Faculty
Meet Your Chair
Michael Reza
Michael Reza is an established leader that believes higher education can transform the lives of individuals, communities, and society. This belief drives his passion for the work that we do as Advancement professionals. Michael currently serves as the Associate Vice President, Portland Development & Alumni Engagement at the University of Oregon. He leads the Portland, OR regional advancement strategy and serves on the UO Advancement senior leadership team. Portland is home to the largest concentration of UO donors and alumni, as well as a regional UO Portland campus. He works closely with academic leadership, maintains a portfolio of donor prospects, and takes a prominent role in representing the university in the Portland community.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience in higher education advancement at large public and small private institutions. Prior to the UO, he served as Vice President for Advancement at George Fox University where he led a team that included development, alumni relations and grants. While there, GFU doubled their fundraising in three years and launched a campaign. Michael has experience in advancement from his time in progressive roles at the University of Arizona, UC Irvine and Oregon State University. He is an active volunteer with CASE and completed his term as Chair of CASE District VIII in June 2022.
Faculty
Amy Brokl
For more than six years, Amy Brokl has served as Director of Development for Regional Programs, a centrally-positioned major gifts team charged with driving meaningful support to Johns Hopkins University and Medicine, and extending the capacity of its schools, departments, and fundraising units. Working in close partnership with colleagues from across the organization, Regional Programs gift officers travel widely and engage broadly, fostering relationships with alumni, patients, parents, and friends invested in the mission of Johns Hopkins.
With more than two decades of experience in higher education administration, Amy has served in progressively responsible roles in highly selective undergraduate admissions, enrollment management, alumni relations, and development. First introduced to advancement work when she was named to a dual appointment in the Offices of Admissions and Alumni Relations at Johns Hopkins, Amy has embraced roles and opportunities that cut across divisions, encourage collaboration, and value diverse perspectives.
An active volunteer and community member, Amy serves as the Opportunity and Inclusion Chair on the CASE DII Cabinet, and has committed her time and talents as a board member on behalf of her university alma mater, on a scholar-athlete scholarship selection committee for her high school, and as a mentor in formal and informal settings. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in English and the History of Art from Johns Hopkins University. She is based out of Seattle, WA, and fortunately, loves the rain.
Carl Simien
Carl Simien, Ph.D. (he/him) is Senior Manager for DEIB Learnings with CASE’s Opportunity & Inclusion Center. An experienced higher education practitioner Dr. Simien brings with him a deep background in student affairs, alumni engagement, diversity and inclusion training, and mentoring college students and professionals.
Dr. Simien has over 10 years of experience working in student development and engagement in community organizations and higher education. He is skilled in leading DEIB initiatives, facilitating staff development, recruitment, and outreach and among diverse communities. Dr. Simien’s experience as a first-generation college graduate has shaped his passion and ambition for education, empowering students, and professionals, advocating for DEIB, and cultivating inclusive organizations and communities.
Dr. Simien has managed CASE Early Career Talent Programs, leading college student engagement and recruitment efforts. He also actively engaged CASE volunteers to provide a conference for undergraduate and graduate students interning with CASE. He is a former Director in Multicultural and Diversity Affairs at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He previously served as Director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center in Macomb, Illinois, and as College and Career Director of Umoja Student Development Corporation in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Simien earned his Ph.D. in leadership development at the University of Florida. He completed master’s degrees in college student personnel at Western Illinois University, and in liberal studies with a concentration in theology at Valparaiso University. He earned his B.A. at Valparaiso University in communication. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated.