March 16, 2015
Dr. Tullisse Murdock, Senior Consultant
Mr. Paul Doeg, Chief Operating Officer
R.H. Perry & Associates
Members of the Presidential Search Committee
New Mexico Highlands University
Dear Dr. Murdock, Mr. Doeg, and Members of the New Mexico Highlands University
Presidential Search Committee:
I am writing to apply for the position of President of New Mexico Highlands
University. Currently, I am serving as Vice President of Higher Education Programs
for Three-W International, a private company headquartered in Orlando, Florida,
whose core business is recruiting and managing international students. In 2013,
Three-W searched for an individual who understood higher education, was
entrepreneurial in nature, grasped business fundamentals, and could extend ThreeW’s success and customer service to higher education institutions. When one of
their board members reached out to me that Spring to consider the opportunity, I
embraced it.
It has always been my desire, indeed, my vocation to serve as a university president.
Given the fact that American higher education has become increasingly more global
in its scope, that students thrive intellectually from a more international
environment and from study abroad experiences, that faculty exchange more
readily ideas and scholarship across national borders, and that technology has
reduced the size of the world, it was my intention to take on this new role precisely
to widen my portfolio and to sharpen my abilities to lead an American academic
community in the 21st century.
My experience has been rewarding and enriching, but I have discovered that I miss
the day-to-day interaction, the relationships, the intimacy and community of
campus life. Having successfully established the foundation for Three-W’s higher
education enterprise, it is my desire to serve New Mexico Highlands University.
Please allow me to tell you a little about myself, my experience, and why I am
enthusiastic about the prospect of serving NMHU in this capacity.
Prior to my time with Three-W, I served as Vice President for Enrollment
Management & Student Affairs at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North
Carolina, located near Charlotte. I had responsibility for all enrollment, retention
and student affairs functions, including Athletics and Campus Police and Safety.
Additionally, given the resignation of the Vice President for College Relations in
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September 2011, I worked closely with the Director of Major Gifts and a fund-raising
consultant on advancement initiatives and strategy.
I was born in the midst of turmoil in Havana, Cuba. My parents emigrated to the
United States when I was quite young and we lived in the Miami area for some time.
We then moved around the country as my father searched for economic betterment
for our family. I am the first in my family to pursue a career in higher education. I
taught for many years in the classroom. I held faculty rank at two of my institutions.
I have been an administrator dedicated to enhancing the life of students in and out
of the classroom. I have been a senior administrator at my last two institutions and
have played an instrumental role in developing and implementing the strategic
plans for those institutions. Throughout my career I have been committed to a
vision of higher education that is mission-driven, student-centered and communitybased.
As I see it, there are three essential aspects to a successful presidency. First, a
successful president must cultivate relationships that will benefit the educational
community—relationships with donors, potential donors, alumni, faculty and staff,
students, prospective students and their families, state legislators, and all partners
of the institution. Second, the president should embody a spirit of entrepreneurship
grounded in financial realities and with respect to the cultural and educational
values of the institution. Third, the successful president needs a surplus of energy
and enthusiasm that inspires an institution to reach for lofty but realistic goals.
The three points mentioned above—cultivation of relationships, entrepreneurship,
and enthusiastic energy—all rest on a foundation of long-term strategic planning.
The success of a university lies in and relies on the institution’s strategic plan. That
plan charts the future course for the entire academic community. It communicates
where the institution is going to donors, to prospective students, and to all
stakeholders. I have participated as a senior-level administrator in developing and
executing several strategic plans that have shaped and directed my institutions. I
have worked closely with the CFO’s at those institutions to ensure disciplined
budgets to support those plans. As NMHU’s president, the development, progress
and execution of the strategic plan would be a top priority. All stakeholders in the
plan would know on a regular basis the status of the University’s progress and the
future steps needed to meet our goals. Open and frequent communication will be a
hallmark of my presidency.
A successful president must cultivate relationships internally and bring the
university community—faculty, students, staff, and board of trustee members—
together to work towards the institution’s goals. I have particularly enjoyed my
relationships with faculty at my institutions. I developed a plan for “flipping the
classrooms” at Belmont Abbey College—that is, for downloading lectures on line
and utilizing class times to discuss the material in an interactive fashion and
increasing student engagement with the course content— and worked closely with
Dr. Travis Feezell on encouraging the participation of faculty colleagues. At Saint
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Vincent I was a voting faculty member and worked on many committees with
faculty to develop first year programs and speaker series, participated in the
Common Text Project, and attended faculty senate meetings. Every initiative I
launched as a senior administrator was with the valued consultation, participation,
and assistance of faculty colleagues. Since the work and benefits, and sometimes
hardships, of a university are a shared experience, so should the governance of the
institution be a shared responsibility. Working closely and transparently with the
board, the faculty, and the staff at NMHU will be a prized principle of my presidency.
