October 9, 2024, Denver, CO – 125 higher education leaders from across the United States successfully completed the 2024 Summer HERS Leadership Institute, held in June at the University of Pennsylvania and in July at the University of Denver. HERS (Higher Education Resources Services) facilitates three cohorts of the HERS Leadership Institute annually, including two summer intensive sessions and a weekend immersion cohort hosted throughout the academic year.
The HERS Leadership Institute (HLI) is a transformative leadership development program designed for women and gender-diverse leaders in higher education. Founded to strengthen leadership pipelines across the nation, HLI equips dynamic leaders to guide their institutions toward a more inclusive and equitable future.
During the HLI, participants articulate their leadership vision and aspirations for their institutions, then are challenged to develop the skills necessary to bring that vision to life. Graduates of the HERS Leadership Institute emerge with enhanced skills and greater confidence, empowered to lead with their unique voices and deliver the bold, transformative leadership their institutions need.
HLI participants represent diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, nationalities, veteran and disability statuses, religious affiliations, ages, and years of experience in higher education. This diversity enriches each session with a broad spectrum of perspectives and insights. The 2024 Summer HERS Leadership Institute participants included leaders from both public (two-thirds) and private (one-third) institutions, spanning a wide range of geographies and institutional missions.
Participants hailed from 35 U.S. states and the U.S. Virgin Islands, representing 93 unique institutions, including large and small, co-ed and single-gender schools: liberal arts colleges, research universities, regional comprehensive institutions, land-grant universities, faith-based institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The June cohort included 54 participants, while the July session welcomed 72 from a diverse array of disciplinary backgrounds.
Alums of the Summer 2024 HERS Leadership Institutes shared transformative experiences that highlight the program’s impact. One alum reflected on the power of asking the right questions and negotiating whenever possible, emphasizing the value of the strong network they built together. Another participant described the inspiring environment, stating it was “truly amazing to be surrounded by unapologetically ambitious women every day for a week.”
Many found the experience to be one of the most meaningful of their professional lives, appreciating the mentorship and support that emphasized the importance of being a woman leader. Ultimately, the experience reinforced the importance of trusting oneself and the power of community, leaving participants with the affirmation: “You’ve got this! The future is HERS!”
HERS is proud to introduce our fifty-three 2024 June HERS Leadership Institute graduates:
Mary Awuonda
Associate Professor and Director of Center of Excellence & Telepharmacy & Population Health Center
Howard University College of Pharmacy
Marilyn Barnes
The Rev. Robert B. Lantz Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Patient Counseling
Virginia Commonwealth University
Meg Brooker
Professor of Dance, Director of the School of Performing and Visual Arts
University of Southern Mississippi
Tyrette Carter
Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Mathematics Education Department Educator Preparation
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Ferol Carytsas
Director, Center for Arts in Medicine
University of Florida
Eileen Cheng
Professor of Chinese and Faculty Director of Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations
Pomona College
Kristina Dandy
Professor of Psychology
Georgia College & State University
Susan Davis
Associate Dean for Pharmacy
Wayne State University
Kimberly DeRego
Vice Provost of Enrollment Management
University of New Hampshire
Priscilla Fiden
Associate Vice Provost for Digital Education
Stanford University
Jessica Fill
Director of Human Resources, Computer Science
University of Massachusetts
Claudia Garcia-Des Lauriers
Director of Kellogg Honors College & Professor of Anthropology
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Susan Gauss
Associate Professor of Latin American and Iberian Studies
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Simone Gill
Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Incoming Program Director for the PhD Program in Rehabilitation Sciences
Boston University
Emerald Green
Program Director, The Black Leadership and Opportunity Center
San Jose State University
Lisa Green
Distinguished University Professor
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Lisa Harrison
Interim Dean of the Patton College of Education
Ohio University
Nadine Hartig
Chair and Professor of Counselor Education
Radford University
Taviare Hawkins
Assistant Provost of Research, Development and Civic Engagement and Professor of Physics
Wagner College
Shanna Jaggars
Assistant Vice-Provost
The Ohio State University
Dawna Jones
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs for Identity Centers and Community Development
Duke University
Evelyne Kalyoussef
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery
