Arthur Levine is President of Brandeis University, his alma mater, where he is leading a bold reinvention of the liberal arts for the modern era. A transformational leader with decades of experience across higher education, Levine previously served as President of Teachers College, Columbia University, President of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, President of Bradford College, and chaired the Higher Education Graduate Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A nationally respected researcher, he has authored 14 books, including his most recent co-authored work, From Upheaval to Action, and his expertise has been featured in outlets ranging from the New York Times to The Chronicle of Higher Education. Levine holds a PhD in sociology from the State University of New York at Buffalo, is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and has received honorary doctorates from 26 universities.

Brooke Elliott is the Josef and Margot Lakonishok Professor in Business and Dean of Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she leads the college's strategic vision and continues to strengthen its reputation as an innovative leader in business education. A recognized expert in accounting, Brooke holds a BS and MBA from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and a PhD in Accounting from the University of Washington. Since joining Illinois in 2003, she has been a driving force behind Gies' groundbreaking online portfolio, including an affordable fully online MBA that now serves students in over 160 countries, making high-quality business education accessible to working professionals around the world. She currently serves on the board of directors and audit committee for Gordon Food Service.

Carol Christ served as the 11th chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley from 2017 to 2024, and now holds the title of Chancellor Emerita. A respected scholar of Victorian literature, she is known for her advocacy for accessible public higher education, the liberal arts, and advancing women and diversity on college campuses.

Christ spent more than 30 years as a professor and administrator at UC Berkeley and served as president of Smith College from 2002 to 2013. She returned to Berkeley in 2015, becoming chancellor in 2017, where she focused on strengthening campus community, improving climate and financial stability, addressing housing challenges, and advancing a long-term strategic vision.

She holds degrees from Douglass College and Yale University and joined Berkeley’s English faculty in 1970. Christ has authored and edited several influential works in Victorian literature. 

Catherine Wehlburg, Ph.D., is President of Athens State University, where she previously served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. With over thirty years in higher education, she has held roles including professor, department chair, dean, and provost, with a focus on enhancing student learning, strategic decision-making, and assessment.

Dr. Wehlburg has published numerous articles, books, and chapters, with her most recent book being The Courage to Learn: Honoring the Complexity of Learning for Educators and Students. She has been recognized for her work in student learning outcomes assessment, including serving as president of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE) and receiving their Outstanding Achievement Award. She is the Editor-in-Chief for New Directions for Teaching and Learning and serves on multiple editorial boards. 

Debra J. Liebowitz is the Provost, Chief Academic Officer and a Political Science Professor at Quinnipiac University. Since 2020, she has driven major investments in faculty hiring and facilities, including a new School of Business and innovation, science, and technology building, as well as investments in student success. A champion of interdisciplinary collaboration and future-oriented strategy, she’s industry partnerships, including Quinnipiac’s wide-ranging alliance with Hartford HealthCare and a U.S. Small Business Administration-funded entrepreneurship program in collaboration with ConnCorp. Previously, she held leadership roles at Drew University, earning accolades for teaching and civic engagement. She holds degrees in political science from the University of Oregon and Rutgers University.

Kathy W. Humphrey, Ph.D., serves as President of Carlow University, bringing a lifelong commitment to student-centered education, social justice, and the Catholic values of the Sisters of Mercy. Throughout her career in higher education, she has focused on creating transformational learning opportunities that empower students to excel with compassion and responsibility. 

A first-generation, Pell-eligible college graduate, Dr. Humphrey is deeply committed to access, equity, and inclusion. She has served as a diversity educator for universities and organizations nationwide and has led efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented faculty, staff, and students while fostering inclusive environments where all feel respected and valued. 

Frank Hribar is the Vice President for Enrollment & Student Affairs at Adrian College, where he has driven record enrollment and national recognition for innovative initiatives. A graduate of Siena Heights University, he earned a BA in Business Administration, a MA in Human Resource Development, and a Doctor of Business Administration from Bilkent University in Turkey. Frank began his higher education career at Siena Heights and later held leadership roles at Madonna and Kettering Universities, leading strategic enrollment growth and process improvements. His efforts have resulted in record-breaking enrollment and enhanced student experiences. In addition to his work at Adrian College, Frank serves as Chairman of the Board for Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Michigan. He and his wife, Tracy, reside in Adrian, Michigan, with their two children and granddaughter.

Freeman A. Hrabowski, III is president emeritus of UMBC and a nationally recognized leader in STEM education, equity, and university transformation. A mathematician by training and former child leader in the Civil Rights Movement, he co-founded the nationally acclaimed Meyerhoff Scholars Program and helped position UMBC as a model for inclusive excellence in research and undergraduate education. His scholarship and leadership have shaped national conversations on minority participation in science, workforce development, and institutional culture, and he has authored multiple influential books on resilience, shared leadership, and student success. A member of the National Academy of Engineering and recipient of numerous prestigious honors, Dr. Hrabowski continues to advise leaders across education, government, and industry while championing opportunity, rigor, and hope.