It is essential for a president to cultivate relationships beyond the campus borders
in order to be successful. The cycle of relationship cultivation for prospective
students, current students, and their families is very similar to the cultivation of
relationships with prospective and former donors in the fund-raising cycle. The
fund-raising cycle of identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation,
recognition, and stewardship applies directly to attracting students to an institution
and providing services to those students. I have worked closely with Institutional
Advancement at Bellarmine University, Saint Vincent College, and at Belmont Abbey
College. I was a key administrator in Saint Vincent’s successful $75,000,000 fiveyear capital campaign. I provided the Institutional Advancement team with an
assessment of our student life needs which formed the beginning of the campaign
and initiated the relationship with the major donor that garnered the largest gift in
the campaign of $10,000,000. I have made presentations to and have solicited
alumni on a regular basis in order to raise funds for scholarships and grants. I have
made presentations and have communicated often with individual foundations
regarding major gifts. At Belmont Abbey, I engineered two large projects which will
improve the institution’s athletic and enrollment positions, and will significantly
solidify town and gown relationships. I worked closely with the Advancement office
to launch a capital campaign and assisted with the identification of major donors for
that campaign. Only a select group of talented people truly enjoy the task of
fundraising. I have a passion for it. I enjoy the opportunity to articulate a
compelling vision for an educational institution that inspires people, business,
industries, and foundations to invest in that vision with their resources and support.
I look forward to working with the entire New Mexico Highlands community in this
essential endeavor. I embrace the opportunity to form partnerships with
businesses and corporations, with the Las Vegas and Santa Fe communities, and
with the state of New Mexico as a whole that will result in real financial and
academic benefits to New Mexico Highlands University. I will be a visible,
gregarious president who will be a tireless advocate for NMHU.
The university landscape is extremely competitive and students have a myriad of
options. NMHU is faced with many challenges, including the need to raise the
retention and graduation rates, which are directly linked to performance-based
funding. However, I am convinced that the affordability, the quality of academic
programs, and the student-centered community of New Mexico Highlands
University positions the university to not only meet those challenges but to flourish
in the midst of them. While my background is in private educational institutions I
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am deeply committed to public higher education and the accessibility it offers many.
My background in enrollment, retention, budgeting, marketing, fundraising, and
creating student support systems will be of great service to NMHU.
I am also committed to a multicultural student campus. As a Hispanic Serving
Institution, NMHU plays a key role in the higher education of the state and the
nation. As a Latino I am particularly sensitive to a multicultural learning ethos, but,
more broadly, as an educator I am convinced that a diverse student body enhances
the educational experiences of students. I have developed programs that have
fostered and promoted a multicultural and international environment and have
actively engaged the entire learning community in those programs and activities.
My experience at Three-W has confirmed the significant reality that a college
education thrives when students gather from around the world to learn and grow
with each other. At NMHU, I will promote programs that will increase student
awareness of the global community.
I will dedicate myself to telling New Mexico Highlands University’s story—to
promoting the significant contribution it makes to the state of New Mexico and to
the nation. I will lead a dynamic fund raising operation to provide resources for
well-planned growth. My experience in enrollment and marketing, in strategic
planning and budgeting, in developing entrepreneurial initiatives and new
educational programs, in shaping the student experience and increasing retention,
will be of great service in leading the entire NMHU community in this noble effort.
I have a keen understanding of higher education, a deep commitment to
communicating the values that NMHU prizes, and a passion to demonstrate the
valuable role the university plays in the state of New Mexico and in the nation. My
family is also committed to being a part of this communal effort. My wife of 20
years, Dr. Beth Kreitzer, is Director of Liberal Studies at Belmont Abbey College. As
a member of an academic community, she understands the expectations that
accompany the spouse of a college president. Our three beautiful children, Claire
(age 17), Grace (age 14), and John Carlos (age 10) have been raised on college
campuses. As a family we are enthusiastic about this opportunity to serve New
Mexico Highlands University. I can serve your community with my energy, my
commitment, my broad understanding of higher education, my experience in higher
education administration, and my ambition to fulfill New Mexico Highlands
University’s desire to prosper financially, to grow academically, and to serve all the
human family faithfully.
I am eager to learn more about the NMHU community and to discuss the ways in
which we can advance its mission and shared vision for the future.
Sincerely,
Lucas Carlos Lamadrid
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Lucas Carlos Lamadrid, Ph.D.
Dr. Lucas Lamadrid is Vice President of Higher Education Programs for Three-W International
(3W), a company with the core business of
recruiting and managing international students.
Lamadrid has created a comprehensive higher
education plan that brings top quality students
to American universities and generates
significant revenues for those clients.
Previous to joining 3W, Lamadrid served as
Vice President for Enrollment Management &
Student Affairs at Belmont Abbey College in
Belmont, North Carolina. Dr. Lamadrid
oversaw all enrollment and student affairs
functions for both the traditional college and the Adult Degree Program, including Athletics and
Campus Police. During his tenure the institution grew consistently in its enrollment, increased
the academic quality of its students, expanded to three campuses, increased retention, and
experienced a revival in student culture and student satisfaction. A state-of-the-art dining facility
opened in Fall 2012 and two new residence halls opened in Fall 2013. He also worked closely
with the Director of Major Gifts on raising significant funds to enhance the athletic facilities and
academic support programs of the institution.
