Mantella serves as an executive sponsor for the program along with
Jennifer Drake, provost and executive vice president for Academic
Affairs, Robert Shorty, vice president for People, Equity, and
Culture, and the senior leadership team.
The Presidential
Fellows program was established in 2019. Fellows focus on one or
more areas that advance university priorities and serve on the Reach
Higher Collaborative Network.
Below is a list of the current fellows and their focus area.
Melissa Baker-Boosamra, associate director for Student Life- Civic
Engagement and Assessment; presidential fellow for student legal services
Annie Bélanger, senior librarian and senior presidential fellow
serving as program coordinator; presidential fellow for academic
affairs strategic planning, AI integration, digital literacy
Vijay Bhuse, associate professor and program chair of
cybersecurity; presidential fellow for international recruitment
Belinda Boardman, change management specialist; presidential
fellow for alumni engagement and strategy
Kyle Brink, professor of management; presidential fellow for
organizational development and change leadership
Chris Cirefice, assistant coordinator, Language Resource Center;
presidential fellow for institutional strategy with a focus on Reach
Higher Together
Merritt Delano-Taylor, professor of biomedical sciences;
presidential fellow for advancing a research strategy
Paul Hillman, affiliate faculty of management; presidential fellow
for AI, XR and digital transformation
Renee Malkowski, assistant director, Office of Student Conflict
and Conflict Resolution; presidential fellow for student legal services
Laila McCloud, associate professor of educational leadership and
counseling; presidential fellow for first-year academic experience
Justin Melick, senior instructional design specialist;
presidential fellow for funding research
Jeremy Paul, associate director, Office of Student Life;
presidential fellow for campus vibrancy
Karyn Rabourn, associate professor of educational leadership and
counseling; presidential fellow for unit head leadership development
Darien Ripple, assistant professor of interdisciplinary studies;
presidential fellow for AI, XR and digital transformation
Kelley Senkowski, instructional technology project specialist;
presidential fellow for Omni engagement
Tammy Shreiner, associate professor of history/social studies
education; presidential fellow for innovation in curriculum
Richard Vallery, professor and chair of physics; presidential
fellow for data analytics for academic affairs
Aviation students can complete the Bachelor of Applied Science degree program in Traverse City, or online, and have tangible professional benefits within the industry.
A Detroit News article centered on university governance and a Brookings article called the Thompson Scholars program a model solution for increasing access for students from middle-income families.
Now working in the Division of Enrollment Development and College Futures, Ngassa discusses how his background serves as a bridge between enrollment and academic affairs.
