Largest cohort of Presidential Fellows announced

September 16, 2025 (Volume 49, Number 2)

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President Philomena V. Mantella announced the largest cohort of Presidential Fellows that includes, for the first time, staff members.

Seventeen people from across the university will serve a one-year term. In a message to the university community, Mantella said the fellows will grow their "leadership capacity and provide valuable insights for our collective efforts."

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

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