Dr. Tierney J. Bates has established himself as national thought leader, speaker, networker, career coach, innovator, and voice on diversity, equity, inclusion, and GENERATION NOW! He has given over 215 keynote talks, presentations and workshops. With over 20+ years in higher education, he has progressed from entry level to senior level administration providing leadership, vision, and responsibility for strategic initiatives and solutions in student services, diversity & inclusion, career services/workforce development, recruitment, and fundraising. He is currently the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of South Carolina Upstate and was formerly at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Special Projects & Executive Director and has served in leadership roles at Virginia Union University, North Carolina Central University, University of Louisville, University of Tennessee, and Bowling Green State University.

Nick Kehrwald is a 15+ year student affairs professional with a career focused on improving student programs and services using process improvement principles to drive more equitable student success outcomes, including being the inaugural Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Kansas, restructuring the Dean of Students Office at the University of Kentucky, integrating student wellbeing programs and services at USC Upstate, and has collaborating on first-year experience and institutional-level student success efforts at multiple institutions.  Nick’s previous experience include being the Associate Dean of Students and Dean of Students at the University of Kentucky, the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Kansas, and a Student Conduct Coordinator at the University of Nevada – Las Vegas.  Nick has a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa, a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri, and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Cognitive Science from Lehigh University.  Nick is currently a doctoral student in the Educational Innovation and Practice – Systems Improvement program at the University of South Carolina – Columbia. 

Allysa Johnson currently serves as an Assistant Director for Residence Education at Michigan State University. Allysa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early and Middle Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs both from The Ohio State University. Allysa has an in-depth housing background, starting as a Resident Assistant and Assistant Community Director during her time as a student before becoming a live-in Community Director at 2 different types of institutions. 

Allysa is passionate about creating inclusive and supportive supervision practices in and beyond university housing. With a wealth of experience supervising resident assistants, graduate staff, and full-time professionals, she has developed a dynamic approach that moves beyond identity-conscious supervision to actively address systems of oppression impacting supervisee experiences. In addition to her supervisory work, Allysa has played a key role on departmental committees focused on staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum planning, graduate student recruitment, selection, and training, and first-year student success programming. These experiences have shaped her practical, thoughtful approach to leadership and professional development.

Jimmy Hutchful is an experienced academic advisor and student success professional. He currently serves as a TRIO Academic Advisor at Michigan State University, where he supports students with academics and personal goals,  while also overseeing a Peer Mentoring Program of 12 mentors and 58 student participants. His role emphasizes holistic advising, career exploration, and student success initiatives that promote a sense of belonging. 

In addition to his work at Michigan State, Jimmy also served  as a College Success Manager with Thrive Scholars, advising 37 first-year students across multiple institutions. He focuses on academic and socio-emotional support, helping students secure internships and navigate their college journeys. Previously, Jimmy worked as a Residence Director at Michigan State, managing a residence hall and mentoring 12 Resident Assistants. He also served as an Interim Residence Life Coordinator at Eastern Washington University, where he supervised community assistants and led initiatives to improve student retention.

Jimmy's extensive background in higher education includes roles in residential life, academic advising, and student advocacy. He has contributed to various committees and initiatives to enhance student engagement and diversity.

A seasoned executive administrator, Carrie Lovelace Petr holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She trained as a certified professional and executive coach at the ICF-accredited College of Executive Coaching and is recognized as both an Associate Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation a Board-Certified Coach by the Center for Credentialing Education. 

 Carrie has lived her professional career in service to higher education staff, students and faculty. Prior to founding her full-time coaching practice, Carrie served as senior student affairs officer at two institutions; throughout her career in higher education she has supervised all traditional areas in the field of student affairs.  Outside of the student affairs arena, Carrie has enjoyed work as a faculty member, academic adviser and academic administrator.  Of note for clients interested in their own professional growth, Carrie was the founding director of the Zenon CR Hansen Minor in Leadership Studies at Doane University and has practiced leadership development and higher education administration for more than 25 years. Partnering with long-time professionals and aspiring leaders to help them thrive and nurture their talents is her passion.  

 Beyond her professional life, Carrie is an avid reader and enjoys biking, craft cocktails, and storytelling.  She and her husband of 25 years share a college-age daughter and Felix, the most adorable King Charles Cavalier Spaniel in the universe. 

Dr. Marcella Runell, Vice President for Student Life Dean of Students, and Lecturer in Religion at Mount Holyoke College, is a social justice educator and author recognized nationally for her work in higher education, student wellbeing and community building. A 2024 Pillar of the Profession honoree by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), Marcella has published or been featured in media such as NPR, the Boston Globe and the Chronicle of Higher Education on topics such as work life integration, intergroup dialogue, friendship and identity. Her most recent book is UnCommon Bonds: Women Reflect on Race & Friendship. 

Now in her 11th year at Mount Holyoke, Marcella leads the Division of Student Life, overseeing Student Engagement (Residential Life, Student Involvement, Orientation, Community Standards, and the Be Well initiative), Community & Belonging, Health Services, Counseling, Public Safety, and Physical Education and Athletics. She has played a key role in developing programs like MoZone, Be Well, and the Living Learning Communities. 

Marcella also serves on advisory boards for Embrace Race and the Hip-Hop Education Center, is affiliated with UMass Amherst’s Center of Racial Justice and Youth Engaged Research and is a current member of NASPA’s Scott Academy board and the Holyoke Children’s Museum board. Before joining Mount Holyoke, she was the founding co-director for NYU’s Global Center for Spiritual Life, where she created the first Multifaith & Spiritual Leadership minor in the Silver School of Social Work. She has two very active school-age daughters, Aaliyah, 14, and Ava, 10