La Salle University, dedicated in the traditions of the Christian Brothers to excellence in teaching and to concern for both ultimate values and for the individual values of its students, is a private Roman Catholic University committed to providing a liberal education of both general and specialized studies.

Higher Education

La Salle University

Robert Schieler

Jeffrey R. Boyle is a Consulting Services Partner at PwC.

Jeffrey R. Boyle

John J. Zabinski

Shakeya Currie Foreman

Christopher Lydon, M.A. ’98, is Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management. He joined La Salle University and its Executive Cabinet in August 2022. 

Lydon has 39 years of experience in Catholic higher education in college admission and enrollment management. In May 2022, he concluded his seventh year at The Catholic University of America, where he had served as Vice President for Enrollment Management. He developed and executed recruitment and retention strategies and oversaw admission, financial aid, student registration, and billing services. 

Prior to Catholic University, he served as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing at Stonehill College in North Easton, Mass.; Associate Vice President for Enrollment Planning and Dean of Admission at Providence College; and Director of Admission and Financial Aid at La Salle. 

He is a former member of the admission practices committee for the New England Association for College Admission Counseling and previously served on The New England College Board’s Regional Council. He is a past president of the National Catholic College Admission Association.  

Lydon holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from Providence College and an master of arts degree in professional communication from La Salle University. 

Christopher Lydon

Kenneth Brewer is a Trustee at [La Salle University](/org/la-salle-university). Kenneth was previously with Mercer from July 2017 to May 2021, where they were Co-Chair of Diversity and Inclusion (R&ED, NYC Chapter). As Co-Chair for Mercer’s Race and Ethnic Diversity Business Resource Group in NYC, Kenneth was responsible for promoting and advancing racial and ethnic diversity and inclusion within Mercer and throughout the broader community. Moreover, Kenneth is an advocate for diversifying the workplace along with being an ally for the LGBTQ+ community. Kenneth spearheads and facilitates dynamic and engaging programing such as: 

•	Mercer’s University Workshop – A recruiting focused session dedicated to problem solving exercises and networking to connect diverse college students from across the tristate area with recent hires, hiring managers, and leaders within the Mercer community. 
•	Let’s Talk About Race – In celebration of Black Theirtory Month, Let’s Talk About Race is designed to both increase knowledge and promote advocacy within the community. 
•	MLK Week of Inclusion – Given Martin Luther King Jr’s belief in equality for all, the week of inclusion gives colleagues the opportunity to learn about these teachings and apply them in the workforce through acts of service and volunteering in the tristate area.
•	Educational Mentoring – In collaboration with P.S. 149 in Harlem, [Marsh & McLennan](/org/marshmclennan) colleagues help prepare students in 7th and 8th

Kenneth Brewer has a Bachelor's Degree in Communication and Marketing from [La Salle University](/org/la-salle-university). Kenneth also has a High School Diploma from [La Salle Academy](/org/la-salle-academy).

Kenneth Brewer

William Mann is a trustee at [La Salle University](/org/la-salle-university). Prior to that, they were an associate media director at [Horizon Media](/org/horizon-media-inc) from June 2019 to August 2022. In that role, they were responsible for the day-to-day liaison between the client and media community, providing leadership, strategic direction, and input for media plans. William also managed the flow of client requests and deliverables, and established and grew a strong relationship with client(s) through a demonstration of industry knowledge and of the client’s basic business issues.

Before [Horizon Media](/org/horizon-media-inc), Mr. Mann was a manager digital investment at Mindshare from May 2016 to June 2019. In that role, they oversaw budget allocation process for media/fees across all digital media platforms (display, video, direct response, social), established and recommended optimization framework, supporting client objectives and tying back to specific KPIs, and conducted performance reviews for media planning/buying team.

Mr. Mann began their career as a sales representative at Michel et Augustin from April 2015 to October 2015.

William Mann holds a Master's degree in Management from the ISG Institut Supérieur de Gestion. William also has a certification from the IAB in IAB Digital Media Buying & Planning Certification.

William Mann

Lizabel 

John K. Dugan is the Vice Chair at [La Salle University](/org/la-salle-university). John has held this position since July of 2020. Prior to that, they were the Assistant Vice President for Development at [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota) from July 2018 to July 2020. From August 2007 to December 2011, they were an Adjunct Instructor at [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota), teaching an effective presentation skills course to students in the School of Arts & Sciences. John also wrote recommendations for students seeking internships, fellowships, and grants. From December 2005 to July 2018, they were the Director of Major Gifts at [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota), managing a portfolio of Major Gift, Annual Fund, and Planned Gift prospects in the greater Philadelphia area, Central Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC. John created and implemented effective strategies to secure Major Gifts of $50,000-100,000 or more for capital projects, endowed scholarships, and endowed professorships. John also identified opportunities to increase alumni engagement through board and committee membership, speaking engagements, and mentoring relationships. John provided leadership presence for University’s donor and high-profile events and was a member of University's Middle States Reaccreditation Working Group.

John K. Dugan attended [Xavier University](/org/xavier-university) for their undergraduate degree, where they studied business administration with a focus in marketing. John then went on to earn their MA in business communication from [La Salle University](/org/la-salle-university).

John K. Dugan

Brian Baptiste began serving as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation at [La Salle University](/org/la-salle-university) in August 2019. He leads a program that includes 25 varsity sports and over 500 student-athletes.

Mr. Baptiste joined [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota) after nearly seven years at Northwestern, where he served as Deputy Director of Athletics for Capital Projects and Operations since 2015. In that role, he was responsible for all capital projects for Athletics and Recreation and had oversight of athletic facilities, event management, equipment services, and recreation.

During his time at Northwestern, Mr. Baptiste oversaw unprecedented athletic facility upgrades, including the $270 million construction of the Ryan Fieldhouse, Wilson Field, and Walter Athletics Center. The project, which impacted 19 programs and more than 500 student-athletes, provided varsity sport programs, along with club and intramural sports, a state-of-the-art development center designed to enhance the student-athlete experience. He also served as sport administrator for the men’s basketball, women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and women’s cross country programs.

Mr. Baptiste has served on the Big Ten Joint Group, Administrators Council, and Sport Management Committee, and was one of 25 senior-level administrators selected to participate in the 2017 NCAA Pathway Program. The program is a prestigious year-long experiential learning opportunity designed to assist senior-level administrators with taking the next step in their careers.

Previously, Mr. Baptiste spent nearly three years at the [University of Delaware](/org/university-of-delaware) where he held the title of Associate Athletic Director for Compliance. He served as sport administrator for field hockey and softball, and completed programs in leadership development and management essentials.

A native of Cheverly, Md., Baptiste began his intercollegiate athletics career as an Assistant Director of Compliance at [Georgetown University](/org/georgetown-university).

Baptiste is a graduate of [Towson University](/org/towson-university). He earned his Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in the state of Maryland.

Brian Baptiste

Kristin Heasley, M.S., PHR, SHRM-CP, CPSP, is the Vice President of Human Resources. She joined [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota) University’s Executive Cabinet in April 2021, upon her appointment as Interim Vice President of Student Development & Campus Life and Human Resources.

An experienced human resources professional and adjunct instructor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry, Heasley served as Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota) from her arrival in March 2017 through her promotion to Vice President of Human Resources in July 2021.

At [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota), Heasley has helped modernize the University’s HR functions and employee support and offerings. Heasley’s proficiencies include the championing of employee engagement and support initiatives, as well as operations management, process efficiency, and customer satisfaction. She also serves on the board of the PAISBOA Health Benefit Trust.

Heasley, who has worked in higher education for more than 20 years, previously served as the Director of Recruitment, Engagement and Retention and Director of Employment in the Office of Human Resources at Saint Joseph’s University. Prior to that, she served in a number of progressive student facing positions at [DePauw University](/org/depauw-university), [Indiana University](/org/indiana-university), [The Ohio State University](/org/the-ohio-state-university), [University of Pennsylvania](/org/university-of-pennsylvania), and Saint Joseph’s University.

Heasley received a Master of Science degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from [Indiana University](/org/indiana-university)–Bloomington. She completed her undergraduate studies at [DePauw University](/org/depauw-university), from which she received degrees in Music Business and Vocal Performance. She earned post-baccalaureate certificates in human resource management from [Villanova University](/org/villanova-university) and [University of Pennsylvania](/org/university-of-pennsylvania)’s Wharton School of Business.

Kristin Heasley

Shivanthi Anandan, Ph.D., is the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at La Salle University. She joined the Executive Cabinet upon her arrival in August 2022.

