Lori Bachand serves as the statewide senior director of communications and marketing for the Community College League of California. She has more than 20 years in strategic planning and program implementation for higher education, with expertise in marketing, stewardship, special events programming, and advancement and campaign communications.

Lori serves on the CASE District VII Cabinet has been involved in planning CASE District VII and national conferences, including serving as the chairperson for the 2019 and 2020 Connect West conferences. Lori is Accredited in Public Relations by PRSA and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in communications from CASE District VII member institution Cal State Fullerton.

Vince Alberta is the chief marketing officer and vice president of brand integration for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). His core responsibilities include overseeing the university’s marketing, communications, and branding efforts. He reports directly the president.

Since his arrival at UNLV in April 2014, Mr. Alberta has worked on a variety of strategic initiatives – such as the university’s overriding vision to become a Top Tier public university in research, education, and community partnership; start-up for the UNLV School of Medicine; new academic buildings for the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality and the College of Engineering; new athletic facilities; and the final 2016 U.S. presidential debate, which was held on the UNLV campus. The university also launched its first branding campaign in more than a decade under his leadership. 

Mr. Alberta has three decades of experience in public relations and holds an accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). He also has been involved with PRSA Counselors to Higher Education. Previously, he was vice president of public affairs for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for nearly nine years and served as a member of the executive management team.   

He also has worked in various communications and marketing positions at private and public organizations in Southern Nevada, including the Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority, Sprint, and Nevada Power Company (now NV Energy).   

Before working in public relations, Mr. Alberta accumulated 16 years of journalism experience as a reporter and anchor covering news and sports. His journalism career included work in television, radio, and print.

Mr. Alberta earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from UNLV, and graduated magna cum laude from Colorado Mesa University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in mass communications. He has served as a national accreditation and assembly delegate for the PRSA and is a graduate of two professional leadership programs.  

Kinnari (Kin) Sejpal is the Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Branding at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). She is a two-time alumna of Purdue University with her first master's degree from the Brian Lamb School of Communication (CLA '09) and her second master's (MBA) from the Krannert School of Management (KRN '17).

In her role of almost five years, she works closely with the vice president on becoming a more performance driven marketing organization. Prior to RIT, Kin was at Purdue University in their central division and held a variety of positions doing marketing research and analytics, brand management, marketing strategy, advertising, and enrollment marketing.

Kin earned her MBA and MA in Communications from Purdue (Boiler Up!). Her higher ed volunteer roles currently span being on the CASE Commission of Communications and Marketing, AMA Higher Ed Symposium planning member, and Purdue College of Liberal Arts board member.

Russell Yost, APR is Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications at the University of San Diego (USD). At USD, Russell leads the campus' marketing and communications efforts, is part of the leadership team of USD's integrated advancement operation and serves on the President's cabinet.

Prior to joining USD, Russell served as Senior Director for Marketing and Communications at the University of Washington's College of Arts and Sciences, leading communications efforts for the UW's largest academic unit. Russell brings over 18 years of experience in higher education communications, has worked for PR and marketing agencies in Oregon, and has served as a legislative assistant in the Oregon State House and Senate. During his 14-year tenure at Willamette University, Russell served as a communications director, associate vice president and Chief Communications Officer for the university.

In 2018, Russell's team at Willamette won a prestigious national Silver Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for its solar eclipse event. Russell’s team at the UW won a Bronze Anvil Award for its student recruitment video in 2021. Russell received the Portland Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” award in 2011, the Portland Business Alliance’s “Volunteer Recognition Award” in 2014, and the American Marketing Association Oregon President’s Award in 2011.

Russell chaired the PRSA Counselors to Higher Education Forum in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and Senior Summit in 2020. He has been on the faculty for the CASE Conference on Marketing and Branding since 2021. He holds an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) and has a bachelor’s degree from Gonzaga University and master’s degree from Willamette University.

