Joe Bertolino (he/him), President, 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.
George Kacenga (he/him), President-elect, is the Vice President for Enrollment Management at William Paterson University in New Jersey, where he provides leadership for the entire pipeline of undergraduate and graduate enrollment planning and management. George Kacenga joined William Paterson from the higher education services provider M Square Media (MSM), where he served as assistant vice president in the global marketing office.
Kristin G. Esterberg (she/her), Past 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.
Jon Herbert (he/him), Treasurer, is the Associate Provost for Admissions at the Juilliard School in Manhattan, where he focuses on performing arts and music education. He served previously at the Manhattan School of Music.
Daniel López (he/him), 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.
Bryan D. Cain (he/him) is President of Endicott College. Under his leadership, the College has achieved application growth and philanthropic momentum, expanded academic and experiential offerings, and strengthened its regional and national position as a results-driven, student-centered institution. Previously, as Executive Vice President, Dr. Cain led advancement, communications, student affairs, and governance initiatives, and launched the College’s first $75 million campaign. A first-generation college graduate, he is committed to student success, mission-driven growth, and access, outcomes, and value.
Lori Ciccomascolo (she/her) 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.
Michelle Fischthal (she/her) is the inaugural SDCCD Vice Chancellor of Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness at San Diego Community College District. Dr. Fischthal is dedicated to data-informed practices, strategic planning, and integrating emerging technologies to advance student success and equity across SDCCD, focusing on continuous improvement and innovation to strengthen the district’s mission. Dr. Fischthal is also a leadership and development coach with Fischthal Coaching and Consulting where she works with individuals, professionals, and organizations to create space for clarity, awareness, and purposeful action.
Richard Helldobler (he/him) 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.
Susan Henking (she/her) has been a leader in higher education for decades, as faculty member and administrator at Hobart and William Smith, as president at Shimer College, Salem Academy and College, and Wells College. A passionate advocate of liberal arts education and religious studies, Susan was a co-founder of what was then called LGB Studies at HWS and taught and published regularly at the intersection of religious studies and LGBTQ studies, including the landmark co-edited book Que(e)rying Religion: A Critical Anthology. She lives in the Finger Lakes region of New York with her partner Betty Bayer and their dogs Bunty and Frankie.
Merrill Irving, Jr. (he/him) 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.
Louisa Krause (she/her) is the Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning at Macomb Community College. Louisa holds an Ed.D. in Education Leadership and Professional Practice, Social Justice Leadership from Antioch University, an M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Integrating Technology from George Mason University and a B.A. in Elementary Education, Mathematics, and Language Arts from Western Michigan University. She joined Macomb Community College in 2017 as the part time Curriculum and Assessment Specialist, transitioning to the full time Academic Initiatives & Assessment Coordinator in 2018, then the Director of Instructional Technology and Online Learning, working with faculty and administrators across the college. Now as the Director of the CTL, she leads a variety of college initiatives related to assessment, accreditation compliance, faculty professional development, instructional technology, committee work, and strategic planning.
Nancy P. Kropf (she/her) 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 (he/him) 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 (he/him) 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 (he/him) is Vice President of Student Affairs at Ventura College. He previously served as Associate Vice Chancellor of Education and Student Services at West Hills Community College District in Coalinga, California; 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.
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, much of it focused on educational and leadership development. 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.
Kirby Knipp (he/him), Program Coordinator, is a curious and compassionate professional who firmly believes that a rising tide lifts all boats. A dedicated advocate for inclusivity, equity, and belonging, he is passionate about fostering supportive environments where all individuals, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, can thrive. His professional career has been focused on organizational development, strategic planning, and project management. He currently serves as the Strategic Initiatives Manager at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. In his free time, Kirby enjoys yoga, being active, attending concerts, and traveling to new destinations. He actively engages with LGBTQ+ organizations and events, championing spaces that celebrate authenticity and self-expression. Originally from Kansas City, he is always seeking new adventures and experiences while building meaningful connections along the way.
Kit Tobey (they/them), Executive Assistant, is a former classroom teacher with a love for storytelling. They earned their Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and their Masters in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona. Kit is moonlights as a freelance editor specializing in scientific copyediting and proofreading.