Expert Insight
Rising higher ed leaders tackle campus challenges in EAB's fellowship
EAB’s Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship is a six-month, cohort-based experience that aims to build community, develop a depth of expertise in the topics and issues that matter most to institutional strategy, and provide focused professional skills development from EAB industry experts. Our second cohort concluded in December 2021, our third cohort wrapped up in spring 2022, our fourth occurred in fall 2022, and our fifth occurred in spring 2023. All cohorts ended with presentations of the fellows’ capstone projects.
In each session, the fellows gained depth in new topics or terrains, developed leadership skills, and built a network with peers from institutions across the country. The topics covered included student success, budget models, change management, and more. The culminating experience for the EAB Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship was the capstone project that substantively contributed to the fellows’ professional advancement and helped solve a pressing challenge facing their home institutions.
In addition to the content from the subject-matter expertise and professional skills development sessions, the fellows also had access to EAB’s research library and experts, and they were paired with a partner to help develop ideas and get feedback along the way. In many cases, partners jointly completed a project that benefitted both institutions.
Below are a few of the key themes that appeared in multiple capstone projects from past participants. Scroll down to read about each of the capstone projects in the fellows’ own words.
Improve student persistence toward college and toward graduation by:
- Incentivizing faculty to engage in student advising and mentoring
- Encouraging students to develop a college-going mindset
- Offering completion and retention grants
- Making sure the right students and mentors are getting into peer mentoring programs
Encourage lifelong learning through:
- Innovative educational offerings and delivery methods
- Applying an equity lens to recruitment, programming, support, and partnerships
- Strong retention for online undergraduate programs
Embrace transformational change for the institution by:
- Becoming carbon neutral in the next two decades
- Reviewing and updating the institution’s core curriculum
- Moving the institution’s strategic goals from promise to reality
- Linking the institution’s strategic plan to academic change and the institution’s mission
Spring 2023 EAB Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship capstone project summaries
The fellows in the spring 2023 cohort tackled a variety of campus problems with their capstone projects. Projects addressed topics such as annual giving, student retention, professional and continuing education, academic program planning, and more.
The blog posts below are written by the participants to showcase their project and early outcomes.
Note: The views and opinions in the blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of EAB.
Improving completion rates in gateway courses: Applying a root cause analysis model and equity lens
Betsy Dunn-Williams, Dean of Academic Success, Campbell University
Academic transformation framework implementation: Enhancing professional practice in higher education
Dr. Denise Brown, Associate Dean of Health Sciences, The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Administration of cross-college interdisciplinary academic programs
Jamie Dyer, Interim Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies, Mississippi State University
Necessary infrastructure to support interdisciplinary programs
Kimber McKay, Interim Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, University of Montana
Assessing online courses—OSCQR rubric
George Rus, Assistant Dean for Online Education, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Implementing a caseload management model in a newly centralized division
Melissa Grant, Associate Dean of Advisement, Office of the Provost, Pace University
Activating and retaining undergraduate alumni as annual donors
Margo Thomas, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving, Stetson University
How the University of the Ozarks engaged local alumni
Brian Henderson, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement, University of the Ozarks
Increasing adult learners’ success: Retention and belonging
Barbara Andrew, Honors College dean at William Paterson University of New Jersey
Finding new ways to recruit the ever-elusive non-athlete
Conner Ellinghuysen, Director of Admissions, Buena Vista University
Developing an undergraduate student retention strategic plan
Donna Mohr, Director of Student Retention, Lehigh University
Re-Envisioning a Doctorate of Nusing Practice (DNP) program
Daisy Sherry, Associate Dean, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Lewis University
UMBC's journey to better staff recruitment
Kelly Coleman, HR Director, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Design strategy for continuing and professional education at the University of Texas at Dallas
Lance K. L. Bennett, Associate Director of Assessment and Accreditation, Office of Institutional Success and Decision Support, the University of Texas at Dallas
Exploring the impact of high school course rigor on student success in college
Mary Venezia, Chief of Staff, Enrollment Management, University of Arizona
Trauma-informed practices in higher education: Building support communities from the top down
Joanna Krueger, Associate Professor of Chemistry, UNC Charlotte
Enhancing a sense of belonging in the classroom
Dr. Anisa Hansen, Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Drake University
Fall 2022 EAB Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship capstone project summaries
The fellows in the fall 2022 cohort tackled a variety of campus problems with their capstone projects. Projects addressed topics such as program review, data strategy, budget models, enrollment growth, and more.
The blog posts below are written by the participants to showcase their project and early outcomes.
Note: The views and opinions in the blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of EAB.