At La Salle, Anandan works with University leadership, faculty, and the Board of Trustees to ensure the University’s academic programs and services reflect La Salle’s mission and core values. She oversees curriculum, academic standards, and program creation; and promotes faculty development and instructional and learning supports, among other critical responsibilities.

Anandan conducts research that investigates how photosynthetic organisms perceive and respond to environmental signals, particularly light. She currently works on innovating devices for sustainably growing produce in the home in an eco-friendly way.

Prior to her time at La Salle, Anandan served for four years as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at Drexel University. In this role, she worked across Drexel’s 15 schools and colleges to contribute to curricular development across its 75 undergraduate majors, while upholding the university’s academic standards, and optimizing existing and innovating new practices to better position undergraduate students for success after graduation.

Anandan joined Drexel University in 1997 as an assistant professor in the Department of Biology. Anandan has received numerous awards for her distinguished teaching and research, including the Lindback Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching and the College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Excellence Award.

She received a Ph.D. in biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She received a bachelor of science in botany from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.

Shivanthi Anandan

Mark E. Engberg, Ph.D., joined La Salle University and its Executive Cabinet in August 2022 as President Allen’s Chief of Staff. Engberg possesses more than 20 years of higher education experience across an array of functional areas, including enrollment, faculty, and administrative leadership positions. 

As Chief of Staff, Engberg will coordinate and facilitate La Salle’s strategic planning, execution, and assessment; manage daily operations, including special projects through the Office of the President; guide critical accreditation processes; and work closely with Cabinet colleagues across varied strategic projects, among other responsibilities. 

He has served faculty appointments at three universities, most recently as an instructor in the M.S. in Higher Education Administration and Policy program at Northwestern University. He previously was a professor of higher education and associate dean of the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. At Morgridge, he led the development of new online master’s degree programs, supervised five department chairs, managed accreditation processes, and oversaw special projects for the Dean. Prior to his tenure at the University of Denver, Engberg served Loyola University-Chicago for more than a decade as a full, tenured professor of higher education with a specialization in college access. 

Also, Engberg served as senior consultant at Human Capital Research Corporation, an educational consultancy firm based in Evanston, Ill. 

An active researcher throughout his career, Engberg focuses his research on global learning and development, and the educational benefits of diversity—specifically affirmative action policy and practices that improve educational access and opportunity in postsecondary education for racially minoritized and low-income students. 

Engberg studied at the University of Michigan, from which he earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration and a bachelor’s degree in economics. He also received a master of arts degree in counseling psychology from Northwestern University.

 

Mark E. Engberg

Alisa Macksey is the Vice President of Mission, Diversity, and Inclusion at La Salle University. She joined La Salle and the Executive Cabinet upon her arrival in July 2022.

In her role, Macksey leads the University’s work to ensure La Salle is meeting its core values and mission through a commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Macksey has nearly two decades of professional work experience is tied directly to the Lasallian mission and Lasallian education.

She arrived at La Salle from a fellow Lasallian institution, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where she had served since September 2015 in a number of roles. Most recently, as Dean of Student Success and the First Generation Initiative, Macksey developed and implemented strategic plans for student success that align with Saint Mary’s University’s strategic plan and the Lasallian Catholic educational mission. She grew endowments related to the First Generation Initiative from $635,000 to $9.6 million in seven years and represented the university as diversity officer, collaborating with all areas to foster and advocate for unity in initiatives germane to diversity, inclusivity, respect, and solidarity.

Additionally, Macksey leads representatives from nearly a dozen countries in a part-time role as the inaugural president of the International Council for Association and the Lasallian Educational Mission—a position to which she was appointed by the former Superior General, La Salle alumnus Brother Robert Schieler, ’72, F.S.C., Ed.D. The council focuses on the vitality of the Lasallian mission worldwide. Additionally, she serves as associate editor of the AXIS: Journal of Lasallian Higher Education, through which she has worked closely with La Salle faculty who have submitted articles for publication.

Macksey is a doctoral candidate at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, where she is finishing her dissertation on higher educational executive leadership and the level of preparation required before and during the onboarding process. She received a master of arts degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University and earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and anthropology from Saint Mary’s College of California—yet another Lasallian institution to which Alisa is connected.

Alisa Macksey

Joseph Markmann is a Principal Data Science Leader for Regulatory Affairs at Janssen Pharmaceuticals / Johnson & Johnson.

