Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook

Join host Dr. Bryan Gross in this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook as he sits down with President Jim Mullen and his colleagues - the senior leaders of Hartwick College. This episode delves into the heart of the college's unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of health and wellness, both academically and beyond the classroom walls.

Guests share candid reflections on their journeys to Hartwick and the profound impact of its community-driven ethos. From the outset, it's evident that Hartwick College isn't just a place of higher learning; it's a beacon of support and empowerment. Through rich dialogue, Dr. Gross and his guests illuminate what it means when there is true joy in being collaborative partners and friends at the senior leadership level. 

Discover the secrets behind building resilient teams and nurturing a faculty culture that thrives on collaboration and mutual respect. Learn firsthand about the transformative power of networking and the profound importance of having a personal mission in higher education.

But this episode isn't just about professional insights; it's about the human experience of leading and learning. Dr. Gross and his guests peel back the layers to reveal the joys and challenges of serving as stewards of Hartwick's legacy. From navigating complexities to celebrating triumphs, they offer a rare glimpse into the soul of a college president.

As the conversation unfolds, the essence of Hartwick College comes to life through the lens of its leaders. And what better way to capture that essence than through music? Stay tuned as Bryan and his guests share heartfelt song selections that encapsulate the spirit of Hartwick, leaving listeners inspired and uplifted.

Tune in to "A Culture of Health and Wellness at Hartwick College" and immerse yourself in a journey of discovery, passion, and purpose.

Guest 1 Name: President Jim Mullen   

Guest 1 Bio: James H. Mullen, Jr. became Hartwick’s interim president in December 2023, bringing over 21 years as a college and university president and 30 years of experience in public and private higher education leadership positions to Hartwick College.
Most recently, Mullen served as transitional president of Saint John’s University, where he helped guide the university and the College of Saint Benedict in the implementation of a new model of governance between the two institutions. 
Before Saint John’s, Mullen served for 11 years as the president of Allegheny College. Prior leadership roles include as chancellor of the University of North Carolina Asheville and president of the College of Our Lady of the Elms.
He has held leadership positions in major national organizations representing higher education, including as chair of the Board of the American Council on Education, chair of the Board of the Great Lakes Colleges Association, and as a member of the Board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Mullen served as chair of the Board of Directors of Project Pericles and continues to serve on the board.
Following his retirement from Allegheny, Mullen was invited to be the president-in-residence at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he brought his extensive experience to a seminar for graduate students hoping to pursue leadership roles in higher education.
Mullen received his bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross, his master’s degree from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Guest 2 Name: Dr. Laurel W. Bongiorno

Guest 2 Social:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurelbongiornophd/

Guest 3 Bio: Dr. Laurel Bongiorno serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Hartwick College. She oversees the college’s faculty and academic staff, the Yager Museum, the Pine Lake Environmental Campus, the Stevens-German Library, the Student Success Center, the Registrar’s Office, and the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness. Her scholarship is focused on early childhood education, learning through play, creativity, and educational leadership.
Laurel has over 25 years of experience in Higher Education. She taught early childhood and elementary education for 14 years before moving to administration roles. She studies positive organization development and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry. Her college experiences include Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York and Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. Prior to higher education, Laurel served in early childhood education leadership roles.
Laurel earned her PhD from Walden University, her MS at Wheelock College (now part of Boston University), and earned her BS in Business from Gordon College.

Guest 3 Name: James Kellerhouse

Guest 3 Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameskellerhouse/

Guest 3 Bio: James Kellerhouse serves as a member of the Hartwick’s Senior Leadership Team, he leads the College’s individual, corporate and foundation fundraising; donor stewardship; student career development & network engagement; and governmental and alumni relations efforts. He also leads Hartwick’s comprehensive $50M fundraising campaign in support of FlightPath, the College’s innovative approach to supporting student success through immersion in a future-focused curriculum that is reinforced by robust mentoring and career preparation.
James has over 25 years of experience in higher education, health care and advancement. Most recently, he served as vice president for philanthropy and chief development officer at the Albany Med Foundation in Albany, NY. He’s worked at Albany Law School, The Albany Academies, and Russell Sage Colleges, serving in several fundraising and leadership roles.|
James serves on the board of trustees of Russell Sage College in Troy, NY and the board of the Legal Project, a non-profit legal services organization. He earned a M.B.A. from the University at Albany through its executive program, which included an international trip to India. He also holds a B.A. and an A.A. in social sciences from Russell Sage College.

