Board and Commission Candidate Profiles
NACEP Board of Director Candidates
Private Institutional Representative
(Eligibility: The candidate for Private Institutional Representative must come from a NACEP–accredited program)
Organization: Baker College
Job Title: Vice President of Academic Affairs
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Randy Hill has been at Baker College for 13 years and in that time has served in a variety of leadership roles. He currently serves as the Vice President of Academic Affairs for Baker College in Cadillac, Michigan. Previous positions include the Dean of Education & Human Services, Dean of Health Sciences, and Chief Academic Officer. Past experiences include Middle School teaching and serving as Education Director for two Environmental Education nonprofits. Randy holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Maine, Master of Science in Marine Science from the University of South Florida, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Randy is a highly motivated, team-oriented leader who is committed to providing the best customer service and educational experience/opportunities for his students.
Brief description of nominee's work in concurrent enrollment and with NACEP:
Randy currently serves alongside a faculty member as Baker College's faculty liaison coordinators. In this role, he works with faculty liaisons to ensure they have the resources and support necessary for the concurrent enrollment instructors, plans and facilitates the annual concurrent/dual enrollment professional development, assists in developing the onboarding manuals and processes for concurrent/dual faculty, and serves as the faculty qualifications process owner. Randy, along with his co-faculty liaison coordinator, presented their faculty liaison model at the NACEP 2020 Virtual Accreditation Institute and will present this again at the NACEP conference in 2021. In addition, Randy will be participating on a NACEP peer review team for the 2021-2022 review cycle and is looking forward to working with other NACEP colleagues through this process.
Brief statement describing the nominee's interest in the position:
Randy has been involved with NACEP for Baker College since the institution received initial accreditation in 2017. Randy is very committed to the work of NACEP and deeply believes in its vision and mission. He has seen first-hand the direct benefits of concurrent/dual enrollment for students, parents, and the community. Randy’s work as a Faculty Liaison Coordinator, presenter at NACEP conferences, and participation in the 2021-2022 NACEP Peer Reviewer training program has broadened his knowledge and awareness of NACEP standards and the overall NACEP body of work and he is excited for the possibility of serving on the board. Randy hopes to be elected to the board as the private institution postsecondary representative where he can use his years of service and NACEP experience to serve as a voice for private institutions. He aims to help drive NACEP forward and provide higher education opportunities for all students.
Presentations on concurrent enrollment given at NACEP or other conferences/workshops:
As mentioned above, Randy and his co-faculty liaison coordinator recently presented Baker College’s faculty liaison model at the NACEP 2020 Virtual Accreditation Institute. Their Faculty Liaison model proposal for the 2021 NACEP conference has been accepted and will be presented at the national conference in October.
Any special background associated with the nominee’s responsibilities, other volunteer services, or awards and recognition:
Randy is very active in his local community and serves in the following volunteer positions:
- Rotary Club of Cadillac, 2015 - Present (President 2020-2021)
- Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 2019 - Present (Board Chair 2021-Present)
- Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class Board of Directors, 2010-Present
- Cadillac Area YMCA Board of Directors, 2016-Present (Board Chair 2019-2021)
- United Way of Wexford & Missaukee Counties Board of Directors, 2018-Present
- Cadillac Area Community Foundation Pell Scholarship Committee, 2014-Present
- Cadillac High School Carlos Heazlit Scholarship Trustee, 2016-Present
- Wexford-Missaukee Career Technical Center Public Safety Advisory Board, 2010-Present
- Kiwanis Club of Cadillac, 2009-2015
In addition, Randy actively participates in coaching his children’s baseball, basketball, and football teams.
Organization: Syracuse University
Job Title: Assistant Director
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Melanie Nappa-Carroll is an associate director at Syracuse University Project Advance (SUPA), a former high school teacher and administrator with leadership experience at the building, district, and state education levels. Melanie has extensive board experience and is currently Board Secretary, Rehouse Center for the Arts, Board Member, Syracuse University Catholic Center, and Board Member, Syracuse University Alumni Association. Melanie's scholarship focuses on mentoring in higher education, faculty and adjunct faculty professional development, and DE/CE. Additionally, Melanie is Project Manager, Concurrent Enrollment Review (CER), the first independent, peer-reviewed, academic journal dedicated to publishing research in DE/CE; she also manages the Concurrent Enrollment Zotero Database, which indexes, categorizes, and compiles literature in the field of DE/CE.
