EDUCATION:
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Ed.D., Educational Leadership, October, l991.
Area of Specialization: Leadership in Higher Education
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Ed.M., School of Education, May, 1981.
Areas of Specialization: Administration, Planning, and Social Policy
Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA
Additional study in World Religions and Pastoral Care, Fall 1980
Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
A.B., American History, June, 1977.
Areas of Specialization: Modern American History and Economics
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
President, Wittenberg University,
Springfield, OH, July 2005-Present.
Serve as the President of the university reporting to a 30-member Board of Directors. Articulate a compelling vision for Wittenberg and engage the board, faculty, and staff to work together to achieve institutional goals. Build Wittenberg’s distinctive identity, quality, and national reputation in all aspects of the learning environment. Support and promote Wittenberg as a college of the Lutheran church. Guide the institutional planning process, maintaining its broadly participatory character. Lead an ambitious program of institutional advancement. Strengthen connections with Wittenberg’s critical constituencies. Select, appoint and retain outstanding staff, and encourage the management team to maintain focus on institutional priorities. Support the Board of Directors in its policy-making activities and membership development.
Vice President for Administrative and Government Affairs, Lehigh University,
Bethlehem, PA, March, 2001-2005.
Serve as the senior adviser to the President. Lead and coordinate the University’s strategic planning efforts. Spearhead international and diversity initiatives to foster an inclusive campus environment. Enhance the development of junior faculty. Provide leadership and vision for the University’s government and community affairs operations. Secure federal and state funding to support the University mission (in excess of $30M in 03-04). Hire and supervise federal and state lobbyists. Meet regularly with city, state, and federal officials. Serve as the primary University representative to the local community. Supervise the staff and
programs of the Zoellner Arts Center, a comprehensive performing arts center that serves Lehigh University and the broader Lehigh Valley community. Supervise the staff and programs of the Office of Academic Outreach. Travel extensively with the President to develop key partnerships with international corporations and universities. Perform all the duties assumed previously as Associate Vice President and Executive Assistant to the President.
Associate Vice President and Executive Assistant to the President, Lehigh University,
Bethlehem, PA, July, 1999- March, 2001.
Serve as the senior adviser to the President. Develop and implement strategic institutional initiatives. Represent the President on various University committees and at public forums. Respond to students, parents, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, government representatives, and members of the community on behalf of the President. Coordinate the activity and staffing of the President’s Office. Organize and lead the Global Council, a select group of influential international alumni who assist the University in its effort to become increasingly global. Coordinate the selection of a commencement speaker. Plan and implement President’s Staff agenda and annual retreat. Assist in planning for Board meetings.
American Council on Education Fellow, Bucknell University,
Lewisburg, PA, August, 1997-January, 1998.
Selected nationally as one of 34 A.C.E. fellows for 1997-98. Worked closely with President William Adams who served as A.C.E. mentor. Attended all meetings of the President and met with him weekly to discuss observations and provide input. Reviewed Bucknell’s strategic planning initiatives and participated in weekly core planning meetings. Attended President’s Staff retreat, Board of Trustees’ retreat, trustee meetings, Development Staff meetings, Academic Council, and President’s Staff meetings. Assisted President Adams in writing the University’s Title IX response, coordinating the Annual Commonwealth Partnership Meeting of presidents and deans, developing federal lobbying strategies, and selecting a commencement speaker. Visited with presidents of over 30 universities and colleges to gain their insight regarding the college presidency and key issues facing higher education. Traveled to England and Scotland to study the British system of higher education. Explored national higher education issues through research, regional meetings, and A.C.E. national seminars.
Dean of Students, Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA, l990-July, 1999.
Responsible for enhancing the quality of student life for a campus of 4500 undergraduates and 2000 graduate students. Provided vision and leadership for the following areas: Residence Life, Multicultural Affairs, Student Activities, Academic Support and Special Services, Community Service, New Student Orientation, Leadership Development, Wellness Center, Off-Campus Student Services, Challenge for Success (an orientation and retention program for African-American and Hispanic students), Judicial Affairs, and Greek Life. Attended faculty meetings as a voting member. Advised Student Government and convened the Council of Student Presidents. Coordinated the University response to student crises. Developed, implemented, and administered policies affecting student life. Planned and implemented the construction of a new residence facility and student center.
Associate Dean of Students, Lehigh University,
Bethlehem, PA, 1984-1990.
