2025 Articulation & Transfer Conference Presenters, Panelists, and Facilitators
Presenters, Panelists & Facilitators
Peggy Chalker, Ph.D.
Dean of Transfer & Articulation and Mt. Orab Campus Director
Southern State Community College
Peggy Chalker has served higher education as an administrator for over 40 years in Ohio, Washington DC, and Virginia.
Her experience includes various types of institutions: private, public, research-based, community, regional, single gender, large and small.
She has served both academic and student affairs and has managed departments as a dean, director, or department chair.
She holds degrees from University of Cincinnati and the American University in Washington, DC.
Kimberly Collins
Director of University Partnerships and Transfer Center
Sinclair College
Paula Compton, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Articulation and Transfer, Ohio Department of Higher Education
Executive Director of the Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network
Dr. Paula Compton joined the Ohio Board of Regents in May 2005 as the Director of Articulation and Transfer. In 2009 she became the Associate Vice Chancellor for Articulation and Transfer. In this current position, Dr. Compton provides leadership and direction for all aspects of Ohio’s Articulation and Transfer initiatives, including statewide councils and committees, the Articulation and Transfer Clearinghouse, policy development and implementation, as well as communication and marketing. She is also the Executive Director of the Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network started in 2010.
Prior professional positions include serving as the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services at The University of Toledo, Enrollment Strategist at The Ohio State University, Senior Director of Admissions and Student Financial Aid at The University of Toledo, and the Associate Director of Admissions at The Ohio State University where she was instrumental in implementing competitive admissions. She also has a background in guidance counseling, academic advising, student services, and college teaching and worked at Miami University, Wright State University, Mount Saint Mary College, University of Connecticut, and Xenia High School.
Dr. Compton earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and a Master’s Degree in Guidance Counseling and Student Personnel Work from The Ohio State University. She was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Math and Speech Secondary Education from Miami University.
Dr. Compton has been active and has held leadership positions with the Ohio Association of College Admission Counseling, the National Association of College Admission Counseling, and the Think College Now: Northwest Ohio College Access Program, and the Ohio ACT Assembly. She also helped to establish the Multi-State Collaborative on Military Credit. She has received several awards for her professional service.
Dr. Marianne Cotugno
Professor of English, Departments of English& Languages, Literatures, & Writing
Miami University
Rachelle Dancy
Assistant Director of Transfer Admission and Success
Wright State University
Rachelle Dancy serves as the Assistant Director of Transfer Admission and Success at the University’s Transfer Center. In this capacity, she expertly guides students through the transfer admissions process, providing unofficial credit evaluations and pre-transfer advising.
With over 16 years of experience in Higher Education, Rachelle is a dedicated advocate for student success. Her extensive background includes financial aid, admissions, academic advising, and student success coaching. Drawing from her personal experiences as both a traditional and online adult learner, she is well equipped to provide students with the knowledge and tools necessary for a seamless transfer experience. Rachelle is committed to helping students find community and educational resources specific to their individual goals at Wright State University. Her passion for education and student empowerment continues to drive her efforts in creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all transfer students.
Donna M. Evans
Senior Lecturer, Chief Departmental Advisor, Computer Information & Technology
Miami University | Regional Campuses
Rachel Fulton
Transfer Pathways Program Manager, Transfer Center
University of Cincinnati
Rachel Fulton currently serves the University of Cincinnati (UC) as a Transfer Pathways Program Manager in the Transfer Center, focusing on developing and maintaining articulation agreements and Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways for all academic colleges. Rachel previously served UC in this role from 2019-2021. Beyond UC, she has served in articulation, advising, and transfer professional roles at Wright State University, the institution formerly known as IUPUI, and Ivy Tech Community College and has been a transfer champion with an advising heart since 2010.
Candice Grant, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways
Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network
Dr. Candice Grant serves as the Senior Director, Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways with the Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network at the Ohio Department of Higher Education. In her current role, she oversees all facets of statewide pathway creation. She is committed to the development and implementation of student-centered and faculty-driven policies that address equity gaps within higher education.
She earned a Ph.D. in Education Policy Studies (International Comparative Education) from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Educational Policy & Leadership from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and French and Francophone Studies along with a Bachelor of Science in Management from Case Western Reserve University.
Christina Grote
Assistant Director, Transfer Center
University of Cincinnati
Christina Grote has served as the Assistant Director of the Transfer Center at the University of Cincinnati since May 2024. In this role, she supports every stage of the transfer student experience—from admissions and advising to orientation and ongoing student engagement. With over 13 years of experience in higher education, Christina has held positions in Admissions, Academic Advising, New Student Orientation, and Student Activities and Leadership Programs. Her work is driven by a deep commitment to access and belonging in higher education, with a focus on removing barriers and building pathways that promote student success.
