HLC Board of Trustees
The Board deliberates on and decides the official action on all recommendations for institutions placed on notice or probation and their removal from such status, withdrawal of accreditation or candidacy, application for candidacy or initial accreditation, and request for change of institutional control, structure or organization. The Board issues and removes all show-cause orders. When the Board decides on an official action, it does so by majority vote of those attending a meeting and eligible to vote.
HLC posts a summary of all institutional and policy actions taken by the Board within 30 days.
Chair
Mr. Richard Dunsworth
President, University of the Ozarks
Richard L. Dunsworth, J.D., became the 25th president of University of the Ozarks in Clarksville, Arkansas, on June 1, 2013. Under his leadership, enrollment at the private four-year Presbyterian-affiliated university has increased more than 29 percent, from 585 in 2013 to 755 in 2017. The growth is being fueled by holding tuition for five years and resulted in the university being ranked by U.S. News & World Report as No. 1 in the South in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category for two consecutive years. The university embarked on an ambitious $55 million capital campaign in April 2015 to enhance student scholarships, support for the sciences and competition athletic facilities. Prior to arriving at Ozarks, Mr. Dunsworth was an administrator for 22 years at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where he served as interim president and vice president for enrollment. Mr. Dunsworth earned a B.A. in Political Science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, becoming the first person in his family to obtain a college degree. He went on to earn a master’s degree in education in 1994 from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston and a J.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2002. He also earned certification from the institute for educational management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2008.
Vice Chair
Dr. Joyce Ester
President, Governors State University
Dr. Joyce Ester was named President of Governors State University in July 2025. Previously, she served as president of Normandale Community College from 2014-2025. During her tenure at Normandale, the institution experienced stable enrollment and budgetary success. These efforts led to the creation of a Student Resource Center, Student Success Center, Office of Equity and Inclusion, and several other initiatives. Normandale is home to the first Somali Area Studies program and Dr. Ester added a program focused on increasing the number of Black men in teaching. Prior to Normandale, she served as president of Kennedy-King College in Chicago. Other administrative roles included Associate Vice President at Bakersfield College (CA), Assistant Vice President at California State University, Fresno, and Assistant Dean of Students for Judicial Affairs at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Ester also served as an adjunct instructor in American Sign Language at Santa Barbara City College. Dr. Ester holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara; a Master of Arts in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara; and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northern Illinois University.
Treasurer
Mr. Donald M. Elliman, Jr.
Chancellor, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Mr. Donald Elliman has been Chancellor of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus since February 2013. A long-time executive in publishing, he worked at Time Warner for 32 years, retiring as an executive vice president of Time Inc. Other positions he has held include publisher of People Magazine and president of Sports Illustrated. Most recently, Mr. Elliman was executive director of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology on the Anschutz Medical Campus. He also served for two years as chief operating officer for Colorado, assisting the governor in the management of all state agencies, and as chair of the Colorado Recovery Accountability Board, with responsibilities for oversight of spending in Colorado. He has also served as director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and as president of Ascent Sports and of Kroenke Sports Enterprises, with oversight of business activities, including The Pepsi Center, The Denver Nuggets and The Colorado Avalanche. He received a B.A. in Economics from Middlebury College.
Trustees
Dr. Daniel Abebe
Dean, Columbia Law School
Dr. Daniel Abebe is the Dean of Columbia Law School and Lucy G. Moses Professor of Law. Before joining Columbia, he was the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Governance at the University of Chicago. Dr. Abebe served as the President of the University of Chicago Charter School Board of Directors and the Chair of the Board of the Chapin Hall Center for Children, and was a member of the Board of Governors for Argonne National Laboratory. He is an elected member of the American Law Institute and also serves on the HLC Credential Lab Leadership Advisory Board. Dr. Abebe previously served as the Deputy Dean of the University of Chicago Law School. Prior to entering academia, he clerked for Judge Damon J. Keith of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and later worked as a corporate associate at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP. Dr. Abebe earned a Bachelor of Arts from Maryville University of St. Louis, a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.
Maj. Gen. Patricia M. Anslow
United States Army (Retired)
A public member of the Board, retired Army National Guard Major General Patricia M. Anslow served the Army for more than 30 years in various command and staff positions including Chief of Staff, U.S. Southern Command and two combat deployments prior to her retirement in the summer of 2022. She retired as a civil servant from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in October 2023 while serving as the Deputy Programs Director, Southwestern Division in Dallas, TX. Throughout her career she focused on innovation of the Civil Works planning process. Through use of the planning program, she successfully obtained congressional approval for numerous multi-purpose water resource projects assisting communities throughout the United States. Maj. Gen. Anslow received a bachelor’s degree in Geography from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Engineer Regiment in 1989. She earned a second bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, a Master of Science from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. She has previously served on the Florida International University Center for Leadership Board of Advisors and the Greystone Preparatory School Board of Directors. In 2024 she was inducted in the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame.
Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia
President, Chippewa Valley Technical College
Dr. Sunem Beaton-Garcia is the 11th president of Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC), and the first woman and first Latina to lead the college. As president, Dr. Beaton-Garcia has focused on strengthening workforce initiatives and building talent supply to meet employer demand. She has also deepened the college’s connection to its four-year partners, including adding an associate of arts degree to the college. Under her leadership, CVTC has been recognized as a military-friendly college and one of the top 150 two-year colleges in the nation by the prestigious Aspen Institute. Dr. Beaton-Garcia previously served as the North Campus president and vice provost for academic services at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and as interim campus president for the central and south campuses, where she was responsible for teaching excellence and learning academic resources. Her commitment to technical education is evidenced by her extensive involvement in developing and implementing innovative curricula that integrate industry-recognized certifications and practical, hands-on training. She has been a strong advocate for partnerships between educational institutions and industry, facilitating opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and for faculty to engage in innovative practices. Dr. Beaton-Garcia is a passionate advocate for the community and the CVTC, exemplified through her service on various local, state and national boards. She holds an Ed.D. in Education from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s degree in Information Science from University of South Florida. She has more than 25 years of instructional experience in education, including 12 years in higher education.
Dr. Jo Alice Blondin
President, Clark State College
Dr. Jo Alice Blondin became the fifth president of Clark State College on July 1, 2013. Since coming to Clark State, Dr. Blondin has led the development and implementation of two successive strategic plans, the creation of multiple marketing/branding campaigns, the development of employee wellness, safety, and mentoring programs, the establishment of two baccalaureate degrees and numerous workforce programs, a reorganization of the campus to increase student success and completion that has resulted in an increase of 60% in state funding for Clark State, secured nearly $17.5 million in state funds for capital and community improvement projects, and received grant funding for Manufacturing, Precision Agriculture, Cybersecurity, Addiction Studies, Mental Health, scholarships and youth programs totaling more than $16 million. Prior to Clark State, Dr. Blondin served as Chancellor of Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus and Professor of English for seven years, as well as Chief Academic Officer, Chief Student Officer, Department Chair of English, Communication, and Social Sciences and Instructor of English. Dr. Blondin holds a Ph.D. in English from Arizona State University; Master of Arts in English from Arizona State University; and Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University majoring in English with a minor in Spanish.
Dr. Eric W. Bolger
Provost of the College and Vice President for Academic Affairs, College of the Ozarks
Dr. Eric W. Bolger was named Provost of the College of the Ozarks in 2024 and Vice President for Academic Affairs in 2015. Current duties include serving as chief academic officer for the College and overseeing strategic planning, accreditation relations, institutional assessment, the library, the registrar’s office, and the Child Development Center. Under his leadership, College of the Ozarks added a new engineering program in 2016 (now ABET accredited). Before joining the executive team at College of the Ozarks, Dr. Bolger taught philosophy and religion courses as a full-time faculty member from 1992-2010, served as the Chair of Humanities Division from 2001- 2010, and was Dean of the College from 2011-2024. Dr. Bolger has served as a peer reviewer and team chair with the Higher Learning Commission since 2014. He received Peer Corps recognition in 2020 (Mighty Mentor) and 2022 (Best Written Report). He currently serves as board chair for the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. He has served on many boards in the non-profit sector, including in local churches. Dr. Bolger holds a B.A. degree in chemistry from the University of California at San Diego; a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago; and Doctor of Worship Studies degree from the Institute for Worship Studies.
Mr. Ken Bouyer
Americas Inclusiveness Recruiting Leader, Ernst & Young
As EY Americas, Inclusiveness Recruiting Leader, Mr. Bouyer is responsible for developing and implementing the global EY organization’s recruiting strategy to build and attract diverse and inclusive talent pools for member firms in the Americas. He frequently serves as an EY industry group spokesperson on both inclusiveness and recruiting trends at a range of events and with leading media outlets. Mr. Bouyer joined Ernst & Young LLP in 1990. Prior to his current role, he was a leader in the firm’s Consulting Services practice, supporting various global internal audit clients. Mr. Bouyer is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and serves on the Board of Trustees for his alma mater, Manhattan University. He also serves on North Carolina A&T’s Dean’s Advisory Council, Howard University’s Center for Accounting Education and Arizona State University’s Accounting Advisory Board. He is a lifetime member and a current Corporate Advisory Board Member of both the NABA and the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA). He has been honored with several awards including the ALPFA Lifetime Achievement Award, the NABA Presidential Award, the AACSB Influential Leader Award, the Harlem YMCA’s Achiever in Industry award, the Michigan Society of CPA’s Diversity and Inclusion leadership award, and the NJ State Society D&I Leadership award. Mr. Bouyer holds a B.S. in Accounting from Manhattan College. He holds National Association of Corporate Directors Certification and is a Member of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.