Prior to Belmont Abbey College, Dr. Lamadrid served as Vice President, Chief Student Affairs
Officer at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. At Saint Vincent, he oversaw all
student affairs, admissions, and financial aid functions. During his time at Saint Vincent, the
institution achieved historic growth. He was instrumental in formulating and executing the
strategic plan and Phase I of a $75,000,000 successful capital campaign which resulted in
record enrollment, increased retention, the construction of two new residence halls, renovations
for three older residence halls, a twelve million dollar renovation of the student center, the
migration from NAIA to NCAA III status of the athletic department, introduction of a football
program, and the establishment of a Master’s Program in Nursing Anesthesiology.
Throughout his career, Dr. Lamadrid has maintained a presence in the classroom, having taught
as a faculty member in departments of Religious Studies, Philosophy, and Communication. He
has published articles in Modern Theology, The Heythrop Journal, edited a book for Oxford
University Press, and has written and presented on the interconnectedness and collaboration
between Academic and Student Affairs, the first-year student experience, and the role of
parents of college students.
Dr. Lamadrid graduated from Marquette University with a double major in Economics and
English, earned a Master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, and a Ph.D. from Duke
University in 1996. He is engaged with his local community, serving on the Board of Trustees at
R.L. Stowe YMCA, as moderator at forums for local elections, represented the college with the
Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, assisted in the planning and management of the Marine Mud
Run held annually on the campus, and at Veterans Day city activities.
He is a graduate of the 2011-2012 Executive Leadership Academy sponsored by CIC and
AASCU, a selective year-long program for future college and university presidents.
Lucas Carlos Lamadrid
OFFICE:
Three-W International
North Carolina Office
100 Belmont-Mt. Holly Road
Belmont, North Carolina 28012
HOME:
1006 Victoria Blake Lane
Belmont, North Carolina
28012 (704) 461-8014
[email protected]
EDUCATION:
Doctor of Philosophy, Duke University, Graduate Program in Religion, 1996
Dissertation: “Befriending the Past: A Study of the Idea of Tradition in the Thought of John
Henry Newman”
Master of Divinity, University of Notre Dame, 1987
Bachelor of Arts, Marquette University, Economics and English, 1981
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE RELATED TO HIGHER EDUCATION:
THREE-W INTERNATIONAL (3W), Orlando, Florida: June 2013 – Present
A private company founded in 1998 that specializes in recruiting and managing international
students at high schools and universities in the United States and Canada.
Vice President of Higher Education Programs:
Manage all operations and budgets in a developing higher education division for the company.
Areas of responsibility include generating leads for higher education accounts, managing higher
education accounts, providing consultation to universities on recruitment of international students
and developing academic programs that will attract international students, training all company
employees on the nature and business of higher education, daily communication with liaisons in
China, Brazil, Latin America, Vietnam, and South Korea on higher education accounts,
establishing partnerships with ESL companies and other international recruiting services,
establishing international admissions protocols, procedures, student and academic support needs
for higher education clients.
Achievements:
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Established new higher education accounts that will generate $11,520,000 for the company.
Wrote and negotiated all contracts for higher education accounts.
Have served as a consultant for international recruitment to 15 universities.
Designed undergraduate and graduate Business curricula with several university clients in tandem
with the deans of the business schools to maximize international recruitment, including
accreditation with AACSB for clients.
Forged a partnership with American Language Academy (ALA) to provide ESL needs at client
higher education institutions and developed a business plan that will bring substantial revenues to
both ALA and 3W.
Developed On-line courses with ALA for ESL levels and marketed those courses throughout
China.
Developed a transcript evaluation system to expedite international enrollment processes, trained
company personnel on that system, and developed plans to establish a transcript evaluation
company.
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Worked with Coordinator of Recruiting in Brazil, Latin America, Vietnam, and South Korea to
expand business for higher education clients.
Interviewed recruiting agents from Europe, Russia, India, Nepal, and Africa in Berlin, Germany.
Marketed higher education clients to our 145 secondary school clients and created synergies
between the secondary education clients and higher education accounts.
HIGHER EDUCATION EXPERIENCE:
BELMONT ABBEY COLLEGE, Belmont, North Carolina: January 2007-May 2013
1,700 students, Baccalaureate College, Diverse Fields
Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
Managed over $2,500,000 operating budgets for Student Affairs, Admissions, and the Adult
Degree Program. Chief Enrollment, Student Affairs, and Retention Officer for the institution.
Areas of supervision included all enrollment, student life, and retention functions, including
Athletics and Campus Police departments. Advised president on strategy and overall management
with the executive team. Represented the president on Presidents’ Athletics Council for
Conference Carolinas (NCAA II) annual meetings.