Responsible for the management and administration of the overall Residence Life, Greek Affairs, and Alcohol and Other Drugs areas. This included all graduate and undergraduate residence halls (+/- 2300 students) and thirty fraternities and eight sororities (+/- 1800 students).
Assistant Dean of Students, Lehigh University,
Bethlehem, PA, 1983-1984.
Responsible for the overall Residence Life program which housed approximately 2100 undergraduate students. Introduced Lehigh's first residential college.
Assistant to the Dean of Student Affairs, University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC, 1981-1983.
Assisted the Dean of Student Affairs with the overall administration of the seven departments of the division. Advised the Dean on personnel, policy, and budget matters.Advised student government. Managed the student organizations' budgetary process ($1.6 million).
Assistant to the Director of Residence Life/Residence Hall Director, Framingham State College, Framingham, MA, 1980-1981.
Managed a coeducational residence hall with a 340-student capacity. Selected, trained, and evaluated staff. Planned and implemented R.A. selection and in-service training. Coordinated the lottery and room change process.
Assistant to the Dean of the School of Management, Suffolk University,
Boston, MA, May-August, 1980.
Performed the daily duties of the Assistant Dean of Counseling and Administration during her four-month sabbatical. Developed and implemented a new undergraduate advising program and published the School's first advising handbook. Counseled students being academically dismissed from the University. Restructured, planned, and supervised the orientation programs for new MBA, MPA, and undergraduate students. Conducted a comprehensive study of the University's student services.
History Instructor/Athletic Director, Sacramento Country Day School,
Sacramento, CA, August, 1977-June, 1979.
Taught courses in U.S. history and law. Coordinated the physical education and scholastic sports program for approximately 200 students.
SPECIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:
Instructor, Education 481, Lehigh University,
Bethlehem, PA, Summer 2004.
Taught a graduate level course in “Policy and Politics” for a group of 22 international teachers and school heads.
Instructor, Education 309, Lafayette College,
Easton, PA, Spring 1996, Fall 1998.
Taught a survey course entitled “Higher Education in America” to a group of 34 juniors and seniors.
Instructor, Communications 90, Lehigh University,
Bethlehem, PA, Spring 1994, Fall 1995, Fall 1996.
Taught a freshman seminar entitled "Personal Growth in a Changing Society". Students were taught communication and critical thinking skills and explored issues of race, gender, class, and sexual orientation.
Guest Lecturer, Teachers College, Columbia University
and College of Education, Lehigh University, 1989-1995.
Provided presentations on student affairs for graduate courses in higher education administration.
Instructor, Education 477, University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC, Fall 1983.
Taught a counseling and interpersonal skills development course to a group of fourteen resident assistants.
Instructor, University 101, University of South Carolina,
Columbia, SC, Fall 1982.
Instructed a freshman course designed to orient incoming students to the university environment and to develop their communication skills.
Teaching Fellow, Harvard University Graduate School of Education,
Cambridge, MA, 1980-1981.
Instructed a class of nine students in an introductory counseling course, "Counseling: Its Psychological Assumptions and Their Expressions." Supervised the individual counseling development of each student.
Project Coordinator, Community Change Inc., Boston, MA, 1979-1980.
Planned and conducted workshops on racism for Brown University, Boston State College, Harvard Divinity School, and the Boston Urban Coalition.
Presenter, National and Regional Conferences
Provided numerous presentations on topics including international education, student attitudes, the impact of residential colleges, the role of universities as engines for economic development, best practices in university/community relationships, strategic planning, and diversity education.
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:
Dayton Development Coalition
Board member, 2007-present
Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges
Board member, 2008-present
Springfield-Clark County Chamber of Commerce
Board member, 2008-present
Springfield City Schools P-16 Council
Board Member, 2007-present
Future Jobs Ohio
Board member, 2008-present
Vice Chair
ACE Council of Fellows
Executive Committee member, 2008-present
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
American Council on Education
A.C.E. Fellow, 1997-1998
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio
Member since 2005
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Member since 2005
Lutheran Education Conference of North America
Member since 2005
Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education
Member since 2005
North Coast Athletic Conference Presidents Council
Member since 2005
Ohio Board of Regents
Member since 2005
Rotary International
Member since 2005
PERSONAL:
Married for 29 years to Lin Erickson (A.B., Smith College; M.S., Lehigh University; Executive M.B.A., Wharton/University of Pennsylvania)
Father of two children: Sarah, 22, and David, 18
Attend Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Avid tennis player and golfer