Guest 4 Name: Gail Glover

Guest 4 Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailglover/

Guest 4 Bio: Gail Glover joined the Hartwick College community in 2022 to serve as vice president for strategic communications. She leads internal and external communications and marketing activities, and facilitates the College's brand vision, positioning strategy, licensing, marketing and public relations campaigns. 
Before joining Hartwick, Glover played a leadership role at Dutchess Community College, overseeing marketing, social media, publications, video and photography, media relations, issues management, public relations and web activities. Highlights included developing and implementing marketing and promotion strategies for the launch of two new programs and two new satellite locations.
Before Dutchess, she served as vice president for communications at Bucknell University. Her efforts encompassed the development of internal communications activities and initiatives, enrollment campaigns, targeted student affairs and parent strategies and public relations and media responses.
Prior to joining the Bucknell community, Glover served as SUNY Geneseo's chief communications and marketing officer. There she developed and implemented a cohesive brand identity that defined the college's market position, target audiences and key messages. Under her guidance, Geneseo unveiled a new logo and launched its first digital marketing and advertising campaigns.
As senior director of communications and marketing at Union College, Glover led efforts to leverage the college's successful bid for an NCAA Division 1 men's ice hockey team championship – the Frozen Four – resulting in national media attention and extensive engagement on social media platforms.
Before joining Union College, Glover served as the senior director of media and public relations at Binghamton University, where she provided strategic counsel to senior administration, acted as the university spokesperson, and oversaw crisis management efforts, video initiatives, community relations and advocacy communications. 
Glover holds a bachelor's degree in social sciences and a master's in social sciences from Binghamton University. 

In this episode, we're honored to be joined by two extraordinary leaders from Pace University: President Dr. Marvin Krislov and Vice President for Enrollment and Placement, Robina Schepp. Together, they offer insights into how Pace University embodies "The Pace Difference" and drives its commitment to student success.

At Pace University, "The Pace Difference" is more than just a slogan—it's a guiding principle that permeates every aspect of the institution. Rooted in the mission of "opportunitas," Pace University is dedicated to providing unparalleled opportunities for both academic and career growth.

Dr. Krislov and Vice President Schepp discuss how "The Pace Difference" shapes their collaborative efforts, from providing personalized paths for each student to bolstering academic support services and addressing mental health and wellness. They highlight how Pace's commitment to collaboration and inclusivity creates a supportive environment where students can thrive.

Furthermore, the episode explores how "The Pace Difference" extends beyond the classroom, leveraging Pace's prime locations in Manhattan and Westchester County to provide students with unparalleled access to internships and career opportunities. Through industry partnerships and immersive learning experiences, Pace ensures its students are prepared to excel in today's dynamic job market.

Throughout the discussion, President Krislov and Vice President Schepp emphasize the importance of embracing "The Pace Difference" and its transformative power in higher education. Their insights offer valuable lessons for aspiring leaders, reminding us of the importance of collaboration, empathy, and listening to students' voices.

Join us on Visionary Voices as we celebrate "The Pace Difference" and explore how Pace University is inspiring greatness and shaping the future of higher education. Tune in now and discover how Pace is making a difference, one student at a time.

Guest 1 Name: President Marvin Krislov

Guest 1 Social:  linkedin.com/in/marvinkrislov

Guest 1 Bio: Marvin Krislov is the eighth President of Pace University. He is deeply committed to Pace’s mission of Opportunitas—providing educational access for all students. Under his leadership, Pace is innovating new interdisciplinary programs, continuing to transform its New York City Campus, and delivering on its experiential education model, the Pace Path, for superior career outcomes. He is committed to supporting student mental health and wellbeing, and advancing priorities for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Before coming to Pace, Krislov spent 10 years as the president of Oberlin College, he led collaborative efforts to make the college more rigorous, diverse, inclusive, and accessible. Earlier, he was vice president and general counsel at the University of Michigan, he led the legal defense of the University’s admission policies that resulted in the 2003 Supreme Court decision recognizing the importance of student body diversity. Prior to entering academic life, he served as associate counsel in the Office of Counsel to President Bill Clinton and later as acting solicitor and then deputy solicitor of national operations in the US Department of Labor. In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated, and the Senate confirmed, Krislov to serve on the National Council on the Humanities, where served until the summer of 2019. Krislov earned a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, at Yale University in 1982, and he was named a Rhodes Scholar. He earned master’s degrees at Oxford University and Yale and a juris doctor degree at Yale Law School in 1988.

