Commissioners Archive - Middle States Commission on Higher Education

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Dr. Susan D. Looney, J.D., Chair

President, Reading Area Community College

Term: 2023-2028

Dr. Susan D. Looney, J.D., Chair

Dr. Susan D. Looney, J.D., Ed.D., became the sixth President of Reading Area Community College (RACC) in Reading, PA, on July 1, 2018. Her teaching career began in 1998, when she accepted a full-time faculty position in Accounting at Mohave Community College (AZ). In her 24 years as a full-time community college educator, eight as a faculty member and 16 years as a senior administrator, Dr. Looney worked in diverse roles at Mohave Community College, Delaware Technical Community College, and Colorado Mountain College. She was named Dean of Instruction at RACC in 2014 and named Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost at RACC in 2015. While a faculty member at Delaware Technical Community College, she was honored with two awards that speak to her commitment to students in and outside the classroom: the Distinguished Advisor Award from Phi Theta Kappa and the Teaching in Excellence Award from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. After completing her A.A. at Brookdale Community College (NJ), Dr. Looney went on to earn her B.S. and M.B.A. in business administration from Monmouth University (NJ), a J.D. from Widener University School of Law (DE), and ultimately an Ed.D. in higher education leadership from Nova Southeastern University (FL). Prior to entering higher education as a professional, Dr. Looney spent almost five years with the Department of Defense as an Operations Research Analyst at Fort Monmouth in NJ. Dr. Looney maintains strong ties to the community and strives to enhance the college’s partnerships with area organizations and nonprofits. She is the chair of the Reading Hospital Board of Trustees, and serves on the boards of Berks Latino Workforce Development, United Way of Berks County, the Berks Alliance, the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and the Greater Berks Development Fund. Nationally, she is a board member of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and is serving a second term on the Executive Committee for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

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Dr. Havidan Rodriguez, Vice-Chair

President,

Term: 2023-2029

Dr. Havidan Rodriguez, Vice-Chair

Dr. Havidán Rodríguez became the 20th President of the University at Albany in September 2017. Before coming to UAlbany, Dr. Rodríguez was the founding Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at The University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. A respected scholar who studies the socioeconomic impacts of disasters and the economic well-being of minority populations in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, he formerly directed the University of Delaware's acclaimed Disaster Research Center, the world's first research center devoted to studying the complex social problems that result from natural and technological disasters and other community-scale crises. Dr. Rodríguez is also a national leader in the area of diversity and inclusion in higher education and is currently accelerating UAlbany's success toward reaching its vision to be the nation's leading diverse public research university. Dr. Rodríguez received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland, his M.A. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His first term as a Commissioner with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) began on January 1, 2020, and he was elected to the Executive Committee for 2022.

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Mr. Lloyd Ricketts, Treasurer

Vice President and Treasurer, Wilmington University

Term: 2022-2028

Mr. Lloyd Ricketts, Treasurer

Mr. Lloyd Ricketts joined Wilmington University (DE) as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in October 2022 following 23 years at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) where he left as Vice President and Treasurer. Mr. Ricketts was elected to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in 2019 and a member of the Executive Committee since 2020. As a member of the Executive Committee, he was elected Treasurer of the Commission in 2021 and 2022. After serving as Vice-Chair of the Finance Committee in 2020, he now chairs the Committee since 2021. He has previously served as a peer evaluator for MSCHE, participating in a number of accreditation site visits, including chairing a team visit. Since joining the College, he has played an integral role in the College's fiscal management. Under his leadership at TCNJ, the College had successfully implemented new financial systems with improved campus financial reporting, as well as other initiatives aimed at preserving the institution's long-term financial health. He had implemented a multi-year financial model to provide a forward-looking assessment of the College's financial condition based on key assumptions such as the level of state support, enrollment level, financial reserves, capital expenditures and strategic restructuring of the College's debt portfolio. Mr. Ricketts serves ex officio and as a regular member of the Board of The College of New Jersey Foundation, Inc., the nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation that solicits, receives, and administers gifts, bequests, and trusts for the benefit of the College. Mr. Ricketts earned his undergraduate degree from New York University Stern School of Business (B.S. in Accounting) and his Master's Degree from New York University Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service (Public Finance).

