For nearly a decade, Amanda worked in TRiO programs, spending a year with Talent Search and the next nine leading an Upward Bound project. In 2008, she joined the staff at Marietta College directing the Academic Resource Center (ARC). As the Director of the ARC, Amanda has led the center in tremendous growth including such activities as developing the PioPREP Academy bridge program, the Campus Food Pantry, and co-advising the Tri-Alpha first-generation national honor society to name a few. Under her direction, the ARC has achieved and renewed national certification from the College Learning Center Association’s (CRLA) International Tutor Training Program Certification team. In 2021, The ARC was named the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA) Frank Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award winner for four-year institutions. Amanda has been recognized for her outstanding service at Marietta College, receiving honors for numerous areas of service. She was recently named the Distinguished Alumna of the year by Washington State Community College for outstanding professional achievement. In addition to her role in the ARC, Ms. Haney-Cech teaches First Year Experience (FYE) courses, a gender studies course, and the PIO 101 and 102 Pio Pathway courses.

Amanda is highly active both on campus and off, working with myriad committees and organizations that promote student success and positive staff engagement. Amanda has been active in promoting academic success and the value of the learning center profession on the state and national level as well. She has served on the board of directors for the Association for the Coaching and Tutoring Profession (formerly ATP), Ohio TRiO (formerly OAEOPP), and most recently, the Ohio College Learning Center Association (OCLCA) where she was engaged with the founding board for the NCLCA affiliate. Amanda has presented numerous conference workshops over the past 20 years and was the featured keynote speaker at the New York College Learning Skills Association annual conference in November of 2021.

Gregory (Greg) L. Heileman, Ph.D., currently serves as the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Arizona, where he is responsible for facilitating collaboration across campus to strategically enhance quality and institutional capacity related to undergraduate programs academic administration. He has served in various administrative capacities in higher education since 2004.

Greg Heileman’s experience includes work in the areas of faculty development, institutional research, accreditation and academic program review, curriculum management, student success, academic advisement, tutoring, student health & wellbeing, student conduct, budget and finance, economic development, policy development, information technology and data governance, and strategic planning.

From 2017-2019, he served as the Associate Provost for Student & Academic Life and Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Kentucky, where he was responsible for providing vision, leadership and strategic direction for campus-wide student success efforts, while also serving as the university’s Chief Student Affairs Officer. From 2011-2017, he served as the Associate Provost for Curriculum and then as the Vice Provost for Teaching, Learning and Innovation at the University of New Mexico (UNM). During that time, he led campus-wide student academic success initiatives, and worked with key stakeholders on campus, to produce all-time record retention and graduation rates.

His work as a professor began in 1990 when he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at UNM. He subsequently advanced through the academic ranks to Professor. He has more than 170 peer-reviewed publications in the areas of machine learning and data analytics, information security, and student success in higher education. His research activities have generated more than $9,000,000 in external funding, and he has served as the advisor for 48 M.S. and Ph.D. students. From 2005-2011 he served as Associate Chair (Director of Undergraduate Programs), and led the department through two ABET accreditation visits. In 2011 he became an ABET program evaluator. In 2009 he was also awarded the IEEE Albuquerque Section Outstanding Educator Award. He was the recipient of ECE’s Lawton-Ellis Award for combined excellence in teaching, research, and student/community involvement in 2001 and again 2009. He held ECE’s Gardner Zemke Professorship from 2005-08. He received the School of Engineering’s Teaching Excellence award in 1995, and the ECE Department Distinguished Teacher Award in 2000. During 1998, he held a research fellowship at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and in 2005, he held a similar position at the Universidad Politénica de Madrid. He earned the BA degree in Biology from Wake Forest University in 1982, the MS degree in Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1986, and the PhD degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Central Florida in 1989.

Dr. Taylor W. Acee is professor in and program coordinator of the Graduate Program in Postsecondary Student Success in Learning, Literacy, and Mathematics at Texas State University. His research is focused on college student learning, motivation, and self-regulation, and assessments and interventions related to these areas. A major area of his research and practice is focused on postsecondary learning-to-learn courses.

Faculty profile: https://faculty.txstate.edu/profile/1921174

Dr. Russ Hodges is an associate professor in the College of Education at Texas State University (TXST), where he co-created and teaches graduate courses in the doctoral and master's program in Postsecondary Student Success in Learning, Literacy and Mathematics. Dr. Hodges also coordinates the university's learning frameworks courses for undergraduates. His current research focuses on postsecondary student success interventions including learning-to-learn courses, peer-mentoring, peer-tutoring and academic coaching. Among his many publications, Dr. Hodges is co-author of Handbook for Academic Transformation: The Road to College Success (2015, 3rd ed., Pearson), and co-editor of The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Peer Tutoring (in press, Rowman & Littlefield), and Handbook for Training Peer Tutors and Mentors (2012, CRLA & Cengage).

Dr. Hodges has held leadership positions including treasurer and president of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA), chair of the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations (CLADEA), and co-founder and current co-editor of the Journal of College Academic Support Programs (J-CASP).

Dr. Hodges has received many awards throughout his career including the Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Award, TXST, 2020; Gladys R. Shaw Outstanding Service to Developmental Education Students Award, National Association for Developmental Education, 2016; Distinguished Teaching Award, CRLA, 2015; Teaching Award of Honor, TXST Alumni Association, 2015; National Fellow, CLADEA, 2009; Lifetime Achievement Award, College Academic Support Programs, 2008, and the Robert Griffin Long and Outstanding Service Award, CRLA, 2007.

Duane A. Williams, Ph.D, is the Associate Vice Provost of Student Success and Retention at TexasA&M San Antonio. In his role, he oversees Undergraduate Academic Advisement, the StudentAcademic Success Center, First-year Experience, and other student success-related initiativeswithin the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Provost. In his role, Dr. Williamsworks collaboratively with other university divisions, academic leadership, and various campusunits to develop, implement, and evaluate student success initiatives.