Dr. Rita Hartung Cheng
President Emerita, Professor of Accounting and Senior Fellow for Educational Policy, Northern Arizona University
Dr. Rita Hartung Cheng served as the 16th President of Northern Arizona University from 2014 to 2021 and is currently Professor of Accounting and Sr. Fellow for Educational Policy at NAU. Under her leadership, NAU experienced enrollment increases of first generation and underrepresented students and significant improvements in retention and graduation rates. She focused on growing and enhancing diverse, market-driven programs on the Flagstaff campus, state-wide and online. During her tenure NAU received designation as an Hispanic-serving institution, was ranked in the top one percent of all four-year public universities with the highest Native American enrollment, doubled research awards and created the institution’s first Diversity Strategic Plan. Dr. Cheng served as Chancellor of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale from 2010 to 2014. She also spent over 20 years in faculty and administrative roles at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, including as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. She earned her Ph.D. in management from Temple University’s Fox School of Business and Management, an MBA from the University of Rhode Island and a bachelor of business administration with honors from Bishop’s University in Quebec.
Ms. Joi Cunningham
Vice President of Human Resources, Oakland University
Ms. Joi Cunningham became Oakland University’s (OU) Vice President of Human Resources on November 1, 2021 after serving in multiple key leadership roles for over twenty years. As the Vice President of Human Resources, she is responsible for leading OU’s human resources strategy, talent acquisition, leadership development, organizational design, compensation and benefits, employee relations, labor negotiations, and is instrumental in designing diversity efforts for staff and faculty members. A labor/employment attorney by trade, she began her career in private practice before joining OU’s General Counsel’s Office as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion and Attorney in the fall of 2003. After serving in this capacity for a number of years, she transitioned into human resources and became the Assistant Vice President of Academic Human Resources before taking on her current role. Ms. Cunningham is a member of the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium, the Michigan ACE Network and serves as OU’s Institutional Representative and co-chairs the professional development committee’s efforts for the Women of Color Collaborative as part of MI-ACE. Ms. Cunningham is a proud alumnus of Wellesley College and Boston College Law School.
Dr. Jodi Eastberg
Vice President of Academic Affairs, Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Dr. Jodi Eastberg assumed the role of Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design in August 2025. Previously, she served as the dean of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies at Alverno College, where she led the college’s academic work within the Schools of Arts and Sciences and Professional and Graduate Studies overseeing the Business and Communication, Multidisciplinary Studies, Education, Psychology and Social Work and Natural Sciences Departments. While at Alverno, she served as a professor of history and as executive director of Alverno College’s Center for Academic Excellence and the Research Center for Women and Girls. As executive director for the Center she worked with Alverno faculty and staff to provide opportunities for high-achieving students to get the most from their college education. Dr. Eastberg served as an HLC peer reviewer for more than 10 years before being named to the Board of Trustees. She is the Vice President for the Layton Art Collection, Inc., and serves on the board of the Wisconsin Policy Forum, and on the editorial board of The History Teacher journal. She is the past president of the Midwest World History Association and served for 18 years with the Advanced Placement World History program. Dr. Eastberg has given numerous workshops and presentations across the country and around the world on topics ranging from academic program prioritization to Anglo-Chinese relations. Dr. Eastberg holds Ph.D. and master’s degrees in History from Marquette University and a B.A. in History from Saint Louis University.
Dr. Noah Finkelstein
Professor of Physics, University of Colorado Boulder
Dr. Noah Finkelstein has taught in the Physics Department at the University of Colorado Boulder since 2003 and became a full professor in 2012. He serves as a director of the Physics Education Research (PER) group at Colorado, one of the largest research groups in physics education in the country. Dr. Finkelstein is also a director of the national-scale Center for STEM Learning, which has become one of eight national demonstration sites for the Association of American Universities’ STEM Education Initiative. During an NSF-supported postdoc, he formally entered the field of physics education research, through joint appointments at the UC San Diego’s Lab of Comparative Human Cognition, and UC Berkeley’s Group in Science and Mathematics Education. He has also served as a Research Consultant at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and a Research Associate and Instructor at Princeton University. Dr. Finkelstein received a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Yale University and his Ph.D. for work in Applied Physics from Princeton University.
Brig. Gen. Jack R. Fox
United States Army (retired)
A public member of the Board, retired New Mexico Army National Guard Brigadier General Jack R. Fox served as Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services from January 2015 to December 2018. Prior to this appointment he served with the Army, Army Reserves and New Mexico National Guard; taught high school and was a girls’ softball and cross-country coach; served as Commandant at the New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI); and was President of St. John’s Military School. He has also served on the New Mexico State Armory Board and the New Mexico National Guard Bataan Memorial Museum Foundation. Secretary Fox is a graduate of NMMI and New Mexico State University (NMSU). Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from NMSU, he was commissioned as a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant/Infantry in 1969. While stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Georgia State University. He is also a member of the New Mexico Military Institute Hall of Fame and the New Mexico University ROTC Honor Company.
