2026 Higher Education Summit

Speakers

Chuck Ambrose
Husch Blackwell

After 40 years in college presidents’ offices—and 23 years as a president himself—Chuck supports educational institutions and their leaders with a student-centered focus, helping them access and utilize new tools to build a sustainable future for higher ed.

Chuck would be the first to tell you that his undergraduate experience changed his life, thanks in part to the personal interest his college’s president took in his life and his potential. He graduated knowing the positive impact higher education and its leadership could have on young people, and he chose to dedicate his career to the field. Chuck devoted the next four decades to a variety of colleges and universities, experiencing both public and private institutions of all sizes. His higher ed career culminated in a stint as president of the University of Central Missouri, where he earned the Governor’s Economic Development Award for the creation of the Missouri Innovation campus, and then as chancellor of Henderson State University, where he arrived during a severe financial crisis and achieved the largest cost containment in the shortest amount of time for a four-year public university.

Excited about the opportunity to share strategies and offer tangible support to other college and university leaders, Chuck joined Husch Blackwell in 2023. He works with the firm’s higher education clients as a consultant, with a focus on policy, strategy, and enhancing institutional performance and outcomes. The author of Colleges on the Brink: The Case for Financial Exigency, Chuck knows that the paradigm for higher ed has permanently shifted in recent years and that schools and their leaders are searching for new skills and new tools as they look to build a sustainable, data-driven model for the future.

In Chuck, clients find an active listener who deeply understands their world and empathizes with their challenges. His goal is to support institutions not just in fulfilling their missions but in achieving their performance aspirations, and he partners with schools in asking what’s possible…then ensuring they have the support they need to accomplish it.

Blaze Bowers
Drexel University

Blaze Bowers serves as Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance & Title IX/EEO Coordinator for Drexel University. Blaze is an experienced executive student affairs and compliance administrator who has worked as a chief student affairs officer, Title IX and EEO coordinator, compliance officer, consultant, and faculty member. His research and practice focus on civil rights, student affairs, risk management, and constitutional law in education. Blaze previously served as an assistant vice president for student affairs and compliance at Lincoln Memorial University, a Regional Director for Grand River Solutions, a Pressnell Fellow for TICUA's Executive Leadership Institute, and a Teaching & Research Fellow for the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law & Policy at Stetson Law.

Blaze's writing and seminars have been featured in Student Affairs Today, Higher Ed Dive, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, and Stetson's Conference on Law & Higher Education, among others. He continues to facilitate Title IX and compliance trainings and conduct Title IX and EEO consults. He also serves as a Lecturer of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, teaching higher education law and policy courses, and is pursuing his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Blaze earned his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law.

Frank Cella
Marsh

Frank D. Cella is the Education Industry Leader at Marsh, where he drives the strategic direction of services and solutions tailored specifically for the education sector. With extensive expertise in risk management, insurance solutions, and compliance challenges faced by educational institutions, Frank provides invaluable insights that help schools, colleges, universities, and educational organizations navigate their unique needs.

In his role, Frank excels in client engagement, fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders to understand their challenges and develop tailored risk management strategies. He collaborates with cross-functional teams to enhance insurance products and risk management services designed specifically for the education sector. As a recognized voice in the industry, Frank shares his insights through publications, presentations, and participation in industry events, representing Marsh as a thought leader.

Based in Chicago, Frank leads a dedicated team of risk management professionals specializing in education-related services, ensuring they are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively serve clients. He conducts market analysis to assess trends and regulatory changes affecting the education sector, informing strategic decisions and service offerings. Through his pivotal role, Frank is committed to ensuring that Marsh meets the evolving needs of the education sector while driving growth and innovation within the company.

Dr. Tony Chambers
Center for Healthy Minds

Dr. Tony Chambers is the Director for Community Well-being at the Center for Healthy Minds. Tony also serves as a Senior Instructor in the department of Counseling Psychology for the Art and Science of Human Flourishing course. He was most recently the Associate Director of the WCER Network in the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Tony was appointed and currently serves on the Wisconsin State Superintendent’s Equity Stakeholder Council, and the Midwest Achievement Gap Research Alliance (MAGRA). Prior to working at the University of Wisconsin, Tony was the Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students at Edgewood College in Madison Wisconsin.

Before moving to Madison in 2016, Tony was the Chairperson for Leadership, Higher and Adult Education Department, Associate Professor of Higher Education and Founding Director of the Centre for the Study of Students in Postsecondary Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE)/University of Toronto. During his time in Toronto, Tony also served as Program Coordinator of the Higher Education Program at OISE and the Associate Vice-Provost, Students at the University of Toronto. Tony served as the founding Associate Director of the National Forum on Higher Education for the Public Good and Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Michigan.

