Meet the Track Coordinators, Faculty, and Fellows for the 2025 Gehring Academy
Case Management and Student Conduct
Track Coordinator
Dr. Rachael Stark (she/her/hers) | Temple University
Dr. Rachael Stark is serving as the inaugural Assistant Vice President for Student Support & Advocacy at Temple University. She joined the Division of Student Affairs in November 2011 and has held positions of progressive responsibility. Her current portfolio includes: the CARE Team, the Cherry Pantry & Off Campus Student Services.
Rachael earned her doctorate from Colorado State University with a focus in College and University Leadership. Her research area focused on the moral behavior of Resident Assistants. She also received a Master of Art in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a Bachelor of Art in Psychology from The Ohio State University.
Faculty
Chrissy Feil (she/her) | Rowan University
In her current role as the Director of Well-being and Resiliency at Rowan University, Chrissy Feil serves as an advocate for students, faculty and staff through her supervision of the Rowan Thrive well-being initiative and Rowan Cares, the non-clinical case management team. Her passion for supporting students as they experience unforeseen circumstances, training faculty and staff to promote help seeking behavior, and the use of data management as a story telling tool is something that she hopes to be able to share with the Case Management track as a faculty member for this year.
Dr. Bryan Koval (he/him) | Carnegie Mellon University
Dr. Bryan Koval is the Director of Student Support Resources at Carnegie Mellon University. He leads a team that focuses on non-clinical case management for students of concern. In addition to his current role, Bryan has worked in residential education and student conduct in various positions across his 20+ year career.
Bryan completed his undergraduate studies and his master’s in higher education from Penn State University, and his doctorate in higher education administration from The George Washington University. Out of the office he is likely walking his Samoyeds, collecting vinyl, or following Pittsburgh sports and the English Premiere League.
Dr. Lynsey Listau (she/her/hers) | Pensacola State College
Dr. Lynsey Listau serves as the Executive Director of Equal Opportunity Compliance at Pensacola State College. In this role, Dr. Listau oversees student conduct, discrimination complaints, Title IX, case management, wellness services, counseling services, and basic needs support. Dr. Listau has received over $1.8 million in grants to enhance student support services on campus. Dr. Listau has experience working in residence life, fraternity and sorority life, orientation, and student activities. Dr. Listau also serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of West Florida.
Dr. Listau received her BA from the University of Tennessee, her MAEd from Virginia Tech, and her Ed.D. from the University of South Alabama.
Expressive Activity and the First Amendment
Track Coordinator
Marc H. Shook, Ph.D., J.D. (he/him) | University of South Carolina
Dr. Shook has served as AVP, Dean of Students, and Deputy Title IX coordinator at the University of South Carolina since 2018. He previously held positions in student affairs at LaGrange College, University of Texas at Austin, University of Alabama, University of Virginia, and Presbyterian College. With ASCA, he has been on the board, Gehring Institute faculty, and liaison to the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) board. He is a frequent speaker on First Amendment protections and active in protest response at USC. BA, Southern Methodist University; JD, University of Alabama School of Law; Ph.D., University of Virginia.
Faculty
Alexis Piñero-Benson (he/him) | University of New Hampshire
Alexis Piñero-Benson serves as the Chief Student Conduct Officer and provides leadership as Director for the Office of Community Standards at the University New Hampshire; the state’s flagship institution including the College of Professional Studies and Franklin Pierce School of Law. Prior to UNH, Alexis served as Director of Student at SUNY Oswego, Assistant Director of Community Standards and an Equity and Title IX Investigator at Berklee College of Music and Conservatory, and held other professional roles at Mitchell College, Barry University, Bowdoin International Music Festival, Brevard Music Institute, and the Tanglewood Music Festival. The 2025 recipient of ASCA’s Dixon-McFadden Award and 2021 recipient of the Individual Award of Excellence in 2021, Alexis is a two-time graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, holding master’s and bachelor’s degrees in voice performance.