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Dr. Valerie D. Lehr, Secretary

Professor of Gender Studies/Government, St. Lawrence University

Term: 2021-2026

Dr. Valerie D. Lehr, Secretary

Dr. Valerie D. Lehr is a Professor in the Gender Studies and Sexuality Studies program and Government department at St. Lawrence University, where she has been a member of the faculty since 1988. Her term as a Commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) began in January 2018, and in 2021 and 2022, she was elected to the MSCHE Executive Committee and as Secretary. In 2020, she served as Chair of the Substantive Change Committee and has served MSCHE as a Team Chair, Peer Evaluator, and as a Periodic Review Report Reviewer. At St. Lawrence, she has also served as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs from 2007 through 2016, and as Associate Dean of the First-Year from 1997 through 2001. She has served on two MSCHE self-study committees at St. Lawrence. As part of her responsibilities as Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, she convened the University's Assessment Committee.

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Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Immediate Past Chair

Former President, SUNY Buffalo State

Term: 2022-2027

Dr. Katherine S. Conway-Turner, Immediate Past Chair

Dr. Conway-Turner is the former President of SUNY Buffalo State University. She began her tenure as the ninth president of SUNY Buffalo State on August 3, 2014. In 2016, Buffalo State was among five colleges and universities from across the country chosen to share in the Washington Center's annual Higher Education Civic Engagement Awards. Dr. Conway-Turner, who has served as a Peer Evaluator and Team Chair for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), was elected to the Commission in 2019. She was elected to serve as Vice-Chair of the Commission in 2022 after first being named to the Executive Committee in 2020 and 2021. Prior to Buffalo State, Dr. Conway-Turner was Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hood College in Frederick, MD (July 2010 to July 2014); Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Geneseo (2004 to 2009); Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences at Georgia Southern University; and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Delaware. Dr. Conway-Turner serves on numerous boards, committees, and programs nationally, statewide, and locally. She is chair of the Board of the National Campus Compact and on the Executive Committee of The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities. She also serves as a Pathway Program mentor for the NCAA and on their Division III Presidents Council. Her statewide commitments include serving as co-chair of the Western New York Regional Economic and Development Council, and board service on the Say YES Buffalo Operating Committee, the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, and the Western New York Women's Foundation among others. She also is a member of the board of directors of Haiti Outreach Pwoje Espwa (H.O.P.E.) and frequently travels to Haiti to provide educational, medical, and community development needs. Dr. Conway-Turner earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts degrees in Social Psychology, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Microbiology, all from the University of Kansas. She is the author of numerous articles, chapters, books, and book reviews.

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Dr. Yvonne Captain

Associate Professor of Latin American and Int'l Affairs; Former Director, Master of International Policy and Practice (MIPP),

Term: 2025-2029

Dr. Yvonne Captain

Yvonne Captain joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a Commissioner on January 1, 2025. Yvonne is a professor of Latin American and International Affairs at George Washington University with a focus on the African Diaspora and South-South relations between Latin America and Africa. In addition, she has served in a leadership capacity on various international boards that speak to educational issues. Among them are the Director of Master of International Policy and Practice (M.I.P.P.)/ESIA at her university, Executive Director & CEO of Phi Beta Delta Honors Society, Advisory Board, U. N. Association, National Capital Area (UNA-NCA). Yvonne has been a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education since 2006. Steeped in the tenets of shared governance, she constantly seeks ways to incorporate faculty into the decision-making at all levels of university society. Her book-length manuscript “Diaspora Agency in African Toponyms and ‘African’ Surnames" is under consideration for publication. Yvonne holds a Ph.D. from Standford University and an M.I.P.P. from George Washington University.

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Ms. Kimberly Davenport

Partner and Director of Corporate Responsibility, ScottMadden, Inc.

Term: 2026-2030

Ms. Kimberly Davenport

Kimberly Davenport is a Partner and Director of Corporate Responsibility with ScottMadden, Inc. She joined ScottMadden in 2005 and has expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), ESG, supply chain, service delivery design and implementation, and process improvement. Prior to joining ScottMadden, she worked nearly five years as a Lean coordinator for The Gillette Company in its Duracell Batteries division. During her 10-year tenure at Gillette, Kim held a variety of positions, including mechanical engineer, quality engineer, and production manager. Kim has led diversity and inclusion at the firm for the last nine years and was recently named Director of Corporate Responsibility (including oversight of DEI). She earned a B.S. in manufacturing engineering from Central State University (OH) and an M.B.A. from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School (GA). Kim also earned a certification of diversity and inclusion from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations (NY).

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Dr. Bassam M. Deeb

President, Trocaire College

Term: 2026-2026

Dr. Bassam M. Deeb

Bassam Deeb joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a Commissioner on January 1, 2026. Bassam, President of Trocaire College, has worked in the higher education realm all over the country for more than 30 years, primarily in leadership roles within the student affairs and enrollment management. A member of the Western New York Consortium for Higher Education and the board of directors for the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the Conference for Mercy Higher Education, Bassam is well versed in areas such as student services, higher education trends, healthcare, career-focused education, and non-traditional student populations. He has served as an MSCHE peer reviewer since 2012. Bassam holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Kent State University (OH), an M.Ed. from the University at Buffalo (NY), and a B.A. in Geography from the University at Buffalo.

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Dr. Antoinette Farmer-Thompson

President, Strayer University

Term: 2026-2030

Dr. Antoinette Farmer-Thompson

Antoinette Farmer-Thompson joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a Commissioner on January 1, 2026. Antoinette is the 18th President of Strayer University (DC). Prior to serving as President, Antoinette served the university as Provost and Chief Academic Officer. A distinguished leader in higher education with over 16 years of experience, her previous roles include Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer of Educational Outreach and Student Services at Arizona State University, and Senior Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and founding Honors College Dean at Grand Canyon University (AZ). Antoinette’s research interests focus on innovation in education to enhance economic mobility, organizational transformation through analytics and institutional effectiveness, and the development of women in leadership. Antoinette holds a D.H.Ed. in Health Sciences from A.T. Still University (AZ), an M.B.A in Healthcare from Grand Canyon University (AZ), an M.A. in Education from the University of Phoenix (AZ), and a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. She also holds an Artificial Intelligence in Business Strategies and Applications Certificate from the University of California Berkeley and an Executive Women in Leadership Certificate from Cornell University (NY).

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Dr. Michael J. Fischer

Professor of Accounting, Emeritus, St. Bonaventure University

Term: 2024-2028

Dr. Michael J. Fischer

Dr. Michael J. Fischer, Professor of Accounting at St. Bonaventure University, is a first-term Commissioner on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Dr. Fischer has been a faculty member at St. Bonaventure University since 1985 and has served in a number of leadership positions, including as the Dean of Enrollment Management; School of Business Dean; and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. He has significant experience with both specialized and institutional accreditation, including having led the process for initial Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation while Dean of the School of Business; overseeing successful MSCHE Periodic Review Report (PRR) and decennial self-study and visit processes as Provost; and having served as both a PRR and decennial peer reviewer. Dr. Fischer has also been engaged in shared governance activities as both a faculty member and administrator, including as chair or member of St. Bonaventure's faculty senate and graduate council, as well as its academic standards, compensation, curriculum, enrollment management, faculty handbook, finance, and grievance committees. Dr. Fischer earned his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the School of Management at the University at Buffalo, and his Ph.D. from Penn State's Smeal College of Business. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Dr. Fischer was an audit manager with the international firm of Price Waterhouse before beginning his academic career.

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Rev. Dr. Linh Hoang, OFM

Professor of Religious Studies, Siena University

Term: 2026-2030

Rev. Dr. Linh Hoang, OFM

Linh Hoang joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a Commissioner on January 1, 2026. Linh is Professor of Religious Studies at Siena University (NY) and a Franciscan Friar of The Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He has published widely in the areas of Asian American culture and Christianity, historical theology, and religious studies as well as a religion textbook published in 2020. He is currently the President of the International Network of Societies for Catholic Theology (INSeCT). He is also a consultant for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Office of Cultural Diversity. Linh holds a Ph.D. and an M.Phil. in Theology from Fordham University (NY), an M.A. and M.Div. in Theology from Catholic Theological Union (IL), and a B.A. in Philosophy from Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium).

