planning in the public sector. Dr. Bernhard is committed to excellence and innovation, and making a positive difference in the world.
		John Caron, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Excelsior College, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Caron is a seasoned senior leader and educator with expertise in developing strategic plans, inspiring people around a vision, launching new programs into the market quickly, and managing diverse teams. Dr. Caron has provided leadership for diverse portfolios of programs at nationally recognized institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University and Brown University. Colleagues describe Dr. Caron as a collaborator and connector. Dr. Caron is passionate about mentoring new professionals and passing on lessons learned.
		Roxanne Gonzales, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs & Tenured Professor at New Mexico Highlands University, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Gonzales’ previous roles include Executive Dean at Clarion University; Academic Dean, College for Professional Studies at Regis University; Dean, Distance Learning at Park University; Director of Education and Training at Hanscom AFB; and Guidance Counselor/Assistant Education Services Officer at Bitburg AB in Germany. Dr. Gonzales is a tenured Professor of Adult Education. Dr. Gonzales is published and presents nationally on adult learning, military/veteran education environments, online learning environments, assessment of learning, and alternative programming for first generation learners. Dr. Gonzales holds a doctorate from the University of Massachusetts – Boston in Higher Education Administration.
		Michael Huffman, Founding Director, Office of Continuing and Professional Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Huffman is a high-performing university administrator with expertise in assembling effective teams, P&L management, budgeting, business development, strategic planning, new market development, digital marketing strategies, delivery of noncredit and credit-based courses and programs, digital badging, and student recruitment. Dr. Huffman has significant career experience and success in the private sector working in investment banking, capital markets, small business consulting, and venture capital spaces. Dr. Huffman has a record of experiences requiring innovative and entrepreneurial thinking while working collaboratively with founders of start-ups or leadership of organizations with multiple business lines and teams. Dr. Huffman also has experience working with diverse faculty and staff across the university and with industry partners.
		Justin Louder, Associate Vice Provost for eLearning & Academic Partnerships and Interim Superintendent, TTU K-12; Assistant Professor of Practice & Adjunct Graduate Faculty – College of Education at Texas Tech University, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Louder is the primary consultant for college and department leaders on the development of new, high-demand eLearning degree and certificate proposals. Dr. Louder also oversees Blackboard support, instructional design, compliance, and regulation for online and regional site programs. As the interim superintendent for TTU K-12, Dr. Louder leads a number of initiatives to modernize and streamline technology and apply best practices to online programs. Dr. Louder is a frequent national and international presenter, lecturer, and author on the topics of distance and online learning and accessibility.
		Sheila Thomas, Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean, Professional and Continuing Education at California State University, Office of the Chancellor, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Thomas facilitates workforce development, strategic communication, policy review, advocacy, and also holds responsibilities for veterans affairs and Cal State Online.  In response to COVID-19, Dr. Thomas mobilized PaCE to create the Courses for Causes initiative, providing free professional development courses for essential workers. Dr. Thomas has previously served as a board member for UPCEA and NPSMA, and in administrative roles at two CSU campuses as well as a private institution. Dr. Thomas recently contributed a chapter on women in higher education to the reference book Accessibility and Diversity in the 21st Century University, published by IGI Global.
		Pamela Wimbush, Associate Dean, Program Operations and Support, College of Continuing Education at California State University, Sacramento, will serve as a Director At-Large for a two-year term (2021-2023). Dr. Wimbush has 20 years of experience working in higher education which includes administration of learning management systems and distance education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and leadership positions at Northern Virginia Community College, Johns Hopkins University, Hampton University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Dr. Wimbush holds a B.S. in Computer Studies, M.S. in Distance Education, M.S. in Management, and Ed.D. in Educational Administration. Dr. Wimbush is active in UPCEA, OLC, Quality Matters, and EDUCAUSE.

Additionally, UPCEA is pleased to announce the selection of three new members of the Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Committee and two new members of the Finance Committee. In their roles on these two Board-level committees, these individuals are undertaking critically important work for the association and the field.

		Kisha Carmichael-Motley, Instructional Technology Consultant for UNCG Online at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, will serve on the 2021-2022 Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Committee. Carmichael-Motley develops online courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level; professional development with staff and student organizations; and is involved in the creation of departmental websites. Carmichael-Motley has served as Staff Senate CoChair, UNC System Staff Assembly as well as on the UNCG Chancellor’s EDI Committee.
		Nichole Henry, Director of Admissions & Recruitment at Syracuse University, will serve on the 2021-2022 Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Committee. Henry works with both academic institutions and industry leaders to meet the challenges of student enrollment and various aspects of student services. A strong relationship-builder, Henry has enabled connections that increase the awareness of the college and ignite interest in new academic programs. Henry has worked in higher education for more than 18 years, and is an advocate for the powerful role education holds in shaping a community. Henry has worked with colleagues on incorporating a solid foundation of programs geared to increase and sustain diverse enrollment, advising and engaging student programming.
		TC Rogers, Academic Director for Online Programs at Johnson & Wales University, will serve on the 2021-2022 Diversity & Inclusive Excellence Committee. Dr. Rogers is passionate about eradicating inequity in education and providing real world learning that leads to viable careers. Dr. Rogers’ work for the College of Online Education at Johnson and Wales University has included oversight of SLO assessment, the College of Business (across four campuses) and currently, micro-credential programming and the College of Engineering & Design. Dr. Rogers’ previous work focused on student motivation, retention and faculty mentorship. Dr. Rogers designed a coaching program for students at academic risk, which led to paramount graduation rates and the award of a $2.2 million Title III government grant.
		David Kaplan, Director of Enrollment, Business, and Student Services at the University of San Diego, will serve on the 2021-2022 Finance Committee. Kaplan has more than 15 years of direct experience in financial analysis, budgeting and planning, management, and leadership. Kaplan received his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and his MBA from Pepperdine University. He is proud to have been working at USD for 13 years and looks forward to contributing to UPCEA in this role.
		Jennifer Phillips, Business Officer, Division of Educational Outreach at Western Carolina University, will serve on the 2021-2022 Finance Committee. Phillips is passionate about her work and the opportunities it affords to support the students that take part in Western Carolina’s professional development, continuing education and online programs. Phillips is a proud graduate of Western Carolina University two times over, having earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees there. Phillips is also a very proud first-generation college student. Phillips has had the privilege of serving Western Carolina for more than 10 years.

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About UPCEA

UPCEA is the association for professional, continuing, and online education. Founded in 1915, UPCEA now serves most of the leading public and private colleges and universities in North America. With innovative conferences and specialty seminars, research and benchmarking information, professional networking opportunities and timely publications, we support our members’ service of contemporary learners and commitment to quality online education and student success. Based in Washington, D.C., UPCEA builds greater awareness of the vital link between adult learners and public policy issues. Visit www.upcea.edu.