Kristi Patrickus, J.D. (she/her) | Penn State University
Kristi Patrickus (she/her) is an experienced attorney with a diverse background in higher education law, student advocacy, and legal consulting. She holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oregon and is admitted to the Missouri Bar Association. Currently serving as the Title IX Coordinator at Penn State University, Kristi is responsible for ensuring the University’s compliance with the Title IX regulations across all Penn State commonwealth campuses. Additionally, Kristi runs her own solo law practice and a separate education consulting firm where she offers training and policy development for higher education institutions.
Mary Beth Mackin Foundations of Professional Practice
Track Coordinator
James Bond, J.D.(he/him) | University of Maryland College Park
James Bond is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Georgetown University Law Center. He currently serves as the Director of Student Conduct and Deputy Title IX Administrator for the University of Maryland College Park. He’s been in the field of student conduct for twenty years and has worked in various aspects of the profession including resident life, academic misconduct, sexual misconduct, hazing, and freedom of expression. He has been an active member of ASCA on various committees, the Board of Directors, and a Gehring faculty member for three years.
Senior Faculty Fellow
Dr. Matthew Scruggs (he/him) | University of Lynchburg
Dr. Matthew Scruggs currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Community Development at the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia. He serves as the Chief Conduct Officer for the institution and supervises the Directors of Campus Engagement, Campus Recreation, Leadership Development, and Residential Experience. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Lynchburg. Matt has served on the Gehring Faculty since 2022. He has earned degrees from Ferrum College, Virginia Tech, and the University of Lynchburg. In his spare time, he spends his time with his wife, son, daughter, and puppy. Matt is an avid fan of most sports, vintage video games, and superheroes.
Faculty
Michael Fernbacher (he/him/his) | University of Delaware
Michael serves as an Assistant Director in Community Standards & Conflict Resolution at the University of Delaware. Primary responsibilities include managing academic honesty cases, overseeing the appellate process and serving as senior Level 5 Maxient administrator. In addition to CSCR, Michael has also spent time at UD in Residence Life, Admissions and Conference Services. Michael has served in a variety of roles with ASCA, including as Gehring Academy faculty, conference committee member, and Raymond H. Goldstone Foundation member, secretary, and chair. Michael received a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, and Master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Delaware.
Jake Kasper (he/him/his) | Michigan State University
Jake Kasper is a passionate student affairs professional with 17+ years of student conduct, conflict resolution, and academic integrity experience. He currently serves Michigan State students as they navigate life decisions.
Alyssa Reddy (she/her) | Christopher Newport University
Alyssa Reddy (she/her) serves as Assistant Dean of Students at Christopher Newport University in Hampton Roads, Virginia. In this role, Alyssa leads the areas of student conduct, academic integrity, the Behavioral Intervention Team and oversees the Accessibility and Care team Support (accommodations, case management, confidential Title IX advocacy). Alyssa has presented at conferences, webinars, conducted external reviews and was a past faculty member at the Gehring Academy. Alyssa is passionate about facilitating strong teams and demonstrating success in “student conduct” work through assessment and intentional collaboration. By summer, Alyssa will have earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D) from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Mathew J.L. Shepard (he/him) | New York University
Mathew J.L. Shepard is the Director of the Office of Student Conduct at New York University in New York City where he oversees non-academic misconduct, including residence hall incidents, bias/discrimination allegations, study away incidents, and student organization misconduct. He has served as faculty at ASCA’s Gehring Academy the past three years and has served as co-chair of ASCA’s Assessment Committee since 2020. Prior to NYU, Mathew worked at the University of Maryland-College Park and Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk!) and his master’s in education from the University of Vermont. Mathew is a doctoral candidate in higher education administration at NYU and is scheduled to defend his research on administrators’ perceptions of academic integrity policy (de)centralization at public research universities this spring.
