Keynote Presenter Biography

Dr. Kelli R. Brown, Chancellor, Western Carolina University

Kelli R. Brown is the 12th Chancellor of WCU and the first permanent woman chancellor. She previously served as provost and senior VP for academic affairs at Georgia College & State University. Chancellor Brown earned her doctorate in education from Southern Illinois University. She serves on numerous boards.

Throughout her time at Western, Chancellor Brown has spearheaded several major capital projects on campus. In 2021, the state-of-the art Apodaca Science Building was completed to replace the university’s 1970-era Natural Science Building. The following year in 2022, “The Rocks”, a collection of three freshman residence halls were opened with an emphasis on building student community. Later that year, WCU completed its new energy production facility, replacing the campus’ century-old steam plant. Additionally, she has overseen the implementation of the highly successful NC Promise tuition reduction program and the innovative Catamount Commitment financial aid program. Each program has had a tangible impact on the reduction of student debt. Under her leadership, Western Carolina University officially kicked off the largest comprehensive fundraising campaign in the university’s history, an effort to secure $100 million in philanthropic support, surpassing this record-breaking goal in October 2025. 

As Chancellor she has highlighted several priorities: an institutional emphasis on quality and excellence; a commitment to student success; and a focus on the University’s role as an engine of economic development for its communities. WCU continues to capitalize on the opportunity to be a thought leader regarding how regionally engaged universities can maintain a student-centered focus, with high levels of teaching innovation.

Presenter Biographies

Jessica Ange 

Medical Director, Health Services

Western Carolina University 

Dr. Ange started her career as a physician in the US Air Force at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota and deployed to Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. After leaving active duty in 2009, Dr. Ange joined a small private practice in Sylva, NC, offering primary care to all ages in a rural community setting. In 2018 she joined the staff at Western Carolina University Health Services stepping into the role of Medical Director in 2021. Dr. Ange considers working in college health one of the most fulfilling careers in medicine and loves helping students as they learn to navigate the health care system to advocate for their own health and well-being. In 2022 she completed the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults’ certification as a mindfulness instructor and began offering classes in meditation to the WCU campus community. When not working, she enjoys hiking, playing violin and bass guitar, and taking epic road trips with her family.

Sabrina L. Brown 

Director of Graduate Recruitment

University of North Carolina, Charlotte 

Dr. Sabrina L. Brown is the Director of Graduate Recruitment at UNC Charlotte, where she leads institution-wide strategies to strengthen graduate enrollment and enhance the student experience. With more than 15 years of experience in higher education, she specializes in sustainable Graduate Enrollment Management (GEM), data-informed strategy, and cross-campus collaboration. A proud UNC Charlotte alumna, she holds a B.A. in English from UNC Charlotte, an M.Ed. in Counselor Education: Student Affairs from Clemson University, an MBA from Tennessee Technological University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Tennessee State University. Dr. Brown serves as Chapters Chair for the National Association for Graduate Enrollment Management (NAGAP) and as Board Secretary for the Youth Development Initiative, Inc. in Charlotte, NC. Her work and scholarship explore leadership, culture, systems, and how individuals navigate and shape professional spaces within higher education.

Loury Ollison Floyd 

Assistant Provost for Academic Operations

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Dr. Loury Ollison Floyd is the inaugural Assistant Provost for Academic Operations at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she leads institutional efforts in accreditation, assessment, and academic operations. She serves as the university’s SACSCOC liaison and partners with the Provost on programmatic accreditation. Following a recent Academic Affairs reorganization, her portfolio expanded to include oversight of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Institutional Research and Assessment, and the Clemmer-Long Center for Vocation and Purpose, along with leadership for faculty affairs and grant development. Previously, she served as Professor and Dean at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, securing over $4.5 million in external funding and leading CAEP accreditation. She also held leadership roles at North Carolina A&T State University, contributing to more than $2.5 million in grants to improve teacher quality. Dr. Floyd is a published scholar and first-generation college graduate, holding degrees from North Carolina A&T State University, the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and the College of William & Mary.