Guest 2 Name: Robina Schepp

Guest 2 Social: linkedin.com/in/robina-schepp-1672a24

Guest 2 Bio: Robina Schepp is the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Placement at

Pace University. Having served Pace for almost 20 years, she leads undergraduate, graduate, and international enrollment, financial services, veterans’ services and career services for the private university with campuses in New York City, and Westchester County, NY. Known for experiential education and its strong connections to employers, Pace educates 13,000 students in its seven schools and colleges. 

Driven by a strong commitment to collaboration across the university and data driven decision making, Robina and her team have successfully diversified the university’s market reach, expanding enrollment from outside of the New York metropolitan area and have brought more than 20 new graduate programs to market. Since 2007, University enrollment has increased by more than 2,000 FTEs and employment rates for Pace graduates have consistently been 10 percent higher than the national average. 

Prior to assuming enrollment responsibilities, Robina was the AVP for Marketing at Pace and served as the Director of Public Relations at Seton Hall University. Her career in marketing began at the Monmouth County Park System in New Jersey. Ms Schepp earned a Bachelor’s degree from Providence College and an MPA from Seton Hall University.

In this episode, we're privileged to host President Sunem Beaton-Garcia and Dr. Lynette Livingston from Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Eau Claire, WI.

Join us as we dive into the groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence (AI) at CVTC. Discover how the college is prioritizing student dreams and revolutionizing learning experiences through immersive AI-driven materials.

Learn how AI is breaking down barriers to education, particularly in the nursing program, and equipping students with the skills needed for the future job market. Explore the profound impact of AI on community partnerships and the college's commitment to assessing its efficacy through data collection.

Throughout our conversation, we'll uncover the keys to fostering a positive and collaborative approach to AI implementation, offering valuable insights for college leaders and aspiring innovators alike.

Don't miss this enlightening discussion on Visionary Voices, where we celebrate the pioneering spirit of institutions like Chippewa Valley Technical College and their dedication to shaping the future of education. Tune in now!

Guest 1 Name: Sunem Beaton-Garcia

Guest 1 Social: linkedin.com/in/sbeatongarcia  

Guest 1 Bio: Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia, Ed.D., is the eleventh President of Chippewa Valley Technical College, becoming the first woman and first Latina to lead the College as of July 2021. She has more than 25 years of instructional experience in education, nearly half of which are in higher education. Her career includes notable accomplishments for a culture of collaboration and teaching excellence, transformational academic programs and innovation in student support, community engagement, and resource generation and stewardship.

Dr. Beaton-Garcia is a passionate advocate for the community and the College, exemplified through her service on various local, state, and national boards. Under her leadership, CVTC has been recognized as a military-friendly college and one of the top 150 two-year colleges in the nation by the prestigious Aspen Institute

Guest 2 Name: Dr. Lynette Livingston

Guest 2 Social: linkedin.com/in/lynette-livingston-ed-d

Guest 2 Bio: Dr. Lynette Livingston is a seasoned professional who has dedicated a decade of service to Chippewa Valley Technical College. Currently serving as the Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Livingston is a trailblazer in higher education, renowned for her visionary leadership.

Over the course of her career, Dr. Livingston has spearheaded the accreditation of numerous academic programs, introducing innovative approaches to enhance enrollment and elevate student success. Notable achievements include the establishment of High School Dual Credit Academies spanning over forty school districts, the implementation of seamless articulation agreements with local universities, and the development of guided degree plans.

Dr. Livingston's distinctive focus lies in fostering collaboration between the realms of business and education, with a keen emphasis on accessibility, opportunity, and mutual benefit. Her expertise extends to continuous improvement methodologies using SMART goals, and she is a distinguished peer reviewer for the Wisconsin Forward Award and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Prior to her tenure at CVTC, Dr. Livingston played pivotal roles in public K12 education, serving as a dual credit instructor, district-level administrator, and contributing significantly to the founding and success of two charter schools.

A testament to resilience and achievement, Dr. Lynette Livingston is a first-generation college graduate, holding a doctorate in Career and Technical Education from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Welcome to Visionary Voices, the podcast where we delve into the minds of trailblazing leaders shaping the future of higher education. Join us for insightful conversations with innovative thinkers and influencers from across the academic landscape.

