Joe Bertolino, President-elect, is the President of Stockton University. With over 30 years in higher education, he has led initiatives that expand LGBTQ+ support and promote social justice. As President at Stockton University and other institutions, his leadership reflects a deep commitment to equity, fostering inclusive campus environments. Nationally recognized for his work, he has spoken across the country on LGBTQ+ rights, emphasizing dignity, kindness, respect, compassion, and civility.
Richard Helldobler, Past President, is the President of William Paterson University, where he has served since 2018. He spent six years at Northeastern Illinois University, first as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and then as Interim President. Previously he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Shepherd University in West Virginia and as Chair Department of Theatre and Dance, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Associate Provost/Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at California University of Pennsylvania.
Dick Senese (he, him), Treasurer, is President Emeritus of Capella University. Prior to returning to Capella in 2014, Senese served in leadership roles with the University of Minnesota Extension for 13 years. He most recently served as Extension’s Senior Associate Dean, where he oversaw research, program evaluation, international partnerships, and faculty development, among other responsibilities. Prior to his promotion to Senior Associate Dean, he served as the founding Associate Dean for the Center for Community Vitality. He has taught at a number of Minnesota-based institutions, including St. Olaf College, Metropolitan State University, and the College of St. Scholastica, and served previously as the Associate Dean for Capella University’s Harold Abel School of Psychology.
Daniel López, Secretary, is President of Harold Washington College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. López has dedicated more than 25 years to Illinois higher education in a variety of leadership and management roles. Throughout his career, López has been involved with leading academic and student affairs units at public and private higher education institutions with a laser focus on student success. He has previously held positions at Illinois State University, Lake Forest College and Northeastern Illinois University.
Kristin G. Esterberg, President, is chancellor of University of Washington Bothell. Prior to joining UWB, Esterberg was president of SUNY Potsdam. She served as provost at Salem State University in Massachusetts and as deputy provost at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. A sociologist, her research centers on gender and sexuality, research methodology, and social organization and change.
Lori Ciccomascolo serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Springfield College. She was previously the Associate Vice President of Student Success at the University of Rhode Island and as Dean of the College of Human Science and Services and Dean of the College of Education and Professional Studies at URI. She is a former American Council on Education Fellow.
Gillian McKnight-Tutein is Chief Educational Equity Officer at the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE). Her work involves leading teams, and collaborating with educators, students, and policymakers to ensure LGBTQ+ students have access to affirming resources, anti-bullying measures, and representation in curricula. She has been a passionate advocate for inclusive and equitable learning environments, focusing on creating safe spaces for marginalized groups, including the LGBTQ+ community. She is the 2022 recipient of the Bernice Joseph Leadership Award, and in 2023, she was chosen as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Colorado. Dr. G, a Caribbean-American immigrant, is a first-generation college graduate. She earned a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education.
Merrill Irving, Jr. is the CEO of MBK Solutions. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Public Administration from West Virginia University, as well as a Doctorate of Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California. Previous positions include President of Hennepin Technical College, 2015-2022, and Associate Vice President of Continuing Education, Training & Workforce Development at Oakton Community College.
Nancy P. Kropf has held several administrative positions at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. These include Dean of both Nursing and Health Professions and Perimeter College which is the access two year college for the institution. Additionally, she served as Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives.
Kenro Kusumi is Senior Vice Provost and Dean of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University. He is also Professor in the School of Life Sciences, whose laboratory works to advance the conservation and evolution of reptiles. Dr. Kusumi is committed to promoting inclusive excellence in higher education, and he is working to create more supportive STEM environments, including serving as mentor and faculty advisor in university LGBTQ+ organizations.
Kevin Leonard has served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville since July 2020. From 2017 until 2020 he was the chair of the Department of History at Middle Tennessee State University. He taught from 1997 until 2017 at Western Washington University.
Luca Lewis is Associate Vice Chancellor of Education and Student Services at West Hills Community College District in Coalinga, California. He previously served as Vice President for Student Services at Whatcom Community College, Dean for Student Success and Retention at Edmonds Community College, and Director for High School Programs at Bellevue College. Other experience includes instructional and education leadership capacities for the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, University of Washington Tacoma, Washington State University, and the University Idaho.
Mel Netzhammer has served as the chancellor of Washington State University Vancouver since July 2012. He previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Keene State College in New Hampshire. A native of New Orleans, Netzhammer earned a bachelor’s degree in communication at Loyola University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in communication from the University of Utah.
Christina Royal is the President/CEO of Infinite Unlearning, LLC, a woman-, BIPOC-, and queer-owned executive coaching and consultancy service supporting senior leaders and their organizations. She is also a board member for the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, and chair of the board of the Western Mass Economic Development Council. Previously, she was the fourth president of Holyoke Community College, and the first woman, first multi-racial, and first queer leader to lead this institution from 2017 to 2023. Dr. Royal earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a Master’s degree in Educational Psychology, both from Marist College, and a Doctorate in Education with a specialization in instructional design from Capella University.
Manuel Velasquez-Paredes is Director of Career Education at the University of North Florida, where he previously served as the Director of the LGBTQ Center. He brings a deep commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ inclusion and equity within our academic communities. His work in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion has focused on creating spaces where all voices are heard, and I am passionate about championing the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, faculty, and staff.
Jim Berg (he, him), Executive Director, earned a PhD in English at the University of Minnesota and had a twenty-five year career in higher education. He served as a dean at community colleges in Minnesota, California, and New York. He is an active literary scholar, completing solo and collaborative projects, one of which won a Lambda Literary Award for Gay Studies in 2000. He is also a freelance developmental editor and consultant, working with writers on academic and nonacademic projects.