Jessi Hart
Senior Director, Articulation and Transfer Policy and Initiatives
Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network
Yolanda Hart
Senior Academic Advisor
Miami University | Regional Campuses
Yolanda Hart is a Senior Academic Advisor at Miami University Regionals. During her career she has held instructional, advising, and leadership roles in both higher education and community organizations. She is a purpose-driven advisor, mentor, teacher, and transfer champion. She strives to provide students with new knowledge, skills, and strategies to help them navigate their degree path and strengthen them as learners.
Bernard Huggins
Program Manager, Research & Innovation
Aspen Institute
Bernard Huggins is a Program Manager with the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program where he supports cross-institutional partnerships designed to improve transfer student success. Via programs such as the Maryland Transfer Student Succes Intensive and the ASPEN-AASCU Transfer Intensive, Bernard works with higher education practitioners, university presidents, and other systems representatives – at a local and state-wide level – to guide the development of new pathways for community college students to successfully obtain bachelor’s degrees. He also supports the efforts of the Transfer Scholars Network, and other programs that support innovation and equity in higher education.
Before joining CEP, Bernard served in various student-facing roles at Valencia College, the Pennsylvania State University, and the University of Central Florida. Most notably serving as the inaugural associate director for the Transfer Center at the University of Central Florida providing leadership to various student success initiatives and a team of professional and student peer coaches.
Bernard is a proud community college transfer student. He earned his master’s in leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida, and an associate degree from Valencia College.
Trish Jefferson
Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment, Fisher College of Business
Ohio State University
Brittany Kim
Senior Associate Director for Budgets, Compliance Coordination, and Constituent Relations
Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network
Brittany Kim serves as the Senior Associate Director for Budgets, Compliance Coordination, and Constituent Relations with the Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network at the Ohio Department of Higher Education. In her current role, she oversees the legal and fiscal processes, human resources, stakeholder communications, and strategic project and event management for the OATN team. Additionally, she coordinates compliance efforts across the OATN initiatives, to encourage policy adherence and consistency in practice. Before starting in this role, she coordinated the creation and review process for the Career-Technical Articulation Guides (CTAG) initiative at the OATN. She also formerly served as an academic advisor and transfer specialist at the University of Toledo.
Tom Mays, Ph.D.
Chair, Associate Professor, Commerce Department
Miami University | Regional Campuses
Jennifer McDermott
Professor, Social Work Program Coordinator, Faculty Associate for Experiential Learning
Sinclair College
Cathy Moore
Coordinator of Transfer Partnerships, Articulation, & Prior Learning
Miami University | Regional Campuses
In her current role at Miami University, Cathy Moore serves as the Coordinator of Transfer Partnerships, Articulation, and Prior Learning. She collaborates with academic departments and external constituencies to develop transfer recruitment plans, articulation agreements, and program pathways, actively promoting the university as a prime destination for transfer students. Cathy is a lifelong transfer champion having been a transfer student herself early in her academic journey.
Kelly B. Renner, Ph.D.
Program Chair, Psychology & Social Sciences
Director, Prison Education System
Faculty Fellow
Franklin University
Kelly B. Renner, Ph.D., LPC is the Program Chair, Psychology & Social Sciences and Director, Prison Education System at Franklin University. During her time at Franklin University, Dr. Renner has held a variety of positions including the Assistant Director and then the Director of the Student Learning Center, as well as Lead Faculty. She has enjoyed teaching at Franklin University since 2012 and was a 2014 Teaching Excellence Award recipient, as well as the 2019 Inaugural Faculty Fellow. Prior to working full-time at Franklin University, Dr. Renner spent four years working in community mental health as a clinician. Her caseload included clients at various stages of the life span battling addictions, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders, as well as coping with all forms of abuse. Dr. Renner’s research interests, speaking engagements, professional presentations, and publications are on the topics of burnout, motivation, and team building. She resides in Westerville, Ohio with her husband, Blake, and their son, Declan.
Jared Shank
Senior Director, Military, Apprenticeship Initiatives, and Special Projects
Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network
Jared Shank is the Senior Director of Military and Apprenticeship Initiatives and Special Projects at the Ohio Articulation and Transfer Network at the Ohio Department of Higher Education. Prior to working in higher education, Jared served in the Army. His military background gave him a strong interest in helping service members and veterans succeed in higher education. Jared is responsible for MTAGs, Apprenticeship Pathways, and leading projects related to military credit such as the Ohio Values Veterans initiative. Jared earned his Bachelor of Arts in geography (G.I.S.) and his Master of Science in earth and environmental sciences (geophysics) both from Wright State University.
Melissa Ward
Transfer Specialist for University Partnerships
Sinclair College
Mary Wells, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology Department Chairperson and Professor, Psychology Department
Sinclair College
Mary Whitt
Assistant Director, Curriculum Management, University Transfer Center
Columbus State Community College
