2024 ELECTION OF ICLCA OFFICERS

Vice President Candidates (3-year commitment)

• Assume the duties of the President in the President's absence;
•  Negotiate and secure conference contracts for their presidential year;
• Develop the Call for proposals for their presidential year and the Call to Conference for their vice presidential year;
• Contact and secure speakers for the annual conference for their vice-presidential; year.
• Serve as annual conference chairperson; and
• Assume the office of President after serving one year as Vice- President.

Kaitlyn Crouse-Machcinski

CURRENT JOB TITLE  : Professor of First-Year Writing 

POSITION OF INTEREST : Vice-President

Dr. Kaitlyn Crouse-Machcinski has served as the Professional Development Officer for ICLCA for the past 3 years. In addition, she has been an active member of the organization and presented at the past 6 conferences, obtained the Hunter Boylan Research Scholarship in 2019, and secured the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award for her previous employer, West Chester University. Kaitlyn served as the Associate Director of the Learning Assistance & Resource Center and Writing Center at West Chester University for 5-years before accepting a faculty position in First-Year Writing at Neumann University.

P. Brandon Johnson

CURRENT JOB TITLE:  Senior Associate Dean for Student Success & Transformative Experiences

POSITION OF INTEREST: Vice-President

Dr. P. Brandon Johnson currently serves as ICLCA membership secretary. He has been in this role since 2020, helping register members for our annual conference, supporting new affiliates, and fielding general membership questions. He also serves as a senior associate dean for student success and transformative experiences in the Office of Undergraduate Studies at the University of Utah. In this role, he provides strategic leadership of student success, engagement, and completion programs for Undergraduate Studies and other university-wide initiatives. Dr. Johnson’s portfolio includes many programs and initiatives, including the university learning center.

His contributions to various institutions have marked his journey in academia. Before joining the University of Utah, he served as an associate dean in the Office of Undergraduate Education at the University of Texas at Dallas, the director of the Center for Academic Achievement at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), assistant director for tutoring for TRiO Student Support Services at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and as an academic advisor at North Carolina A&T State University.

Dr. Johnson is a Level 4 Certified Learning Center Professional committed to increasing awareness about the benefits of learning centers and how the work of those professionals contributes to institutional success metrics. He sees serving on the board as a way to give back to an organization that has given him so much. If honored with the opportunity to serve as vice president, he hopes to continue the trend of exciting annual conferences and develop additional professional development activities that help ICLCA members tell the story of their learning centers to generate increased support. Dr. Johnson believes ICLCA can help its members strategize how best to serve students in the ever-changing higher education environment.

Stacey Blackwell

CURRENT JOB TITLE : Executive Director of Learning Assistance and the Learning Centers

POSITION OF INTEREST: Vice-President

Stacey Blackwell is the Executive Director of Learning Assistance and the Learning Centers at Rutgers University – New Brunswick. She holds a Level 4 Learning Center Leadership Certification from the ICLCA. Under her leadership, the Learning Centers have achieved notable recognitions, including the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award in 2018, the Learning Centers of Excellence Designation from 2023 to 2025, and the ACTP Academic Coaching Program of Excellence Award in 2024. 

Stacey's dedication to student success began early in her career as a writing assistant and tutor during her undergraduate studies. Over time, she has served in various roles such as academic coach, instructor, and learning center director. In her current position as Executive Director, she oversees four centers and a range of programs offering support through in-person services as well as synchronous and asynchronous online formats. These services are are founded upon the principles that effective support must be inclusive, learner-centered, and evidence-based. 

Her efforts have expanded the reach of the Learning Centers' services, leading to increased program growth and improved spaces. Stacey has also secured funding from grants, gifts, and departmental sources to ensure the ongoing success of the Centers.  

Beyond her responsibilities within the Learning Centers, Stacey plays an active role in campus-wide initiatives. She co-chairs the Student Success Steering Committee, serves on the Undergraduate Education Council, co-leads the Active Learning Community, and is involved in planning the campus-wide Student Success Conference and university-wide Active Learning Symposium. 

Stacey is also a member of the editorial board for The Learning Assistance Review, contributes to the ICLCA’s Conference Proposal Committee, and has served as an NCLCA Institute mentor. 

Treasurer (2-Year Commitment)

• Receive, record, hold and disburse all monies of the Corporation at the direction of the Executive Board, including membership dues and conference registration fees, in accordance with the financial policies; 
• present an annual statement of the Corporation's accounts to the membership; 
• serve as chairperson of the Finance Committee and prepare the Annual Budget in conjunction with the Executive Board; and 
• arrange to have any tax forms, or forms regarding the legal status of the Corporation, properly prepared and submitted.

Luke Matulewicz

CURRENT JOB TITLE: Assistant Director, Academic Achievement Center - Kansas State University

POSITION OF INTEREST: Treasurer

I first found his passion for higher education via Student Government while in undergrad at Calumet College of St. Joseph (Hammond, IN). I went on to receive my Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Dayton (OH). Now at Kansas State University, I am the Assistant Director of the Academic Achievement Center, the central learning center on our decentralized campus. In this current role and past roles, I have overseen large budgets and financial work. As treasurer, I would be the knowledge I already have on budgets, accounting, and bookkeeping while also learning more and staying up-to-date with best practices and standards to make sure ICLCA is good stewards of the money entrusted to us.

Tharangi Fernando

CURRENT JOB TITLE: Peer Consultant Manager, University of South Carolina

POSITION OF INTEREST: Treasurer

Tharangi Fernando is the Peer Consultant Manager for the Student Success Center at the University of South Carolina (USC). Within her role, she oversees the Money Management Program which teaches a variety of financial curriculum and resources to students. Along with the Money Management Program, she supervises peer consultants who facilitate success consultations that guide students through academic success tips and best practices. Tharangi is a first-generation college student who earned her B.A. in English and Classical Civilization from the University of Mississippi and her M.S. in College Student Affairs from Nova Southeastern University. Throughout her Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional journeys she has served in a variety of positions from marketing and recruitment chair to treasurer to president. Tharangi currently serves on a variety of USC committees such as a campus partner subcommittee for USC's First-Generation Center and a course development committee for University 401 (a course geared to help students transition out college). Outside of her career, Tharangi enjoys writing, photography, and board games!

Professional Development Officer (2-Year Commitment)

• Chair the Professional Development Committee; 
• coordinate the review and selection process of conference proposals; 
• create the full conference schedule; • coordinate research activities of the Corporation; 
• coordinate Professional Development Grants and Award; and 
• oversee the Webinar Coordinator and The Learning Assistance Review Editor.

A. Lee Cope, II

CURRENT JOB TITLE: Executive Director, Student Learning Center, Appalachian State University

POSITION OF INTEREST: Professional Development Officer

Lee has been serving as the Executive Director of the Disco Student Learning Center at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC since June 2020. In this role Lee provides strategic oversight to Academic Strategy Instruction, Academic Success and Resilience, University Tutorial Services, and the University Testing Center. These responsibilities include centers on both the Boone campus and the Hickory campus. Before being appointed as the Executive Director, Lee served as the Director of University Tutorial Services providing oversight for tutoring and Supplemental Instruction. Prior to coming to Appalachian, Lee worked in the TRIO Student Support Services Program, at Mars Hill University, a private liberal arts university in Mars Hill, NC. Additionally, while serving within TRIO, Lee coordinated the design and implementation of seminars and program initiatives focused on holistic student development. While at MHU, Lee also taught First Year Seminar courses to general population students and to underrepresented populations focusing on academic success strategies and leadership development from a Christian world-view.

Patrick Daniel Dempsey

CURRENT JOB TITLE: Director, Center for Learning and Student Success

POSITION OF INTEREST: Professional Development Officer

Patrick Daniel Dempsey currently serves as a director in the Center for Teaching and Learning at Florida Atlantic – the only two-time winner of the Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award. With ten years of experience in learning centers, Patrick enjoys building and supporting diverse teams who offer transformative student support through a large Supplemental Instruction (SI) program, the Science Learning Center, the Business, Engineering and Languages Tutoring Lab, and Online Student Success (eSuccess). Prior to serving as director, Patrick oversaw eSuccess, a portfolio of academic support programs designed to support online learners. During his time in eSuccess, Patrick participated in the inaugural class of ACTLA’s Online Tutoring Certification, making Florida Atlantic one of the first institutions certified in online tutoring excellence by a CLADEA organization. These experiences cultivated a lifelong interest in educational technology implementation projects in learning centers. Through his tenure, Patrick has integrated more than $500K of educational technology in the learning center, which twice brought recognition through ICLCA’s Innovative Use of Technology Award. Patrick also serves as the Marketing and Publications Officer of the Florida College Learning Center Association (FCLCA) and as a committee member on ICLCA’s professional development committee. This year, he earned his Learning Center Leadership Certification – Level 3.

