Advancing Leaders in Higher Education |
Ashley B. Allen, state chair
| Yvette Huet, past State Chair
Dr. Yvette Huet is the Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at UNC Charlotte. Huet joined the university in 1991 and during her tenure has served a variety of leadership roles, including executive director of the Center for ADVANCing Faculty Success, interim co-vice chancellor for the Office of Research and Economic Development, director of the Health Services Research Doctoral Program, and interim chair of the Applied Physiology, Health and Clinical Sciences Department. She holds a Ph.D. in physiology from the University of Kansas Medical Center and undergraduate degrees in microbiology and human biology from the University of Kansas. Her research focuses on understanding the role of gonadal steroids (primarily estrogen) in normal physiology and adult diseases and the effects of neonatal exposure to environmental toxicants on development and adult disease. Huet provides consultation to academic institutions and societies on transformative leadership, mentoring, cultural competency, communications, negotiations, and programming. She is a member of the Charlotte Executive Leadership Council Healthy Communities working team. |
Dr. Ashley Batts Allen is Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNC Pembroke and Professor of Psychology. Her research is in self-compassion as it relates to trauma. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Wake Forest University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Duke University. As Associate Dean, she assists faculty evaluation, professional development, research engagement, and external funding. She is passionate in her support of undergraduate research and serves as PI for the REACH program which supports students in their pursuit of careers in the professoriate.
Crystal Chambers, Programming Chair & Mentorship chair
| Vanessa Drew-branch, Professional development chair
Dr. Vanessa Drew-Branch is an Associate Professor of Human Service Studies at Elon University, where she also serves as Coordinator of the Poverty and Social Justice minor and Co-Director of the Renaissance Scholars Program. Her teaching and scholarship center on equity, justice, and the lived experiences of marginalized communities, with a focus on race, poverty, and systemic inequities in education and public policy. Dr. Drew-Branch is deeply committed to community-engaged learning, undergraduate research mentorship, and advancing inclusive pedagogies that empower students to imagine and enact transformative change. |
Dr. Crystal Renée Chambers, J.D., Ph.D. chambersc@ecu.edu is a Professor of Educational Leadership at East Carolina University where she examines matters of race and gender equity in higher education, particularly the areas of college choice and faculty advancement. Dr. Chambers is the author/ co-author of over 50 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, and monographs as well as the editor of nine book and journal volumes, including the forthcoming Colleague to Colleague: Just in Time and Timeless Advice for Department Leaders (SUNY Press, 2026). Dr. Chambers is a 2018 Carnegie Fellow and is a co-PI on THRIVE@ECU, an NSF ADVANCE Adaptation grant and has served as a Coach and faculty expert with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. She is a 2016 ECU Graduate Faculty Mentor and East Carolina University Women of Distinction Award recipient, and a fellow of the BRIDGES Leadership for Women (2020) and UNC System Executive Leadership Institute (2021-2022).
Connie Gores, Presidental sponsorship initiative chair
| shauna harris, Communications & Marketing Chair and secretary
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Dr. Connie J. Gores is Partner in the Success Associates, where she provides executive coaching, leadership training, and consulting for individuals and organizations. She served as President of Southwest Minnesota State University for six years. Connie has a deep and enduring commitment to women’s leadership, including serving as Chair of the national ACE Women’s Network Executive Council, Chair of the Virginia ACE Network Board, and Chair of the Senior Leadership Seminar in Virginia. She earned her B.A. from North Dakota State University, her M.Ed. from Colorado State University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Washington. She is delighted to live near her two adult daughters and three wonderful grandchildren in North Carolina.
Dr. Shauna Harris has over 15 years of experience working in higher education and student affairs. Her professional experiences have included housing and residence life, women’s leadership initiatives, student leadership and engagement, advising, and student recruitment and retention. Her scholarly work has centered on identity development in biracial women, mid-management supervision, and student engagement on campus. She has been committed to creating inclusive environments that foster a sense of belonging as well as working with various stakeholders to create systems, programs, and services centered on equity, efficiency, and engagement. She graduated from Clemson with a B.A. in History. She received her M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from the University of South Carolina and her Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Personnel Services from the University of Georgia.Erica jastrow, Treasurer and finance committee chair
| tracie Salinas, membership chair
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Dr. Erica Jastrow is a registered nurse with over 20 years of experience in nursing and higher education. She was the director of several prelicensure nursing programs at a North Carolina Community College before transitioning to the role of Assistant Professor and RN to BSN program director at William Peace University (Raleigh, NC) in December 2020. She was the recipient of the university's McCormick Distinguished Teaching Award in 2024, which recognizes a full-time faculty member with the characteristics of a master teacher and scholar, a concern for the development of students, and a commitment to education.
