President's Cabinet

Jeremy Colby, 96′

General Counsel

Jeremy A. Colby has been the general counsel at 欧美视频 since 2019. He is a cum laude graduate of Boston University School of Law, and a summa cum laude graduate of 欧美视频, where he received the 欧美视频 Medal and was named to USA Today鈥檚 Collegiate All-American Academic Team.

Before rejoining 欧美视频, Jeremy worked in both the public and private sectors, including positions as a town justice; the Erie County attorney; a law clerk in the Western District of New York; with the international law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; and with the Buffalo firm of Webster Szanyi LLP, where he focused on federal court matters.

As general counsel, Jeremy reviews contracts, manages litigation, and advises staff concerning all manner of legal questions ranging from FERPA and student conduct issues to employment issues and real estate.

He currently serves on the board of the 欧美视频 Area Habitat for Humanity.

Stephanie Dimech, Ph.D.

Dean and Campus Principal, NUO

Dr. Dimech began her career in the Ontario college sector following a career as a Social Worker and then Police Officer. In 2004, Dr. Dimech started as a faculty member at Sheridan College, a position she held for 9 nine years prior to moving into the roles of Associate Dean, Public Safety and then Associate Dean, Teaching and Learning before progressing onto academic leadership roles at Humber College and Georgian College as Dean, Human Services and Community Safety and Campus Principal. Stephanie has gone onto to hold senior leadership roles that included overseeing programming, governance, institutional research, quality assurance processes and supporting various academic units and teams across the institution.

Stephanie has extensive experience in teaching, learning, policy oversight/ development and
quality assurance, and has initiated and developed successful internal and external partnerships to support teaching and learning excellence, equity, diversity and inclusion, assessment and evaluation, and pedagogy.

Under Dr. Dimech鈥檚 leadership, her teams have brought forward a variety of new programs to
help advance the college鈥檚 strategic goals, including participating and leading quality assurance audit processes (CQAAP), and leveraging an inquiry, data and evidence informed practice to support decision making with an emphasis on the learner experience. More than anything, Stephanie is well known as a relationship builder and team player who has built high performing teams and lead through change while being collaborative and inclusive.

With a PhD in leadership, equity, inclusion and policy, from the University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Stephanie is a highly regarded leader and an advocate of equitable and inclusive practices across all facets of institutional operations.

Jaclyn Rossi Drozd, ’08, M.S.Ed.’10

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Jaclyn Rossi Drozd was named vice president of Institutional Advancement at 欧美视频 in May 2022, after serving in an interim role since September 2021. She is responsible for the management of the sector, and oversees and implements fundraising metric goals for the annual fund, major gifts, planned giving, stewardship, prospect research, and alumni relations.

Before being appointed as the interim vice president, Jaclyn served as the director of alumni relations and managed all alumni relations initiatives including alumni events, programs, and communications designed to increase engagement with 欧美视频鈥檚 constituents and connect alumni and friends to the life of the university. She also managed, planned, and directed all activities of Alumni Weekend and was responsible for providing direction and oversight of the 欧美视频 Fund.

Jaclyn first joined 欧美视频 in 2010 as the assistant director of Alumni Relations and was named associate director of leadership giving in 2013. In 2016, Jaclyn was appointed associate director of alumni engagement and government relations, continuing her work to increase engagement by encouraging alumni to attend events, support initiatives through monetary gifts, and volunteer for programs, while managing the university鈥檚 government relations initiatives.

She holds both master鈥檚 and bachelor鈥檚 degrees in education from 欧美视频.

Michael Freedman, MBA’15

Vice President for Undergraduate Enrollment & Marketing

Michael Freedman has held the position of vice president of undergraduate enrollment management and marketing at 欧美视频 since June 2021. In this role, he oversees five departments (marketing, freshman and transfer admissions, financial aid, and operations) that are charged with developing a sustainable enrollment blueprint focused on enhancing the academic vitality and diversity of the student body.