Before Texas A&M - San Antonio, Dr. Williams served in several Directorship roles at MontclairState University, New Jersey. Specifically, he served in the Office of Student Belonging, in theCenter for Leadership and Engagement, and in the Office of Academic Success and RetentionPrograms. In this role, he spearheaded a broad range of programs and activities that supportedstudents' transitional experiences and fostered a sense of belonging. These included multipleareas such as First Year Student Orientations; First-Gen Initiatives, international student supportservices, veteran and military student certification, adult and transfer student programs,advising and engagement initiatives; and an array of leadership development experiences.

Before Montclair State University, Dr. Williams had served as a Director in the Center forAdvisement and Student Success at Hudson County Community College, New Jersey. There, hewas able to develop a comprehensive understanding of the non-traditional and first-generationstudent population. Being a first-generation student, Dr. Williams has enjoyed working oninitiatives that directly and indirectly affect the success and retention of students during theircollege years.

With a formal management and public administration background, Dr. Williams has utilized hisorganizational leadership skills to support and create policies and practices that affect studentdevelopment and ultimately, student success. Dr. Williams earned his Ph.D. in Family Scienceand Human Development at Montclair State University.

Dr. Andy Person serves as the Chief of Strategy and Advancement at Long Island University, a nationally recognized research institution, where he leads transformative initiatives to drive institutional growth, enhance strategic planning, and advance the university's mission. With over two decades of leadership experience in higher education and maritime institutions, Dr. Person is recognized for serving on executive teams that increase enrollment, retention, accreditation excellence, research development, and partnerships that foster workforce development.

Dr. Person's career spans notable leadership roles at SUNY Maritime College, the U.S. Naval Academy, and Mercy University, where his innovative approach has consistently delivered measurable results. A former U.S. Navy officer, Dr. Person brings a unique perspective shaped by his service aboard aircraft carriers in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. His hands-on maritime expertise, combined with his strategic acumen, positions him as a forward-thinking leader dedicated to preparing students for success in a competitive, globalized world.

At Long Island University, Dr. Person's vision emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to academic and institutional excellence, ensuring the university remains a leader in higher education.

APUS President Nuno Fernandes is a visionary leader who has been successful in making online higher education more affordable and accessible, while delivering top-quality education and favorable student outcomes. As the fifth President of APUS, he is focused on a global digital journey that integrates personalized, collaborative, technology-driven learning experiences to prepare students for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.

Mr. Fernandes has a wealth of experience driving innovation across higher education, technology, and business. He has been serving as APUS President since September 2022.

Previously, Mr. Fernandes was president and CEO of Ilumno, the largest online program manager in Latin America, and among the top 3 globally (in terms of managed students, which numbered 300,000). He served in several roles with increasing responsibilities at the company for over a decade. Mr. Fernandes was instrumental in improving student retention, student satisfaction, graduation rates, and reputation at the company’s owned and partner universities. He also led efforts to expand access to higher education in several countries.

Prior to his roles in higher education, Mr. Fernandes accumulated over a decade of experience in the consumer goods industry at Bosch, where he undertook numerous international assignments and held various leadership roles.

Born in Porto, Portugal, Mr. Fernandes holds a Master of Business Administration from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the University of Porto. He has also participated in several executive education programs at Harvard Business School and Carnegie Mellon University, among others.

Mr. Fernandes is trilingual, speaking English, Spanish, and Portuguese. To see what Nuno comments on often, please visit LinkedIn: Nuno Fernandes | LinkedIn

Read his works:

• The EdUp Experience: Differentiate or Die: Navigating the Landscape of Higher Education
• The Evolllution Modern Campus: Reimagining Higher Ed: It’s Time to Embrace Change (and Technology)

Amber Fallucca serves as the inaugural Director of the Carolina Experience, University of South Carolina’s focus on providing access to a comprehensive undergraduate experience through an emphasis on transfer, sophomore, junior, and senior student experiences. Prior to joining Carolina Experience, Amber served as USC’s Quality Enhancement Plan Director on integrative and experiential learning. Amber also serves as affiliate faculty in the College of Education at USC where she earned her PhD in Higher Education Administration.

Ambra Hiott currently serves as the Director of the Leadership and Service Center at the University of South Carolina. People recognize her expertise in student leadership, addressing basic needs insecurity, student governance, community partnerships, student involvement, and resolving conflict. She has previous experience in a variety of higher education functional areas including orientation and transition programming, residence life, and student activities. She earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Georgia.

Dr. Silvia Patricia Rios Husain serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Success within the University of South Carolina’s Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support. Her career spans over 20 years in higher education, with a deep commitment to fostering student success and enhancing the student experience.

As AVP, she provides strategic direction and oversight to University 101 Programs, National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition, Career Center, Student Success Center, and Carolina Experience. The Carolina Experience is a new initiative to make the entire four-year student experience as impactful as the first year. This initiative leverages and scales peer leadership and structured collaboration while focusing on students’ career readiness and overall health and well-being.

Dr. Colleen McCabe serves as the Provost and Vice President for the Wisconsin Technical College System. In this role, she provides leadership and administrative oversight for the development and delivery of technical college educational programs, student services and assessment, economic development and adult and ELL education.

Prior to this position, she served for 14 years as a K-12 educator, and most recently served as a professor and the department chair of Health and Human Performance at UW-Platteville. At UW-Platteville, her duties for the past 17 years included teaching, directing the development, implementation, and assessment of three programs, and the professional development and evaluation of department faculty and staff. In all, Colleen has over 39 years of experience in education including 20 years in leadership within higher education.