Patrice A. Bell is a New Orleans native with deep ties within the local community and 30 years of experience in the fields of marketing, communications, government relations, strategic leadership, and business management.

Bell currently serves as the Vice President of Administration and Chief of Staff with Xavier University of Louisiana. She joined the institution in August of 2017 as its first Chief Marketing and Communications Officer and ascended to the current role as her portfolio grew to include strategic planning, government affairs, deferred maintenance and special projects, amid other administrative responsibilities.

Prior to joining Xavier, Ms. Bell was the Public Information Officer for Transdev, a global private company that manages operations of the public transit agency in New Orleans. In that role, she was responsible for leading and implementing the agency’s rebranding campaign, creating the strategic communications and marketing plan, and developing protocols for engaging the community during major infrastructure projects.

Ashley Irvin Hawkins, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Xavier University of Louisiana

Senior administrator with 20+ years of public and private sector experience focused on creating and implementing strategic initiatives, building coalitions, and generating personal and financial support for institutions and movements. A recognized leader in advancing complex issues on both state and federal levels. Proficient in strategic planning, fundraising, board partnership, constituent communications and marketing, program building, staff hiring and supervision, and budget management. A consultative consensus-builder and problem-solver with exceptional communication skills.

Marina Harrison Cooper is assistant vice president for integrated marketing and brand at Johns Hopkins University, leading the creation, execution, and management of its comprehensive marketing and branding program. Prior to her role at Hopkins, Marina was Vice President for University Marketing and Communications at Towson University, where she led all aspects of university communications and marketing aimed at advancing TU's reputation for academic excellence and institutional impact, including a comprehensive rebranding initiative.

Marina holds undergraduate and graduate degrees (MBA) from University of Maryland and the IEM (Institute for Educational Management) from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.

As an Executive Creative Director, Paul oversees a wide range of visual and verbal work in a studio of talented writers and designers. He still pushes pixels when he can, but what fuels Paul is making sure his team is set up to be their best creative selves. It is so rewarding seeing their ideas flourish and make a change. I have been humbled to direct and create work for some amazing partners, such as the College of William & Mary, Hampshire College, Harvard Kennedy School, University of Baltimore, University of Florida, Purdue University, Stanford University, and Little League International.

Jeff Ek is the Marketing Department Chair and Associate Professor in the Design program at Ferris State University. Jeff oversees the department and provides instruction for courses in photography, web design, and digital imaging. Before joining the faculty in 1999, Jeff managed the graphics department for eleven years as a designer in the Media Production Center at Ferris. Jeff serves the Kent Career Technical Center and Mecosta Osceola Intermediate School District Graphic Arts Advisory Boards. He is a member of the AIGA (The Professional Association for Graphic Design) and attends numerous design conferences and workshops.

Kirsten’s intelligence, diplomacy, and strategic mindset have helped countless clients strengthen their brands, enrollment numbers, and market positions. With a 20-year communications career working with nonprofit organizations, Kirsten knows how to identify a client’s unique strengths and turn those strengths into real results. Thanks to her thoughtfulness, calm, and efficiency, Kirsten’s clients know they can count on her for truly strategic consulting—and peace of mind, too.

Kirsten holds a B.A. in art history and French from Smith College and an MBA with a finance emphasis from Loyola University Chicago. She previously served as a consultant for the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the American Association of Museums (AAM). In her free time, she enjoys the antics of her twin sons.

Dawn Gerrain joined the College in 2017 as chief marketing and business development officer. She is a skilled marketer and a transformational business leader, steeped in experience, leading organizations through major industry disruptions. Her strengths lie in developing customer-centric strategies, fostering innovation, driving business development, and creating a collaborative and engaging culture.

Prior to joining Excelsior, Gerrain was employed for 25 years with Cengage Learning, a $1.6 billion educational services company with operations in more than 40 countries around the world. Most recently, she served at Cengage as the senior vice president and general manager of Skills, which developed learning solutions for the academic and continuing education markets. She also focused on developing strategic partnerships and managing product development, marketing, and sales organizations.