Faculty Fellow
Michelle Rauch (she/her) | Towson University
Michelle Rauch is an Assistant Director in Student Accountability & Restorative Practices (SARP) at Towson University. She has been at Towson since June 2022, first as a Coordinator before becoming Assistant Director in September 2023. Michelle investigates and adjudicates complex cases, implements restorative practices in investigations and case resolution, and is the co-chair of the Student Accountability Appellate Board. Prior to arriving at Towson, Michelle worked in Housing and Residence Life, and has a Masters degree in Sport Administration and Sport & Exercise Psychology and a Bachelors degree in Sport Administration from Lock Haven University (now Commonwealth University-Lock Haven).
Restorative Justice
Track Coordinator
Dr. Sarah Meiser (she/her) | Western Michigan University
Dr. Sarah Meiser (she/her) serves as the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities at Western Michigan University. Sarah has worked in higher education since 2006 with experiences in Residence Life, Student Conduct, and Title IX. Sarah has developed a spectrum of conflict resolution models at multiple schools and believes that conflict resolution supports healthy campuses/communities and helps students grow and be prosocial, engaged members of their community. Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree from Regis University, Master’s degree from Texas Woman’s University, and a Doctorate from University of Portland where her dissertation examined the relationship between student values (and perception of peer/institutional values) and prosocial bystander behavior. When not supporting student learning and healthy campus communities, Sarah spends time with her family and dog, Moose (who’s a good boy who makes bad choices), consuming audio books while driving, being outside, and trying to turn part of her yard into a wildlife habitat.
Faculty
Patience Bryant, Ph.D. (she/they) | California State University, Fullerton
Dr. Patience Bryant is the inaugural Executive Director for Black Student Academic Success at California State University, Fullerton, additionally she has served as the Interim Deputy Diversity Officer and the Director of Black/African American Equity at San Jose State University. Dr. Bryant served as the Director for Student Conduct and Ethical Development at California State University, Long Beach, where she oversaw the creation and implementation of the university’s first restorative justice program. Dr. Bryant has been featured as a contributing author in multiple books, as well as has served as a track coordinator and faculty member for ASCA’s Donald D. Gehring Academy. A current member of the Raymond H. Goldstone ASCA Foundation Board, Dr. Bryant has been a member of the ASCA board of directors and has served as the president for the Association for Student Conduct Administration. Dr. Bryant earned her Ph.D. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University.
Regina M. Donato, Ed.D (she/her) | The University of Delaware
Regina Donato is the Interim Director of Community Standards and Conflict Resolution at the University of Delaware. She is passionate about student conduct and helping students understand their impact on the community. As co-chair for the Women in Student Conduct Community of Practice (COP) for ASCA, she supports others in the field and values building strong, inclusive communities. Her interest in alternative conflict resolution and restorative practices began at the Gehring Academy in 2017, and she is excited to contribute as a faculty member.
Faculty Fellow
Emily Sherwood (she/her/hers) | John Carroll University
Emily Sherwood received her undergraduate degree from the University of Akron and her juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Emily serves as the Director of Community Standards and Student Wellbeing/Title IX Coordinator at John Carroll University. In this role, Emily has led initiatives to integrate restorative practices into the university’s conduct process and created a peer-led restorative justice program. Throughout her career, Emily has strived to give students agency and help them develop as community members by utilizing restorative practices, and she is excited to explore these themes with others at the Gehring Institute.
Senior Student Conduct Professionals
Track Coordinator
Dr. Sarah McDowell Shupp (she/her) | Lebanon Valley College
Dr. Sarah Shupp is currently the Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA. At LVC, she oversees student engagement, service and community engagement, spiritual development, and student conduct/title IX. Previously, she has worked in career services, drug and alcohol education, and student conduct. Sarah is an active member of the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA) and currently serves on their Board of Directors. When she is not working, you can usually find her reading a psychological thriller, snuggling her rescue cat Phoenix, or practicing her nature photography skills.