Brief description of nominee's work in concurrent enrollment and with NACEP:
Melanie joined the leadership team at SUPA in 2016 and currently administers courses in Forensics, Science Research, Undergraduate Research, and African American Studies. Melanie supports approximately 2,500+ students and 200+ adjunct faculty in SUPA partner high schools. Melanie participated on a NACEP peer review team for an institution seeking initial accreditation, and she engages in Washington Policy Seminars and meetings of the College in High School Alliance. Melanie's research interests include mentoring in higher education. She and Dr. Sean M. Conrey's most recent publication, "Equitable Mentorship as Engaged Scholarship in Concurrent Enrollment," was recently published in Mentoring and Communication: Theories and Practices. The chapter "Threshold Pedagogy in the Concurrent Enrollment Writing Classroom" co-authored with colleagues Dr. Sean M. Conrey and Dr. Jonna Gilfus, is forthcoming. Melanie is currently advising a graduate thesis that considers pedagogical and instructional approaches to general education Forensic Science courses and SUPA Forensic Science courses.
Brief statement describing the nominee's interest in the position:
As a founding institution, Syracuse University has always been deeply committed to NACEP and its mission to support and ensure high-quality programming in DE/CE programs. At present, there are only a handful of private colleges and universities with NACEP accreditation. It is critical that these institutions and others like them have a trusted representative who is well versed in DE/CE, state, and federal policies and the unique factors that impact private schools offering DE/CE programs. Melanie's expertise in these areas coupled with her extensive board experience makes her a well-qualified candidate for board consideration.
Presentations on concurrent enrollment given at NACEP or other conferences/workshops:
Dr. Nappa-Carroll has presented both in person and virtually at the following national conferences, many of which involved collaborations with colleagues from UConn and Boise StateU:
1) 2017 "The Role of Theory in Concurrent Enrollment."
2) 2018 "Equitable Mentorship in Concurrent Enrollment."
3) 2019 "Developing a Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal Dedicated to Scholarship in DE/CE."
4) 2020 Presented at the NACEP Virtual Accreditation Institute.
Any special background associated with the nominee’s responsibilities, other volunteer services, or awards and recognition:
While completing her dissertation on mentoring in privatized education, Melanie was honored to receive a fellowship awarded by the University of Notre Dame, Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism. Melanie's dissertation laid the foundation for her contemporary scholarship on faculty and adjunct faculty professional development and mentoring in DE/CE.
Member-at-Large
(Eligibility: The candidate for Member-at-Large must come from a NACEP–accredited program)
Organization: South Central College
Job Title: Director of Secondary Relations/Perkins Grant
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Brief description of nominee's work in concurrent enrollment and with NACEP:
- Current Director of Secondary Relations - overseeing and managing the institution's concurrent enrollment program
- Served as CEP faculty liaison 2014 - 2020.
- Served as a lead liaison from 2017 - 2020, conducting instructor/liaison orientations and training
- Faculty liaison chair - SCC external CEP advisory committee
- MnCEP member - working specifically with a workgroup to enhance CEP resources
- NACEP Peer Reviewer - starting Fall 2021
Brief statement describing the nominee's interest in the position:
My interest in this position stems from my experience working with concurrent enrollment programs in both faculty and staff roles. The responsibilities of each role has provided me with a unique perspective that allowed for a more comprehensive understanding and effective management of concurrent enrollment programs. I also have a substantial interest in developing more equitable opportunities for students who have a desire to participate in dual enrollment and cultivate the resources necessary to increase college readiness and student success.
Presentations on concurrent enrollment given at NACEP or other conferences/workshops:
"Power of Partnership: Working Together to Achieve Accreditation & More" - breakout session presentation was given at Connect 2020.