Achievements:
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Athletics: Restructured Athletics department (Division II), hired new Director of Athletics,
supervised hiring of new Men’s Head Basketball Coach, Women’s Head Basketball Coach, and
Men’s Head Lacrosse Coach. Developed new Men’s Volleyball, Track & Field, and Tennis
programs. Improved morale, strengthened the athletics philosophy of the department. Four
programs with losing records resulted in winning records with conference and national
recognition. More importantly, retention of student-athletes increased 10%, team GPAs increased,
and student-athletic involvement in community service increased significantly.
Enrollment: Adult Degree Program: Increased enrollment by 40% in the first year and by an
additional 16% in the second year to reach all-time record in non-traditional enrollment.
Improved retention of non-traditional student population from 64% to 89%. Opened extension
campus in Charlotte and a second campus in Belmont. Traditional Admissions: Increased
enrollment of traditional new students by 19% in first year, garnering the second largest class in
school history. Enrollment was strengthened each consecutive year. Engineered tuition reset in
2012-2013 and managed communication/marketing role for the reset that resulted in meeting
target goals and doubling net revenue per student. Enhanced retention initiatives and increased
first-year student retention by 10%.
Academics: Established honor societies for humanities majors and business majors, attracting 50
new high quality students each year. Working with the Honors Institute, more than doubled the
number of elite students from 28 to 60. Served as the final appeal for academic dishonesty cases.
Developed plan with key faculty for “flipping the classroom” in several departments and
implemented with faculty champion of the plan.
Campus Police: Restructured Campus Police; hired new Chief of Police, instituted training for
sexual assault and Title IX compliance in coordination with Residence Life, Wellness &
Counseling, and HR.
Community College Partnerships: Established articulation agreements with Central Piedmont
Community College and Gaston College to enhance enrollment and develop a seamless transfer
system.
iPad Initiative: Established an iPad program to enhance admissions efforts and worked with
faculty to integrate the use of iPads into the curricular offerings.
Latino Students: Established partnership with Ric Elias, CEO of Red Ventures Inc., to support
Latino students with scholarships from the Golden Doors Foundation.
Student Life: Campus Police: Hired Chief of Police and developed training program in community
policing; established reciprocity agreements with police forces in Belmont and Mt. Holly,
NC. Co-Curricular Program: Designed and implemented a co-curricular program including
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Community Service that aims at developing the whole student—mind, body, and spirit—to
achieve practical outcomes integrated with the academic experience. Orientation: Revamped
Orientation to prepare students for the academic rigors of the year. Residence Life: Restructured
residence life and upgraded all training and disciplinary processes for more effective studentcentered residential management. Student Activities: Established a new Student Center in Fall
2012 for 24/7 student gatherings, study, events, and socializing. Advised President and CFO on
dining service options which led to partnership with Chartwells Dining and opened new state-ofthe-art dining facility in Fall 2012. Wellness: Established Wellness Center in center of campus
combining health and counseling services, optimizing on services to students, gaining support of
faculty, and improving student wellness programming.
Fundraising: Developed a multi-million (4.3 million) dollar proposal for establishment of a new
outdoor track & field stadium that has been presented to a major donor. While still in
development all indications are favorable for receiving funding. Additionally, engineered a
relationship with the local township to allocate $2,000,000 in funds for establishment of a football
athletic artificial field and lights on the campus. Worked closely with a college consultant and the
local city government on this development. A partnership will be announced publically in the
next year. Developed fundraising plan for support of the Academic Resource Center and met with
a key alumnus who has pledged significant funds to the effort. Garnered $50,000 from a
prospective donor in support of admissions initiatives. Developed the silent phase of new
$25,000,000 capital campaign and selected company to assist with the campaign.
SAINT VINCENT COLLEGE, Latrobe, Pennsylvania: June 2000 – December 2006
2,000 students, Diverse fields in undergraduate programs, Graduate programs in
Accounting, Education, and Nursing Anesthesiology, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice
Vice President, Chief Student Affairs Officer, May 2004 – December 2006
Managed $2,600,000 operating budgets for Student Affairs, Admissions, and Financial Aid areas.
Responsible for $14,000,000 in financial aid funds. Directly supervised all functions related to the
recruitment, funding and marketing for prospective students. Managed retention and co-curricular
opportunities and student affairs functions for undergraduate and graduate students. Advised the
President on all matters pertaining to students and assisted with strategy for the institution.
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Achievements:
Academics: Initiated and brokered the transfer of a Graduate Master’s degree program in Nursing
Anesthesiology from another institution that yielded 50 new graduate students in nursing per year
to the institution, significantly increasing graduate tuition revenues at a minimal cost in Fall 2006.
Admissions: Increased first-year full-time classes by 30%. Introduced new marketing efforts
centered on the Internet and utilizing new technologies to enhance communication with the
prospective pool and to update the web site for the institution. Established a partnership affiliation
with the Milton Hershey School, Hershey, Pennsylvania, for recruitment of MHS students.