Jonathan Fansmith
American Council on Education (ACE)

Jonathan Fansmith is the senior vice president for Government Relations and National Engagement at the American Council on Education (ACE), where he leads federal advocacy efforts on behalf of the nation's colleges and universities. He oversees ACE's engagement with Congress, federal agencies, and the courts on key issues including student aid, regulation, research funding, and tax policy.

Since assuming this role in 2022, Fansmith has led efforts to modernize and expand ACE's advocacy strategies to meet a rapidly evolving policy environment. He played a key role in launching ACE's National Engagement Office in 2023, which works to influence public debates on the role and value of higher education and support institutions in navigating shifting state policies affecting academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Elliot Felix
Author, Speaker, Consultant

Elliot Felix is a student success author, speaker, and consultant to more than a hundred colleges and universities. He uses his background in design to create better connected colleges and universities by helping institutions rethink what they offer, how they are organized, and how they operate. Through his consulting work at brightspot strategy and Buro Happold with institutions including Carnegie Mellon, MIT, NYC, NC State, and the University of Virginia, Elliot has helped more than 1,000,000 students.

His first book How to Get the Most Out of College was published in January 2022 and received a blue star from Kirkus Reviews, calling it "A knowledgeable, enthusiastic guide packed with strategies and encouragement." His latest book The Connected College: Leadership Strategies for Student Success was published in July 2025 as the #1 new release in education administration and was named "One of the ten best books in higher education in 2025" by Forbes. He lives in Minneapolis with his son Theo, daughter Nora, and wife Liz.

Katie Glass
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Katie Glass is the Chief Communications Officer and Public Information Officer at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, recipient of the 2025 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. She leads the college’s marketing, recruitment, dual enrollment, course resource coordination, and student life teams, advancing initiatives that expand access, improve completion, and strengthen post-college success.

She is especially passionate about dual enrollment and student success planning, ensuring students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, are prepared for both college and careers. Her leadership has shaped strategies that align academic programs with labor market needs, elevate student voices, and build strong partnerships across K-12, higher education, and industry.

In addition to her executive leadership, Katie serves as an adjunct instructor and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership. Her dissertation research will examine the relationship between K-12 and community college dual enrollment opportunities, with a focus on access and equity. She also earned a master’s degree in Strategic Brand Communication from the University of Illinois, bringing a unique lens on how messaging and storytelling can support rural colleges in advancing opportunity and equity.

Wade Harrison
Universities of Wisconsin

Wade joined the UW System Office of General Counsel in July 2014. Wade focuses in the areas of employment law, student affairs, diversity issues, health care, real estate, bankruptcy and training. Prior to joining UW System, Wade worked at the law firm of Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. and his practice involved advising and representing both private and public employers in a variety of labor and employment, education and health law matters. Wade has appeared before the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, United States Department of Education - Office of Civil Rights, Wisconsin state courts, United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin and the United States Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Wade received his bachelor's degree in Psychology from Loyola University, Chicago, graduating cum laude with minors in Women's Studies and African American Studies. Before starting his career in law, Wade worked in California and Chicago gaining experience in international trade and human resources.

Alli Jerger
Waukesha County Technical College

Alli Jerger serves as Associate Dean of IT Programs at Waukesha County Technical College, where she leads forward-thinking academic initiatives at the intersection of innovation, technology, and student success. With a background in IT, program development, and higher education leadership, Ali has spearheaded the creation of Wisconsin's first Data Specialist associate degree and continues to guide the expansion of workforce-aligned IT programs. She is passionate about empowering leaners and institutions to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape through strategic, inclusive, and future-focused education.

Aaron D. Lacey
Thompson Coburn, LLP

The Co-Chair of Thompson Coburn’s Higher Education Practice, Aaron has over two decades of experience assisting institutions to navigate complex legal and policy matters. He and his colleagues are valued for their deep understanding of the postsecondary regulatory framework, including requirements relating to the federal financial aid programs, accreditation, and state authorization. The host of Thompson Coburn’s popular Higher Education Webinar Series, and editorial director of REGucation, the firm’s higher education law and policy blog, Aaron is a frequent writer and speaker on topics relating to higher education policy and regulation. He currently resides in Saint Louis, Missouri, with his wife and three kids, the world’s greatest dog, a second dog, and three rowdy chickens.

Peter Lake
Stetson University College of Law

Peter Lake is professor of law, Charles A. Dana chair and director of the Center for Excellence in Higher Education Law and Policy at Stetson University College of Law. He has spent 35 years in higher education as a teacher and administrator. Prior to joining the Stetson Law faculty in 1990, Professor Lake practiced law in New York City at Cahill Gordon & Reindel and is a current member of the New York State Bar Association.

