Julie Messersmith is vice president for institute initiatives at the California Institute of Technology. Messersmith comes to Caltech from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she was the university’s chief of staff and associate vice provost for strategic initiatives. Earlier in her tenure, she was assistant vice provost for research.
Messersmith is a graduate of Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where she majored in international studies. She holds a master’s degree in international studies from the University of Denver and a master of liberal arts degree from Johns Hopkins University.
Genesis Doubledee was appointed senior director of marketing and communications at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. She comes to the university with more than a decade of experience spanning higher education, nonprofit, media, and corporate sectors. Doubledee’s background includes prior roles centered on building campaigns, leading cross-functional initiatives, and elevating organizational brands through visual and written communications.
Doubledee received her bachelor’s degree in mass communication from North Carolina Central University and her master’s degree in digital communication and advertising from Syracuse University in New York.
Laika Steiger is senior associate dean for administration and operations in the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing at the University of Georgia. With more than two decades of leadership experience, Steiger most recently served as associate dean of clinical practice operations and executive director of the Emory Nursing Learning Center at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. Earlier in her career, she led workforce development for a large integrated health system.
Steiger holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix and an MBA from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Emily Money was promoted to director of development for student affairs at the University of Arkansas. A staff member with the university since 2008, Money has served in a variety of advancement leadership roles supporting corporate and foundation relations, the School of Law, and the Central Arkansas Advancement Office, where she most recently served as senior director of engagement.
Money is a graduate of the University of Arkansas, where she majored in journalism and minored in marketing.
Andrea G. Riley is the new director of athletics at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia. Riley has more than two decades of experience in athletic leadership, coaching, administration, and student development. For nearly a decade, Riley served as a coach and athletic administrator at Evans High School, where she managed scheduling, recruiting, budgeting, compliance, and overall program operations.
Riley earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Albany State University in Georgia, a second bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Kennesaw State University in Georgia, and a master of education degree in instruction from Central Michigan University.
Brittany Bell has been named vice president for student affairs at Valley City State University in North Dakota. Dr. Bell comes to her new role from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where she has been serving as dean of students. Earlier in her career, she spent seven years with St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.
Dr. Bell is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she majored in communication. She holds a master’s degree in education, counseling, and student affairs from the University of Nebraska-Kearney and a doctorate in higher education leadership from Edgewood University in Madison, Wisconsin.
Elizabeth “Libby” Argiri is the new vice chancellor for administrative services at Oakland Community College in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Argiri most recently served as executive vice president of administration at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan. In that role, she oversaw the community college’s financial management, grants, financial aid, facilities, human resources, and information technology. She also served as treasurer of the MCC Foundation.
Argiri earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her MBA from Michigan State University.
Becky Boone has been named vice president for institutional effectiveness and development at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway, South Carolina. She had been serving in the role on an interim basis. In her new role, she will continue to lead efforts in institutional research, strategic initiatives, accreditation, and data-informed decision-making.
A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Dr. Boone received her Ph.D. from Clemson University in South Carolina.
Comanchette “Camie” McBee is the new vice chancellor of academic affairs at Eastern Iowa Community Colleges. McBee has 14 years of community college experience. Most recently, she was dean of institutional effectiveness, social sciences, communication, and business at Iowa Western Community College. She also has teaching experience, serving in prior faculty roles at William Penn University, Grand View University, and Des Moines Area Community College.
McBee is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, where she majored in English. She holds master’s degrees in English and community college leadership from Iowa State University and is currently completing an educational doctorate in community college leadership at Iowa State.
Laura Jacobs was appointed vice president of strategy and senior advisor to the president at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. Dr. Jacobs comes to her new role from the University of Arkansas, where she most recently served as senior director of philanthropic initiatives in university advancement. Earlier in her career, she was director of communications for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas.
A three-time graduate of the University of Arkansas, Dr. Jacobs holds a bachelor’s degree in English and communications and master’s and doctoral degrees in higher education administration.
Amanda Savercool has been appointed associate vice chancellor for integrated marketing at California Lutheran University. Savercool most recently served as executive director of integrated marketing at the University of California, Los Angeles. Earlier at UCLA, she served as director of social media. Her marketing background also includes experience in editorial writing and public relations.
Savercool is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, where she majored in English.
Ginger Robbins is vice president of instruction at Northwest Mississippi Community College. Dr. Robbins comes to the community college with more than 20 years of higher education experience, including prior leadership roles in workforce education, instruction, curriculum development, strategic planning, student services, community and government relations, and grant development. Most recently, she served as vice president of workforce development and governmental affairs at Hinds Community College in Mississippi.
An alumna of Hinds Community College, Dr. Robbins holds a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology from Mississippi State University, a master’s degree in recreational therapy from the University of South Alabama, and a doctorate in human capital development from the University of Southern Mississippi.