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Dr. Heather A. Kelly

Senior Director of Institutional Research and Data Science, University of Delaware

Term: 2026-2030

Dr. Heather A. Kelly

Dr. Heather A. Kelly is Director of Institutional Research at the University of Delaware. She serves as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO), an Evaluator, and was appointed to complete a term of a Commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) November 16, 2022 through December 31, 2025. She has presented at MSCHE Conferences and at the Commission's Self-Study Institute. Dr. Kelly has been directly involved with successful accreditation reaffirmation processes including two self-study evaluation visits, a periodic review report (PRR) and taking the lead on the Verification of Compliance with Accreditation-Relevant Federal Regulations. Her areas of expertise include institutional effectiveness and faculty workload. She has published four chapters on the latter topic including a chapter in The Handbook of Institutional Research. She has taught graduate level courses focusing on Planning, Governance, and Finance in Higher Education and Analyzing Faculty Workload, Performance and Compensation. She is a member of the Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange (CSRDE) Board of Advisors. She is a past President and Treasurer of the Association for Institutional Research (AIR) and a past President and Treasurer of the North East Association for Institutional Research (NEAIR). She earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware, master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, and bachelor's degree in Geology from Smith College. She is also a graduate of the HERS (Higher Education Resource Services) Bryn Mawr Summer Institute.

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Dr. Christopher Leonard Kenny, Esq.

President & CEO, Delaware Supermarkets, Inc.

Term: 2022-2026

Public Representative

Dr. Christopher Leonard Kenny, Esq.

Chris L. Kenny, Esq., is a Delaware business leader and philanthropist with a mission to provide his community with engaging, action-oriented thought leadership on the greatest issues affecting the state. Mr. Kenny is the CEO of his multigenerational family business Delaware Supermarkets Inc., owning and operating six ShopRite supermarkets that generate $300 million in annual revenue, employs over 1,000 associates, and currently celebrating their 28th year in business. As current and former board member for over a dozen non-profits, Mr. Kenny offers unique insights into business, entrepreneurship, the food industry, Delaware issues, and the state's community. Currently, Mr. Kenny is a Board Leadership Fellow within the National Association of Corporate Directors, and he is a former member of the Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County Board of Directors and the Valley Forge Military Academy Board of Trustees. Mr. Kenny is licensed to practice law in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. In 2017, he received an honorary doctorate degree in Business Administration from Goldey-Beacom College. Currently, Mr. Kenny is the Vice-President of the Lincoln Club of Delaware; founder and inaugural chair of the Delaware Society, an affinity club with the Union League of Philadelphia; and the former President of the St. Thomas More Society of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington. Mr. Kenny lives in Wilmington, Delaware. His first term as an MSCHE Commissioner began on January 1, 2022.

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COL(R) Gerald C. Kobylski, Ph.D., P.E.

Director of Institutional Effectiveness (G5) & Professor of Mathematical Sciences, United States Military Academy

Term: 2024-2028

COL(R) Gerald C. Kobylski, Ph.D., P.E.

COL(R) Gerald Kobylski retired as a Colonel in the United States Army following 28 years of service and remains a Professor of Mathematical Sciences at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also serves as West Point's first Director of Institutional Effectiveness. He was appointed to complete the term of a retiring Commissioner on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in 2019 and elected to a first three-year term in 2021. He chaired the Committee on Evaluation Reports in 2021 and does so again in 2022. Dr. Kobylski originally served on the Commission from 2012 to 2017 participating on and chairing many of the Committees on Evaluations, Periodic Review Reports, and Nominations. He has also served as a peer reviewer on numerous teams, mostly for MSCHE. Dr. Kobylski holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stevens Institute of Technology, an M.A. in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, an M.S. in Operations Research from the Georgia Institute of Technology, an M.B.A. from Western New England College, and a B.S. in Engineering from the United States Military Academy. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia.

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Dr. John Lane

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Equity Initiatives, State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO)

Term: 2025-2029

Public Representative

Dr. John Lane

John Lane joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a Commissioner on January 1, 2025. John currently serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Equity Initiatives at the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). In this role, John leads policy and project development in educational equity, academic programs, and student success. John also facilitates the work of SHEEO’s Equity Advisory Committee and collaborates with SHEEO staff to explore and develop the equity implications of academic affairs, data, research, and finance projects by identifying and promoting best policies and practices related to closing equity gaps. Before joining SHEEO, John served in a variety of roles, most recently as the Director of Academic Affairs for the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. John also served as the Chair of music theory at Wheaton College and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Allen University. At the Commission, he was responsible for academic statutory and regulatory policy development (including transfer, dual enrollment, and institutional missions), and program development and assessment for state public and nonpublic institutions. He provided oversight for initiatives in research, innovation, and economic development (SmartState); educator preparation; workforce development; adult and military postsecondary population development; and interstate reciprocities. John holds a Ph.D. in Musical Arts in Composition from the University of South Carolina, an M.Div. in Scripture and Interpretation from Harvard University, and a B.M. in Music Education from the University of South Carolina.