Carrie Forbes

Liaison Librarian, Laupus Health Sciences Library

East Carolina University 

Carrie Forbes is a Liaison Librarian at Laupus Health Sciences Library, where she supports East Carolina University’s College of Nursing with a focus on APA style, instructional design, and advanced research services such as systematic and scoping reviews. She works with learners across all levels, from undergraduate students to doctoral researchers, guiding them in evidence-based practice and medical information literacy. Carrie holds a Master of Library Science from ECU and previously served as Interlibrary Loan Manager for over 15 years, giving her expertise in resource access and scholarly communication. She is also the author of five gluten-free cookbooks and a certified Death and End-of-Life Doula, with professional interests spanning grief, empathy-centered care, and neurodivergent learner support; outside of work, she enjoys time with her partner Michael, her six cats and dog, cooking, journaling, audiobooks, and Broadway musicals.

Jamaica Gainey

Business Manager for Campus Life Finance

Wake Forest University 

Jamaica Gainey serves as the Business Manager for Campus Life Finance at Wake Forest University, where she leverages 11 years of experience in the education sector to drive student success. A passionate advocate for equity, Jamaica has spent the last five years specializing in financial administration, focusing on how strategic resource allocation can create more inclusive institutional environments. She holds a B.S. from Howard University and an M.Ed. in Educational Policy and Leadership from American University. Currently, Jamaica is further advancing her expertise as a doctoral student at High Point University, pursuing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education. Her career is defined by the belief that intentional, equitable financial leadership is a cornerstone of the student experience.

Kloo Hansen

Director of Research Administration

Western Carolina University 

Ms. Kloo Hansen is the Director of Research Administration for Western Carolina University. In that capacity, Ms. Hansen oversees, and coordinates sponsored and unsponsored research, scholarship, and creative activities for the University. As the Director she provides leadership for faculty and staff at WCU in their pursuits of securing federal, state, non-profit, and industry funding for research and scholarly projects. Ms. Hansen has nearly 20 years of experience working in public and higher education settings. She earned her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina in secondary education. After spending nearly  a decade in public education, pioneering innovative technology integration in the classroom, she joined WCU as a National Science Foundation project coordinator and subsequently led university initiatives around undergraduate research and program planning. Ms. Hansen has spent the last 3 years as the Director of Research Administration, leading efforts to modernize the operations and strategically align research, scholarship, and creative activities with the broader institutional mission. Ms. Hansen is a Senior Leadership Fellow in WCU’s award-winning Leadership Fellows Program and the Staff Representative for the WCU Affiliate of NCE ACE. 

Sannyu McDonald Harris

Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling

North Carolina Agricultural &Technical State University

Dr. Sannyu McDonald Harris, LCMHCS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her scholarship focuses on workforce mental health, counselor burnout, resilience, and vocational calling among helping professionals. She teaches graduate courses in clinical counseling, supervision, and professional identity development. Dr. Harris brings over 15 years of experience in clinical practice, supervision, and healthcare settings, which informs her work with students and organizations. She serves as the Families’ and Children’s Health and Wellness Editor for the International Journal of the Whole Child and has published in Career, Lifestyle, and Spiritual Development. Her work integrates research, teaching, and practice to promote sustainable careers and wellbeing.

Theresa Higgins

Director of Phoenix Summer

Elon University 

Theresa Higgins serves as the Director of Phoenix Summer at Elon University and Academic Coordinator of Alternative Start Programs, where she is deeply committed to supporting students as they navigate the transition into college and beyond. She teaches courses in English, Sex and Gender, Executive Function, and Educational Wellness, creating learning spaces that center reflection, growth, and real-world skill building. Rooted in transformative practices, Theresa’s work focuses on reimagining the first-year experience through the lenses of equity, well-being, and belonging. She is passionate about helping students build the tools they need not only to succeed academically, but to thrive personally and within their communities. Her research explores students in transition, the first-year college experience, and holistic approaches to student success. Through both her scholarship and practice, she seeks to elevate community-centered, inclusive strategies that empower students and reshape how institutions support them. She is also the founder of an emerging educational consulting initiative aimed at supporting institutions in building inclusive, student-centered programs.

