Careers in Higher Education

Thanks for supporting Careers in Higher Education over the last two years!  If you wish to contact me, feel free to email lynchrj@appstate.edu.

This week I'm joined by Eric Melniczek of Eric Melniczek & Associates LLC and IMPACT Career Coaching.  As a former career services professional at High Point University, Eric transitioned into the world of career and recruitment entrepreneurship in 2016.  Eric earned his bachelors in business administration from the Ramapo College of New Jersey and his master’s in higher education and student affairs from Virginia Tech.  

This week I'm joined by Keith O'Hare (he/him) of Keith O Realty.  As a former higher education advancement professional at Duke University, Keith transitioned into the world of realty in 2018.  Keith earned his bachelors in communications and political science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill as well as his master’s in higher education administration from North Carolina State University.

Hello friends!  Welcome to Careers in Higher Education where we explore the in’s and out’s of working with colleges and universities!  I’m your host, Dr. Jason Lynch and this week I am joined by Dr. Matthew Raidbard, independent consultant and athletics administrator at the University of Hartford.Dr. Matthew Raidbard (he/him) currently serves as an independent consultant specializing in enhancing leadership competencies in college athletics and coaching.  He also serves as the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration, Compliance, and Student Success at the University of Hartford.  Matthew graduated with a bachelor’s in Classical Studies & History from Indiana University Bloomington, a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western New Mexico University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Chicago State University. You can learn more about Matthew’s consulting opportunities by visiting his website at https://www.raidbardleadership.com.

Dr. Tiffany Wiggins (she/her) currently serves as a Senior Program Success Manager at Mentor Collective. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Dr. Wiggins previously worked in a variety of student affairs roles including student activities, academic affairs, orientation, student success, and multicultural student support.  She holds a bachelor's degree from Christopher Newport University in business administration, a master's in human resource development from The George Washington University, and a doctorate in higher education from Old Dominion University. 

Dr. Kim Pinckney-Lewis (she/her) currently serves as a Human Resource Specialist with the U.S. Department of Defense.  She is an innovative design thinker and instructional design & technology leader, specializing in program strategy development, needs assessment, learner analysis, persona discovery, instructor-led training (ILT) and eLearning development, non-instructional intervention creation, training facilitation, instructional strategies, feedback that drives learning outcomes, and program evaluation.  She graduated with a bachelor’s and teacher certification in Spanish language and literature from Swarthmore College, a master’s in second language acquisition and application from the University of Maryland, and a doctorate in instructional design and technology from Old Dominion University.  

Kate Kryder (she/her) currently serves as a University Programs Recruiter with The Clorox Company.   Prior to joining Clorox, Kate served as a college student affairs professional at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill working in functional areas including leadership development and graduate admissions.  Kate holds a bachelor's degree in Visual Communications from Ohio University, a master's in higher education administration from Loyola University Chicago, and a master's in business administration from Elon University.  Kate is happy to chat with listeners that have a specific interest in working in recruiting or have specific questions about transitioning out of campus-based positions. 

Michael Tilley (he/him) currently serves as an Education Program Administrator with the North Carolina Community College System Office, as well as an adjunct instructor at Alamance Community College.  Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in public health from Campbell University.  Prior to working at the system office, Michael served as the Coordinator of Assessment and Adult Higher School at Alamance Community College as well as an elementary and middle school teacher. 

Dr. Marshall Anthony Jr. (he/him) is the associate director of policy and advocacy for Higher Education at American Progress, where he advances the postsecondary education policy priorities on equity, affordability, and attainment.Anthony’s personal and professional mission is to improve the educational and socioeconomic mobility of traditionally underrepresented communities. He has published for various public, policy, and academic audiences. His work has been featured in places including About Campus, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Education Dive, Politico, RealClearEducation, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and The Hechinger Report.Before joining American Progress, Anthony worked at the Education Trust as a higher education research analyst. During his doctoral studies, Anthony was a Florida gubernatorial fellow at the Florida Department of Education in the Division of Florida Colleges. He also served as a graduate research assistant and instructor at Florida State University in the inaugural Leadership Learning Research Center. Additionally, Anthony has worked in other academic and student affairs functional areas at both large and small and public and private institutions such as North Carolina State University and Meredith College.

Elaine Utin is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of LatinxEd. Through her roles, Elaine focuses on leadership and identity development to help Latinx youth be creatively, civically, and collegiately ready to lead our future in North Carolina. Prior to LatinxEd, Elaine earned her B.A. in Middle Grades Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a first-generation college student and a Gates Millennium Scholar. She also received her Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education where she studied Technology, Innovation, and Education. In 2018, Elaine was recognized on Forbes’s 30 Under 30: Education list. 