Eric Hazen is the Web Marketing Manager at Ferris State University. Overseeing Ferris.edu, he helps the university tell its story and engage prospective students across digital properties. Eric is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago (BA, MFA). He resides in Grand Rapids, MI with his wife and their blue heeler, Sabrina the Canine Witch.

Ashley Irvin Hawkins, MBA is the Assistant Vice President and Director of Marketing and Communications for Xavier University of Louisiana. Mrs. Hawkins joined the institution in March of 2018 and was quickly recognized as a rising leader in the department serving a myriad of roles.

As Assistant Vice President and Director, Mrs. Hawkins leads all aspects of Xavier’s marketing and communications efforts, including leading marketing strategies, media outreach, advertising campaigns, social media, community relations, and branding implementation for the organization.

Mrs. Hawkins previously served as the Acting Director where she partnered with colleagues on various institutional initiatives and projects. Her management portfolio includes internal and external communications, digital; presence across all channels, crisis communication response, and communication innovation. Her contributions and leadership have continued to streamline and integrate communication efforts. Under Mrs. Hawkins leadership, Xavier communications department has expanded to meet the needs and demand of the institution, launched a national and globally award winning COVID 19- education campaign and improved streamline and integrated communication efforts across campus.

Alexia Koelling is a communications planning specialist with more than 15 years of experience leading multifunctional teams. Throughout career in media strategy, consulting, and account management, she’s helped clients push through their biggest challenges, plan for their futures, and surpass their own boldest goals. As Executive Vice President and Lipman Hearne’s director of account management, her expertise and tenacity are foundational ingredients in our clients’ success. She has worked on more than 30 client engagements including University of Pittsburgh, Gonzaga, Vanderbilt University, BYU, and University of Tennessee.

Alexia holds a B.A. in history from the University of Chicago and is a Master Project Manager (AAPM). An avid runner, Alexia also serves as a volunteer running coach and pace leader for CARA and I-Run’s marathon program.

Co-author “Navigating a brand ‘bounce back’ after a near closure: Sweet Briar College’s ‘fierce’ brand refresh,” Journal of Education Advancement & Marketing

Shawn Kornegay has over 20+ years of professional marketing experience in higher education, high tech, agency, service, and non-profit organizations. She’s currently the publicity and marketing administrator for the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut. She is responsible for supporting the strategic planning and execution of communications, development, and marketing activities designed to promote the nationally ranked Neag School of Education. Before joining the Neag School, she worked at Texas Christian University (TCU) as the associate director of communications and San Diego State University (SDSU) where she managed the Alumni Association’s communications efforts. Shawn has been involved with CASE for many years, including attending conferences in various districts and annually serving as a district and Circle of Excellence judging coordinator. She has been a past presenter and served on district-level conference planning committees. Shawn earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from SDSU and a Master of Science in Advertising/Public Relations from TCU. She recently completed a certificate as a Digital Marketing Professional through the Digital Marketing Institute/American Marketing Association.

Jeff McClellan is Director of Brand and Creative at Brigham Young University, where he leads a team of editors and designers in creating more than 400 publications and communication pieces annually (print and digital) to help BYU communicate with key external audiences. A magazine editor by training, he served as editor of BYU’s award-wining magazine for more than 15 years before assuming his current role.

Jeff also served on the CASE District VII Board of Directors for seven years (2010-2017) where he contributed to strategy, leadership and program planning.

Working at the intersection of research and creative, Matt oversees the strategy team at SimpsonScarborough. He has worked in higher ed marketing for 13+ years, initially on the digital side but moved quickly into brand and content strategy. He is currently leading brand and strategy projects with the University of Washington, Creighton University, Cornell University, University of Oregon, Chapman University and others.