Dr. Elmer J. Guy
President, Navajo Technical University
Since 2006, Dr. Elmer J. Guy has served as the president of Navajo Technical University (NTU), which is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, a community of 37 tribally and federally chartered institutions of higher education. NTU offers microcredentials and certificates to doctoral degrees. Prior to becoming president, Dr. Guy served NTU as its vice president of academics and student services and its dean of instruction. Before joining NTU, Dr. Guy was appointed by the Navajo Nation president to serve as both the executive director and deputy director of the Navajo Nation Department of Education. During his tenure, several needed programs were successfully developed and implemented. This included two trusts for the handicapped ($7 million) and for vocational education programs ($6 million) and a comprehensive teacher education program, all of which have been institutionalized and remain in full operation. Dr. Guy also directed the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services for the Navajo Nation, where he helped secure legislation that provides funding for services for tribes throughout the United States. He serves as the Chair of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. He was appointed by the President of the United States to serve on the National Board of Education Sciences and currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Education Subcommittee for the National Congress of American Indians. Dr. Guy earned his undergraduate and doctorate degrees from the University of Arizona, and a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco.
Dr. J. Lee Johnson
Innovation and Planning Strategist, Mount Marty University
Dr. J. Lee Johnson serves as an Innovation and Planning Strategist for Mount Marty University. He has also served as the Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and CFO at the University of Toledo and as the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Treasurer for Siena Heights University. He is dedicated to promoting higher education and student success. His resourcefulness includes focusing on organizational change, cultivating partnerships, fostering technology, assessing institutional effectiveness, and leading innovative and transformative planning processes. He has supported donor development efforts, overseen comprehensive expansion programs, developed resource and capital strategies, been involved in mergers and acquisitions, and advocated for affordability and entrepreneurship. Dr. Johnson has also served as a senior-level administrator for Lawrence Technological University and the Medical College of Ohio (now the University of Toledo Medical Center) and has held several faculty appointments. Dr. Johnson received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a Minor in Law from the University of Toledo; an M.B.A. concentrating in economics from Bowling Green State University; and a B.S. in Business Administration majoring in Finance from The Ohio State University. He completed post-graduate education at Harvard University and The Ohio State University. A certified public accountant, he is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio and Michigan Societies for CPAs.
Dr. Joanne Li
Chancellor, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, became the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) 16th chancellor in July 2021. In 2023, Li became the first and only endowed Chancellor in the University of Nebraska System, carrying the title of the Barbara and Wally Weitz Endowed Chair in Higher Education. Since joining UNO, she has focused on positioning the university – and Omaha – as a leader in the state’s workforce development and improve social mobility for all learners. As a first-generation student and native of Hong Kong, Dr. Li has a passion for serving learners of all economic backgrounds, and ensures students have the resources and support to graduate as successful professionals. Prior to joining UNO, Dr. Li served as dean of the Florida International University (FIU) College of Business. Li is a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Board of Directors. She serves on the United States Strategic Command Consultation Committee. She is a member of CNBC’s Global Financial Wellness Advisory Board and a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Global Network Americas Advisory Board. She is also a founding member of the International Advisory Council of the Lisbon School of Economics and Management in Portugal and National Sun Yat-Sen University College of Management in Taiwan. Dr. Li holds bachelor and doctoral degrees in finance from Florida State University and was awarded a CFA Charterholder in 2002.
Dr. Daniel J. Phelan
President & CEO, Jackson College
Dr. Daniel J. Phelan has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Jackson College, Michigan, since April 2001. His leadership is distinguished by continuous innovation, intentional governance, and a steadfast commitment to student success. A nationally recognized voice in the community college movement, Dr. Phelan is a frequent presenter and author of numerous professional articles, monographs and books, including The Community College Board 2.0: Covenant Governance (2021). He is currently working on a new book titled: Governing on Purpose: How Policy Governance Can Transform Community College Boards. He currently chairs the Board of Directors for the Center for Community College Student Engagement, and the League for Innovation in the Community College, and serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Locally, Dr. Phelan chairs the Board of Directors for Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, serves on the Henry Ford Health System Board of Directors in Detroit, the Jackson College Foundation Board, and the Board of Directors for Accelerate Jackson, an economic development organization. A past Chair of the Board of Directors for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), he continues to serve on the AACC Board and its Advocacy Advisory Group. Dr. Phelan holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University, an M.B.A. from St. Ambrose University, and both a B.A. in Business Administration and an A.A. in Liberal Arts from Mount St. Clare College.