Dr. Patricia Hilliard (she/her) works for the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University as a Research Associate. She works collaboratively with K-12 educators to design and deliver professional learning, both virtual and in-person. Dr. Hilliard has been a high school teacher, university instructor, and instructional coach. Dr. Callie Edwards (she/her) serves as the Associate Director of Program Evaluation and Education Research at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. For nearly a decade, she has used research methods to study, partner with, and advocate for historically underrepresented and underserved populations. Dr. Edwards has worked in state government, college assessment, academic affairs, and student wellness. In 2015, she founded The Life of A Scholar, LLC an educational coaching and consulting agency that specializes in graduate and dissertation coaching as well as research and evaluation consulting.

This week I am joined by Dr. Jacob Bonne, Analytics Consultant for Steppingblocks.com. Prior to joining the team at Steppingblocks, Dr. Bonne worked in Higher Education for 10 years in Housing and Residence Life and student success. He completed his Ed.D. in Education Leadership-Higher Education from the University of Central Florida where his dissertation explored first-year student transitions and parental engagement via smartphone. His last position was as the director of the office of data and strategic projects where he led first-year student retention efforts. It was through this position he discovered his love of data, analytics, and technology to support student success. Despite not directly working for a university any longer, he is very excited to remain in Higher Education through his work at Steppingblocks.

Dr. Holly Stapleton (she/her) serves as the Senior Director for Business Operations & Chief of Staff for the Association of College & University Student Housing International, also known as ACUHO-I. Before joining the association, Holly worked in residence life at St. Lawrence University and as an academic advisor in the College of Education & Human Ecology at The Ohio State University.  Holly earned her doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Bowling Green State University, her Master of Science in Education in College Student Personnel from the University of Dayton, and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Kenyon College.

Dr. Hollie Chessman (she/her) serves as the Director of Research & Practice with the American Council on Education and resident college student mental health and well-being expert for ACE. Joining the organization in December 2018, Hollie brings almost 20 years of professional experience in higher education. Prior to her current role at A-C-E, she was the Director of Research Projects at the Council of Independent Colleges and a post-doctoral associate at A-C-E. Hollie earned her PhD from George Mason University in 2015, prior to which she spent 17 years as a student affairs professional serving in various roles and institutions – including 10 years in housing and residence life. Her primary interests include college student mental health and well-being, student affairs professional well-being, graduate student choice, and organizational change and leadership.

Hanan Al-Zubaidy (she/her) serves as the Director of Education at Clark College at Larch Corrections Center in Vancouver, Washington. She is an experienced corrections navigator with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry.  She also serves in a variety of volunteer capacities as a board member of the Arab American Cultural Center of Oregon and the Human Rights Council of Washington County.  Hanan earned both her bachelors in speech-language pathology and master’s in educational leadership and policy with a concentration in postsecondary adult continuing education from Portland State University. 

That's a wrap on Season 1!  Thank you to those who have tuned in over this past year.  Look out for Season 2 to drop in September 2021, where I'll be joined by more higher education professionals across the country who work outside of the traditional campus environment.  Have an idea or want to reach to me?  Contact me at lynchrj@appstate.edu or connect with me on LinkedIn.

McKenzie McNamara currently serves as the Associate Director for Alcohol & Other Drug Initiatives at Clemson University.  She has had a diversity of experience in higher education including residence life, English Language Learner support, military and veteran student support, and alcohol and other drug initiatives.  She earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Saint Michael’s College and recently completed her master’s in social science from Clemson University. 

Jan Goldman serves as a Success Coach and Master advisor at Owensboro Community & Technical College. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in English & Political Science and received her master’s degree from Western Kentucky University in Education & Behavioral Science Studies with a concentration on Counseling and Advising.Blair Turpin serves as an Academic Advisor at Wake Tech Community College.  She is a double graduate from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s in health promotion and masters in higher education leadership. Martin Crichlow serves as a student success advisor at Galveston College.  He earned an associate degree in history from San Jacinto College, a bachelor’s degree in middle eastern history from Oral Roberts University, and Master of Science in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Colorado State University. 

Jayson Douglass serves as the Associate Director for the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Leadership at Texas A&M Commerce and is a certified diversity executive, higher education practitioner, and strategy consultant. As a thought-leader in education, he is obsessed with creating equitable spaces for students of ALL ages and serving as an active change agent within his community. Jayson received his BA from Bethune-Cookman University, MS from the University of Central Florida and holds a post-graduate certificate from Cornell University in Diversity & Inclusion.  Find out more at jaysoneldouglas.com.

Dr. Kara Inman (she/her/hers) serves as the Director of Education Abroad at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.  She has extensive experience in the international sector of higher education, working at institutions including Ohio University and the University of Southern Indiana. She triple majored in International Studies, Spanish, and Mass Communication at the University of Evansville, earned her master’s in international affairs at Ohio University, and earned her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from UNC Wilmington.   Dr. Inman can be reached via email at pikek@uncw.edu.