Joseph Markmann

Dr. Angela Polec, Ed.D. serves as Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications. She joined the University’s Executive Cabinet upon her arrival to [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota) in April 2019, and previously has served as Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing. In her role, Dr. Polec leads the development and management of the University’s brand, and oversees strategic communications, digital strategy, marketing, media relations, University events, and enrollment and admissions initiatives across all programs.

Prior to arriving at [La Salle](/org/la-salle-distrito-de-bogota), Dr. Polec served as the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications at [Montgomery County Community College](/org/montgomery-county-community-college) (MCCC) since 2015. In this role, she oversaw branding, enrollment marketing, digital strategy, and strategic communications. Dr. Polec played a leadership role on a number of college-wide initiatives. She worked on the college’s Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success (iPASS) project team, was a core member of the institution’s enrollment management leadership team, and served on the college-wide curriculum committee. Dr. Polec also co-chaired the college’s strategic planning committee leading the development of the college’s five-year plan.

Prior to her time at MCCC, Dr. Polec served as the Director of Marketing for Temple University, overseeing the second phase of the Temple Made brand campaign. In earlier roles at Temple, Dr. Polec oversaw the digital presence for the university’s advancement division including web, email, and social media.

Dr. Polec has presented at several national conferences and has co-authored an article and book chapter on the use of predictive analytics in student success initiatives. She holds an M.S. and a B.B.A. in marketing from Temple University and an Ed.D. in Higher Education Management at the [University of Pennsylvania](/org/university-of-pennsylvania), with her dissertation focusing on the role of the chief marketing officer in higher education.

Angela Polec

Gabrielle St. Léger

Daniel J. Allen is the current President at [La Salle University](/org/la-salle-university). Daniel has previously served as Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts at [DePaul University](/org/depaul-university), Associate Dean at Harris School of Public Policy-University of Chicago, Senior Associate Dean- External Relations at Harris School of Public Policy- University of Chicago, Part-Time Adjunct Faculty at Northwestern University- School of Education and Social Policy, Vice President at [Lewis University](/org/lewis-university), and Vice President at [Loras College](/org/loras-college).

Daniel J. Allen has a Ph.D. from Loyola University of Chicago and a Master of Arts from [Loras College](/org/loras-college). Daniel also has a BA in English Literature from [Loras College](/org/loras-college).

Some direct reports include Kristin Heasley - VP of Human Resources, Angela Polec - VP of Enrollment, Marketing, & Communications, and Daniel P. Joyce - VP of University Advancement.

Daniel J. Allen

Robert Schaefer

Debra Franke, MA Counseling, is a career professional committed to developing and providing the programs and resources that will enable those she works with to conduct a successful job search, plan and execute a career change, and/or manage their careers for personal and professional satisfaction. At La Salle University, Debra supports alumni career development, transition, and job search through programs and services that engage and connect alumni to one another and La Salle University.

She has over twenty years’ experience helping individuals assess their strengths and make career and life choices. Her broad-ranging career began with the DuPont Company as an environmental engineer. She made her first career transition five years later when she joined DuPont’s team of internal organizational development consultants. She found a passion for helping individuals through career transition while working for two different management consulting firms and focused on helping others through career change in her career counseling business, Career Transitions.

Her strong commitment to professional development is demonstrated by her leadership in the local, state and national professional associations, her passion for helping others progress as career professionals, and ongoing learning in her field. The thread that runs through her own career is that of making an impact and facilitating lasting change.

Debra Franke

Eileen Thanner

Daniel S. Robins

Ellen E. Reilly

Elaine Pang

Michael O’Hern

La Vonne I. Neal

Donna M. Massanova

JoAnn Magnatta

Robert W. Liptak

John Kane

Robert F. Graham

John S. Grady Jr.

Thomas Gerrow

Timothy Froehlich

Stephen K. Degnan

Jack Curran

Robert T. Cottone

Reginald M. Browne

Lawrence C. Berran

Amylynn V. Flood

The current leadership team at La Salle University has a wealth of experience in higher education. The team includes the Vice President, who previously served as the Associate Vice President for Principal Gifts at DePaul University, and the Senior Associate Dean- External Relations at Harris School of Public Policy- University of Chicago. The team also includes part-time adjunct faculty at Northwestern University- School of Education and Social Policy.

Leadership Team

About

Team members

Other teams at La Salle University

Board of Directors

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