Vanessa Vásquez has been named dean of students at Alverno College, a liberal arts institution for women in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She comes to her new role from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, where she was director of the Burke Scholarship and Grace & Caroline Scholarship programs. Earlier in her career, she was director of career program and community partnerships at Carmen Schools of Science and Technology in Milwaukee.
Vásquez received both her bachelor’s degree in psychology and her master’s degree in education from Alverno College.
Jessica Retrum has been selected to serve as interim dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she serves as a professor and chair of the department of social work. Her research and clinical background includes extensive experience addressing the social, health, and mental needs of older adults. Dr. Retrum teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in clinical social work practice.
Dr. Retrum holds a bachelor of social work degree from Illinois State University, a master of social work degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Ph.D. in social work from the University of Denver.
Gwendolyn M. Lloyd, the Henry J. Hermanowicz Professor of Education, has been appointed to a two-year term as dean of the College of Education at Pennsylvania State University. A faculty member in the department of curriculum and instruction since 2009, she has led the college on an interim basis for the past four months. She previously served as the college’s senior associate dean for faculty affairs.
Dr. Lloyd is an honors graduate of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, where she majored in mathematics. She holds a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a doctorate in educational studies with an emphasis in mathematics education from the University of Michigan.
Katie Hartman has been named interim dean of the College of Business at Ohio University. She is a professor of marketing who has taught at the university for over a decade. In addition to her teaching appointment, Dr. Hartman serves as vice provost for faculty development. Earlier in her tenure, she spent four years as chair of the marketing department. Her research and teaching center on consumer-centric marketing strategy in retail sales environments.
Dr. Hartman received her bachelor’s degree and MBA from Ohio University. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in marketing from Indiana University.
Sarah Feldner is returning to her post as dean of the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication at Marquette University in Milwaukee. Dr. Feldner has served as the university’s acting provost since November 2024. Prior to her temporary provost appointment, she had led the Diederich College for over four years. A full professor of communication, Dr. Feldner studies corporate communication, corporate social responsibility, organizational advocacy, organizational mission and identity, and social innovation and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Feldner holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. in organizational communication from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Jennifer Roberts was appointed executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Kansas. A full professor of geology, Dr. Roberts currently serves as the university’s senior vice provost of academic affairs. She has served in several other leadership roles throughout her tenure, including geology department chair and vice provost for graduate studies. Her research focuses on hydrochemistry and microbial geochemistry, bridging basic and applied science to better understand the role of microorganisms in mineral weathering.
Dr. Roberts is a graduate of Trinity University in San Antonio, where she majored in geology. She holds a Ph.D. in geology and earth sciences from the University of Texas at Austin.