Division of Strategy & Advancement

About Us

The Division of Strategy & Advancement focuses on institutional growth, innovation, strategic partnerships, and high-quality outcomes at a national scale. The division provides cross-functional leadership for institutional strategic planning and implementation; innovative student success strategies; quality assurance processes; marketing and communications; development; and institutional research and effectiveness. 

Departments & Functions

• Alumni
• Conduct and Community Standards
• Disability Services
• Institutional Advancement
  • Development
  • Marketing, Communications, and Public Relations
• Institutional Integrity and Compliance
• Institutional Research/Effectiveness
• Strategic Planning

Leadership

• Janelle Elias, Vice President of Strategy and Advancement
• Karol Schmidt, J.D., Ed.D., Dean, Institutional Effectiveness
• Yolanda Espinoza, Dean, Strategic Enrollment & Partnerships
• Zach Lewis, Associate Dean, Institutional Research
• O. Tafari Osayande, Associate Dean, Community Standards
• Simon Ring, Director, National Brand and Marketing
• Todd Aakhus, Ph.D., Development, Scholarships, and Alumni Relations
• Aaron Coe, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Strategy and Advancement
• Sasha Flores, Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives
• Ramsey Itani, Director of Institutional Integrity and Compliance
• C.J. Coppola, Interim Director, Disability Resources & Services
• Mercedez Benjamin, Supervisor, Student Engagement and Recruitment