Any special background associated with the nominee’s responsibilities, other volunteer services, or awards and recognition:
N/A
Organization: Northeast Iowa Community College
Job Title: Executive Dean of Communication, Humanities, Math, and Social Sciences
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Brief description of nominee's work in concurrent enrollment and with NACEP:
Nationally, Jeff Murphy served on the NACEP Accreditation Commission from 2017-2019. He has also served as a peer reviewer and was a part of conducting a site visit.
In the state of Iowa, Jeff Murphy served as a chair of the state Arts and Sciences and CTE Deans and worked closely with the state Concurrent Enrollment Deans and Directors.
Locally, Jeff Murphy works closely with the College High School Partnerships Office and area high schools in working to schedule and staff several concurrent courses in approximately 24 area high schools.
Brief statement describing the nominee's interest in the position:
As both a parent of three children who participated and benefited from concurrent enrollment courses and as a professional with a post-secondary institution with over 50 percent of its enrollment coming from area high schools, I have experienced firsthand the importance and benefits that the NACEP organization provides. While serving on the Commission I had the opportunity to meet and work with NACEP board members and staff and really enjoyed the experience of helping shape the future of the Commission while learning a great deal about how to best provide a quality experience for students back home. I would like to bring my background and experience to the board position to help the NACEP organizations and member institutions grow and improve upon the quality of programming for our young people.
Presentations on concurrent enrollment given at NACEP or other conferences/workshops:
I was a co-presenter for one Accreditation Institute during my time on the Commission.
Any special background associated with the nominee’s responsibilities, other volunteer services, or awards and recognition:
In my present position, I directly supervise over 80 full-time and part-time instructors, many of whom teach a portion of their teaching load as concurrent instructors in area high schools or College centers.
I have served in a variety of volunteer capacities over the years. I served a 3-year term as an elected School Board member for my local community school district.
My work in my present position was recently recognized with promotion and so I was elevated from the position of Dean to Executive Dean at Northeast Iowa Community College.
Organization: West Kentucky Community and Technical College
Job Title: Director, WKCTC College Academy
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Brief description of nominee's work in concurrent enrollment and with NACEP:
Currently, Dr. Wilson is a four-year Member-At-Large NACEP Accreditation Commissioner. She has been working with the NACEP Commissioners on the committee to build, create, and update the College Provided Faculty model along with updating and maintaining the Concurrent Enrollment Program standards. The NACEP Standards provide a national model for high school students who take college courses in helping to align quality, curriculum, assessments, professional development, and evaluations providing a collegiate experience for the high school students on their journey for college credential attainment. For the past ten years, I have built a partnership with 22 K12 partners, helping over 12,000 students earn at least one college credit, showing them that they have the ability to go to college and they can be successful in achieving a college credential.
Brief statement describing the nominee's interest in the position:
As a current NACEP Commissioner, I am interested in expanding my content knowledge and experience with NACEP by pursuing the open position for the NACEP Board of Directors. As a dual credit director with WKCTC, I try to be a voice for dual credit students, along with sharing concerns by serving as KCTCS Dual Credit Peer Team Chairman and Committee Member on Dual Credit Early Postsecondary Education with KY Council on Postsecondary Education. The Southern Region Board of Education chose me to serve on the Dual Credit Advisory Board to explore updates and changes of dual credit policy. The connection with these organizations and current experience as a NACEP Commissioner, Peer Team Reviewer, and speaker at Accreditation Institute, NACEP Conferences, and State Dual Credit events have allowed me to share my passion and understanding for the Standards and the Objectives of the NACEP organization.