Athletics: Advised the President and the Board of Trustees on the development of athletic
programs for enrollment growth strategy, specifically the introduction of a football program and
its implications on enrollment and campus life, and on the transition from NAIA II to NCAA III.
Established Ultimate Frisbee Team and Equestrian Club Sports.
Budgeting: Chaired Pricing and Budget Committee comprising the CFO, Director of Admissions,
and President of the Faculty Senate. Developed tuition increase plan and coordinated future
budget needs guided by the plan. Plan was presented to the President and approved by the Board.
Was also one of three members on the Capital Expenses Committee that approved all expenditures
for the institution in excess of $1,000.
Financial Aid and Alumni Affairs: Established the Alumni Recruitment Grant that rewards
$1,000 annually for four years to any recruit who was referred by an alumnus/a. Presented the
program to the Alumni Council which garnered enormous support from the alumni for the
institution’s recruitment of new students.
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Funding Raising: Secured $250,000 grant from Prologic, Inc. for Saint Vincent student internship
program to support Prologic’s work for satellite security projects for the Department of Defense;
Raised $25,000 from a donor to establish a Disc-Golf course; counseled Advancement team on
Phase I of successful 75,000,0000 campaign and fostered the relationship with major donor that
garnered $10,000,000, the largest gift of the campaign; trained student call team for annual fund
solicitations.
Marketing: Worked closely with the Special Assistant to the President on Marketing to research
and propose marketing strategy for enrollment and to develop brand marketing strategy for the
institution. Developed marketing materials and brand placement with Wall-to-Wall Marketing
Firm in Pittsburgh, PA.
New Construction: Conducted detailed business analysis for $7,000,000 additional residential
construction to accommodate growing residential population. Proposed and secured an addition
onto the first-year residence hall and a series of apartment-style residential additions for Fall 2006.
Strategy: Developed 5-year strategy for enrollment management and recruiting. Presented to the
Board of Directors in January 2005. Played a prominent role in two overall strategic initiatives
over six years to chart the future direction of the institution.
Student Life: Developed a Virtual Orientation that enables incoming first-year students to contact
each other during the summer prior to matriculation. Had a positive effect on creating community
among the first-year students and decreasing summer attrition for incoming students. Introduced
the Advanced Certified Emerging Leadership Program with significant faculty participation.
Leadership program was awarded the National Gold Award by the National Association of
Student Personnel Association (NASPA) in 2006. Based on the popular TV-series, The
Apprentice, students work in teams to compete for leadership prizes and to learn the dynamics of
teamwork. Developed strategic plan for the renovation of older residence halls. Supervised
significant capital improvements to older residence halls in Summer 2005.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, August 2002 – May 2004.
Duties include all Student Affairs areas and functions—Judicial Affairs, Health Center,
Counseling Center, Student Activities, Residence Life, Career Services, Campus Ministry,
Multicultural and International Student Life, Disability Services, Intramural and Club Sports
Programs, Student Publications, Service Learning, plus a new focus on admissions and enrollment
management initiatives, as well as provide guidance for the Athletics Department.
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Achievements:
Career Services Initiatives: Developed a new position of Service Learning Coordinator funded by
matching grants. This position pairs student internships with local non-profit corporations for the
mutual benefit of the student and services to the community. One third of the student body and 28
faculty participated in service learning opportunities in the first year. Developed an Electronic
Portfolio program that serves as a detailed record of the student’s co-curricular experiences,
preparing students for discussion of their development and activities outside of the classroom with
interviewers for internships and employers.
First-Year Experience Program: Designed a unique and comprehensive first year experience
program aimed at meeting the transitional challenges and needs of first year students, including
specific retention initiatives. Nominated by President as 2003-2004 Outstanding First-Year
Student Advocate to the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience & Students in
Transition. Was named a semi-finalist for the award by the NRC.
Fundraising: Raised $45,000 for Highlanders Outdoor Program; raised $10,000 from the
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for alcohol education wellness programs.
International Students: Opened an international student center and received the International
Student Advocate Award which is given by the international students each year. Developed
international service trips for American students to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Brazil.
Living and Learning: Developed the Faculty Fellows Program that involves faculty members in
educational programs in the residence halls. Also increased residential population by 10%.
Outdoor Recreation: Pioneered the Highlanders Outdoors program that features outdoor activities
and programs that work in tandem with learning opportunities. The key programs surrounded
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themes for particular student interest groups—alcohol use reflection, leadership, team-building,
etc.
Parents: Developed a Parents Association and introduced innovative systems for partnering with
parents in the educational experience of students.
Speaker Series: Designed and implemented the New Horizons in Education Speaker Series
featuring nationally recognized speakers who address issues germane to both academic and
student life issues.
Student Leadership Program: Developed a dynamic student leadership program that offers a
Student Affairs Certificate for successful completion of the 10-week program. The program was
based on the principles of the best seller Gung Ho! by Ken Blanchard, utilizing campus case
studies, and including strong faculty participation.
Staff Development: Developed staff retreat and theme for the year on Gung Ho! in order for staff
to reflect on their work in this context and support the Student Leadership Program.
