Let’s Talk: Leadership Paths and Lessons Learned
Afternoon Panel 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Join us for an informal panel discussion on career paths in higher education, challenges and opportunities along the way, and suggested strategies for success. This session focuses on sharing personal experiences from several areas of higher education. The panelists, whose roles range from early career to seasoned, will speak on topics such as: how virtual workspaces affect your career development and advancement, whether or not to pursue a terminal degree, evaluating family planning, how to remain relevant as an experienced educator, and mentor/mentee relationships.
Zoë Tice Adams, Moderator
Colby-Sawyer College
Sustainability Coordinator
Zoë primarily worked with 501(c)(3) nonprofits in environmental education and biodiversity data tracking before entering into her current career in higher education as Colby-Sawyer College’s Sustainability Coordinator. Through this role, she serves as the college’s lead in investigating all areas of sustainability, implementing student programming related to the field, and improving the overall campus health and wellbeing of the community. She is currently in the process of becoming Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green associate certified and runs the annual Greenhouse Gas Inventory to track ongoing progress to reaching the college’s net-zero emissions reduction goals.
Zoë received her master’s in Sustainability at Wake Forest University and completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology at UNC Charlotte.
LINDA BROWN
MCPHS-Manchester campus
Senior Associate Dean of Students
Linda serves as the chief student affairs officer for the Manchester campus and collaborates with campus partners in various roles across all three campuses. Linda brings experience in strategic planning, assessment, collaborative problem solving, and project management. She also shares responsibilities across the University for Title IX and community standards. Linda has an undergraduate degree from Worcester State University, and a Master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and has served at Clark University, Emerson College and Boston University. She serves on the advisory board for the Palace and Rex Theatres, is the proud mom of two amazing young adults, and is a diehard fan of Bruce Springsteen and the Boston Celtics.
DEMITA FURNNER
Southern New Hampshire University, Global Campus
Senior Director of Learning Resources
Demita is employed with Southern New Hampshire as a senior director of learning resources. She is charged with expanding the scope of learning resources to serve the broadest portfolio of the University’s learners. She manages oversight of procurement, course material delivery and maintenance, and digital learning tools. Recently celebrating her ten-year anniversary at SNHU, Demita works to develop increasingly flexible and affordable models for pricing and distribution.
Demita is also an Air Force veteran with 10 years of active-duty experience. She initially trained as a security police specialist, but went on to pursue her love of education by becoming a PME (Professional Military Education) instructor at the Airman Leadership School. It was during this time that Demita finished her bachelor’s degree in Workforce Education and Training and later, using her GI Bill, completed her Master of Arts in Human Services with a specialization in Family and Marriage Counseling.
When she is not discussing how to provide increased access to online learning, you can find Demita shopping with her 15-year-old daughter; sharing parenting advice with her 26-year-old daughter; blowing kisses with her two-year-old granddaughter; or suggesting to her husband of 30 years to NOT buy another pair of cargo pants, at least not in the same color.
Demita imagines a world filled with equitable and inclusive access to education. She personally can attest to its transformative power and its ability to inspire hope.
GARLAND MANN-LAMB
MCPHS
Analyst, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
Garland serves as a senior institutional research analyst at MCPHS. In this role, she assists with survey implementation, data visualizations, faculty research, and reporting. Garland has previous experience in student activities, orientation, and residence life. She holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, a master's degree from the University of Connecticut, and is currently a doctoral student at New England College. Garland currently serves on the executive board of the Northeast Association of College and University Housing Officers and is a proud cat mom.
JESSICA MORRIS
MCPHS - Worcester Campus
Senior Associate Dean of Students
Jessica serves as the senior associate dean of students and the chief student affairs officer, for MCPHS University, Worcester campus. This campus is comprised of 9 accelerated graduate health science programs and multiple online programs. Jessica’s responsibilities include the oversight of Residence Life, Campus Life, Counseling Services, the Office of Student Access and Accommodations, and Student Conduct. Jessica has an undergraduate degree from Bryant University and a Master’s degree from Boston College. She serves on the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Central Massachusetts and Mechanics Hall and is the proud mom of two young children.
HILARY WILLIAMS
Colby-Sawyer College
Dean for the School of Arts & Sciences
Hilary Williams is Dean for the School of Arts & Sciences at Colby-Sawyer College. She is a designer, educator, leader and listener who champions interdisciplinary learning, and making connections. Her approach to this administrative role is informed by a decade of teaching experience in higher education (both at Colby-Sawyer College and at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa), teaching and student development experience at the middle and high school level, and outdoor education leadership.
Hilary received her MFA in studio art: graphic design from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and her BA in studio art and environmental studies from Williams College, where she received the Robert F. Rosenburg Award for Excellence in Environmental Studies. She has participated in leadership training and workshops with the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the American Conference of Academic Deans (ACAD), the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).
Hilary was the 2016 recipient of the Jack Jensen Award for Excellence in Teaching, Colby-Sawyer College's highest teaching award, which is presented annually to a faculty member who has made a distinct, positive difference in the college's academic climate. In addition to higher education, she is committed to design for good and has had her work in environmental graphics, identity design and editorial design recognized and awarded in regional, national, and international design competitions.