Presentations on concurrent enrollment given at NACEP or other conferences/workshops:
Beginning in 2011, I moved from the K12 environment to the Postsecondary world. Immediately I signed up for my first NACEP conference and started volunteering. As soon as WKCTC earned accreditation, I volunteered to serve as a Peer Reviewer and then became a lead Peer Reviewer. I have volunteered at conferences to work registration desks, introduce guest speakers, and help with setup. Also, I was on the Kentucky team who submitted the request to bring the NACEP Conference to downtown Louisville, KY. I have presented at NACEP Conferences through round tables, panels, and conference sessions; along with presentations at Accreditation Institutes. NACEP also selected me to present at state-wide conferences in Arizona and Virginia to share NACEP Standards & help build stronger programs. I have served the on-site visit team in Utah. I have also shared NACEP Standards with conference attendees through leading and participating in the outdoor conversation.
Any special background associated with the nominee’s responsibilities, other volunteer services, or awards and recognition:
I earned my doctorate in higher education with a dissertation on dual credit enrollment and credential attainment. I am a parent of two children who participated in dual credit. Along with working as a former high school dual credit teacher, high school counselor, and now a college dual credit director has provided me with a full circle knowledge of dual credit through a variety of lenses. Concurrent enrollment, dual credit, college in high school, dual enrollment, etc. is an important and beneficial part of high school opportunities. Outside of work, I volunteer at church to help with religion classes, annual church picnic, Friday night fish fries, and updating the church Facebook Page and website. I have been serving on the WAVE River Counties Ag Initiative since the first event in 2017, in order to build awareness and bring economic development to far western Kentucky.
NACEP Commission Candidates
Advocacy Commission
Region: 1
Organization: Maine Community College System
Job Title: Director of College Access; Academic Affairs
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Mercedes works across the administrative, programming, and policy spheres with Maine’s community colleges and with state agency partners. Maine is struggling to bring an equity element into our delivery models and so that has become a defining standard for how we evaluate policy and practice as we move forward. As someone who partners intentionally with our secondary and CTE partners, Mercedes is fortunate to work in both large venues and school-based discussions educating counselors, school leadership, and college-access professionals about the various forms, considerations, and rules of dual and concurrent enrollment in Maine. In her role, she has been able to write, critique, and participate in different policy efforts within both the community college system and the state legislature. While policy is obviously important, Mercedes also values the policy process as an opportunity to work more closely with various partners. Mercedes earned her Master's in Educational Policy from the University of Illinois at Urbana and her Doctorate in Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s expertise relevant to serving on the Advocacy Commission:
I am been involved with NACEP since our regional accreditor aligned their standards with NACEP standards in 2014. I was very involved with our local NEACEP chapter for a number of years and have presented at both the regional and the national conferences.
While the daily work at the programming level is rewarding, advocacy work can both shape policy and access for so many students. This work gives our field increased visibility at the state and national level. Yet, our strength comes in our collective experience. Helping professionals in the field connect across states and institutions will only make the dual and concurrent realm that much more powerful.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s engagement with NACEP and commitment to the NACEP mission, vision, and diversity and inclusion statement:
- Statewide Approaches to Quality Assurance for Concurrent and Dual Enrollment – NACEP 2018
- Using NACEP Standards to Guide Best Practice – NEACEP 2018
- Credits with a Purpose: Designing Systems to Avoid Excess Credit – NACEP 2020
Region: 5
Organization: Northwest Nazarene University
Job Title: Dean, Bridge Academy
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Professor of Communication Arts & Dean of Bridge Academy at NNU. Over 30 years as an educator. Past member NACEP Board & Advocacy Commission member.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s expertise relevant to serving on the Advocacy Commission:
Region 5 representative to Advocacy Commission, provided perspective relevant to region and history of NACEP.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s engagement with NACEP and commitment to the NACEP mission, vision, and diversity and inclusion statement:
As a long-time member of NACEP, I continue to support the values and ideals inherent in the organization as noted in the primary documents of the organization.
Engagement Commission
Region: 3
Organization: Tarrant County College District
Job Title: Director
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
- Project manage textbook initiative which provides students access to learning materials on the first day of class. 97.8% of students’ learning materials sourced through e-learning materials or through physical book and supply kit shipments on the first day of class compared to 28% the year prior. More than 78,000 students successfully received learning materials. Maintained compliance with federal financial laws. Worked at a District level and help procure textbooks for over 100 ISDs.