Going beyond program review: Utilizing converging data sources to strategically assess departments
William Chura, Associate Provost for Research and Educational Effectiveness, Lewis University
Faculty orientations and continuing a culture of mentoring
Kristen McCauliff, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, Ball State University
Oklahoma cooperative extension service: Family and consumer sciences
Gina Peek, Associate Dean, Extension Engagement and Continuing Education, Oklahoma State University
IT project intake and institutional prioritization process
Jennifer Ferfolja, CBAP, PMP, Director, ICT Enterprise Solutions and Projects, Wilfrid Laurier University
Graduate assistantship budgeting and growth model
Jordan Johnson, Associate Provost, Business Affairs and Analysis, University of Alabama
Developing a budget forecasting model and budget dashboards at Buena Vista University
Courtney Berg, Director of Finance & Administration/Controller, Buena Vista University
Lehigh University's data strategy: A roadmap to a university's analytics transformation
Yenny Anderson, Vice Provost for Institutional Research and Strategic Analytics, Lehigh University
Louisiana State University's "Strategize Your Summer" initiative
Anna Bartel, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Strategic Analytics, Louisiana State University
Growing undergraduate online enrollment
Michael Harrington, AVP, Strategic Enrollment Services, Drexel University
Enrollment design project: The student experience from admission to alumni
Heather Veeder, Assistant Vice President of Student Success, Policy, and Planning, Eastern Washington University
Improve the precision of student enrollment forecasting
Jeff Pidcock, Director of Budgeting and Business Transformation, Miami University
Controlling the narrative at Howard University
Joanne R. Pluff, AVP of Student Experience, Howard University
An agile solution to higher ed problem solving
Kimberly Langolf, Chief of Staff, Finance and Administration, University Affairs, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Removing institutional barriers to student success
Andrea Mostyn, Director of Strategic Communication, Missouri State University
The ever-persistent ROI question: What is my degree worth?
Dr. Tori McLean Good, Executive Director of Career Development, Converse University
Supporting research in a world of finite resources
Christopher Tycner, Associate Dean of College of Science and Engineering, Central Michigan University
Spring 2022 EAB Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship capstone project summaries
The fellows in the spring 2022 cohort used their capstone projects to explore an array of challenges. Many tackled improving student success, retention, and equity at their institutions, while others focused on budget models and streamlining administrative processes.
The blog posts below are written by the participants to showcase their project and early outcomes.
Note: The views and opinions in the blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of EAB.
Advancing the culture of philanthropy on campus by engaging employee support
Emily VanderWoude, CFRE, Director of Leadership Giving, Hood College
Supporting writing instruction in STEM courses
Megan Brown, Director of Writing, Drake University
Budget alignment and transparency in higher ed
Russ Hannah, Ed.D., CPA, CGMA, CGFM, Chief Financial Officer, Arkansas State University
Expanding higher ed leadership competency to increase employee satisfaction, decrease risks and reduce costs
Raymond Hess, Director of Human Resources, Colorado School of Mines
Optimizing the policy development process in the University of Wisconsin System
Stefan Fletcher, Director of Administrative Policy, University of Wisconsin System
Managing the identification and adoption of a new budget model
Sandy Cavi, Associate Vice President for Budget & Planning, Illinois State University
A WISE (women in science and engineering) approach to STEM
Christine DeWolf, Professor and Vice-Dean, Concordia University
Anti-racism training in medicine: strategies for all learners
Jocelyn Mitchell-Williams, M.D., Ph.D., Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
Fostering sense of belonging among Black undergraduate students
Melissa McGuire, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, University of North Texas
Developing tools to support campus DEIJ initiatives
Winston Roberts, Assistant Vice President for Student Services, Seton Hall University
Enrollment management strategies to win market share
Darlene Dilley, Associate Provost for Enrollment Management, Utah Tech University
Centralizing noncredit enrollment management
Josh Goldman, Director of Conference Centers, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Elevating student employment experience to a high-impact practice
Mary Anderson, Director, Career Services, The College of St. Scholastica
Improving success for pre-health students
Joe Fritsch, Ph.D., Divisional Dean of Natural Science, Seaver College, Pepperdine University
Where and when grant-funded interventions can increase student retention
Dan Regan, Associate VP for External Relations, College of Mount Saint Vincent
Graduate financial aid practices that best serve students
Stevie Dunphy, Director of Business and Finance, Office of Student Financial Services at Georgetown University
Eliminating the shuffle: reviewing the coordination of first-year advisors, coaches, and counselors
Carlos R. A. Jones, MFA, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences and Coordinator of Africana Studies, SUNY College at Buffalo
Increasing course completion rates through faculty development in student engagement pedagogy
Michele Atkins, Professor of Education and Assistant Provost for Accreditation and Research, Union University
Optimizing success for students who change campuses
Eric Bielefeld, Professor of Speech and Hearing Science, The Ohio State University
Supporting transfer student enrollment and completion goals Identifying factors that influence course success rates
Tracey Baham, Ph.D, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Strategy & Effectiveness, Mississippi State University
Supporting undergraduate research and challenging assumptions
R. Gabe Cavazos, Assistant Vice President for Research Data and Information Systems, University of Texas at Dallas
2021 EAB Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship capstone project summaries
The 66 fellows in the 2021 cohort tackled a wide range of issues in their capstone projects, reflecting the diversity of institutions and professional experiences of the participants. Several fellows deeply examined student success at their institutions, specifically focusing on equity issues. Others made recommendations for improving campus sustainability, building stronger online programs, and adjusting graduate tuition rates.