Rutgers Health/ Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School
Farzana Kapadia
Professor of Epidemiology and Vice Chair, Department of Epidemiology
New York University
Jennifer Karlin
Professor
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Caroline Kobia
Associate Professor of Merchandising and Program Leader
Mississippi State University
Rachel Komlos
Senior Associate Registrar
West Chester University
Jessa Lingel
Associate Professor
University of Pennsylvania
Lorena Llosa
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Education
New York University
Margaret Lombe
Associate Professor; Co-Director BRIDGE Program
Boston University
Sharon McGee
Dean, College of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Professor of English
East Tennessee State University
Jamie McGowan
Executive Director, International Partnerships and Programs and Senior International Officer
University of Vermont
May Mei
Associate Professor of Mathematics, Department Chair
Denison University
Lan Nygren
Associate Dean, Norm Brodsky College of Business and Associate Professor of Management Sciences
Rider University
DeAnna Owens-Mosby
Associate Professor of Elementary Education, Faculty Senate President
University of Memphis
Josephine Park
Professor of English and Asian American Studies
University of Pennsylvania
Theresa Powell
Vice President for Operations
Langston University
Pavithra Prabhakar
Professor of Computer Science
Kansas State University
Wendy Purcell
Professor and Vice Chair Education
Rutgers University
Ariella Robbins
Interim Vice President for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Villanova University
Shannon Roberts
Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Ana Rosado Feger O’Bleness Associate Professor of Operations Management and Chair, Management Department
Ohio University
Jennifer Rossi Long
Director, Career Development Center
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Kimberly Sellers
Department Head and Professor
North Carolina State University
Kimberly Smith
Associate Vice Provost, Student Success Initiatives
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Melissa Soenke
Associate Professor of Psychology
California State University Channel Islands
Jennifer Steele
Professor and Chair
Trinity University
Cheryl Swanier
Senior Teaching Faculty Computer Science
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Bianca Thompson-Owen
Associate Dean for Enrollment Management, Student Success and Student Affairs
Rutgers University School of Nursing and Health Professions
Chiwoneso Tinago
Professor of Public Health
West Chester University
Carolyn Ureña
Director of Academic Advising, College of Arts and Sciences
University of Pennsylvania
Nicole Wilkins
Coordinator of Athletic Training Clinical Education/Clinical Assistant Professor
The University of Tulsa
Ayesha Williams
Associate VP for Information Services & Institutional Assessment
University of the Virgin Islands
Rina Williams
Associate Dean for Social Sciences
University of Cincinnati
HERS is proud to introduce our seventy-two 2024 July HERS Leadership Institute graduates:
MarQuita Barker
Vice President for Student Development
Knox College
Adrienne Bass
Executive Associate to the President
Oakland University
Katherine Betts
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
IUPUI
Laura Bix
Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies/ Teaching, Learning and Academic Analytics
Michigan State University
Christia Brown
Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence, College of Arts & Sciences
University of Kentucky
Chrystal Bruce
Associate Dean of the School of STEM and Professor of Chemistry
John Carroll University
Gretchen Busl
Texas Woman’s University
James Madison University
Lynann Butler
Former Interim Dean, School of Hospitality
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Mercedes Cannon
Director
IUPUI
Kima Cargill
Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Graduate School
University of Washington
Darcy Carter
Chair, Department of Health Administrative Services, MHA Program Director, Associate Professor
Weber State University
Marcela Castillo-Rama
Interim Dean of the Professional Education Division
Berklee College of Music
Angel Chen
Director of Human Resources
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Arianne Chernock
Professor of History and Associate Dean of the Faculty for the Social Sciences
Boston University
Christa Craven
Professor of Anthropology & Women’s, Gender & Sexuality Studies, former Dean for Faculty Development
The College of Wooster
Nicole Dafoe
Dean, College of Engineering and Science
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Marguerita DeSander
Director/Department Chair, School of Leadership and Professional Studies
Western Kentucky University
Brie Diamond
Associate Professor and Chair of Criminology & Criminal Justice
Texas Christian University
Sarah Dionne
Associate Dean of Health and Wellness
Merrimack College
Jessica Doucet
Chair and Professor of Sociology
Francis Marion University
Wioleta Fedeczko
Associate Professor of English and Faculty Senate President
Utah Valley University
Catherine Feminella
Associate Dean of Students
Widener University
Colleen Fitzgerald
Vice President for Research and Creative Activity
North Dakota State University
Nicole Franklin
Assistant Director of Business Operations
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Lindsay Gezinski