LaQuoia Johnson

Division Chair, Health Sciences Department

Davidson-Davie Community College

Dr. LaQuoia serves as the Division Chair for the Health Sciences Department at Davidson-Davie Community College, where she provides strategic leadership in advancing student success, academic excellence, and workforce readiness. With a passion for developing leaders and fostering purposeful growth, she is also a co-founder of She GLOWS, a community dedicated to helping women align with their vision, build with intention, and lead with confidence. Her work centers on guiding individuals through transition with clarity, strategy, and support.

Krista T. Kennedy

Associate Director of Assurance and Compliance, Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance

Duke University

Krista T. Kenney, Ph.D. understands the complexity of navigating multiple roles with purpose and authenticity as a wife, mom, stepmom, author, change management professional, researcher, professor, and coach. With more than 15 years of experience across neuroscience and education, nonprofit management, organizational learning, research, and ethics, she brings a deeply human perspective to the intersection of leadership, well‑being, and organizational culture. Currently, Krista serves as the Associate Director of Assurance and Compliance within the Office of Audit, Risk, and Compliance at Duke University. Krista obtained her PhD in Public Administration from North Carolina State University in 2022. Her applied research focuses on work and family, including leadership, burnout, employee well-being, organizational culture, and health promotion. Additionally, Krista has taught at various universities including North Carolina State University, Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Krista is a longtime resident of Durham, NC where she has served on numerous nonprofit boards along with city and county commissions. Outside of work, Krista enjoys time spent with her husband and three children, embracing the balance and connection that continue to shape her leadership and her life. 

Shweta Kailani

Director, Center for Teaching and Learning

Lenoir-Rhyne University

Shweta Kailani, Ph.D., is Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she provides leadership for faculty professional development and serves as a strategic partner and campus resource for teaching and learning. She brings more than 15 years of experience in learning experience design, online learning, instructional innovation, and educational technology. Prior to joining Lenoir-Rhyne, she served as Director of Transformational Teaching and Learning at Texas A&M University, where she helped advance educational excellence and student success at one of the largest public universities in the nation.

At Lenoir-Rhyne, her recent AI work has included helping shape institutional strategy for the responsible use of AI, supporting faculty through workshops and resources, guiding platform evaluation and governance conversations, and advancing applied AI initiatives in teaching, student support, and campus operations. Her work also includes developing AI resources for faculty, staff, and students and supporting practical AI use across academic and administrative units.

Her contributions to the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning include collaborative problem-solving, game-based learning, course redesign, online, hybrid, and flipped learning, faculty development, and the integration of AI and other emerging technologies in education to create immersive and engaging learning experiences. Throughout her career, she has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international academic conferences.

Adrian Lennon 

Director, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration, College of Nursing

East Carolina University

Adrian Lennon, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, is a dually certified family and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner and Director of the PMHNP concentration at East Carolina University College of Nursing. She brings a unique blend of academic leadership and clinical expertise, with a focus on advancing mental health care through education, evidence-based practice, and community engagement. Her scholarly and clinical interests include improving access to mental health services in underserved and rural populations, with particular attention to the intersection of trauma, substance use, and mental health outcomes.

Terese J. Lund

Associate Vice Provost of Purposeful Pathways and Professor of Psychology

Wingate University

Terese J. Lund is Associate Vice Provost of Purposeful Pathways and Professor of Psychology at Wingate University in North Carolina, where she leads institution-wide efforts to integrate purpose, vocation, and calling across the undergraduate experience. Her work focuses on how higher education leaders can use purpose to guide decision-making, support student development, and foster coherence in times of change. Her scholarship examines purpose formation in college and emerging adulthood, as well as educator purpose in teaching and leadership. She has published in the Journal of Character Education, Journal of Adolescent Research, and Journal of College Student Development, and has contributed to grant-funded initiatives that advance purpose-centered learning across academic and co-curricular contexts. Dr. Lund facilitates workshops for higher education professionals, helping translate research into practical strategies that support clarity, resilience, and impact. She earned her BA from Miami University, her MA from Teachers College, Columbia University, and her PhD from Boston College.