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Dr. Ola K. Laniya

former VP, Internal Audit, SAP

Term: 2024-2028

Public Representative

Dr. Ola K. Laniya

Dr. Ola K. Laniya is Vice President, Integrated Assurance Delivery - Global, with SAP, where he leads a team based in eight countries to conduct audits, fraud investigations, risk assessments and internal control reviews. He has worked as a Director and Senior Manager with Fortune 500 corporations including Walmart, Inc. and CVS-Aetna, overseeing compliance, strategic operations, and internal audits. Additionally, he was the Corporate Secretary and Senior Manager with ERT, Inc. administering the global audit and SEC financial attestations. He has also worked with government and non-profit organizations to provide employment training and education for youth. Ola earned a B.B.A. in Accounting from Temple University (PA), an M.B.A. from Pennsylvania State University, and a doctoral degree from Eastern University's (PA) Organizational Leadership Ph.D. program, with a business concentration. He is also a recent graduate of the Management Leadership for Tomorrow – Executive Career Advancement Program. Ola is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and holds other international certifications that demonstrate his passion for education and leadership development.

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Ms. Vuyokazi Funeka Memani-Sedile

Owner, Platinum Web Hub

Term: 2023-2028

Public Representative

Ms. Vuyokazi Funeka Memani-Sedile

Ms. Vuyokazi Funeka Memani-Sedile has more than 30 years of experience in almost all the areas of finance. She is the founder of Platinum Web Hub a business consultancy in Hartbeespoort, North West, South Africa, which provides accounting services, website development, business advisory services, and board directorship/trusteeship. Ms. Memani-Sedile joined the Commission in May 2021 to fulfill the term of an open position. During the course of her career, she spent 10 years as Executive Director of Finance at University of South Africa (Unisa), the largest distance education institution in Africa which enrolls 381,000 students. Ms. Memani-Sedile has participated actively in higher education in South Africa and includes being contracted to the Ministerial Committee for the Review of the Funding of Universities (report published October 2013), a Board member of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, and an Audit Committee member of the Council on Higher Education South Africa among other affiliations as an independent non-executive board member of companies and pension funds. In 2014, while working at University of South Africa, she was a nominee of CFO of the year (South Africa) in the Public Sector section. She holds an M.B.A. and a Graduate Diploma in Management from the Australian Institute of Business after receiving her degrees from Rhodes University (Grahamstown, South Africa) and the University of South Africa. In addition, she participated in the American Council on Education (ACE) Fellows Leadership Program.

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Dr. Jonathan Peri

President, Manor College

Term: 2023-2027

Dr. Jonathan Peri

Dr. Jonathan Peri is the ninth President of Manor College in Jenkintown, PA. Dr. Peri has led dramatic changes to Manor's campus without creating new costs or debt, such as the renovation of the campus library and rebranding the college along with redesigning the college's website. Dr. Peri leads and is engaged with many community boards, especially educational. He is the only person in Pennsylvania history to concurrently sit on six of its main state boards and committees related to education. Prior to serving as Manor College's president, Dr. Peri was the Vice President and General Counsel at Neumann University (PA). Leading to his career in higher education, Dr. Peri worked as a Litigation Department Associate at Saul Ewing, LLP. He also held several positions within the Delaware County District Attorney's Office including, Special Prosecutor, Press Secretary, and Assistant District Attorney. While a practicing attorney, he held several adjunct faculty roles and still teaches at Manor College and Eastern University (PA). He is also a past President of the 1,350 member Delaware County Bar Association. Dr. Peri earned a B.A. in Theology from Villanova University (PA), a J.D. from Widener University's Delaware Law School (DE), and has a second doctoral degree from Eastern University's Organizational Leadership Ph.D. program, with an education concentration. Dr. Peri was appointed as a Commissioner on the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) on July 1, 2019, to complete the term of a retiring Commissioner. In 2022, he again serves as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Follow-up Activities after doing so in 2020 and 2021.