Dr. Tracie McLemore Salinas is the Chair of and Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Appalachian State University. While completing her PhD in mathematics education at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Tracie developed an interest in the interactions of culture and place, specifically in mathematics and STEM education and later in academia more broadly. She has served on the Advisory Board of the Chancellor's Academic Leadership Development Program and as a Principal Investigator on multiple projects supporting first-generation, rural, and other underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Currently, she is a co-principal investigator on the ADVANCE Appalachian project, funded by the National Science Foundation, and supports interactions with the Aspire Alliance iChange Network.Masonne Sawyer, Conference Chair
| April Tallant, Institutional representative chair
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Masonne Sawyer is the Vice President of Student Success & Holistic Support at Forsyth Technical Community College. She has a BS degree in Social Sciences from Gardner-Webb University as well as a MS Degree in Psychology from Capella University. Ms. Sawyer is an accomplished holistic student support services professional with extensive Community College experience having served in numerous roles at Forsyth Tech since 2004. She serves on the Board of Directors for The Trinity Center and LEAD Girls of NC. She is the recipient of several awards including Staff Person of the Year, the President’s Award and was recently inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Alumni Hall of Honor and a League for Innovation 2024-2025 League Excellence Award recipient.
Dr. April Tallant is Director of the Coulter Faculty Commons at Western Carolina University (WCU). She previously served as Senior Educational Developer, Associate Dean of Brinson Honors College, and tenured associate professor of Nutrition & Dietetics at WCU. Dr. Tallant champions faculty and student success by prioritizing pedagogical wellness and embracing an asset-based approach to educational and professional development. She is deeply committed to helping faculty enhance student engagement and advance the scholarship of teaching and learning. She serves on the executive board of the Alpha Iota Chapter of NC Delta Kappa Gamma Society that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. She earned her B.S. and M.H.S. at WCU, and her Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee.Jennifer burris, board member
| stacey gerard, board member
Dr. Stacey Gerard serves as Associate Vice President of Continuing Education at Pitt Community College, where she provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all continuing education divisions, including Public Safety, Business & Licensure, Trades & Technical programs, Community Development, and Transitional Studies. In this role, she aligns programs with workforce, community, and industry needs to support regional economic growth and student success, while fostering strong partnerships with local businesses, agencies, and organizations to expand training opportunities and apprenticeships. She also leads efforts in program development, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement to ensure Pitt Community College remains a leader in workforce development. Prior to joining Pitt Community College, Dr. Gerard spent over a decade at Beaufort County Community College, where she served as Vice President of Continuing Education. Under her leadership, the division experienced an 80% growth in enrollment, developed innovative new programs, and implemented expanded training centers and partnerships across the region. With more than two decades of experience in higher education and K-12 leadership, Dr. Gerard has built a career dedicated to advancing workforce readiness, student achievement, and community impact. She earned her EdD in Educational Leadership (Higher Education) from East Carolina University and is an active member of statewide workforce and leadership organizations, including Leadership North Carolina and the NC ACE Women’s Network Executive Board. |
Dr. Jennifer Burris serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where she leads a comprehensive academic and student support portfolio spanning eight colleges, student affairs, the university libraries, , student success, and various other centers, institutes and offices. Her leadership emphasizes shared governance, collaboration, and empowering students, faculty, and staff. She brings extensive administrative experience from Appalachian State University, where she held roles including Associate Dean, Department Chair, and Chair of the Council of Chairs. She also leads Lenoir-Rhyne’s federal grants initiative and previously served as Principal Investigator on a $1 million NSF ADVANCE grant focused on expanding opportunities for women in STEM. A dedicated advocate for higher education leadership development, she serves on the advisory board for the BRIDGES Academic Leadership Program and has been active in mentoring early-career faculty and women leaders across the state. She earned her B.S. in Applied Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics from Colorado State University.
Nichole Lewis, board member
Nichole R. Lewis is the Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students in the Division of Student Affairs and University Advancement for Elizabeth City State University. There, she is responsible for professional development for the division and serves as the executive champion for the institution’s Quality Enhancement Plan. She is an alumna of the University of North Carolina’s Executive Leadership Institute, NASPA’s Assistant Vice President Institute, and the Higher Education Leadership Foundation’s executive leadership program. Prior to coming to ECSU, Lewis served as director of the Women’s Center at NCCU where she is credited for rebranding the Center, to expand offerings aimed at building cultural capital, leadership development skills, and developing an active bystander intervention peer educator program. She also served as Executive Director of Professional and Leadership Development at a private HBCU in North Carolina. | Erica Still, board member
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Dr. Erica Still joined the Department of English at Wake Forest University as an Assistant Professor in 2007. In 2018, she became Associate Dean for Faculty Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion in the undergraduate College, where she oversees faculty recruitment and hiring practices as well as development and execution of programs to increase diversity and support for inclusivity. She is the author of Prophetic Remembrance: Black Subjectivity in African American and South African Trauma Narratives. Her ongoing research interests include examining the intersection of leadership and gender narratives in contemporary African American Literature. She earned her B.A. at Temple University and her Ph.D. from The University of Iowa.Torry Reynolds, board member
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Dr. Torry L. Reynolds serves as Associate Vice President of Student Services for the North Carolina Community College System, where she leads initiatives to strengthen the student experience. With nearly two decades of experience in higher education, she has held leadership roles focused on student success and academic services, including overseeing programs that support persistence, completion, and equitable outcomes. She is known for her collaborative, student-centered approach to advancing economic mobility and workforce readiness statewide.
| The NC ACE Network thanks and acknowledges the support provided by the UNC System Office of the President. |