Although it has many influences, Patrick’s leadership style is most influenced by the entry and exit signs on his high school: “Enter to Learn” and “Leave to Serve”. Believing that every experience is a learning experience that ultimately guides an individual to be of service to others, Patrick is excited to run for the position of Professional Development Officer. This is an opportunity to give back to an organization that has had a tremendous impact on his own professional development over the years – through presenting and chatting at conferences, reading and writing TLAR publications, learning with vendors, and listening in on many informative webinars. Patrick’s vision for ICLCA’s professional development activities is to sustain the excellent existing opportunities for learning and fellowship while at the same time expanding these opportunities to mirror the objectives of the international organization. A special focus for Patrick will be ensuring a continuity of excellence in the profession by providing varied opportunities for experienced learning center professionals to invest in the next generation of learning center professionals.

Membership Secretary (2-Year Commitment)

• Maintain and analyze a database of membership records; 
• facilitate communications to the membership in conjunction with the Marketing & Communications Officer; 
• coordinate membership drives for retention and recruitment, including: o Advertise the advantages of membership in the Corporation; 
• Revise new membership applications as needed; and o confirm receipt of applications and, in conjunction with the Treasurer, acknowledge membership upon receipt of dues; 
• serve as registrar for ICLCA conferences; 
• serve as the primary contact between the Affiliates and the Executive Board; and 
• coordinate meetings of the ICLCA Affiliate Presidents 

Zoraya Betancourt

CURRENT JOB TITLE : Director of the Academic Success Center, University of South Florida

POSITION OF INTEREST: Membership Secretary

Kelley Emerson

CURRENT JOB TITLE : Assistant Director, Science Learning Center, University of Michigan

POSITION OF INTEREST: Membership Secretary

As Assistant Director of the Science Learning Center (SLC), Kelley provides oversight to the Study Group program as well as contributing to a variety of the SLC’s ongoing projects and collaborations. She also serves on the SLC Leadership Team which coordinates efforts to demonstrate the SLC’s impact on advancing student success, advocate for departmental needs, and facilitate continued professional development for professional staff.

Kelley has 20 years of experience in academic support services. Her roles have included Tutor, Paraprofessional, Learning Center Coordinator, Tutor Program Manager, Supplemental Instruction Coordinator, Study Group Program Manager and Assistant Director.

Kelley is passionate about helping students overcome obstacles and find success. She has specialized in working with and developing support for marginalized populations throughout her professional career. Prior to beginning employment with the SLC, Kelley worked with Trio SSS Students, provided accommodations for students with disabilities, and worked with veteran students. Currently, Kelley serves on the Council for Non-Traditional Students (COUNTS), the Student Parent Excellence Committee (SPEC), and serves as SLC's Inclusive Culture Liaison.

Jennifer Tilbury

CURRENT JOB TITLE : Associate Vice Provost for Student Success

POSITION OF INTEREST: Membership Secretary

My name is Jennifer Tilbury, and I am seeking the Membership Secretary role. I wear many hats at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), where I am the Associate Vice Provost for Student Success and the director of our Student Success Center. In my role, I oversee tutoring, peer coaching, first-year advising, and career services. Previously, I was a full-time faculty at UAF, teaching writing, literature, and study skills since 2000. A passion project of mine recently has been adding targeted support for dual-enrolled students.

I would love to serve as Membership Secretary because growing and maintaining a strong membership in ICLCA matters to me. I have commented to many colleagues that ICLCA has been the most valuable professional organization I’ve participated in during my many years in higher education (and not just because of the prolific drink tickets!). ICLCA recognizes and embraces learning support as a field, requiring study, research, and more. The focus and content of ICLCA conferences and resources have directly and positively impacted my workplace and professional development.  The natural next step for me is to become involved in ICLCA leadership. With our recent name change, ICLCA has officially expanded the scope of our work. I have the energy and experience to communicate and energize current members while strategically growing ICLCA membership. Thanks for considering me for this position!

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