Faculty
Dr. Denise Balfour Simpson (she/her) | University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Dr. Denise Balfour Simpson serves as an Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Dean of Students at UNC Charlotte, where she provides leadership to the student accountability, non-clinical case management, and basic needs services units within the Division of Student Affairs. With a passion for mentoring and guiding both students and staff and 20 years of experience, Denise’s work emphasizes community building, student engagement, healthy conflict resolution, and the development of essential skills for personal and professional growth. Her scholarly activities contribute to advancing the field through emphasizing transformative living and learning environments for students.
Erin Kaplan (she/her) | Swarthmore College
Erin (she/her) serves as the Associate Dean & Director of Student Conduct at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. Previously, Erin has served in a variety of progressive leadership roles in student conduct in New Jersey, New York City, and Philadelphia. Erin is pursuing her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D) in Higher Education Administration from Manhattanville University. Since 2013, ASCA has served as Erin’s professional home, where Erin has served as Co-Chair for the Women and Student Conduct Community of Practice (2020 to 2023), Co-Chair for Region 10 (2023), a member of the Equity & Inclusion Committee (2020 through current), and as a Director at Large on the Board of Directors. Outside of ASCA, Erin is involved with Higher Education Case Managers Association (HECMA).
Tony Miller, Jr., PhD (he/him/his) | Old Dominion University
Dr. Tony Miller, Jr. is the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Accountability & Academic Integrity at Old Dominion University. He has held numerous leadership positions with ASCA and was most recently honored with ASCA’s Individual Award of Excellence. Throughout his career, he’s worked tirelessly to reshape the connotation and perception of student conduct professionals and their work. Dr. Miller’s faith is incredibly important to him, and he is genuinely grateful for his family. He’s been married to the beautiful Eleny Miller for nine years, and they have two precious little boys, Tony III (5) and Vincent (2).
Faculty Fellow
Jeff Cullen, Ph.D. (he/him/his) | University of Maryland, Baltimore County
An alumnus of the Gehring Foundations track in 1998 and the Senior Conduct Officer track in 2012, Jeff has served as the Director of Student Conduct and Community Standards at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) for 15 years. Prior to that, he was the chief conduct officer at Virginia Tech. Jeff co-founded the restorative practices program at UMBC. His dissertation examined pathways to deconstruct white racial privilege within his own graduate program.
Sorority and Fraternity Misconduct
Track Coordinator
Christina Parle (She/They) | CP Education & Consulting LLC
Christina Parle/CP, is an educator, thought leader, and consultant. Much of her work is rooted in conflict resolution, effective communication, and building cultures that embody belonging.
Christina has served in various roles over the past 10 years related to student and organizational misconduct, sororities and fraternities, and general student support. She served as the 2023-24 ASCA President and recently served as the Associate Dean of Students for Avila University. Christina received her bachelor’s in Political Science and Criminal Justice from the University of Central Missouri and her master’s in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Penn State.
Christine earned her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and Sociology from the University of Delaware in 2004 and her Master of Arts in Education in Student Affairs from Western Kentucky University in 2007.
Faculty
Christine Nye (she/her/hers) | Cornell University
Christine Nye currently serves as the Associate Dean of Students for Group Behavior and Development at Cornell University. Prior to joining Cornell in September of 2021, Christine served in various roles in Residence Life and Student Conduct at Southeast Missouri State University, the University of Rochester, and the College of New Jersey. Christine has developed a passion for working with the nuances of organizational behaviors. Her focus on organizational behavior includes collaborative approaches to working with all stakeholders to address root causes of behavior and provide multi-faceted support to student organizations for continued success. She has over a decade of experience with individual and organizational investigations and adjudication, alternative dispute resolution, conflict resolution, restorative practices and incorporating restorative approaches in student conduct work. Christine is involved with the FSL Community of Practice, served as faculty for the 2024 Student Organization track at the Gehring Academy, and served on the ASCA Student Organization Content Developmental Presidential Task Force.