In this episode, we're thrilled to feature Mercy University, a dynamic private institution in New York, and two of its exceptional leaders. Meet Dr. Susan L. Parish, the visionary 13th President of Mercy University. With a distinguished background in health sciences and disability policy, Dr. Parish is driving positive change at Mercy, fostering a culture of innovation and inclusivity. Joining Dr. Parish is Adam Castro, Vice President for Enrollment Management. Adam's expertise in admissions, financial services, and marketing has played a pivotal role in Mercy's growth and success. Together, Dr. Parish and Adam will share insights into Mercy University's groundbreaking Catalyst Program and their dedication to providing access to education for students from diverse backgrounds. Tune in to learn more about Mercy University's mission-driven approach to higher education and the transformative initiatives they're spearheading. Don't miss this captivating conversation on Visionary Voices!

Guest 1 Name: Dr. Susan L. Parish

Guest 1 Bio: On July 1, 2023, Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W. became the 13th president of Mercy University. President Parish previously served as Dean of the College of Health Professions and Sentara Professor of Health Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Under her leadership, the College of Health Professions at VCU experienced significant increases in graduate and undergraduate enrollment, and research funding. Additionally, the College launched an innovative liberal arts undergraduate degree in Health Services in 2020 and developed new certificate programs and graduate concentrations. Prior to joining VCU, President Parish served as dean of Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University, where she developed a Physician Assistant leadership program jointly with the American Academy of Physician Assistants. She was also the inaugural Nancy Lurie Marks Professor of Disability Policy and directed the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University. She began her academic career as an assistant professor of social work at University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. Over the course of her career, President Parish has been a prolific researcher primarily investigating the health and well-being of children and adults with disabilities and their caregiving families. She has garnered more than $13 million in external research funding from a range of federal, state and foundation sources. She has received distinctions for her teaching, mentoring and research, including: “Research Matters!” Distinguished Research Award, Arc of the United States (2009), Advocate Hero, Exceptional Parent Magazine (2021), Lifetime Achievement Award, American Public Health Association Disability Section (2021) and Research Award, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2019). President Parish is a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and she is also a Fellow of the Society of Social Work and Research.

President Parish serves on the boards of the Westchester County Association and the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. President Parish earned her B.A. in English Literature and her M.S.W. from Rutgers University and earned her Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She completed a National Institutes of Health-funded postdoctoral fellowship at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison. She enjoys travel, art, theater and kayaking, and is an enthusiastic amateur potter.

Guest 2 Name: Adam Castro 

Guest 2 Bio:  Adam Castro currently serves as the Vice President for Enrollment Management at Mercy University, a private, multi-campus, comprehensive college in New York. His portfolio includes the areas of college admissions, student financial services, marketing and communications, and the Student Services Support Center. Prior to arriving at Mercy in June 2018, Adam spent nearly fifteen years at Bloomfield College, the last seven as Vice President for Enrollment Management overseeing admissions, marketing, and financial aid. Adam is an active member of numerous organizations including the National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC), the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), and NAFSA: Association for International Educators. A New Jersey resident, Adam received his master’s degree in Public Administration from Kean University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies from the Rutgers University.

Dr.’s Elizabeth Meade and Bob Wilson are the living example of a long lasting and positive collaborative relationship in higher education, having worked together for over twenty years as leaders at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA. Now serving as the President and Provost, together, along with the support of literally every member of the campus community, they support Cedar Crest’s Sophomore Expedition Program. Winner of the 2023 NAFSA Paul Simon Award for Internationalization, the Program allows every member of the sophomore class at Cedar Crest to travel abroad together. The program has opened access, improved a number of important campus outcomes and most importantly, changed the lives of the students who participate. In this inaugural episode, we discover how positive collaboration at a small, women's college can make a positive impact on the ground. 

Guest #1 Name: Elizabeth Meade

Guest #1 Social:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-meade-90b02642/

Guest #1 Bio: Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade was inaugurated as the fourteenth President of Cedar Crest College on July 1, 2018. A member of the Cedar Crest faculty since 1993, Dr. Meade was named Interim President in July 2017. Prior to that, she served as Provost for a five-year period after working in the roles of Acting Provost and Chair of Cedar Crest’s Department of Humanities.

In her time as president, Dr. Meade has been instrumental in leading the implementation of the College’s strategic plan, advancing programmatic areas, and showing a commitment to disciplined fundraising. She furthered a $5.2M renovation of the student center and a residence hall, along with a branding initiative for the College to proudly declare its identity as a 21st century women’s college.

