Alumni News - 2014

Andrew Belasco, a recent PhD graduate (June 2014), has published lead-authored articles in The Journal of Higher Education, The Review of Higher Education, and Education Evaluation and Policy Analysis examining topics related to graduate school debt, postsecondary under-match and test-optional admissions. His work and opinions were featured in several media outlets, including Inside Higher Education, CBS Moneywatch, and U.S News & World Report. Belasco is currently serving as CEO of College Transitions LLC, a private company devoted to guiding families through the college application and transition process.

Angela Bell, PhD 2008, was named senior executive director for research, policy and analysis for the University System of Georgia and assumed her duties on July 1. In her new role, Bell will direct the design of data collection and analysis to support research, planning, and policy development and implementation. The Office of Research, Policy and Analysis serves as the research arm of the University System Office and the Board of Regents, analyzing higher education and related state and national policy issues and their impact on the USG. She was previously vice chancellor of policy and planning for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, which develops and oversees a public policy agenda for the state’s 12 campus, four-year public higher education system.

Wes Fugate, PhD 2012, was named vice president and chief of staff at Randolph College. The new position expands on his job as executive assistant to the president and secretary of the Board of Trustees. Fugate oversees the Office of College Relations, which includes community relations, public relations, media relations, publications, website communications, and special events.

Timothy Letzring, EdD 1994, was named dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Texas A&M University–Commerce. TAMUC is the second largest institution in the Texas A&M System and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2014. Prior to joining TAMUC, Letzring was chair and professor of leadership and counselor education at the University of Mississippi.

Robert Hoover, EdD 2011, was appointed associate dean for administration and chief financial officer of McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia on April 1. Prior to this post, Hoover served as associate dean of finance at the Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, where he was responsible for the nursing school’s business affairs, finances, human resources, and operations.

Michael Horan, EdD 2013, currently serves as senior vice president of business and finance at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. Effective Oct. 1 he will become senior vice president of business and finance and full professor at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio. An article based on his dissertation, “The New Normal: Liberal Arts Colleges in America During the Time of the Great Recession,” is featured in the September issue of Business Officer magazine.

Dennis Kramer, PhD 2014, was assistant professor of higher education at the University of Virginia during AY 2013-14 and also provided expert testimony/ research for UNC-Chapel Hill on student athlete literacy levels. Kramer was a consultant with Hanover Research on the development of analytical tools to assist higher education business officers in their effective allocation of resources. Upon graduation in August, he accepted a faculty position at the University of Florida where he will be assistant professor of higher education administration and associate director of the Institute of Higher Education there.

Makeba Morgan Hill, EdD 2013, joined the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as deputy to the president and chief planner in January. Previously, she was assistant vice provost for planning and accreditation at Emory University in the Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Effectiveness.

Kyle Tschepikow, PhD 2012, became assistant to University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead in September. In his new role, he will focus primarily on speechwriting and coordination of presidential communications. He will provide staff support to the University Cabinet, update content on the Office of the President’s website and serve as liaison to the Board of Visitors. He also will plan presidential events and serve as an adviser to the president and chief of staff. Prior to his new position, Tschepikow was director of student affairs assessment and staff development in the UGA Division of Student Affairs.

Adam Wyatt, PhD 2011, was named a fellow of the inaugural Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Fellowship Program in July. Wyatt is director of academic programs in the Office of Academic and Faculty Affairs for Georgia Regents University (GRU). Prior to this position, he worked as director of planning and assessment in the Division of Institutional Effectiveness at Georgia Health Sciences University, which consolidated with Augusta State University to form GRU in 2012.