Student Union Renovation: Served as key administrator for determining the $12,500,000
renovation of a Student Union/Athletic Center. Responsible for setting policies and assessing
operations for the new Center.
Wellness: Designed a Wellness Team to develop wellness programs for students throughout the
institution and have instituted a Wellness Center to meet health and counseling wellness needs.
Dean of Students, Saint Vincent College, June 2000 – August 2002.
Responsible for management of all student life programs, budgets ($1,000,000), and offices.
Served on the Administrative Council with other Deans and participated in long term strategic
planning and administrative decisions for the College.
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Achievements:
Crisis Management: Initiated a Crisis Management Team and developed a crisis and emergency
protocol and command center for all sectors of the institution. Utilized effectively on September
11, 2001 in response to the terrorist attacks. United Airlines Flight 93 passed over the edge of
campus prior to crashing in Shanksville, PA, 35 miles away.
Fundraising: Managed the United Way Campaign for the institution in 2002 introducing
electronic giving system and resulting in record giving levels and student giving participation.
Internships: Developed internships for students in Student Affairs graduate program of Indiana
University of Pennsylvania.
Judicial Affairs: Revamped disciplinary procedures and record keeping systems. Revised The
Student Handbook and all policies to ensure a more efficient, consistent, and objective disciplinary
process.
New Construction: Initiated, promoted, assisted in the planning and design of a $13,000,000
construction of a first year residential complex that integrates learning and living and serves as the
heart of a First Year Experience program. Served as lead representative for $10,000,000
renovation of the Student Union building.
Residence Life: Restructured residential management to optimize overall supervision of the
residence halls and services to residential students. Residential retention increased 5%, vandalism
charges decreased 50%, and maintenance requests decreased 50%. Disciplinary incidents in the
halls decreased 75%. Restructured residence life programming requirements to improve the
dynamics of community for our residents.
Student Activities: Working with Board Member Suzie Broadhurst, introduced the Pittsburgh
Cultural Series. In partnership with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, students are exposed to
museums, plays, opera performances, ballets, art exhibits, and other cultural opportunities. The
series includes meetings with casts, performers, and artists to discuss their work and the
performances.
Committees:
Board of Directors Committee on Enrollment Management and Student Life
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College Finance Committee—oversaw all budgeting forecasting and allocation of resources for
institution.
Integrated Marketing Team
First-Year Experience Task Force, Chair
Crisis Intervention Team, Chair
Assessment Committee, member of 4 person committee directing assessment processes for entire
institution
BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY, Louisville, Kentucky: August 1996 – June 2000
3,000 students, Masters programs in Business, Communications, Education, and Nursing, DNP, DPT,
PhD program in Education and Social Change
Assistant Dean of Students, April 1998 – June 2000.
Responsible for assisting the Vice President of Student Affairs in the formulation and
implementation of Student Affairs policies; provided counsel and advice on management of
division, crisis management, disciplinary matters, and on all student-related issues; served as
Student Affairs liaison with faculty; served on University-wide committees; supervised graduate
interns; worked closely with Admissions office and Retention services; represented the Student
Affairs division during Preview, Registration and Orientation Days.
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Additional Initiatives:
President’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Diversity, Chair: Conducted institution wide assessment
on diversity and multicultural issues, authoring a comprehensive report with recommendations,
presented to and approved by the Board of Trustees.
University Task Force on Sexual Harassment: Developed policies and adjudicated sexual
harassment complaints and cases for the entire university.
Retention Task Force: developed policies for retention effort and early warning system, increasing
retention from 65% to 75%.
Assisted SGA in the development of a Student Academic Honesty Code
Campus Ministry Committee: selected new Director of Campus Ministry and developed
ecumenical programs to support students of all faiths and religious backgrounds.
Enrollment Management Liaison: worked with Admissions office to increase freshman class.
Academic Resource Center Planning Team: One of three to develop an ARC on campus and
increase tutoring opportunities and writing lab to support academic progress of students.
On-Line Education Committee: Developed early on-line course programs introducing on-line
courses in the Sciences, Humanities, and Business, 1999.
Brown Scholars Leadership Program, Executive Board Member and Faculty Mentor: Presented
with the Director of Major Gifts to the Brown Foundation garnering $325,000 ($65,000 of annual
funding for five years).
Nexus Co-curricular Transcript program
Director of Residence Life, April 1998 – June 2000.
Responsible for the overall vision and management of a residence life program, development of
policies and procedures, hearing disciplinary cases, planning and designing new $8,000,000
residential facility, implementing technological advances in the residence halls, managing five
budgets, supervising staff, and working with all sectors of the University on residential issues.
Retention of residential students increased each year of my tenure 8% and overall residential
numbers increased 22%. Implemented a technology grant in the residence halls. Instituted the
Faculty Partners of Residence Life Committee to increase faculty interaction with residents.
Associate Director of Residence Life, August 1996 – April 1998.