Jeremy Mishler is the Associate Vice President for External Relations at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. In this role, Mishler leads a purposeful, energetic and collaborative approach to marketing and constituent engagement, overseeing the work of the marketing, website, alumni relations, and news services and social media teams. Mishler also manages a portfolio of annual and major gift donor prospects, as well as provides leadership support to the Ferris State University Alumni Association, serving as its Executive Director. Mishler has been an active member of CASE throughout his 24-year career in higher education. He currently serves on the CASE District V Cabinet and chairs the District’s scholarship initiatives.

A Special Advisor to the CEO at CASE, Rob Moore is also CEO emeritus of Lipman Hearne and the author of The Real U: Building Brands that Resonate with Students, Faculty, Staff, and Donors (CASE 2010). He previously served as the vice president of marketing and communications at CASE.

Brian Notess is the Production Director for the Office of Advancement at the University of Tennessee. With almost a decade of experience collaborating on both Student Recruitment and University Advancement campaigns, he has a unique opportunity to work with both teams on major higher education marketing efforts. His expertise in digital imaging has resulted award winning national commercials, newspaper and magazine ads that have helped define the University of Tennessee's brand.

Working from a foundational skill as a writer and publisher, Linda Peal currently heads the marketing and alumni engagement team for Tulane University Office of Advancement. With a 30-year career in marketing and communications in higher education, Linda’s experience spans the breadth of that field, from brand and content management to digital marketing, database management and analysis to creative direction. Prior to her career in higher education, Linda was the executive editor and writer for the literary magazine, The Oxford American.

Joe Pecor brings more than a decade of experience in digital marketing, with an expertise in advertising operations, strategy, fulfillment, and analytics. He currently serves as the Digital Marketing Manager for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT), developing university-wide digital marketing best practices, processes, and campaign execution. His previous role of Digital & Field Marketing Specialist at the UT School of Information Sciences contributed to an 80% increase in graduate enrollment, doubling undergraduate recruitment goals, a 158% increase in graduate applications from underrepresented groups, and an increase in US News & World report graduate program ranking from 17th to 10th.

A native New Orleanian, Mark is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of New Orleans & Company, the New Orleans tourism industry’s destination marketing and sales organization.

His public relations career has spanned more than four decades and has taken him from teaching in college classrooms to the 1984 Louisiana World’s Fair, from working as a Staff Assistant to U.S. Dept. of Transportation Secretary Elizabeth Dole and the 1987-88 presidential campaign of U.S. Senator Bob Dole, and to corporate and non-profit public relations and marketing counseling.

In 2013 Mark became the Stadium Announcer for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, succeeding his father, Jerry (who served in the same role for 446 consecutive Saints home games over 44 years).  Mark is also a member of the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank, headquartered in New Orleans.

Active in his community, Mark recently served as the appointed volunteer President and CEO of the 2018 NOLA Foundation, the organization responsible for organizing the City of New Orleans’ Tricentennial celebration in 2018. He is also working in several other volunteer roles, including past Chairman of the Board for the Louisiana Travel Association. Among his community activities, Mark is a member of board of directors of the Audubon Nature Institute, and the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, WYES-TV, Fore!Kids Foundation, Methodist Health System Foundation, and the Academy of the Sacred Heart. He also serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Council and as an advisor to the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. Mark is also completing his service as a member of the Board and President of the Board of Directors for the Parking Facilities Corporation (PFC), which operates the long term and economy parking garages at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

Kaci Schroeder, Director of Marketing & Communications for UNLV Enrollment & Student Services, specializes in brand identity, strategic communications, and integrated marketing campaigns. Her team includes just one designer and one communications coordinator. Still, through campus partnerships, they stay on top of a robust communications flow while supporting student retention efforts for UNLV’s highly diverse student body. With both a BSBA and MBA in Marketing from UNLV, she thrives on giving back to an institution that emphasizes student success. Outside of work, Kaci spends time with family and friends, enjoys traveling to new places, and appreciates a good Netflix binge.

