Carnegie Launches Strategic Advisory Council in Higher Education

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Carnegie, a leading provider of comprehensive solutions for higher education, today announced its new cohort of the Carnegie Strategic Advisory Council. The Council brings together a diverse community of senior-level higher education leaders to elevate industry conversations, surface emerging challenges, and ensure Carnegie is living its student-centered mission through solutions and client outcomes.

As colleges and universities face a period of rapid transformation, the Council has expanded to represent a wide range of campus leaders that ensure student success, including academic affairs, the president’s office, and emerging roles like chief transformation and strategy officers. In addition to providing “outside-in” perspectives that shape Carnegie’s research and outcomes for clients, the Council leverages Carnegie’s convening power to create opportunities for leaders across a diverse range of institutional types, geographies, and domain expertise to engage with one another.

A Council Designed to Reflect the Diversity of Higher Education

The Council will meet three times annually, including an in-person gathering preceding the Carnegie Conference, to collaborate on strategic initiatives that support innovation and impact across the sector.

The group is composed of leaders from:

  • Research universities
  • Public flagships
  • Regional universities
  • HBCUs
  • Liberal arts colleges
  • Community colleges

Together, they represent the diversity of the higher education landscape in the United States.

Leadership Perspective

“The Carnegie Strategic Advisory Council represents a critical voice in how we partner with the higher education community,” said Shankar Prasad, Chief Strategy Officer at Carnegie. “As we strive to be the comprehensive solutions partner for the sector, this group of trusted leaders will help us test new ideas and spark the innovation necessary to help campuses future-proof their organizations for the changes of tomorrow”.

Council Members

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Judy M. Wolfe, Ed.D.

Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Columbia University School of Nursing

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Andy Wilson, Ph.D.

Senior Student Success Officer, Loyola University Chicago

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Toya Webb, Ed.D.

Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy, Waubonsee Community College

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Jennifer Umberger, PCM

Vice President and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Kettering University

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Adam Poluzzi, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Enrollment Management, Boston College

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Rachel Stephenson

Chief Transformation Officer, The City University of New York

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Kate Ledger

Associate Vice President of Strategic Enrollment and Outreach, Old Dominion University

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Angie Kamath

Harvey J. Stedman Dean, School of Professional Studies, New York University

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Amy Hutton, Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, University of Colorado Boulder

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Andy Hirsch

Vice President for Communications and Marketing, Swarthmore College

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Libby Eckhart

Vice President of Communications and Branding, Denison University

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Narketta Sparkman-Key, Ph.D.

Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Spelman College

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Sandra Smith

Dean, School of Professional Studies, Brown University

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Pam Sarian

Assistant Vice President of Strategic and Digital Marketing, Boston University

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Alejandra C. Sosa Pieroni, Ed.D.

Executive Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Student Success, Georgia Southern University

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Brian S. Merritt, Ph.D.

Senior Vice President for Programs and Student Services, North Carolina Community College System

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Nancy Coleman, Ed.D.

Dean of Continuing Education and Extension, Harvard University

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LaMar Bundts

Chief Transformation Officer, Dartmouth College

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Willie L. Banks, Jr., Ph.D.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of California, Irvine

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Denise Baird, Ph.D.

Provost and Senior Vice President, St. Catherine University

Allana Forté

Senior Advisor + of Counsel

About Carnegie

For every college and university facing urgent and complex challenges, Carnegie is the student connection company that helps you navigate the now and the next in higher education. Our experts design custom strategies fueled by data, technology, and insights—empowering you to connect with today’s diverse learners and stay focused on what matters most: changing students’ lives for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Carnegie Strategic Advisory Council?

The Carnegie Strategic Advisory Council brings together a diverse community of senior-level higher education leaders to elevate industry conversations, surface emerging challenges, and ensure Carnegie is living its student-centered mission through solutions and client outcomes.

Who serves on the Carnegie Strategic Advisory Council?

The Council is composed of leaders from research universities, public flagships, regional universities, HBCUs, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges across the United States.

Why did Carnegie launch a Strategic Advisory Council?

As colleges and universities face rapid transformation, the Council provides “outside-in” perspectives that shape Carnegie’s research and outcomes while fostering collaboration across institutional types and leadership roles.

How often does the Council meet?

The Council meets three times annually, including an in-person gathering preceding the Carnegie Conference.

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