Rachel Priesman Marquez

Liaison Librarian, Laupus Health Sciences Library

East Carolina University

Rachel Priesman Marquez is a Liaison Librarian at Laupus Health Sciences Library where she supports a number of East Carolina University's programs including the School of Dental Medicine, Physician Assistant Studies, and Communication Disorders and Sciences. In addition to supporting these departments with instruction in evidence-based medicine, she also works on grants with other department faculty and community health workers to train community members on consumer health literacies. This work is important to her after starting her career in public libraries and desiring to maintain a strong connection to public education. Rachel holds a MA from Michigan State University in Critical Studies in Literacy and Pedagogy and a MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a lifelong learner. In fact, her husband once astutely said, "Rachel would take a class on how to take a class." Rachel's favorite thing about librarianship and teaching is that she learns something new every single day. 

Jennifer Mock

Executive Director of College and Career Readiness 

Alamance Community College

Jennifer Mock has over twenty years of experience in adult education and currently serves as Executive Director of College and Career Readiness at Alamance Community College in North Carolina. She is also the 2026 North Carolina State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow through Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE). Her professional background spans K–12, higher education, and corporate training, including roles as a Reading Recovery Specialist in the North Carolina public school system, Admissions Supervisor at Elon University, and Senior Director at Performance Edge, Inc., a corporate staffing and training company. Jennifer has mentored Elon University students for over fifteen years and serves on the advisory board for the Kernodle Center for Civic Engagement. In 2021, she received the Founders Award for Women Who Lead the Way in Alamance County, recognizing her dedication to community service and partnership development. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Elon University and an M.A. in Higher Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership from Appalachian State University. Jennifer is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at University of North Carolina Wilmington, focusing on community college administration. She recently completed a doctoral internship at Maynooth University, where she assisted with career clinics and conducted research on the ethical use of AI in advising.

Selena Wardlaw

Dual Enrollment Program Coordinator

Forsyth Technical Community College

Selena Wardlaw serves as the Dual Enrollment Program Coordinator at Forsyth Technical Community College, where she leads initiatives that support students in successfully transitioning from high school to college. With over 15 years of experience in education and student development, Selena is passionate about nourishing leadership through intentional growth, strong systems, and meaningful connections. She is committed to developing people, strengthening team culture, and creating environments where both students and professionals can thrive.

Alisha Webb

Director of Library Services 

Forsyth Technical Community College

Alisha Webb is the Director of Library Services at Forsyth Tech. She has served as a librarian in the NC Community College system for 18 years. She serves on several professional boards including NCLIVE and the NC Community College Library Association. Her personal life is filled with Boy Scouts and church activities that include her two teenage sons and husband. When she finally gets home, you would see her snuggled up with her 50lb lap dog and a fiction book. 

Carla Williams

Director of Admissions and Student Records

Craven Community College

Carla Williams is a higher education leader with more than a decade of experience in admissions and enrollment management across medical, dental, undergraduate, and community college settings. As Director of Admissions and Student Records at Craven Community College, she leads strategic outreach and admissions efforts while building community partnerships that help broaden access to postsecondary education. Carla is also a doctoral candidate at East Carolina University, where she earned both her undergraduate degree in management and her master’s degree in communication. Her academic and professional interests are grounded in leadership studies, particularly the experiences of Black women navigating higher education leadership.

Nicole Worley

Dean of Adult Education

Richmond Community College

Nicole Worley serves as Dean of Adult Education at Richmond Community College, where she has led programs for the past three years. She brings more than fifteen years of experience in adult education, having previously served in multiple roles—including Director of College and Career Readiness—at Sandhills Community College. Nicole is an active leader and advocate at both the state and national levels. She served as the North Carolina State Advocate for Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) in 2023 and was a member of the Board for the North Carolina Community Colleges Adult Education Association from 2023 to 2025. Her advocacy efforts include participation in national initiatives such as COABE Flood the Hill 2025 at the United States Capitol, where she worked to elevate awareness of adult education and its impact. Nicole is deeply committed to advancing adult education and expanding opportunities for learners. She is especially passionate about increasing awareness of the critical role adult education plays in transforming the lives of individuals and strengthening communities.