Responsible for the management of residential life program. Duties included supervising staff,
developing training for the Resident Assistants, developing residence hall government, managing
conference operations and marketing, and managing budgets. Instituted the “Adopt-a-Professor”
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program. Established the John Henry Newman Seminar classroom within the largest hall.
Developed a peer mediation program. Trained as a High and Low Ropes facilitator, taking student
groups and corporate clients through Ropes Course experience.
DUKE UNIVERSITY, Durham, North Carolina: August 1990 – August 1996
Graduate Student, Engaged in doctoral studies, teaching and research.
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Additional Initiatives:
Administrative Involvement: Graduate Intern, Vice Provost for Budgets Office, 1994-1995:
Assisted the Assistant Provost of Financial Affairs with the management of budgets for Trinity
College (the Undergraduate college of Duke University).
Student Involvement: Worked with fraternity council on service projects, leading to AIDS
Awareness Programs in conjunction with the First-Year Writing Program, 1993-1994; Advised the
student newspaper on coverage of graduate student activities and programs, 1992-1993; Graduate
Student Advisor to SGA, 1991-1992.
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME, Notre Dame, Indiana, August 1983 – August 1990
Hall Director, Flanner Tower, 1988 – 1990.
Responsible for discipline and social life, and managing an undergraduate residence hall of 550
students. Trained and supervised a staff of 18 Resident Assistants. Designed and managed
programs to integrate the intellectual life and residential life of undergraduates. Instituted the
Flanner Tower debates (campus-wide event); a film series dealing with issues of student growth
and development; and founded and organized CAN-ND (the Cuban American Network at Notre
Dame). Also served as the Residence Life representative for the new Academic Honor Code.
Assistant Hall Director, Fisher Hall, 1986 – 1988.
Responsible for discipline, social life, academic projects, and general management of an
undergraduate residence hall of 250 students. Trained and supervised a staff of seven resident
advisors. Trained the student judicial board. Designed and directed the Fisher Hall Regatta, and
instituted the Fisher Hall Lecture Series. Assisted with the campus-wide Intramurals Hockey
program.
Graduate Student, 1983 – 1987.
Graduate student in Master’s program. Presented thesis on Disciplinary Models to all University
Residence Life staff, August 1987. Involved with Residence Hall Association and Student
Activities Council as a graduate student advisor.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Assistant Professor, Religious Studies Department, Saint Vincent College, 2000-2006. Areas of
competency include theology, philosophy, ethics, religious theory, religion & film, hermeneutics,
and 19th century theological and philosophical ideas. Taught three undergraduate courses each
year. Also taught Introduction to Ethics for the Philosophy Department.
Assistant Professor, Philosophy Department, Bellarmine University, “Ethics,” Philosophy
Department, Summer 1999 and academic year 1999-2000. Designed introductory course on the
history, theory, and practice of ethics and ethical decision making. Taught full-time nurses in RN
to BSN program at Baptist East Hospital.
Adjunct Professor, Bellarmine University, “Introduction to Philosophy,” academic year 19981999, Spring 1997. Designed introductory course on the history and discipline of philosophy.
Served as advisor for graduate student theses in the Master of Liberal Arts program.
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Adjunct Professor, Bellarmine University, “Film and Religion,” Religion and Communications
Departments, 1997-1998. Designed an advanced-level undergraduate course on religious issues in
film.
Instructor, Duke University, “Early Church through Reformation,” February 1995. Designed and
taught accelerated course for non-traditional students.
Instructor, Duke University, University Writing Program, Fall 1993 and Fall 1994. Designed and
taught writing course entitled, “Naming the Sacred” and a course entitled, “Naming Illness and
AIDS.”
Teaching Assistant, Duke University, Religion Department, 1991-1995.
Instructor, University of Notre Dame, Freshman Seminar, 1988-1990 (four semesters). Designed
and taught course entitled, “The Idea of the Heroic” as part of the Freshman Year Seminar
Program at Notre Dame.
PUBLICATIONS:
“Advancing the Student Affairs Link with Academic Affairs,” NASPA Netresults, feature essay,
October 14, 2003.
“Partnering Parents,” Student Affairs Today, Volume 6, Issue 2, May 2003.
“Overfacilitation: When It’s No Longer Appropriate to Clean Up Children’s Messes,”
About Campus, Issue 7:1, March/April 2002.
“Putting Descartes Before the Horse: Opportunities for Advancing the Student Affairs Link with
Academic Affairs,” College Student Affairs Journal, Vol. 19, No. 1, Fall 1999, pp. 24-34.
Co-editor, Ecumenical Theology in Worship, Doctrine, and Life: Essays in Honor of Geoffrey
Wainwright, Oxford University Press, 1999.
“Anonymous or Analogous Christians? Rahner and von Balthasar on Naming the Non-Christian,”
Modern Theology 11 (July 1995), pp. 363-384.
“Is There a System in the Theology of Nicholas Lash?” The Heythrop Journal 33 (October 1992),
pp. 399-414.
PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS:
“Increasing Student-Faculty Interaction,” Building a Collaborative Effort Across Student and
Academic Affairs, Academic Impressions Conference, Faculty Conference Leader, Atlanta,
Georgia, January 2008.
“Partnering Parents in the Management of First-Year Students,” Annual Conference on The FirstYear Experience, Atlanta, Georgia, February 2003.
“Rachel Carson’s The Silent Spring and the Rule of Saint Benedict: A Philosophy for the
Environment,” Saint Vincent College, Common Texts Faculty Workshop, May 2003.
“Plato’s Republic and Its Religious Implications,” Saint Vincent College, Common Texts Faculty
Workshop, May 2002.
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“John Henry Newman’s The Idea of the University and Liberal Learning,” Saint Vincent College,
Common Texts Faculty Workshop, May 2001.
“Careers in Administration,” Panelist, Duke University Career Conference for Graduate Students,
Durham, North Carolina, March 2001.
“Advancing the Student-Academic Affairs Link,” College Personnel Association of Kentucky
(state affiliate of ACPA), Louisville, Kentucky, April 1998.
“John Henry Newman and Higher Education,” Faculty Forum, Bellarmine University, January
1998.
“Managing Conflict: Strategies and Techniques,” University of Louisville Student Leadership
Conference, January 1998.
“Encountering the Other Within: John Henry Newman on Arius and Heresy,” American Academy
of Religion, Philadelphia, November 1995.
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS:
Writing book on higher education entitled The Big Picture: Advice to Parents of First-Year
College Students aimed at parents of college-bound students. Have written three chapters on the
philosophy of a college education, the nature of residentiality, and on how parents can facilitate
the college experience. Several publishers have expressed interest in the book.
Currently amassing research on a book-length study of John Henry Newman’s thought on
education and its implications for American universities.
Written first novel, titled Narcosis, which is set on a college campus. Have sent it to literary
agents in New York.
MEDIA APPEARANCES:
Moderator, September 2007 for candidates for election of Belmont City Council.
Press Conference held in June 2007 on Belmont Abbey College campus to announce the
appointment of new Director of Athletics. Covered by Charlotte, N.C. and Gaston County
television networks and press. Presented on the search process for new AD and answered
questions of press corps regarding the role of Athletics at the institution.
Interviewed in October 2002 by The National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and
Students in Transition, University of South Carolina, for “Embracing Parents and Families:
Strategies for Student Success,” a national teleconference aired on April 24, 2003 on the role of
parents in the First-Year Experience.
Interviewed in July 1998 by WHAS, ABC affiliate station, Louisville, Kentucky on fire safety and
residence halls at Bellarmine University and at colleges and universities in the state of Kentucky.
Interviewed in May 1998 by WHAS, ABC affiliate station, Louisville, Kentucky on the use of
films in the classroom for higher education.
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CROSS-CULTURAL EXPERIENCE:
Institut für Europäische Geschichte, Mainz, Germany, March—June 1996, a research institute for
graduate students and scholars from around the world. Conducted research and participated in
colloquiums dealing with issues of European identity and religio-historical questions.
Potsdam Universität, Potsdam, Germany, October 1995—March 1996. Exchange graduate
student with the University of Potsdam. Gave talks on research and educational opportunities in
the United States to undergraduate students at Potsdam University.
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Summer 1987. Resided and worked
with the Lakota tribe on the reservation, worked with youth groups, and counseled and tutored
Lakota youth.
Colorado Camp for Inner-City Youths, Denver, Colorado, Summer 1984. Counselor at summer
camp for inner-city Denver Latino youths. Directed outdoor programs and served as social
coordinator.
COUNSELING EXPERIENCE:
St. Joseph’s Medical Center, South Bend, Indiana, 1985-1986. Worked with the Pastoral Care
Department as an intern throughout the year. Counseled patients and families on the oncology
ward and the post-operation ward.
DePaul Center, Portland, Oregon, Summer 1985. DePaul Center is an alcohol and drug treatment
center which specializes in helping severe alcoholics and drug addicts. Counseled clients and their
families on the nature of alcoholism and on strategies for recovery.
South Bend County Jail, South Bend, Indiana, 1984-1985. Counseled inmates. Specialized in
counseling youth inmates and gang members.
Mesa Youth Counseling and Residence, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1983-1984. Mesa is a
school and treatment center for abused children and adolescents. Tutored and counseled youth
with abusive family backgrounds.
AWARDS:
Resident Researcher, Institut für Europäische Geschichte, Mainz, Germany,March—July 1996.
Duke University Exchange Fellowship for the University of Potsdam,Germany, 1995-1996.
Hispanic Scholar Dissertation Year Grant, Fund for Theological Education, 1994-1995.
Graduate School Awards, Duke University, 1990-1994.
Graduate School Fellowship, University of Notre Dame, 1984-1987.
LANGUAGES:
Spanish, Native Language; Classical Greek; Classical Latin; Medieval Latin; French, Reading Capacity;
German, Conversational and Reading Ability.
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