- Create a summer bridge program, dual enrollment orientation for students and parents, and creating professional development opportunities for faculty and adjunct instructors.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s expertise relevant to serving on the Engagement Commission:
Audra has experience serving on numerous boards and commissions. She has expert knowledge in communication both written and oral. She also has presented numerous times for organizations such as ITC and Liberal Education and America’s Promise Board Member/American Association of Community Colleges. Worked on various membership drives through NUTN and has extensive experience planning conferences.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s engagement with NACEP and commitment to the NACEP mission, vision, and diversity and inclusion statement:
Audra has experience working in both HSI and PBI colleges. She believes in diversity and building an atmosphere of inclusion for students. She also worked closely with food insecurity and housing needs at local area high schools in Dallas, Texas. She has extensive experience in training and course design to creating a more inclusive environment for learners. She has held various workshops and conferences for women in STEM and Black Girls Code. Audra is dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion to build a culture of completeness.
Region: 3
Organization: Tulsa Community College
Job Title: Director, Dual Credit Programs
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Director of Dual Credit Programs, the umbrella for all college opportunities at Tulsa Community College including Dual Enrollment, High School Plus One, Dual Credit to College Degree, and EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, an early college model. Melissa developed the department over the last nine years from scattered agreements across the college to a dedicated department and staff with growth in all areas of dual credit including Associate degree graduates, which have increased from three graduates to 54 graduates in three years. Melissa presents at state, regional, and national conferences on college opportunities for high school students as well as to the Oklahoma Senate Committee on Education. Leading TCC's Dual Credit Programs and providing guidance to other Oklahoma IHEs, Melissa is dedicated to the opportunity early college admission and enrollment provides all students.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s expertise relevant to serving on the Engagment Commission:
- Led the collection of state-wide dual credit staff at IHEs in order to share expertise and ideas.
- Developed district partnerships across NE Oklahoma
- Melissa (and faculty chair) develop content for professional development activities for adjunct faculty, high school districts, high school teachers, and other IHEs to expand excellence in programs and best practices, and have presented and led webinars, regional and state conferences, and workshops.
- Volunteered multiple years with the National Conference Planning Committee.
- Presented research on Dual Credit within the state and national conferences including the League of Innovation Conference, NACEP conferences, State Senate Committee.
- Collaborated with institutional research to write final research and best practices of a five-year pilot program.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s engagement with NACEP and commitment to the NACEP mission, vision, and diversity and inclusion statement:
Melissa attends NACEP conferences annually, has served on the NACEP national convention committee, and has presented multiple years at the NACEP conferences. The commitment to inclusive opportunities is demonstrated in the launching of EDGE: Earn a Degree, Graduate Early, and early college model that focuses on under-resourced, first-generation, under-served populations in dual credit in Oklahoma. The largest Early College project, EDGE is a pilot within the state regents of Oklahoma. Melissa has led the charge to focus on under-resourced students with a required percentage of low-SES students in each cohort. Changing the face of dual credit in the state is a priority of Melissa and Tulsa Community College. NACEP members, Tulsa Community College will be seeking College Provided Faculty accreditation within the next years.
Region: 5
Organization: Utah Valley University
Job Title: CE Academic Advisor
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s expertise relevant to serving on the Engagement Commission:
Reba has served for two year on the Engagement Commission. She has served that time working on the Leadership Academy including final presentation evaluation, review rubrics, and the Leadership Academy application.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s engagement with NACEP and commitment to the NACEP mission, vision, and diversity and inclusion statement:
Reba has been deeply involved in NACEP's accreditation program. She has served on several peer review teams and was lead reviewer on two of those teams. Reba has attended four national conferences with NACEP and enjoyed participating in several presentations at these conferences. Currently, Reba is involved with developing NACEP's strategic plan for professional development.