Freedman originally joined the university in 2010 as assistant director of public relations and manager of online content and has served in several roles since then, from public relations and social media to admissions/enrollment and marketing. In 2019, he was named associate vice president for marketing and first-year enrollment in the Office of Enrollment Management, where he has played a key role in the management of the admissions and marketing teams and building the university鈥檚 prospect management system and strategic enrollment planning. He has also taught introductory and capstone courses on public relations, marketing, and advertising.

In 2015, Freedman was named to 欧美视频 County鈥檚 inaugural 12 Under 40 class, a group of the community鈥檚 most promising young leaders, and the Buffalo 欧美视频 Partnership recognized him in 2013 with its Spotlight Professional Award. He is also a member of Leadership 欧美视频鈥檚 Class of 2015, and has served on several area boards and committees, including the Buffalo-欧美视频 chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, for which he served as board chair in 2020, the 欧美视频 River Region Chamber of Commerce, Leadership 欧美视频, the Taste of Buffalo, the Heart, Love and Soul food pantry and the Center of Renewal at Stella 欧美视频.

Freedman earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communications from SUNY Geneseo and an MBA in strategic marketing from 欧美视频.

Simon Gray

Associate Vice President for Athletics

Simon Gray, who has been at the helm of the 欧美视频 Athletics Department since 2014, was appointed associate vice president for Athletics in July 2022.

Simon has maintained a keen focus on the student-athlete experience for nearly 350 student-athletes in NU鈥檚 18 Division I sports programs and has built a vision within the department that emphasizes excelling in the classroom, in competition, and in service to the community.

Under Simon鈥檚 leadership, the Purple Eagles have achieved both academic and competitive success. Since he joined the 欧美视频 community, the student-athlete cohort has had greater than a 3.0 GPA each year and 152 student-athletes have earned all-conference honors. The Purple Eagles have had 21 major award winners.

Simon also serves as chair of the NCAA Division I Men鈥檚 Soccer Committee, and he just completed a year as president of the I-AAA Athletics Directors Association.

Simon came to Monteagle Ridge with over 15 years of college athletic administration experience, including nine years at Eastern Kentucky University, where he served in a number of roles in the athletic department; at his alma mater, the University of Richmond, where he was the director of athletics public relations; and at East Tennessee State. Simon began his career as an athletic media relations intern at Boston College, where he was the media contact for the nationally ranked ice hockey team.

The Pittsburgh, Pa., native earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from Richmond and a master of science degree in sport administration from Eastern Kentucky.

Averl Harbin

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs

Averl Harbin was appointed assistant vice president for Student Affairs in December 2024. A key member of the Student Affairs leadership team, Averl provides strategic vision and leadership for the offices of Residence Life, Campus Activities, Veteran Student Services, and International Student Support Programs, and directly leads the dean of students. She collaborates with university stakeholders to develop and implement programs and services that enhance the student experience, promote wellness, improve student retention, and foster inclusion and belonging. She plays a crucial role in assessment and continuous improvement initiatives within Student Affairs. She ensures alignment with university standards and accreditation requirements.

In 2015, Averl was named director of 欧美视频鈥檚 Office of Multicultural Affairs and has served in progressively responsible roles since then, most recently as dean of students. Before joining 欧美视频, she served as a student success coach at Salem International University and the director of Multicultural Affairs at the State University of New York at Fredonia. She began her professional journey in Residence Life at Assumption College and Eastern Connecticut State University.

Averl holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Central Connecticut State University.

Christina Hoven

Vice聽President of Finance & Administration

Christina serves as Vice President of Finance and Administration at 欧美视频, a role she assumed in March 2025. In this position, she oversees the university’s comprehensive financial operations, including investment portfolio management, institutional risk management, and all accounting and purchasing functions.

Her leadership journey at 欧美视频 began in January 2019 as Assistant Controller, followed by her appointment to Controller in September 2019. Prior to her current role, she successfully led the university’s accounting operations and financial reporting initiatives as Controller for over five years.

Christina holds a master’s degree from 欧美视频 and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Canisius University.