Dr. Meade earned her master’s degree in philosophy and Ph.D. in philosophy from Boston College and bachelor’s degree with distinction in German language and literature from Bryn Mawr College. She is married to Arturo Perez who is a software engineer with Cisco Systems. They have three children.

Guest #2 Name: Robert Wilson

Guest #2 Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertandrewwilson/   

Guest #2 Bio: Robert A. Wilson is Provost for Cedar Crest College. As Chief Academic Officer, he provides leadership for the Academic Affairs division, including all academic departments and instructional programs, academic services, the registrar’s office, information technology, Cressman Library, institutional effectiveness and research, and global initiatives and international programs. 

With a commitment to inclusive excellence, equity, and expanded access to higher education, Dr. Wilson has a passion for ensuring that college enables all students to achieve at their highest levels. Dr. Wilson oversees the periodic review and planning process for all academic programs and college offices, the college internationalization process, the bias response team, and all academic judicial cases. Dr. Wilson cooperatively leads the Diversity and Inclusion Council. He furthermore coordinates specialized accreditation for the college’s degree programs, directs compliance with federal and state regulations for higher education.

As Associate Provost, Dr. Wilson has led faculty workshops on topics such as diversity and inclusion, integrative curriculum development and revision, the assessment of academic programs, classroom engagement, and general-education knowledge and skills. A practiced teacher of online courses, he is a Quality Matters certified course reviewer. 

Dr. Wilson was the co-founder of Cedar Crest’s Pan-European MFA in Creative Writing, a low-residency writing program with students enrolled across seven different time zones who come together for residencies in Dublin, Barcelona, and Vienna. He has been President of Faculty Council, Chair of the Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee, Chair of the Department of Humanities, Director of Writing, and a leader for institution-wide Academic Program Review. A faculty member since 2002, he teaches courses in literature, writing, and film studies.

Dr. Wilson is Treasurer for the Pennsylvania College English Association, where he has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2010. He maintains active membership in scholarly and academic organizations that include the Association of American Colleges & Universities, the Modern Language Association, and the Nathaniel Hawthorne Society. Wilson earned his Doctor of Philosophy in English from Lehigh University, receiving the 2006 Stout distinguished dissertation prize. He holds a Master of Arts in literature (2000) and a Bachelor of Arts in English, history, and pre-law (1998) from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he has a certificate in Education Policy and Program Evaluation from Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies (2015).

Welcome to Visionary Voices: The College President’s Playbook, an insightful podcast series dedicated to the strategic minds leading today's higher education institutions. Each episode brings a unique perspective from visionary and tech forward college presidents, chancellors, and other high-level academic leaders, diving into the complexities and nuances of running a modern educational institution. This show explores a range of critical topics, from navigating financial challenges and embracing technological innovation to fostering student success and promoting diversity and inclusion. Featuring in-depth case studies and a focus on transformative strategies, the podcast is a valuable resource for current and aspiring leaders in academia, offering a playbook of visionary ideas and practical solutions for the ever-evolving landscape of higher education.

About the Host:

Visionary Voices is hosted by Dr. Bryan Gross, the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Athletics at Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY, where he leads innovative strategies to enhance the quality and diversity of the College’s enrollment management and financial aid optimization plans. One of his primary responsibilities is to develop partnerships locally, nationally and internationally that strengthen the College’s position in the market that lead to positive college-going rates and student success outcomes. Prior to Hartwick College, Dr. Gross served as vice president of revenue planning and institutional positioning at 3 Enrollment Marketing, Inc., an enrollment and retention solutions and services provider. He also served as vice president for enrollment management and marketing, and as interim vice president of student affairs at Western New England University in Springfield, MA. He was also the associate vice president of enrollment management at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. and associate vice president of admissions, dean of admissions, and director of international admissions at the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT. A national and international thought leader, Dr. Gross is a regular presenter, contributor and researcher to articles and workshops on enrollment management, leadership and collaboration, student belonging, international student mobility, and financial aid. He has been a co-principal investigator for a National Science Foundation grant and has served as an executive board member and treasurer of the American International Recruitment Council (AIRC). Dr. Gross earned a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. His dissertation examined how collaboration among senior higher education leaders can facilitate positive revenue outcomes at regional and private institutions. Gross also holds a master’s degree from Springfield College and a bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University.

About the Enrollify Network: The Visionary Voices podcast is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

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