Professor Lake teaches and writes in the areas of torts, higher education law and policy, insurance, and jurisprudence, and has won several awards for his teaching and scholarship. He is an internationally-recognized expert on higher education law and policy and has been quoted or referred to in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Chicago Sun Times, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Time, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, various reported legal decisions including the supreme courts of Iowa, Rhode Island, Virginia, California, Massachusetts and Florida, and the most recent Restatement of the Law of Torts. He has appeared on several major media networks including NPR, ABC and CNN. Professor Lake has authored numerous law review articles, books, and other publications. He is a highly sought after speaker and he has served as a presenter or keynote speaker at several hundred international, national, regional, and local meetings. Professor Lake has trained thousands of campus personnel on student safety and other issues, including student mental health, alcohol and drug abuse, Title IX and sex discrimination, and First Amendment issues.

Professor Lake also serves as a part-time Higher Education Consulting Attorney for the law firm of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, as a consultant for AGB Consulting (Association of Governing Boards), and as an expert witness through his private consulting business.

Professor Lake is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

Colleen Larsen
Wisconsin Technical College System

Dr. Colleen Larsen is the Director for Student Success with the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). She received her PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where she focused on the experiences of refugees in technical and community colleges. Colleen has been with the WTCS since 2017 and has over 15 years of experience in student services and instruction focused specifically on equity and serving minoritized communities. With a background in international relations, English language teaching, and global education Colleen has valuable experience working with a variety of educational institutions both in the United States and abroad and is passionate about holistic community-based education. As a director at the state level, Colleen supports all 16 technical colleges across the state in increasing access and success for underrepresented students through leading system-wide groups focused on inclusion for historically and currently minoritized communities.

Natalia Lucak
Community Immigration Law Center

Natalia Lucak is a Supervising Attorney at the Community Immigration Law Center based in Madison, Wisconsin. She received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College in European History, and her law degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Over the last thirteen years, Natalia has worked as an immigration attorney at non profit organizations that provide direct legal services to immigrants in both New York, NY and Madison, WI. Natalia is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and State Bars of New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

Krissy Lukens
St. Norbert College

Krissy Lukens, is the Director of Educational Technology at St. Norbert College, where she provides leadership for the college's academic and instructional technology initiatives. Krissy brings more than 30 years of experience in instructional technology across both higher education and K-12, motivating educators to transform teaching and learning through thoughtful technology integration.

Most recently, Krissy has been at the forefront of SNC's campus wide approach to AI education, leading professional development and guiding faculty in ethical and pedagogically sound uses of AI. She and her team have engaged faculty in AI literacy initiatives, expanded SNC's Digital Fellows program, and participated in the AAC&U Institute on AI, Pedagogy and the Curriculum.

Krissy holds a B.A. from St. Norbert College in Math and Computer Science, an M.A. from Viterbo University in Education and a Certificate in Spatial Literacy from Redlands University. She has presented at national conferences including ISTE, ESRI, Educause, and AAC&U. When not helping directly with EdTech initiatives, you may find her on a geocaching adventure or making cool maps.

Gerardo Mancilla
Edgewood University

Gerardo Mancilla is an Associate Professor in the department of Curriculum and Instruction at Edgewood University. He also serves as the Director for the department of Curriculum and Instruction and as the coordinator for the undergraduate Elementary/Middle Education program. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate students in the Elementary/Middle Education program, English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Education programs. His research interests include Critical Race Theory, LatCrit, the school-to-prison pipeline, bilingual education, and immigration. He holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction, M.S. in Counseling Psychology, and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to working at Edgewood University, Gerardo worked for the Madison Metropolitan School District where he was a Dual Language Immersion teacher. He has also been involved in the community with many youth programs and community organizations. He is currently the President for the Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors, a Board member for the Friends of Sánchez Scholars, and a Board member for the Mexico International Study Opportunity for Learning (MISOL) program. In 2021, he launched the Educators and Immigration podcast where he interviews guests on ways to support undocumented students, DACA beneficiaries and mixed status families.

Amy Missinne
Universities of Wisconsin Administration

Amy Missinne serves as the Ethics and Compliance Specialist for the Universities of Wisconsin Administration within the Office of Compliance and Risk Management (OCRM). As the Compliance Administrator, Amy's areas of focus include ethics and integrity, conflicts of interest, high risk compliance risk mitigation, compliance, and state authorization of distance learning. Prior to joining the Universities of Wisconsin Administration in June 2023, Amy spent over 10 years at the Universities of Wisconsin-Superior serving in various roles including Compliance Officer, Ethics Officer, Title IX Coordinator, Precollege Liaison, Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Federal Compliance Leader, and Executive Administrative Officer to the Provost. Amy holds a M.S. in Training and Development (Human Resources Development) and a B.S. in Service Management from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, as well as the professional designation of Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM-SCP).