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Mr. Richard J. Pinkowski, Jr.

Financial Consultant, Villa Maria College of Buffalo

Term: 2021-2029

Mr. Richard J. Pinkowski, Jr.

Mr. Richard J. Pinkowski, Jr., is Vice President for Finance at Villa Maria College of Buffalo. He had previously served as Vice President for Business/Finance at Hilbert College in Hamburg, NY, from 1990 to 2019. Prior to joining Hilbert, he served at Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Pinkowski has volunteered for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) for more than 20 years, primarily as a finance reviewer on visiting teams. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Conference for Mercy Higher Education, and has served as the Chair of EACUBO's Buffalo Region Area Planning Committee and was a panel presenter on the topic, Coming Waves of Affiliation in Higher Education at the NACUBO Higher Education Accounting Forum in 2015. Mr. Pinkowski began his second term as an MSCHE Commissioner on January 1, 2021, and will serve as Vice-Chair of the Committee on Finance in 2023 after doing so in 2022 and 2021.

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Ms. Barbara Pratt

Vice President Finance and Operations, Warren County Community College

Term: 2021-2027

Ms. Barbara Pratt

Ms. Barbara Pratt has served as Vice President for Finance and Operations/Chief Financial Officer for Warren County Community College in Washington, NJ, since 2004. Ms. Pratt began her term as a Commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) in January 2018 and previously served as Chair of the Mid-Point Peer Review Committee from 2021 to 2022. She has chaired or participated on several MSCHE Evaluation Teams and has served as a financial reviewer for a number of Periodic Review Reports. She was a member of the MSCHE Process Change Steering Committee, chairing the Financial Sustainability Group in 2016. From 2001 through 2004 she served as Vice President for Finance and Administration at New Jersey's Gloucester County College (now Rowan College at Gloucester County). Prior to that time, she worked in various financial functions at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (now Stockton University), including serving for three years as Vice President of Finance. Ms. Pratt also worked for the New Jersey Board of Higher Education in various financial and student financial aid capacities. In addition to her administrative work, Ms. Pratt teaches history courses on an adjunct basis at WCCC.

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Dr. Rafael Ramírez-Rivera

President,

Term: 2024-2029

Dr. Rafael Ramírez-Rivera

Rafael Ramírez-Rivera is the eleventh president of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico (IAUPR). He has previously served as Academic Dean of Caguas City College and the Guayama Campus of the IAUPR; President of CSI (specialized consulting firm); President and CEO of Humacao Community College; Administrator of the Antilles-San Juan School of Technical Careers; President and CEO of Columbia College; Director of the Office of Licensing and Accreditation of the Council of Higher Education of Puerto Rico; President of Huertas Junior College; educational consultant for organizations such as Advent Morro Equity Partner (the largest private venture capital firm in Puerto Rico); and Advisor to the President for Planning and Institutional development of Ponce Paramedical College. Since 2005, he has participated as a member of the doctoral dissertation committees at four universities, and for 15 years, he served as Chancellor of the Arecibo Campus of the IAUPR. He holds an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from the IAUPR. He also graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor's degree and master's degree in economics. He has also studied at management schools such as AICS Management Institute at New Hampshire College, Florida International University, The Quality College, and the Pacific Institute.

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Dr. Patricia Pierce Ramsey

President, Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York

Term: 2026-2030

Dr. Patricia Pierce Ramsey

Patricia Ramsey joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a Commissioner on January 1, 2026. Patricia is the sixth President of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. She holds the distinction of being both the first woman and the first scientist to serve as President of the College. Prior to joining Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, Patricia served as Senior Executive Fellow with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF). She previously held the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lincoln University (PA). She served in various leadership capacities at Bowie State University (MD), including Department Chair, Provost, and Interim President. Patricia has received extensive recognition for her outstanding leadership, including but not limited to City and State's Brooklyn Power 100 list (2021, 2022, 2023), Higher Education Power 100 list (2022 & 2023), White House Lifetime Achievement Award with a medal from the 46th President of the United States (2023), and Greater New York Chamber Black History Award (2023). Patricia holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Georgetown University (DC), an M.A. in Biology from Harvard University (MA), an M.S. in Botany from Howard University (DC), and a B.S. in Biology (Education) from Norfolk State University (VA).