Greg Karzhevsky is the Founder and Chancellor of Jersey College, a nationally accredited institution focused on preparing nurses to meet real-world healthcare needs. He founded the college in 2003 with a clear purpose: to develop a highly skilled nursing workforce capable of caring for medically fragile patients, inspired by his family’s work in home healthcare.

Under Greg’s leadership, Jersey College has grown from a single New Jersey campus into a multi-state institution with hospital-based and community campuses across the country. The college is known for its strong clinical partnerships, hands-on training model, and commitment to expanding access to high-quality nursing education in communities with critical workforce needs.

Hilary L. Link, PhD, is the 15th president of Drew University and a nationally recognized higher education leader known for advancing innovation, financial sustainability, and student-centered transformation. Since beginning her presidency in July 2023, she has led the development of Drew’s new strategic vision, launched innovative academic programs and partnerships aligned with workforce needs, and strengthened the university’s financial foundation through strategic planning and external partnerships. Prior to Drew, she served as president of Allegheny College, dean of Temple University Rome, and vice provost at Barnard College of Columbia University. A scholar of Italian language and literature, Link holds degrees from Stanford University and Yale University and brings a global, cross-disciplinary perspective to leading institutions through change.

Jeffrey D. Senese, Ph.D., became the 10th President of Caldwell University on July 10, 2023, bringing extensive leadership experience in higher education. He previously served as president of Saint Leo University and held academic leadership roles at Cardinal Stritch University, Johnson & Wales University, and Penn State. Dr. Senese has conducted research with the U.S. Departments of Justice and Defense and has international experience in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and South Africa. He holds degrees from Penn State, Indiana State, and Michigan State, with additional leadership training from Harvard, Penn State, and Cornell. A published author and active board member, he has served on the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Florida, and the Urban League of Milwaukee. Recognized for his contributions, he has received honors from the State of Maryland, the City of Baltimore, and the City of Tampa.   

Jenny left the corporate world where she worked with some of the world’s biggest brands including Dolly Parton, Family Guy, Harley Davidson, Phantom of the Opera & The Ellen DeGeneres Show and joined higher ed. a decade ago. 

She currently serves as the VP Marketing Communications, Experience and Engagement and Chief Marketing and Comm. Officer at the Univ. of Montana. In this role she oversees brand strategy, digital innovation, enrollment marketing, creative services, and strategic comm. 

Before coming to Montana, Petty was the Dir. of Enrollment Marketing at the Univ. of Wyoming, where she was a key, driving force behind The World Needs More Cowboys campaign. She finds joy in building teams and helping others grow, as well as flexing her creative muscles whenever she can. She’s a graduate of the Reynolds School of Journalism and the Univ. of Nevada and has a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga Univ.

Joseph serves as Vice President for University Communications and Marketing, where he acts as the university’s chief communications and marketing strategist and a member of the President’s Cabinet. In this role, he oversees all aspects of the university’s public messaging, including executive communications, branding, advertising, enrollment marketing, media relations, publications, constituent communications, crisis communications, and digital and social media strategy. Joseph leads the development and execution of the university’s strategic messaging and marketing initiatives, using performance metrics and analytics to guide decision-making and measure impact. He also serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and, when appropriate, represents the university as an official spokesperson to the news media, government leaders, and public audiences.

Karlyn Crowley, Ph.D., is the Provost at Ohio Wesleyan University, a "Colleges That Change Lives" institution. Since 2020, she has led transformative initiatives, including the first comprehensive general education revision in 50 years, new academic programs, and the launch of a Teaching, Learning, and Innovation Center. She co-led a major transfer agreement, increasing transfer enrollment by 110%, and has collaborated with corporations and universities to expand educational opportunities. Crowley’s focus on student success includes co-leading the “Move the Needle” retention initiative, achieving a record retention increase.

A champion of innovation, Crowley has advanced career-connected learning by overseeing the dev. of a competencies-based model and launching the university’s first micro-credential in Constructive Dialogue. She has also worked in philanthropy, helping secure funding for an endowed center for belonging and academic programs and initiatives.

Kent Barnds leads enrollment management at Augustana College, overseeing admissions, financial aid, and marketing while driving strategic planning. Since joining in 2005, he has played a key role in record-breaking student enrollments and campus innovation. A respected voice in higher education, he serves on national advisory groups, speaks at industry conferences, and contributes to publications like Inside Higher Ed and The Chronicle of Higher Education. Previously, he spent 13 years at Elizabethtown College, advancing to dean of admissions.

Active in his community, Barnds has served on multiple boards and consults on strategic planning and performance management. Originally from Gering, Neb., he lives in Davenport, Iowa, with his wife, Jennie, and their three children. He enjoys traveling, cooking, jazz, cycling, and remains a firm believer that "the option" is football’s most exciting offense.