Region: 1
Organization: The George Washington University
Job Title: Director of Strategic Partnerships
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Dr. Zanin currently serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington (GW) D.C. Dr. Zanin began her career in education 30 years ago and has amassed professional experience in leading new initiatives, fostering government relations, and developing community engagement. Dr. Zanin is committed to expanding access for K-12 programming to advance career technology pathways designed with intentional curriculum mapping, work-based learning opportunities, and dual enrollment programming.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s expertise relevant to serving on the Engagement Commission:
As Director of Strategic Partnerships at GW, I have implemented strategic relationships with K-12, community colleges, 4-year institutions, and industry partners. I have led comprehensive initiatives to expand dual enrollment programming with local public-school systems. I believe it is necessary to include diverse groups of stakeholders who have broad perspectives of practice when building sustainable cross-stakeholder networks and partnerships. My passion for grass-roots approaches to community engagement involves engaging all stakeholders equally so diverse communities of interest have a voice in shaping the direction of emerging initiatives.
I was integral to the conception, design, and development of the Governor’s Health Sciences Academy (Academy) with the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS), a unique dual-enrolled partnership between GW and ACPS. The Academy serves as a pilot program to become a regional, statewide, and national model for K-12 programming to address limited diversity in the health professions workforce.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s engagement with NACEP and commitment to the NACEP mission, vision, and diversity and inclusion statement:
As a current member of NACEP’s Engagement Commission, I serve to expand and support member engagement and participation. I actively serve to develop and expand the Leadership Academy to promote participant strategic thinking around equitable access to dual enrollment, strengthen research and evaluation skills, engage in institutional, state, and national dual enrollment policy and practice, and expand professional networks and communities of practice.
My work exhibits my drive to close the opportunity gap for underrepresented and disadvantaged youth. I believe investing in educational programming is fundamental to further a more equitable society. By building K-12 roadmaps, guided pathways, establishing a model for work-based experiential learning, I have contributed to building a diversified workforce for tomorrow.
My experience demonstrates my commitment to access, diversity, and inclusion, while my strengths speak to cultivating differences and successfully building upon common goals. I look forward to continuing to serve the Community Engagement Commission.
Research Commission
Region: 5
Organization: College Bridge
Job Title: Founder & CEO
Brief professional bio for the nominee:
Dr. Cevallos earned her dual Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Boston College and began her career as a teacher spanning grades seven through college. Desiring large-scale improvement in math education, her work evolved into leadership roles in government, higher education, K-12, nonprofits, and corporations. Still unsure of the root causes of poor student performance in mathematics, she earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA studying intersegmental partnerships designed to lower college math remediation rates. Her dissertation, “Best Practices of P-20 Partnerships for Increasing College Access and Persistence for Under-Represented Students,” provided the foundation for College Bridge. Since 2011 her research agenda has continued along the same path aligning math curriculum, assessment and pedagogy from K-12 to higher education.
In addition to her work as CEO, Dr. Cevallos oversees all Mathematics programs and research.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s expertise relevant to serving on the Research Commission:
Dr. Cevallos has nearly two decades experience using program evaluation to bring about systemic change. She has performed these services for individual K-12 schools and colleges, as well as school districts ranging in size from small rural to large urban. Her experience includes work as both an internal and external evaluator.
Dr. Cevallos's experience using evaluation techniques led her to create innovative dual-enrollment programs to close achievement gaps for low-income, minority students. She credits the success of the programs to the use of evaluation processes such as the development of logic models to guide the projects.
She has served as Principal Investigator on two longitudinal projects utilizing dual-enrollment as a catalyst for systemic change.
Please briefly summarize the nominee’s engagement with NACEP and commitment to the NACEP mission, vision, and diversity and inclusion statement:
Dr. Cevallos developed presentations for two NACEP conferences; one past and one upcoming. Both presentations focus on her development, implementation, and evaluation of innovative uses of dual-enrollment.
Similarly to NACEP, Dr. Cevallos' programs focus on practitioners and policy where professional learning is geared to the former and scaling successful initiatives is geared to the latter. Her successful use of dual-enrollment as an intervention strategy for struggling students brings NACEP's vision that all students can succeed in quality college courses to fruition. Her work within her own organization mirrors NACEP's strategic goals, specifically the benefits, policies, and scope of innovative dual enrollment initiatives.