Associate Professor of Social Work and Master of Social Work Program Director
University of Utah
Kelly Giraud
Associate Professor of Environmental Economics
University of New Hampshire
Angela Gonzales
Professor and Director of American Indian and Indigenous Studies
Arizona State University
Vanessa Gonzalez-Figuereo
Assistant Dean for Advising and Student Services
Quinnipiac University
Margaret (Molly) Gutilla
Associate Professor of Public Health
Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Beth Hatt
Professor and Director of School of Education
University of Illinois, Springfield
Beth Herbel-Eisenmann
Professor of Teacher Education (Mathematics Education) and Director Program in Mathematics Education
Michigan State University
Harriet Hobbs
Chief Strategist for Accreditation, Data, and Transformation Initiatives
Johnson C. Smith University
Kim Holapa
Sr. Associate Vice Chancellor, Strategic Initiatives
Washington State University
Kelley Ives
Senior Director for Administration and Finance, College of Engineering
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Jennifer Kelley
Professor of Chemistry and Department Chair
Francis Marion University
Caroline Ketcham
Associate Dean of Elon College, College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Exercise Science
Elon University
Kendra Killpatrick
Senior Associate Dean
Pepperdine University
Sarah Klotz
Associate Professor of Rhetoric, Department of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
College of the Holy Cross
Sue Knoblaugh
Associate Professor and Comparative Pathologist and Co-Director, Inclusive Excellence
The Ohio State University
Ani Kokobobo
Professor and Chair
University of Louisiana, Lafayette
Suki Kwon
Professor of Design and Graul Endowed Chair in Arts and Languages
University of Dayton
Megan Wyett Lennon
Associate Chief Student Affairs Officer
Amherst College
Georgia Malandraki
Professor and Graduate Chair
Purdue University
Carol Mason
Otis A. Singletary Chair in the Humanities and Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies
University of Kentucky
Crystal McCormick Ware
Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Advisor to the President
Duquesne University
Nizhone Meza
Director of Academic Policy and Faculty Relations
Utah Valley University
Sindiso Mnisi Weeks
Associate Professor of Legal Studies and Chancellor’s Leadership Fellow
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Kathleen Odell
Associate Provost and Professor of Economics
Dominican University
Kerry Priest
Professor of Leadership and Director, Leadership Communication Doctoral Program
Kansas State University
Elise Radina
Associate Dean
Miami University
Jennifer Rea
Professor of Classics and Department Chair
University of Florida
Kristen Rhinehardt
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Associate Professor
Carrie Roberts
Professor of Occupational Therapy, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Associate Vice President for Wellness and Strategic Initiatives
Keuka College
Jane Rongerude
Associate Professor of Community and Regional Planning
Iowa State University
Jen Schneider
Associate Dean, College of Innovation and Design
Boise State University
Lakia Scott
Assistant Provost for Faculty Development and Diversity
Yale University
Becka Shetty
Director, Follett Student Leadership Center
The University of Texas, Arlington
Alison Shields
Associate Professor & Chair – Department of Marketing
Ithaca College
Jeanine Skorinko
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Professor of Psychological Science
Marina Smitherman
Chair, Department of Life Sciences; Director, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning
Dalton State College
Kathryn Starkey
Dean of Extended Studies
Colorado State University, Pueblo
Rabekah Stewart
Assistant Vice President, Division of Student Affairs
Missouri State University
Ann Strahle
Interim Associate Dean-College of Public Affairs and Education
University of Illinois, Springfield
Kyoko Takanashi
Professor of English and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Indiana University, South Bend
Mila Thigpen
Chair, Dance Division
The Boston Conservatory
Jennifer Thompson
Department Chair, Applied Sciences
University of Maryland, Global Campus
Julia Troche
Associate Professor of History
Missouri State University
Monica Vella-Angelastro
Senior Project Manager, Science & Research Initiatives
Yale University
Leah Ward
Director, Women’s Center
University of Dayton
Celest Weuve
Associate Professor and Director, Master of Athletic Training Program and Director, School of Health Sciences
University of Illinois, Springfield
Tina Williams
Department Chairperson
Illinois State University
Aja Wood
Managing Director Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice; Ethnomusicologist
Berklee College of Music
About HERS
Higher Education Resource Services (HERS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating and sustaining a diverse network of higher education leaders through transformative programming, coaching and peer support. Since its founding in 1972, HERS has been a force for change, guiding leaders and strengthening institutions of higher education; HERS has been integral to the career advancement of more than 7,000 alums from over 1,200 institutions around the world, thereby promoting equity, inclusivity, and excellence across all institutional types.
Learn more at HERSnetwork.org.
