From Temporary to Transformative: Insights from Interim Leaders in Student Affairs

Kevin J. Stensberg, Ed.D., brings multiple perspectives in interim and short-term roles spanning the US, and Europe,and also through Semester at Sea. Currently serving in an interim role as Senior Student Affairs Officer & Dean ofStudents at both Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College, Dr. Stensberg has previously heldtemporary roles such as Assistant Vice President of Student Living and Title IX Investigator at Syracuse University,Study Abroad Site Director for Northeastern University in Greece and Great Britain, and Assistant Executive Deanwith the Institute for Shipboard Education. His work has optimized student experiences, increased retention, andbolstered inclusive environments. Dr. Stensberg holds a Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership Studiesfrom Northeastern University.

Dr. Jen Meyers Pickard is a senior partner and student affairs practice leader with the executive search firm, WittKieffer. Based in Tucson, Arizona, Jen brought her skills to WittKieffer in 2018 after nearly two decades in academic and student affairs roles, first at Northwestern University and the University of Maryland and later at the University of Arizona. Jen has a broad insightinto the inner workings of higher education institutions and is driven by a passion to find theright leaders for specific client needs. Her search expertise includes presidents, provosts, deans and leaders in a wide variety of administrative units including student affairs, student success, research and innovation, and finance and administration. Jen joined WittKieffer after 19 years in higher education, most recently serving as the AssistantVice President for Divisional Initiatives and Planning within Student Affairs and EnrollmentManagement, Academic Initiatives and Student Success at the University of Arizona. In this role, Jen functioned in a chief of staff capacity, extending the vision and capacity of senior institutional leadership through work on change management initiatives, executive level talent acquisition, oversight of institution-wide assessment efforts and leadership of faculty-student engagement and success programs. Jen is very proud of her leadership and administrative roots within the field of education. As such, she is deeply committed to the cultivation of emerging higher education professionals, continuing to develop and facilitate leadership institutes and conference sessions, and being active in NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education along with other higher education organizations. Additionally, Jen joined the board of the International School of Tucson in January 2020 and was named Board Chair in June 2021.

Dr. Leanna Fenneberg is a dedicated leader with 25 years of experience in higher education and student affairs. As a servant leader, she centers people and relationships with an identity-conscious lens. She is an administrator who prioritizes partnership, professional development and student success frameworks that focus on holistic development and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is known for consistently demonstrating integrity, work-ethic, and a positive outlook - contributing to significant goal attainment. Dr. Fenneberg serves as Senior VicePresident for Student Life at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she is responsible for approximately 125 staff in a comprehensive division. Much of her career has been in service at religiously-affiliated, mission-centered institutions, including 18 years at Saint Louis University. Following 6 years as a VP at Rider University, her position was eliminated for institutional cost savings, resulting in the opportunity to serve in a 1-year interim appointment at Creighton University during the 2023-2024 academic year, a wonderful and enriching experience. Leadership involvement in NASPA has included serving on the NASPA Board of Directors, asDirector of Knowledge Communities (KCs), and as co-chair for the Women in Student Affairs(WISA) KC, and the Student Affairs Partnering with Academic Affairs (SAPAA) KC. As a nationally visible authority, she has an impressive record of peer-reviewed articles and professional presentations, and has taught in higher education administration programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. An earlier career high-point highlighting commitment to first-year student transition, Dr. Fenneberg was recognized as a First-Year Student Advocate by the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience and Students in Transition.