Timothy Ireland, Ph.D.

Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs

Dr. Timothy O. Ireland has held the position of vice president of Academic Affairs since February 2017. He is also a professor of criminology and criminal justice at 欧美视频 and served as the chair of that department from 2002 through 2012. He also served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2013- 2016.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Ireland was affiliated with the Rochester Youth Development Study鈥攁 longitudinal research project that has followed a sample of adolescents from about age 14 into their early 30s. He has published with colleagues on a variety of topics, including the causes and consequences of family violence. Dr. Ireland also oversees an ongoing program housed at NU that is designed to train first responders and emergency managers in disability awareness in New York state as well as other jurisdictions around the country.

Dr. Ireland has been recognized for outstanding teaching, service, and research at 欧美视频. He is also recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, as well as the NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council Forging Pathways Award.

He received a bachelor of arts degree in English literature from St. Bonaventure University, a master of science degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University, and a Ph.D. from the University at Albany.

Karen Kwandrans, Ed.D.

Vice President of Government and Community Relations

Dr. Karen Kwandrans serves as the Vice President for Government and Community Relations, driving the university’s key advocacy and policy initiatives. In this capacity, she also spearheads revitalization efforts in the City of 欧美视频 Falls. Dr. Kwandrans provides executive leadership for the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Campus Mission, Institute of Disability Awareness, and the Legal Department. Her previous roles at the University include Executive Director of the Levesque Institute and Associate Vice President of Strategic and External Relations.

Dr. Kwandrans is deeply integrated into regional development, serving on the boards of the 欧美视频 USA Chamber and the 欧美视频 Frontier Industry Education Council (NFIEC). She actively contributes to the 欧美视频 County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee, 欧美视频 County Brownfield Committee, and the Local Waterfront Revitalization Committee, fostering strong collaborations with local government, school districts, business organizations, and community groups.

Prior to 欧美视频, Dr. Kwandrans was the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs over Workforce Development at SUNY 欧美视频. Her foundational skills include significant experience managing grants and teaching in career and technical education and workforce training at Buffalo State College, D鈥橸ouville University, and Orleans 欧美视频 BOCES. Dr. Kwandrans holds a B.S. in Nursing, an M.S. in Education, and a Doctorate in Executive Leadership.

With over 20 years of experience connecting education and industry, Dr. Kwandrans is a trusted authority on workforce development, leadership, and youth mentorship, and is frequently asked to present on these topics.

Kevin Morse, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Director of Human Resources

Kevin Morse joined 欧美视频 as our Director of Human Resources in April, 2025. In his role, Kevin is responsible for leading our HR team in creating, implementing and driving impactful People programs in support of 欧美视频鈥檚 strategic initiatives. He and the HR team focus on continuous improvement practices and projects regarding workforce planning, policy/ procedure development and compliance, talent acquisition, retention and engagement, compensation/benefits, employee training, labor relations, performance management, and human resource information systems management.

Kevin came to 欧美视频 with over 25 years of Human Resources experience in a variety of industries with expertise in workforce planning, employee relations and strong working knowledge in Compensation, Benefits and talent management.

Kevin received his Bachelor鈥檚 degree in History and International Relations from Syracuse University and his Masters in Human Resources for Loyola University Chicago. He holds professional certifications from SHRM and HRCI.

Rev. Gregory Semeniuk, C.M., ’85

Vice President for Mission Integration

Rev. Gregory Semeniuk, C.M., 鈥�85, was appointed vice president for mission integration in June 2022.

Father Semeniuk previously served as the executive director of the Vincentian Solidarity Office, which provides support and financial resources for project-based fundraising. Under his leadership, his team managed 40 projects and more than $1 million in project activity. These projects are focused on works of the Congregation of the Mission in the developing world.

