AIKCU Advancing Leaders Class of 2025
AIKCU launched the Advancing Leaders Program in 2025 to prepare rising leaders at its member campuses to take on even greater leadership roles in higher education.
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Seventeen participants from nine AIKCU member institutions completed the inaugural program in June 2025. Members of the Class of 2025 are listed below and their comments on the program are here.
Class of 2025: Members
The AIKCU Advancing Leaders Class of 2025 kicked off the program in January 2025.
The Class of 2025 completed the program at their last session in June 2025.
Brescia University, Owensboro
Lauren Osowicz
Director of Advancement
Sagan Storm
Director of Institutional Research & Effectiveness
Centre College, Danville
John Perrin
Director of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Compliance
Ann T. Smith
Director of Budgeting and Procurement
Georgetown College, Georgetown
Alison Gillaspie
Director of Admissions
Chris Oliver
Vice President for Athletics
Kentucky Christian University, Grayson
David Manning
Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics and
Athletics Director
William R. Stevens, Ph.D.
Dean, School of Humanities & Science
Kentucky Wesleyan College, Owensboro
Lindsey Crowe
Dean of Online Learning
Morgan Russelburg
Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students
Midway University, Midway
Mona Chorera
Executive Director of International Affairs
Ashley Dudgeon
Vice President of Enrollment
Thomas More University, Crestview Hills
Joseph Christensen, Ph.D.
Dean, St. Elizabeth College of Natural and Health Sciences
Transylvania University, Lexington
Amanda Turcotte
Chief of Staff
Tiffany Wheeler, Ed.D
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Union Commonwealth University, Barbourville
Eric Evans
Chief Information Officer
Preshus Howard
Registrar
Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities
Krista Hudson, Ph.D.
Vice President of Finance & Administration
Class of 2025: Thoughts on the Program
"Participating in the inaugural cohort of the AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program was an uplifting and informative experience. The workshop leaders provided insightful and engaging sessions about the current landscape of higher education, including issues related to intercollegiate athletics, governance, philanthropy, institutional finances, and team dynamics. I really appreciated learning more about my leadership style and how to work effectively with others who may lead differently than I do. I highly recommend this program for institutional leaders who want to learn more about their leadership abilities and expand their capacity to navigate contemporary challenges in higher education."
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— Tiffany Wheeler, Ed.D., Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean, Transylvania University
“I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to be selected for the AIKCU Advancing Leaders program. The curriculum and learning opportunities that were presented covered a wide array of topics that are pertinent to the evolving higher education landscape. I'm confident that this experience will pay dividends as I continue to learn more about how to better serve our students at Georgetown College.”
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— Chris Oliver, Georgetown College Vice President for Athletics
“This program has been very helpful in building community, seeing what’s happening across other campuses, and having a place to better understand some of the language and ideas that are being discussed in the President’s cabinet. It has provided some insight into how to better hear the conversations. I think the program would be good for anybody who works with or is likely to become a cabinet member.”
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— Joe Christensen, Ph.D., Dean, St. Elizabeth College of Natural and Health Sciences, Thomas More University
​ “As a new vice president of student affairs, the AIKCU Advancing Leaders Program has been one of the best experiences of my professional career. This program challenged me to think more institutionally and gave me the knowledge to better support our mission, values, and campuswide goals at Kentucky Wesleyan. After this experience, I have been able to approach leadership with greater confidence and a stronger voice in institutional dialogue. I am grateful to Dr. Cousins for the opportunity to participate in this program.”
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— Morgan Russelburg, Vice President of Student Affairs & Dean of Students, Kentucky Wesleyan College