Gayla Stoner serves as the Vice Provost and Dean for Online and Innovative Educational Initiatives at Northern Arizona University. She has previously served as the Associate Provost at Central Washington University where she oversaw multi-modal learning and statewide centers. She holds PhD and MS Ed degrees from the Department of Workforce Education and Development at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Dr. Stoner’s educational interests include enabling access to affordable high-quality education for all interested learners, faculty perspective of online education, alignment of labor demand and higher education programming, and workforce education and development.

John Trierweiler is RIT’s Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, a position he has held since 2016. John is responsible for the university’s marketing and communications, including goal setting, strategic development, and tactical execution for marketing and branding, communications and PR/editorial, as well as digital and web. His Marketing and Communications Division works in close partnership with the colleges, centers, programs, and divisions that make up RIT. Prior to joining RIT, John served as chief marketing officer for the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Under his tenure, the school was able to increase its worldwide rankings, and development fundraising efforts and applications both increased significantly. Before working in higher education, he held executive marketing positions at companies including Cablevision Systems, Time Warner Cable, Bumble Bee Seafoods, and H.J. Heinz. John Trierweiler is a graduate of Michigan State University and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Reynold Verret is the sixth president and second lay leader of Xavier University of Louisiana, the only Catholic HBCU in the nation. Dr. Verret was unanimously elected as President of Xavier by the Board of Trustees in 2015.

As President of Xavier, Dr. Verret leads efforts to build enrollment, enhance the quality and diversity of academic programs, develop the faculty, promote interdisciplinary efforts, create partnerships, and honor Xavier’s founding legacy to contribute to a more just and humane society. Under Dr. Verret’s leadership, Xavier has formed several partnerships and broadened academic programs focused on Public Health, including utilizing new avenues of funding to implement new programs and expand existing ones.

Dr. Verret previously served as provost at Savannah State and Wilkes Universities and as dean of the Misher College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. In addition, he served as faculty in Chemistry at Tulane University and at Clark Atlanta University, where he chaired the Department of Chemistry. During his tenure at Tulane and Clark Atlanta, he simultaneously held adjunct appointments in Immunology at the Tulane and Morehouse Schools of Medicine. He has published numerous scientific reports and articles on his scientific work.

Cate Weeks oversees the editorial, social media, and visual creation teams in the Integrated Marketing & Branding Division. In her 20 years at UNLV, she has continually adapted to the changing media landscape to become the chief content architect of the university’s top marketing and communication products. The wins in an always under-resourced environment have come from collaboration, a love of great headlines and stunning images, and an appreciation, as a first-generation graduate, for the impact a college education can make. This year, her free time has been spent coming through recruitment materials as a parent of a high senior.

As Vice President for Marketing and Communications at Dusquesne, Gabe oversees strategy and operations for media relations, Web communications, marketing, advertising, printing, publications and internal communications. Prior to his appointment at Duquesne, Welsch served in several executive functions at Juniata College overseeing marketing operations as well as fundraising and alumni relations. While there he led campaigns that raised more than $95 million.

He is past president of the board of directors of CUPRAP: College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals and is a regular presenter at conferences on topics related to fundraising and marketing.

A native of Maine, Welsch earned his bachelor's and Master of Fine Arts degrees in English at Penn State. He is the author of four books of poems, as well as scores of short stories, book reviews, and essays appearing in national literary periodicals. He teaches writing occasionally for the Writer's Center at the Chautauqua Institution.

Jeff holds B.A. in Journalism from Brigham Young University, as well as an M.S .in Journalism from Northwestern University.

For the past 16 years, Matt has been immersed in branding, marketing, and advertising. He began his career in political consulting, advising candidates, campaigns, and causes across the country on messaging and marketing. He spent time crafting digitally-led efforts for global brands with IBM iX. And he’s spent the last decade consulting clients within the world of higher education. At 160over90, Matt oversees business operations and strategic development across the agency, consulting closely with clients on research, strategy, creative, and production.