faculty & staff news
University Welcomes New Staff Indiana Tech is pleased to announce several additions to the university staff: Perry Collins, vice president of the College of Professional Studies Coreena Esters, administrative assistant, College of Professional Studies—Greenwood James Fischer, campus director, College of Professional Studies— Elkhart Christopher Grasso, vice president of Institutional Advancement Steve Herendeen, manager of campus development and support, College of Professional Studies Min Lu, associate professor of mechanical engineering Alex Odemba, assistant professor of business Cortney Robbins, associate professor of English
Allwein Joins AQIP Team Tim Allwein, assistant professor of business, has accepted an invitation to become a reviewer with AQIP. AQIP, the Academic Quality Improvement Program, is an accreditation process of the Higher Learning Commission through which colleges and universities can maintain their accreditation through continuous improvement. Allwein will likely participate in training this fall and begin reviewing in 2008.
Barlow Adds to Credentials Kathleen Barlow, associate professor of English and communications, participated in a summer workshop for the National Writing Project/Indiana Teachers of Writing. She is now a senior teacher consultant in writing pedagogy and was invited to make a presentation at the annual state meeting of the Indiana Teachers of Writing in October on the development of learning/writing labs. Also this summer, Barlow earned a certificate as a certified professional grant writer through an intensive course at Ohio State University. In the spring, she was named to the Indiana Arts Commission as a grant reviewer, awarding grants in the arts and humanities to grant applicants from Indiana in the literary arts.
Grasso Joins as New VP for Advancement Christopher Grasso joined the university on September 14, 2007 as vice president of Institutional Advancement. Grasso will lead a team of four staff members in fundraising and alumni relations. He brings 30 years of experience in fundraising and development to the university. Grasso’s most recent position was vice president for advancement at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, California. Prior experience includes positions with the Archdiocese of San Antonio in Texas, Albertus Magnus College, the University of Arizona, the University of California, Los Angeles, California State Polytechnic University; Drexel University, the Teke Educational Foundation in Indianapolis and Saint Anselm College. Grasso holds an MBA in management from the University of Southern New Hampshire and a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Saint Anselm College.
Collins Joins as VP for Professional Studies Edward Ruppel, assistant professor of business Rhoda Schlatter, associate admissions counselor Ashley Skinner, Student Information Center representative Kirsta Solberg, volleyball coach Charles Stott, enrollment manager, College of Professional Studies— Greenwood
Perry Collins joined the university on October 22, 2007 as vice president of the College of Professional Studies. Collins will oversee nontraditional programs at Indiana Tech locations around the state as well as distance education programs. Collins comes to Indiana Tech after serving as director of the EXCEL Program for Adults at Huntington University. In addition to his experience in higher education, Collins served in the military for 39 years. He retired as a colonel and vice commander of the 122nd Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard in 2003. Collins holds a master’s degree in management from Indiana Wesleyan University and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Huntington College. Collins resides in Roanoke, Ind., and is very active in the community including serving as Roanoke Town Council President from 2005 to 2007 and as a board member for the Huntington County United Way. He is also the chairman of the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee and a member of the Indiana Veterans’ Benefits Board.
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