CoraBeth Schmitz
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

CoraBeth Schmitz is a Student Financial Assistance Manager with over a decade of experience in higher education and financial aid. A graduate of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, she now leads a team supporting student success by advancing equitable financial planning strategies and improving how students navigate and fund their education. CoraBeth holds an MBA from Upper Iowa University and is passionate about helping students gain access to and successfully complete higher education. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and their children, Veda and Theo.

Paige Smith
Universities of Wisconsin Administration

Paige Smith serves as the Chief Compliance and Risk Officer for the Universities of Wisconsin Administration. In this role, she oversees the Office of Compliance and Risk Management. Paige has served in this role since January of 2022. Prior to that, she served in a variety of roles for the Universities of Wisconsin between 2010 and 2022. including Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration (UW-Platteville), Chief Institutional Compliance Officer and Adjunct Lecturer (UW-Whitewater) and Senior System Legal Counsel (UW System Administration).Paige has twenty years of experience in higher education and is a licensed attorney in states of Wisconsin and Illinois. Paige received her J.D. and B.S. degree in Administration of Justice from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Carole Trone
Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt

Carole Trone is a social impact leader with over twenty-five years of experience in college access, affordability, and nonprofit innovation. Dr. Trone leads Fair Opportunity Project, a college access nonprofit serving students nationwide. In Wisconsin, Dr. Trone serves as Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition on Student Debt and as President of College Goal Wisconsin. Prior to these roles, she served as Senior Vice President for Educational Services at the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Dr. Trone has led startup teams selected for gener8tor’s gBETA Social Impact program, StartingBlock Madison’s Social Impact Initiative, and winning a million dollar award in Schmidt Future’s Alliance for the American Dream competition. Dr. Trone has taught educational policy classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and served on the staff of Chancellor David Ward. Dr. Trone earned her undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University, masters and doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Trone serves on the boards for Economic Justice Inc (EJI Inc) and is a member of the Rotary Club of Madison and the Madison Elks.

Gabriel Velez
Marquette University

Gabriel Velez is an associate professor in Educational Policy and Leadership in the College of Education with a courtesy appointment in Psychology at Marquette University. He is also the Faculty Coordinator of Dual Enrollment, and Faculty Director of the Black and Latino/a Ecosystem and Support Transition (BLEST) Hub. Dr. Velez studies identity development in adolescents, particularly regarding educational experiences such as the transition to college, artificial intelligence, and restorative justice. Dr. Velez has authored, Making Meaning of Justice and Peace: A Developmental Lens to Restorative Justice and Peace Education, and has another manuscript on adolescent development, education, and artificial intelligence, both with Cambridge University Press. He received a BA in History and Literature from Harvard University, and an MA and PhD from the University of Chicago in Comparative Human Development.

Katy Weisenberger
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Katy Weisenburger is the Assistant Director of Compliance, Advocacy, & Training in the Office of Student Financial Aid at UW-Madison, joining the team in 2017. In this role, she works with a team of financial aid professionals who ensure access to higher education while staying compliant with federal regulations. She has worked in higher education since 2001, holding various roles such as Financial Aid Auditor, Financial Aid Director, and Director of Student Services. Katy has earned all National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Professional Credentials and has earned the designations of Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC) and R2T4 Specialist.

As a former Pell grant recipient, Katy is passionate about education and creating access to students from all socio-economic backgrounds. She regularly advocates on behalf of students and the financial aid community at both state and federal level. Katy has served in various roles with Wisconsin Association of Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA), Midwest Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA), and National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), including terms as WASFAA President and a member of NASFAA Rapid Response Network.

Katy earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Marquette University and later went on to earn her Master of Business Administration. After completing her undergraduate degree, she lived in Germany and Florida before returning to her beautiful hometown of Milwaukee. Katy and her better half, Jared, happily spoil their dogs, cats, and large extended families whenever they get a chance. She enjoys the outdoors, learning, reading, life, and dreaming of the Milwaukee Brewers winning the World Series.

Quinn Williams
Universities of Wisconsin

Quinn Williams has served as General Counsel for the University of Wisconsin System since December 2017. Quinn graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2002 with a B.A. degree and earned his law degree from Marquette University Law School in 2006. Quinn served as a Staff Attorney at the Department of Natural Resources from 2007 to 2012, then as an Attorney Section Supervisor from 2012 to 2015, and finally as Chief Counsel from 2015 to 2017, with a wide area of focus, including the statutory and constitutional framework and federal and administrative regulations appliable to the operation of public agencies, litigation management, employment, real estate, trademark, copyright, intellectual property, ethics, contract and procurement, public records, open meetings, risk management, disability, discrimination, bankruptcy and collections.