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Dr. David B. Rehm

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Misericordia University

Term: 2020-2028

Dr. David B. Rehm

Dr. David B. Rehm serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Misericordia University, a position he has held since July 2017. His work at Misericordia has focused on program review and accreditation, academic freedom, shared governance, and, of course, managing through the pandemic. He came to Misericordia from Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD, where he served as Professor and Provost, overseeing all academic programs and activities. Dr. Rehm regularly serves as a Peer Evaluator and Team Chair for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and served as a member of the Commission's Steering Committee for the revision of "Characteristics of Excellence." He has chaired the Commission's Committee on Follow-Up Activities since 2019.

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Dr. Scott Schaeffer

Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Northampton Community College

Term: 2021-2026

Dr. Scott Schaeffer

Dr. Scott Schaeffer serves as the Director of Assessment for Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education as a former Professor of Biology and Associate Vice President for STEM and Health Professions. Dr. Schaeffer has been serving as a Commissioner for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 2018. He has served as a past Vice-Chair of the Committee on Substantive Change and the Committee on Evaluation Reports. He currently chairs the Committee on Applicant and Candidate Institutions as well as the Committee on Membership. Dr. Schaeffer has extensive experience in assessment, shared governance, student retention and completion initiatives, and tenure and promotion oversight. He has engaged in strategic planning and both programmatic and institutional self-study development at various higher education institutions. He is passionate about student equity and inclusion in higher education and has been a champion of promoting Open Educational Resource implementation to reduce textbook costs to students. Dr. Schaeffer has served annually on MSCHE peer evaluation and small team visits since 2013. He also regularly attends MSCHE evaluator training sessions, webinars, town halls, and Annual Conferences.

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Dr. Nicole R. Stokes

Full Professor of Sociology, The Pennsylvania State University

Term: 2026-2029

Dr. Nicole R. Stokes

Nicole Stokes joined the Middle States Commission on Higher Education MSCHE as a Commissioner on February 26, 2026. She currently serves as Professor of Sociology at The Pennsylvania State University at Abington. Nicole brings more than 25 years of academic and administrative experience along with a personal and professional commitment to equitable leadership. Nicole has served as a peer reviewer with the Commission for 10 years, and she served as an accreditation liaison officer, leading university assessment initiatives, including self-study and complex substantive change submission processes. Nicole has previously held several administrative roles across a number of institutional types. Most recently, she served as Interim-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and as Division Head (Dean) for Social Sciences, Business and Education at The Pennsylvania State University at Abington, but she also brings experience from Union College of Union County (NJ), Saint Joseph’s University (PA), and the Fashion Institute of New York. Nicole was selected for the Distinguished Scholar Fulbright Award for Egypt for the 2025-2026 academic year hosted by the Binational Fulbright Commission in Egypt. This is Nicole’ second Fulbright award. She was Guest Researcher to Denmark funded by the Fulbright Scholars Program, Danish American Fulbright Foundation and the Danish National Institute for Social Research. As a passionate advocate for the arts, global education, and increased access and belonging in higher education, Nicole serves on several boards and committees that advance these goals including the Forum on Education Abroad, Settlement Music School-Willow Grove Branch, Main Line Chamber of Commerce and the Philadelphia250 Women’s Committee. Nicole is a first-generation graduate who earned her Ph.D. in Sociology and Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; Master of Professional Studies in Multicultural Education; Master of Arts in Sociology; Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism—all from SUNY New Paltz (NY).

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Ms. Karen VanDerhoof

Executive Vice President for Business and Finance, County College of Morris

Term: 2025-2026

Ms. Karen VanDerhoof

Karen VanDerhoof serves the Commission from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026. Karen is the Executive Vice President for Business and Finance for County College of Morris (CCM) in New Jersey. She joined CCM in December 1992 as the Director of Budget and Business Services, became the College’s first Controller in 2000, and served as Vice President of the Division of Business and Finance starting in September 2005 until she was promoted to the Executive Vice President of that division in 2022. Prior to CCM, she served as the Controller of Centenary University from 1985 to 1992. Karen has served as a peer evaluator for the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) since 2005. She has served on the board of the Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers from 2006 to 2013, including holding the position of Treasury from 2009 to 2013. Karen is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Master of Taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University (NJ) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Centenary University (NJ).