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Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Dr. James Zhang has served as the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost since 2014. As the Chief Academic Officer of ɫ����Ƶ, he oversees learning and teaching, along with all related areas including student achievement, curriculum development, faculty performance and development, graduate education, and research. He is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

While at ɫ����Ƶ, James has led efforts to create the University’s current college structure and new faculty workload model. Also, he guided the University’s Program Realignment and Reinvention initiative which resulted in significant program and organizational changes. During his tenure, James has expanded collaboration with international corporations and higher education institutions, and grown graduate studies. 

Before joining ɫ����Ƶ, James previously served as the Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University where he also held a faculty appointment as a professor of Electrical Engineering. He also has extensive industry experience.

James has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Hunan University, a Master’s degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University, and a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. He has authored or co-authored more than 70 publications and holds seven U.S. and international patents.

Vice President of Administration and Finance

Marsha Bewersdorf joined the leadership team at ɫ����Ƶ as Vice President of Administration and Finance in 2023. In this role, Marsha serves as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees and leads all activities involving University finance, including accounting, cashier’s office, payroll, purchasing, and student accounts; Human Resources; and all areas of facility management, including business operations, planning and construction management, campus maintenance, and central receiving. She is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Most recently, the Associate Vice President for Finance at Union College in Schenectady, New York, Marsha has more than 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, and operations. In her role at Union College, a national Top 50 liberal arts college, she led the Department of Financial Planning and Analysis. She successfully oversaw a comprehensive restructuring, ensuring administrative and operational processes could support and enable the goal of strengthening the vibrant community of learners, scholars, and teachers.

In 2017, Marsha earned the annual CFO Award from Wichita Business Journal and, in 2009, was named to the 40 Under 40 list. She has served as a Fractional CFO to non-profits for more than two decades and continues to serve as a board member supporting many NGO associations. She has volunteered with Arc of Space in Florida and the Spina Bifida Association, the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, Global Outreach, the Child Advocacy Center, and YMCA Strong Kids in Kansas.

Marsha earned an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. She also holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education. She remains an active CPA in the state of Florida.

Chief of Staff

Dr. Svinarich has been an integral part of ɫ����Ƶ since 1992 currently serving as Chief of Staff. In this role, she oversees institutional planning, policy development, and problem resolution, while acting as a liaison to faculty, staff, and student groups. She also manages the Office of the President’s operations and leads University-wide initiatives as a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Throughout her career at ɫ����Ƶ, Dr. Svinarich has held several leadership positions, including Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Science and Liberal Arts. She spearheaded accreditation efforts with the Higher Learning Commission and ABET, enhanced student services within Academic Affairs, and guided departments like Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences as Dean. A dedicated educator, she also chaired the Physics Department and taught physics for over 20 years.

Dr. Svinarich earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. in Physics from Wayne State University. She has completed advanced leadership training through the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute and the Harvard Kennedy School’s seminar on Crisis Leadership in Higher Education. Nationally, she co-founded the Effective Practice for Physics Programs (EP3), a $2.2 million initiative supporting systematic improvement in physics departments, and currently serves on its Editorial Board. She was a mentor in the American Council on Education’s “Moving the Needle Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program.”

With decades of experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a commitment to innovation, Dr. Svinarich plays a vital role in advancing ɫ����Ƶ's mission and fostering a thriving academic community.

Vice President of Instructional, Administrative, and Information Technology

Geoffrey joined ɫ����Ƶ in 2015. In his current role, he serves as the Chief Information Technology Officer for the University, overseeing the information technology department to maintain existing technologies, coordinate technology needs of the University, and implement technology initiatives that serve the strategic goals of ɫ����Ƶ. He is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Geoffrey has a multi-faceted background, including web and application development, database administration, graphic design, photography, public relations, user training, and project management. Geoffrey previously worked at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tufts University, and Rice University overseeing web development and brand management.

While at ɫ����Ƶ, Geoffrey has guided the implementation of the University’s inward-facing, knowledge base and application portal. He also has coordinated inter-departmental technology projects. 

Geoffrey earned a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and is working to earn a Master of Business Administration from ɫ����Ƶ Online. 

He is a member of the Merit Broadband Equity and Advocacy Community of Practice and Merit Michigan Information Technology Executive Community of Practice (MITE).

 

Interim Vice President, Enrollment and Cooperative Services

Suzanne Petrusch, a leader with more than 30 years of experience advancing enrollment strategy, institutional growth, and student success, joined ɫ����Ƶ as the Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management in July 2023. Her current portfolio at ɫ����Ƶ includes pre-college programs, the Robotics Center, admissions, financial aid, enrollment technology and analytics, and institutional research. She is particularly grateful for the 18 months during which Co-op and career design reported within enrollment management, and values the ongoing close ties with that team as part of showcasing ɫ����Ƶ’s distinctive education.

With a career spanning both permanent and interim executive roles on campuses including the California Institute of the Arts, Presbyterian College, St. Mary’s University (TX), and the University of Dayton, Suzanne is adept at guiding institutions through transition and building momentum toward long-term goals.

Suzanne holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Trinity University and an M.S. in Education from the University of Dayton. She aspires to return to her doctoral program in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where her research aligned with her interests in the areas of expectancy-value theory, student satisfaction with college choice, and student success.

Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations

Dale Pilger joined ɫ����Ƶ in January 2020 and currently serves as the Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations.  Dale’s responsibilities include overseeing fundraising, alumni engagement, and strategic communication to enhance the University’s reputation and secure its future.  Dale’s most recent position with ɫ����Ƶ was Senior Director of Philanthropy Corporate and Foundation Relations. 

Dale is a ɫ����Ƶ alumnus with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and is also an MIT Sloan Fellow with a Master’s in Management.  Dale has had a long career in global business development and management in large public and small private companies.  With business leadership experience in largely pioneering roles including CEO of a 5-company acquisition/merger, COO of a small technology startup, Managing Director GM East Africa, Regional Director of Asia Pacific Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems, Vice President China OE and Aftermarket Sales & Marketing Federal Mogul, and Chief Engineer Power and Signal Distribution Systems Delphi Automotive, Dale was tasked to leverage his experience to help ɫ����Ƶ fortify existing and build new/stronger Corporate and Foundation partnerships across broad industry segments. 

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Jennifer Umberger joined ɫ����Ƶ in February 2023. As the University’s chief marketing and communications officer, Jennifer leads the development and implementation of ɫ����Ƶ’s marketing and communications strategy to promote the institution, increase its visibility, and support ɫ����Ƶ’s mission, vision, and Pillars of Success. She also manages the University’s web strategy, social media, video production, print advertising production, public and media relations, and publication units. She is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Jennifer has more than two decades of marketing and communications experience, most recently at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, where she served as the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. In that role, she oversaw executive communications, enrollment marketing, university marketing and brand management, strategic communications, and media relations, as well as athletic communications and marketing. She also was a strategic lead in partnership with Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. 

Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s degree in History with a Mass Communication Concentration and Public Relations Emphasis from Albion College and a Master of Business Administration from Augsburg University.

She is a member of the American Marketing Association and is secretary of the board of directors, member and co-chair of the conference and programming committee for the College & University Public Relations and Associated Professionals (CUPRAP), a national organization of communications professionals from colleges, universities, and independent schools. Jennifer also serves on the National Housing Corporation Board for Alpha Xi Delta women’s fraternity.