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Advisory Board

James Anker

Publisher, Barclay Creek Press, LLC
Bolton, Massachusetts

James D. Anker is the founder and former president of Anker Publishing, a respected publisher of professional development resources for faculty and administrators in higher education. In its years of operation, Anker Publishing has become recognized for its strong list of publications by well respected authors. Anker's list of publications includes the Department Chair newsletter, along with a backlist of 100 titles.

Katherine Frank

Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of English
Indiana University East

Katherine Frank is Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of English at Indiana University East. She served as Director of the Southern Colorado Writing Project from 2003 through 2011 and continues to serve on leadership committees for the National Writing Project. Her composition textbook, (Re)actions: Affecting Change through Inquiry-Based Writing, was published by Fountainhead Press in January 2011. In addition to celebrating several other recent publications, Dr. Frank has presented her research at conferences all over the world including Poland, Great Britain, and throughout the United States.

Susan Hatfield

Professor, Communications
Winona State University

Susan Hatfield is a Professor of Communication Studies at Winona State University. She served nine years as chairperson in that department and for 12 years as the Assessment Coordinator. She is a Visiting Scholar with the Higher Learning Commission and serves as a peer evaluator for that organization. Susan presents numerous workshops on assessment and accreditation at state, regional, and national conferences and consults with individual departments and universities on related issues.

Mary Lou Higgerson

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
Baldwin-Wallace College

Mary Lou Higgerson is Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean for Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. A social scientist, educator, administrator, author and specialist in organizational communication, she has been a speaker and consultant on topics of leadership, performance counseling, conflict management, shaping mission, and leading change.

N. Douglas Lees

Associate Dean, Planning and Finance
Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

N. Douglas Lees served as chair of the Biology Department for 18 years and also holds the title of Adjunct Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). He was recently named Associate Dean for Planning and Finance in the school of Science at IUPUI. In this newly created position, Dr. Lees will work with the dean in allocation of faculty, staff, and other personnel lines and financial, facility, and program resources. He will also assist with annual budget planning and assessment as well as fiscal policy development.

Christine M. Licata

Senior Associate Provost
Rochester Institute of Technology

Christine Licata has over 40 years experience in the field of education. She joined the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in 1979 as chairperson of the Business Department. In 1991, she was named Assistant Dean for Administrative Affairs and Associate Dean four years later. She recently served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at NTID, supervising 11 academic departments. She was responsible for oversight of curriculum, research, faculty recruitment and development, program review, accreditation, and outcomes assessment. She is known for her research in the areas of faculty evaluation and post-tenure review.

William Pallett

President, The IDEA Center
Manhattan, KS

William Pallett started the Individual Development and Educational Assessment (IDEA) Center in 1997. Prior to that, he served as Director of Assessment and Co-Director of the Office of Educational Advancement at Kansas State University. Dr. Pallett regularly provides telephone consultation to clients and has conducted IDEA training workshops at over 50 colleges and universities.

Gary Shulman

Professor and Chairperson
Miami University

Gary Shulman is a Professor in the Speech/Communication area and Chair of the Department of Communica tion. He has received recognition for his publication and teaching efforts from numerous professional associations and universities.

Lynda Spire

Assistant Dean, Division of Continuing Education
Kansas State University

Lynda Spire is the Assistant Dean for the Division of Continuing Education at Kansas State University. In this role, she heads the unit that is responsible for delivery and service of both credit and noncredit programs, including conferences. Lynda has been involved with Academic Chairpersons Conference for over 20 years.

Daniel W. Wheeler

Professor Emeritus
Former Head of Department of Ag Leadership, Education and Communication
University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Daniel (Dan) W. Wheeler is Professor Emeritus of Leadership Studies and former Head of the Department of Ag Leadership, Education and Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He also serves as Chair Coach with the IDEA Center. Previously he was Coordinator of the Office of Professional and Organizational Development at Nebraska. He has degrees from Antioch College, Cornell and SUNYAB. Dr. Wheeler has made numerous contributions to faculty development, chairing departments and leadership. He is author of a forthcoming (February 2012) Jossey-Bass book titled Servant Leadership for Higher Education: Principles and Practices.