Born and raised in New York City, Brad Bartel received his BA degree from Brooklyn College in Anthropology (1970), and his Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Missouri (1974).  An archaeologist, he has specialized in a cross-cultural understanding of colonialism, mortuary practice, and symbolism.  His excavations include the Roman capital of Sirmium in Serbia, the Celtic religious center of Dun Ailline in Ireland, the first European settlement on the west coast of the United States, the San Diego Presidio, Old Salem in North Carolina, and the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in Fort Myers, Florida.

Dr. Bartel was a Professor of Anthropology at San Diego State University (1975-1991), where he also served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate Division and Research (1983-1991), specializing in graduate degree development.  At The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, he was the Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Provost for Research (1991-2000).  He then became the Provost and Executive Vice President of one of the newest university’s in the United States, Florida Gulf Coast University (2000-2004).  Since 2004, he has been the President of Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado.  Fort Lewis College is the public liberal arts college of Colorado

Throughout his administrative career at four public institutions, he has created new degree programs, developed strategic plans, added service learning and undergraduate research programs, and implemented value-added experiences to enhance student success.

Paul is currently serving as the interim president of Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), having also served in this role from August 2003 through September of 2004. Formerly he was the Vice President of Learning Support Services leading student development, learning support services, and learning technology services areas. Dr. Dale has been an administrator at PVCC since 1997 starting as the Associate Dean of Student Development. Prior to coming to PVCC, he was one of the founding administrators for Northern Arizona University – Yuma, a new branch campus. His community service has included:  President of the Boards of Directors with United Way of Yuma County, Yuma County Town Hall, and Yuma Leadership. He currently serves on the Foothills Community Foundation Board, Paradise Valley Hospital Board of Trustees and the North East Phoenix Neighborhood Action Alliance.

Concurrent with his administrative roles, Dr. Dale has also served as an adjunct faculty member for Northern Arizona University where he taught courses in counseling, community college education, and educational foundations. He is especially interested in leadership development resulting in positive social change and has co-written a chapter in the book Developing Non-Hierarchical Leadership on Campus, Case Studies and Best Practices in Higher Education. He has also written chapters for three additional books: Assessing Student Learning in General Education, Case Studies for Implementing Assessment in Student Affairs, and  in Community College Student Affairs: What Really Matters.

Education and Work Experience
Born in Philadelphia and raised in Southern California, Dr. Mark Robinson moved to San Francisco to attend City College of San Francisco (CCSF), where he participated in athletics and earned an Associate’s Degree.  Dr. Robinson then transferred to Indiana University on a basketball scholarship, where he played for legendary coach Bob Knight, and completed his undergraduate studies and earned a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance.

An advocate of international travel and global experiences, Dr. Robinson moved to the United Kingdom to earn his doctorate degree in Faculty of Education, with a thesis entitled, Black Athletes Perceptions on Counseling Services in American Colleges and Universities.  In addition to his doctoral work, he also played professional basketball and took on the Chief Executive Officer position of the Basketball Players Association in the United Kingdom, a labor organization comprised of professional players, coaches, and team owners.  Continuing his commitment to studying education, Dr. Robinson remained in England and completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education with an emphasis in Teaching and Student Learning Outcomes at Bolton Institute, now Bolton University. While enrolled at Bolton Institute, he also taught courses in Sports Psychology at Edge Hill University located in Ormskirk, Lancashire.

    Dr. Robinson then returned to San Francisco and CCSF to accept a counseling faculty position, where he worked with the college’s African American Achievement Program, New Student Counseling, and Athletics departments.  Dr. Robinson then successfully moved into college administration, and held positions as Associate Dean of Students, Dean of Student Affairs, and currently serves as the Vice Chancellor of Student Development. 

Professional Development and Accomplishments
To strengthen his effectiveness as an educational administrator, Dr. Robinson has participated in many professional development programs and associations.  He was selected as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow for the 2008-2009 school year, and participated in the Harvard Institute for Higher Education Institutional Educational Management (IEM) Class in the summer of 2008.  In 2005 and 2006 he participated in the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) Administration 101 and Mentor Programs, and he completed the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Future Leaders Program 1 and 2 in 2004 and 2007.  Dr. Robinson has also presented workshops on a variety of topics – including student athlete success, international education, and Student Learning Outcomes – at both the state and national level. 

Community Outreach and Philosophy
Robinson’s commitment to higher education led him to co-found the non-profit organizations African American Male Education Network and Development (A2MEND) and On Focus (Fostering Opportunities and Careers Utilizing Sport).  A2MEND supports the development and leadership of African American men in education and On Focus assists student athletes during the intense periods of transition in their lives.  Dr. Robinson currently serves as the past president of A2MEND and the founder and president of On Focus.  Through A2MEND, Dr. Robinson has helped to raise significant funds to provide scholarships, mentorships, workshops, and an annual conference for all those interested in the organization.  The work achieved by A2MEND and On Focus has helped thousands of students and educational professionals to date.

Having worked and lived internationally, Dr. Robinson has developed a personal belief that educators should empower students to think and move beyond the physical and cultural limits of the United States and become socially responsible global citizens.  His passion for creating access to higher education is evident through his constant research and development of new programs and services for students, faculty and staff.

Personal
Dr. Robinson currently resides in San Francisco where he enjoys spending time with his wife Lindsay, three sons Nathan, Marcus, and Rhys, and their dog Sunny.  His many interests and passions include his family, international travel, athletics, community service and engagement, collecting hourglasses, and the process of learning.

Dr. Penny Wills has served as the President of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) since the summer of 2004.  Her career includes various leadership positions in higher education at the state, regional, and national levels.

Dr. Wills’ professional experience spans public and private colleges as well as research institutions.  Her real passion is with community colleges as she has served as Dean, Vice President, and President at varied models of three community colleges (locally controlled, multi-campus, and multi-college.)  Her life experience in the southwest, northwest, south, and midwest has developed in her a deep respect for cultures and communities. 
Prior to coming to Iowa, Dr. Wills developed extensive experience in such fields as student development, assessment, planning, and quality improvement.  Her positive reputation for forming effective partnerships with industry, K-18, and state agencies is well recognized.

Under Dr. Wills’ leadership, NICC has markedly increased college engagement for students, faculty, and staff.  Examples of this enhanced involvement are the creation of a College Senate (a model for shared governance); NICC’s new Quality Council (which directly ties to the College’s Strategic Plan through assessment and accountability); the formation of Iowa’s first Regional Academy for Math and Science (which exemplifies strong partnerships with business, civic leaders, and K-12 districts); and generation of new revenue streams through development of the College’s first Advancement Office (a key component of a new division of External Relations which also includes marketing, grant writing, and legislative advocacy. )  As proof of the regional communities’ support for NICC, the College received a super majority approval by voters for a $35m capitol bond levy in late 2007.

Dr. Wills serves on various community, state, and federal boards.  Examples include:  Workforce and Economic Development Commissions (Iowa Dept. of Ec. Dev. and AACC); Rural Policy Research Institute (national); Bioscience Alliance Board (Iowa); Greater Dubuque Development Corporation; NE Iowa Dairy Foundation Board; Dubuque Chamber of Commerce Board; Decorah Rotary; United Way of Dubuque; and National Education Center for Agricultural Safety.