Home: Cincinnati, OH. Age: Fifties. Birthplace: Upstate NY. Profession: Higher education, statistics, educational psychology. Organization: Miami University. Title: Professor, former provost. Pronouns: He/Him/His. Significant other: My wonderfully supportive wife, Sherri. Alma mater: University of Rochester; University of Buffalo. Licensure or Certification: Accredited Professional Statistician from the American Statistical Association.
Recent professional development: Member of 2023 AGB Institute for Leadership & Governance. Latest accomplishment: Named top 2% of scholars in my field worldwide based on scholarly citations. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Transitioning from faculty to academic leadership. Hobbies: learning to play piano, remodeling our house. Last book read: The Lost Continent, by Terry Pratchett.
Personality profile: Entrepreneurial, catalyst, person-focused. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Supportive. Moral compass: Can I look myself in the mirror and be proud of the decision? What is your greatest joy? Music. What is your guilty pleasure? Barrel aged stout. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Health care workers. What is at the top of your bucket list? Traveling to see wonders of natural world. How do you relieve stress? Exercise. What is your go-to workout? Rowing machine or similar cardio.
What was your first paying job? Groundskeeping at the college I attended. What was your favorite college course? Statistics. What book have you repeatedly read? Discworld Series, by Terry Pratchett. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Teachers who encouraged me. What’s the best advice you received growing up? “You gotta work up those hills, gentlemen” (Cross Country coach Carl Gross). What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? My subconscious while exercising. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Holding my newborn child.
What is your big idea?
Higher education needs to serve all students, not just the wealthy or privileged.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Helping higher education pivot to the modern world. What change would you like to see in the world? Greater trust of one another and less hate. What mega-trend most concerns you? The recent movement toward no shared reality or truth, siloing of information.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Nerds Rule. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Steve Carell. Everyone says we look alike. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My father. What advice would you give your younger self? Trust yourself and don’t listen to those who seek to undermine your confidence.
Personal mission: The transformative power of higher education. Desired epitaph: That was fun!