Leon Botstein is a renowned educator, conductor, and public intellectual who has served as president of Bard College since 1975. Born in Zurich and raised in New York, he pursued studies in music, history, and philosophy before becoming the youngest college president in U.S. history at age 23. 

In addition to leading Bard for five decades, Botstein is music director of the American Symphony Orchestra and founder of the Bard Music Festival. Throughout his career, he has championed the power of education and the arts to expand opportunity, foster critical thinking, and improve lives. 

Lisa Keegan is a strategic enrollment leader with nearly two decades of experience in higher education. In 2020, she joined Bucknell University as Vice President for Enrollment Management . Previously, she spent 15 years  at Elon University, most recently serving as Assistant Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Admissions. She is known for her data-driven approach, which has led to record application pools and first-year classes at Bucknell. She holds a J.D. from Stetson University College of Law and a B.S. in business administration from Elon.

Dr. Michael Hammond, President of Gordon College since July 2021, brings 25 years of experience in Christian higher education, combining academic expertise, collaborative leadership, and a deep spiritual foundation. Before joining Gordon, he held leadership roles at Taylor University, Southeastern University, and the University of Arkansas. At Taylor, he served as provost and executive vice president, leading academic and operational functions during a presidential transition.

Hammond holds a B.A. in Christian education from Taylor Univ., an M.A. in biblical and theological studies from Wheaton College, and a Ph.D. in history from the Univ. of Arkansas. His scholarship centers on American Christianity, including evangelicalism, the Civil Rights movement, and the intersection of race and religion. 

 A native of Indiana, Hammond is a runner and baseball fan. He and his wife, Jennifer, have six children.

Dr. Monique Guillory, a New Orleans native, serves as President of Dillard University, bringing over 30 years of executive-level experience in higher education. Her career has been dedicated to HBCUs and MSIs, focusing on academic program development, accreditation processes, and STEM pipelines. Prior to Dillard, she served as Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President at the University of the District of Columbia, and has held leadership roles at Jackson State University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and the Southern University System. Dr. Guillory holds a Ph.D. in comparative literature and performance studies from New York University and is a former Mellon Fellow. She is passionate about the transformative power of education and committed to serving her community.

Nathan Ament is a strategic enrollment leader with over 20 years of experience in higher education. Since joining Knox College in 2023 as Vice President for Enrollment and Dean of Admission, he has led key initiatives to strengthen recruitment, financial aid, and student engagement. Under his leadership, Knox has enhanced its reputation for innovation, access, and student success.  

Before Knox, Ament served at Loyola University New Orleans, where he championed affordability and access, making Loyola the first test-blind institution in the South. 

An Illinois native, Ament holds a bachelor’s in music education from Augustana College (IL) and a master’s in organizational leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He co-hosts *The Admissions Directors Lunchcast* with Teege Mettille. Ament drives innovation at Knox while enjoying life in Galesburg with his wife, Jaimie, and their sons, Noah and Charlie.

Paul McGinnis is the Vice President of Marketing and Enrollment at Bethel University, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience across diverse industries, including finance, higher education, and technology. His expertise lies in driving growth by harnessing the power of teams. Before joining Bethel, Paul served as the Vice President of Marketing and Sales at VOMO, a software company in Plano, Texas. He has a proven ability to lead through change, develop sustainable business models, and unlock leadership potential at all levels. Paul is also an executive coach and leadership consultant, passionate about developing Christian leaders and building high-performing teams.

Scott Beaulier serves as the H.A. (Dave) True Family Dean of Business at the University of Wyoming. Throughout his career in higher education leadership, he has focused on strengthening business programs by connecting classroom learning with real-world business practice. Prior to joining Wyoming, Scott served as the Ronald & Kaye Olson Dean of Business at North Dakota State University and held leadership roles at Arizona State University, Troy University, and Mercer University. He earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Michigan University and a Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University.

Thom became SWC’s president in July 2024 after serving as president at Clarke University (IA) and Brookhaven College (TX), and holding academic and leadership roles at UT Dallas, Collin College, and other institutions. He holds degrees in Spanish, Creative Writing, and English Literature, and was an early adopter of student-centered, experiential, and service learning.

A mentor and coach to future leaders, Thom is known for his transparent storytelling on platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. He values life/work balance, recharging outdoors through gardening, hiking, and biking, and indoors through cooking, craft beer, poker, and soccer.

His wife Noelle is a college educator, performer, and non-profit executive. They share life with two adult children and a houseful of rescued (and rescuing) pets.

Willem de Ruijter, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at Geneva College, brings a wealth of experience in higher education leadership and strategic outreach. A 2015 graduate of Geneva's M.A. in Higher Education Leadership program, Willem previously served as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Redeemer University in Canada. Currently he is working towards his Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership at Bethel University in Minnesota. His dedication extends beyond campus, demonstrated by his board service with the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (NACCAP) as well as other charities and non-profits. With a background in political science, sociology, and international student recruitment, Willem is passionate about equipping students for faithful service and fostering a vibrant academic community.