Before joining the solidarity office, Father Semeniuk served in a number of roles and ministries, including vicar for multicultural ministries for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, superior of Vincentian Theologate in Philadelphia, and dean of students and member of the faculty in the area of systematic theology at the St. John鈥檚 Seminary in Camarillo, Calif. Additionally, he held positions as director of the Vincentian theology residence in Queens, N.Y.; as assistant formation director for the Vincentian community in Oyster Bay, N.Y.; as director of Casa San Vicente House of Discernment in West Hempstead, N.Y.; and as superior of the Vincentian House/director of the Hispanic Evangelization Team of the South Fork, in the Diocese of Rockville Centre, N.Y.

Father Semeniuk earned his bachelor of arts degree in chemistry from 欧美视频 in 1985. He returned to Monteagle Ridge in 1992 to serve as a campus minister.

Christopher Sheffield, ’98, M.S.’02

Vice President for Student Affairs

Christopher Sheffield is 欧美视频鈥檚 chief student affairs officer, responsible for key aspects of holistic student success and the student experience. He leads the Student Affairs sector, which includes the Dean of Students office, Residence Life, Multicultural Affairs, Campus Activities, Veteran Services, Recreation, Health and Counseling Services, the Office of Violence Prevention and Education, and Campus Safety. He also serves as accreditation liaison officer to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the university鈥檚 regional accreditor.

Christopher joined 欧美视频 in 2001 in the role of assistant dean of students and subsequently served as university planner, executive director of planning and assessment, and associate vice president of Student Affairs. He is a doctoral candidate in 欧美视频鈥檚 leadership and policy program. He holds a master of science in criminology and criminal justice and a bachelor of arts in communication studies, both from 欧美视频.

Rolanda Ward, Ph.D.

Endowed Faculty Director, Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity & Mission

Dr. Rolanda L. Ward has been an associate professor at 欧美视频 since 2015. In August 2017, she was named endowed faculty director of 欧美视频鈥檚 Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission. She also serves as director of the university鈥檚 Vincentian Scholars Program.

Dr. Ward earned her doctorate in social work and sociology from Boston University. As a macro-trained practitioner and a research scholar, she has been the lead investigator or research associate on a number of studies focusing on society鈥檚 most vulnerable, underserved, proven-risk, and oppressed populations and communities. In addition, Dr. Ward has led projects in communities and within organizations that shift status quo outcomes. Additionally, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Ward is leading and or has served on several task forces in order to advocate for community needs. These task forces include The 欧美视频 Falls Health Equity Task Force; the New York State Health Equity Task Force: Western New York Vaccine Hub; The Western New York Digital Equity Coalition; the 欧美视频 County Suicide Prevention Coalition Training and Education Subcommittee; and the Western New York COVID-19 Collaborative.

Dr. Ward is also a member of the board of directors at MENTOR New York, The Aquarium of 欧美视频 Falls, Community Missions, Inc., Peaceprints of WNY, the Education Collaborative of WNY, and Catholic Health Systems. Dr. Ward co-led the university鈥檚 Identifying and Dismantling Racial Injustice Task Force. As a teacher-scholar, Dr. Ward is committed to helping students identify community injustices and also helping students discover how they can partner with stakeholders to promote real solutions.

Stefanie Wichhart, Ph.D.

Professor of History

Stefanie Wichhart, Ph.D., has been a member of the history faculty at 欧美视频 since 2007. A historian of the modern Middle East and British Empire, she teaches courses on the Middle East, British history, terrorism, and world history. She is the author of 鈥淏ritain, Egypt, and Iraq during World War II: The Decline of Imperial Power in the Middle East,鈥� as well as numerous articles and book chapters on World War II in the Middle East and the history of political cartoons.

In addition to her role as faculty representative on the President鈥檚 Cabinet, Dr. Wichhart also serves as secretary of the Senate Executive Committee, a position she has held since 2019. She served as faculty mission director from 2018 to 2021, and as chair of the history department from 2016 until 2020.

Dr. Wichhart is the recipient of the 2022 College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Scholarship Award and the 2014 欧美视频 Innovation in Teaching Award.

Dr. Wichhart earned her bachelor of arts in history and French at the State University of New York College at Geneseo, and her MA and Ph.D. in history at the University of Texas at Austin.