Colette Shaw (she/her) | Emerson College
Colette Shaw is the former dean of students (and IFC advisor!) at Franklin & Marshall College. In 2020, she flipped the switch on fraternity hazing by introducing restorative circles to organizational misconduct. In 2023, she was recognized as Chi Phi National’s Administrator of the Year and earned a standing ovation from the F&M alumni who once deemed her a sworn enemy. Currently a Community Standards nerd at Emerson College, Colette balances work with writing a novel and hoping her star power is discovered at Taco Tuesday karaoke night. She loves Gehring and can’t wait to meet the FSL cohort.
Devin Walker (he/him) | University of Maryland, College Park
Devin has worked passionately with sororities and fraternities in a number of capacities for over a decade ranging from an alumni volunteer to professional staff. Across his previous, he has been engaged in organizational conduct processes at multiple stages, both as a lead and as a liaison for chapters. Devin is also an active volunteer for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA).
Devin received a B.A. in Communication from The Ohio State University, where he became a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated. He also received a M.S.Ed. in College Student Personnel from the University of Dayton.
Managing Title VI and Related Issues
Track Coordinator
Dr. Bonnie J. Taylor (she/her/hers) | Taylor Strategic Consulting
Dr. Bonnie J. Taylor is a higher education consultant with over 20 years of experience in student conduct and affairs. She specializes in compliance, risk management, leadership development, coaching, team building, skill development, career planning, and strategic planning. Prior to consulting, Dr. Taylor held senior roles such as Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct. Her expertise includes managing student conduct administration, stabilizing departments during transitions, fostering partnerships, shaping organizational culture, developing policies and procedures, and streamlining systems for efficiency. In her 17 years with ASCA, she has served on the Board of Directors, and contributed to various committees and task forces.
Faculty
Jessica Galanos (she/her) | Bricker Graydon LLP/INCompliance Consulting
Jessica Galanos is a partner with the law firm of Bricker Graydon LLP, where she practices in the firm’s Higher Education group. Jessica regularly advises higher education clients on a variety of legal issues under Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Collin’s Law, the Clery Act, and various other federal and state regulations, drawing from her own experience working at a large public university and representing universities in litigation. Prior to joining Bricker Graydon, Jessica served as an Assistant Director and Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Illinois State University. She has also held a variety of positions in Illinois government, including the Governor’s Office, the General Assembly, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor.
Kateeka J. Harris (she/her/hers) | Dillard University
Kateeka Harris is a dedicated higher education leader with extensive experience in student affairs, compliance, and equity initiatives. She has served in key roles at both two-year and four-year institutions, specializing in Student Conduct, Title IX, conflict resolution, and compliance with federal regulations such as the Clery Act and VAWA. As an educational consultant, Kateeka has worked with Ivy League institutions, HBCUs, and medical professional schools, providing strategic guidance on Title IX, Equal Opportunity Services, and student conduct. She integrates cultural humility into her work, shaping policies and training programs that foster inclusive campus environments. A former President of the Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA), Kateeka has led national initiatives to promote diversity and equity in the profession. She co-authored a knowledge and skills publication that embeds social justice principles into student conduct practices. Her leadership has been instrumental in improving institutional policies, training faculty and staff, and advancing equitable student success strategies. Kateeka holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Slippery Rock University and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Youngstown State University. Her passion for education, equity, and student advocacy drives her commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments and implementing policies that ensure fairness and belonging for all students.
Faculty Fellow
Taja Davidson (she/her) | The University of the South
Taja Davidson is an accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Tennessee State University. Currently, she is a doctoral candidate at Indiana State University, pursing a Ph.D. in Educational Administration with a focus on Higher Education Leadership. With over 15 years of experience in the higher education sector, Taja is deeply committed to the holistic development of all students. Taja has previously served as the Region 1 Chair for ASCA during her tenure at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, and is an active member of several committees within ASCA. Currently, she holds the position of region 7 Co-Chair. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Taja is passionate about community service and enjoys spending her time with her children and grandchildren.