The blog posts below are written by the participants to showcase their project and early outcomes.
Note: The views and opinions in the blog post are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of EAB.
Academic program stewardship
Joe Bruner, William McDonnell and Sarah Simpson, University of Kentucky
Building a department chairs' academy—no longer a forgotten chair
Cynthia Lester, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Georgia State University Perimeter College
Cross-departmental collaboration for innovation and impact
Paula Mills, Chief of Staff and Operations, College of Agricultural Sciences, Colorado State University
Fiscal literacy for department chairs
Joe Lewandowski, Director of Resource Planning, University of Buffalo
How academic units can show alignment with and measure progress towards university goals
Colleen Karnas-Haines, Director of Assessment, Planning, and Accreditation, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Rethinking the academic affairs organizational structure
Nina Bates, Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Provost, University of Arizona
Evaluating opportunities for external partnerships
Emily Hochstatter, Director of Risk Management and Administrative Initiatives, Northern Illinois University
How is burnout related between faculty, staff, and students?
Terry Longshore, DMA, Chair/Professor of Music, Southern Oregon University
Improving employee engagement through continuous feedback
Alana Lardizabal, Director of Human Resources, Southern Oregon University
Streamlining internal hiring processes and procedures through process improvement
Breanne Holloway, Assistant Director of Organizational Development and Learning, Ball State University
Improve campus DEI responses through practice discussions
Shelley Fairbairn, Professor of Education, Drake University
Building a purposeful DEIJ infrastructure at Mercy College
Andrés Matías-Ortiz, Interim Dean, School of Liberal Arts, Mercy College
Developing best practices for equitable faculty hiring
Amy Walker, University of Texas at Dallas
Making an institution a “first choice” for underrepresented students
Mario Silva-Rosa, Director for Undergraduate Admission, Bentley University
Strategies for improving graduate DEIJ enrollment pipelines
Lionel Wright, Associate Interim Dean, Athens State University
Adult learners and strategies for success
Christopher Cuccia, Ed.D., Associate Provost for Academic and Graduate Affairs, Seton Hall University
Melissa McCauley, Director of Marketing, Wilfrid Laurier University
Enhancing the attractiveness of joint undergraduate and graduate degrees
Coutney B. Smith, Seton Hall University
Finding and recruiting adult learners
Jordan Lindsey, Director of Admissions, Corban University
Amy West, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Brand Strategy, Bowling Green State University
How to explain facilities impacts at the institution level and obtain buy-in
Jen Cox, Missouri State University
Jeremy Davis, Miami University—Ohio
Tanara Teal-Tate, University of Wisconsin—Madison
How can universities promote access to wellness resources for students?
Shankar Munusamy, Drake University
Erin Van Daalwyk, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Conducting a diversity and equity campus climate survey
Dr. Chassidy Cooper, PhD, Coordinator for Equity and Inclusion, East Tennessee State University
How to communicate financial information to Gen Z students
Jacqueline Gatlin, Bursar, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus
Melissa Dingman, Director of Scholarship and Financial Aid, Minnesota State University Moorhead
Increasing campus climate survey response rate
Dr. Kacee Ferrell Snyder, Director of the Center for Women & Gender Equity and Co-Director of the Center for Violence Prevention & Education, Bowling Green State University
Building the "FirstGen Presidential Fellows" program at Bentley University
Jane De León Griffin, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, Bentley University
Campus communication onboarding guide for new students
Grace Gardner, Director of Academic Affairs, Missoula College, University of Montana
Lexi Stoneburner, Assistant Director of Admissions & Visitor Experience, Converse University
Improving student enrollment and retention through on-campus employment and career development
Erica Wagner, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Portland State University
Improve student success through digital and technological engagement
Marianne Young, Assistant Vice President for Student Development & Support, University of Kentucky
Carrie Stockton, Associate Vice President of Student Success & Academic Engagement, Biola University
Investments to improve student comfort, success, and retention
Scot Rab, Interim Dean of Academic Affairs for the College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Science at Northern Arizona University
Motivate faculty to contribute to student retention
Ann Amicucci, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Supporting transfer student enrollment and completion goals
Megan Scherzberg, Director of Orientation, Transition, and Retention, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Roberto Vasquez, Sr. Director for Transfer & Pathways, Central New Mexico Community College
Optimizing institutional resources for research growth
Nick Hagemeier, Interim Vice Provost for Research, East Tennessee State University
Want to learn more about the Rising Higher Education Leaders Fellowship?
Learn more about upcoming cohorts or contact your Strategic Leader
