As the Executive Director, Co-operative Education, Ross is accountable for ensuring an effective and appropriate, quality work integrated learning journey for students at the University of Waterloo (23,500 co-op enrolled students). He also ensures Co-operative Education meets and exceeds co-op employment rates (97.6% in 2019), while maintaining and enhancing employer relationships with over 7,000 organizations across more than 65 countries. To achieve these objectives, Ross oversees the evolution of best practices and continuous improvement of the co-op experience for students and employers. To ensure academic integration and learning outcomes within the pedagogical model of co-operative education, Ross manages the ongoing faculty and campus partnerships.

Ross joined the University of Waterloo in 2009 as Director, Employment Relations before becoming the Executive Director in 2017. Previous roles include Director of Attraction & Retention with MTS Allstream, founder of a talent management and career advice consultancy and CIBC Senior Director of Recruitment Operations across all divisions globally.

Prior to living in Canada, Ross was Head of Training & Development for a UK financial institution. Ross has extensive experience in Recruitment, Strategic HR, Change Management, Sales and Business Development and has an Executive MBA from Bradford University’s School of Management in the UK.

Ross has been a regular participant and presenter at CEIA conferences and has been a board member since 2017, where he currently serves as the Vice President, Global Network. In June 2019, Ross was named President for Education at Work Ontario (EWO) and is a past board member of Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada, formerly the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education (CAFCE).

To say Dr. Caffo is chock-full of energy when it comes to Work-Integrated Learning is an understatement. A member of Region 2 (Mid-Atlantic), Dr. Caffo currently serves on the Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA) Board of Directors as the Associate for External Relations & Development. Before holding this position, David was nominated to organize the 2018 CEIA annual conference in Charleston, SC as the conference chair. Honored to accept the position, he set the theme, “Where History is a Foundation for Innovation” which ultimately became one of the most successful conferences in the recent history of the association. Additionally, he served on the 2021 CEIA Annual Conference Site Selection committee in addition to multiple supporting ad hoc committees.

Serving as Director of Experiential Learning at Wilmington University, Dr. Caffo has 12+ years of experience in higher education. In 2010, he was charged with the task of developing a new cooperative education (co-op) department for the university. While building this new program, he took pride in advising students, working with employers to develop opportunities, and worked diligently to incorporate real world experiences into the academic curriculum utilizing co-op as a course modality. In 2016, the Cooperative Education Department he developed was reformed into the Office of Work-Integrated Learning and is now the university’s one-stop shop for internships, cooperative education, and service-learning experiences. In 2018, the Office of Work-Integrated Learning was again reformed becoming the Office of Experiential Learning, wherein his responsibilities evolved to include Credit for Prior Learning as well as Work-Integrated Learning. The Office of Experiential Learning adopted Dr. Caffo’s vision wherein it takes a 360-degree approach to experiential learning. Whether a student goes to Wilmington University with a vast amount of professional experience and is awarded Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), or they participate in a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity (Internships or Cooperative Education) embedded in their curriculum for credit, they create an experiential pathway to graduation.

Prior to his tenure at Wilmington University, Dr. Caffo served as a Regional Vice President with Pacific Life where his major responsibilities were establishing relationships with financial advisors, cultivating business development programs, and providing extensive marketing support to producing financial brokers, including: seminars, client appreciation events, case development support, and the implementation of various sales ideas.

Dr. Caffo’s education history consists of earning a Bachelor’s degree in Consumer Economics from University of Delaware, a Master’s degree in Marketing Management from Wilmington University, and completion of a Doctoral degree at Wilmington University in Organizational Leadership and Innovation.

Molly Thompson is the Assistant Director of Career and Professional Development for the University of Colorado Boulder. Ms. Thompson has over 15 years of experience in career counseling and industry relations and designed and launched workforce development programs in both higher education and welfare-to-work environments. Ms. Thompson specializes in building experiential educational programs in STEM disciplines and has expertise in program management, curriculum development, fundraising, and conflict negotiation.

Ms. Thompson sits on a variety of academic committees and boards and has been an active member of CEIA since 2011. She served as the CEIA Conference Chair in 2017 and provided leadership for the Denver conference. She has served as the CEIA Vice President Internship Network from 2018-2022. She has contributed time and expertise on multiple CEIA committees.

In addition to workforce development, Ms. Thompson has many years of experience as an English professor. She holds two Master’s degrees, in History and English, respectively, and has begun coursework for a PhD in Public Policy. Ms. Thompson is a published author, an avid gardener, and a news junkie.

Dr. Richard Robles is currently an Associate Professor overseeing the Mechanical Engineering Technology Co-op Program at the University of Cincinnati’s Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education. In addition to teaching professional development courses for engineering students, Rich is responsible for mentoring and placing mechanical engineering students in full-time work-integrated learning experiences. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Rich has research interests in experiential learning, electronic portfolios (eportfolios), assessment, leadership development, and college student development.

Rich received a BA in Liberal Studies from Northern Arizona University, a MS in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati. He has recently completed his EdD in Leadership Studies at Xavier University. Rich’s doctoral research explored engineering identity development through cooperative education.

Rich previously completed a three-year term as president of the Ohio Cooperative Education Association, and served as the General Conference Co-Chair of the 2022 ASEE Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration. Within CEIA, Rich served on the committee to relaunch Experience Magazine.

Vice President, Finance and Development

Dan Cayse, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Dan Cayse retired as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Entrepreneurial Development at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. Since joining Cincinnati State in 1974, he provided leadership in cooperative education for 36 years. He twice served as Dean of Business Technologies. During his combined 20 years of service as Dean, he made major contributions to his division and the college enhancing and expanding the cooperative education program. As Dean, he was responsible for the academic affairs and co-op program for 24 Associate Degree Programs and 14 Certificates for the Business Technologies Division. Under his leadership, the Business Technologies Division developed a nationally recognized academic and cooperative model that has lead to strategic partnerships with companies such as Walt Disney World, Procter & Gamble and The Kroger Company.

Dan has also played a significant role on state, region and national levels. He served as the Cooperative Education and Internship Association President in 1989-1990, as well as two terms as the Vice President of Finance. He rejoined the Cooperative Education and Internship Association Board and served as the 2010-2011 President. Dan is currently the Vice President of Finance.  In 2005, CEIA honored Dan as the recipient of the Dean Herman Schneider Educator of the Year Award. On the regional level, Cayse developed the financial reporting system for the Midwest Cooperative Education Association and as a Certified Public Accountant, provided financial audits and non-profit consultation services. He was recognized as MCEIA’s Educator of the Year is 2004. The Ohio Cooperative Education Association elected Dan Cayse to the position of President in 1986 where he expanded state membership and fostered the expansion of an endowment for scholarships and research to maintain itself as one of the largest state co-op associations in the country. OCEA honored Dan Cayse as its Educator of the Year in 1990.

In other professional contributions to cooperative education, Dan has been a consultant for numerous colleges and corporations as well as having made over 200 presentations throughout the United States. Other involvement includes representing the United States in Canadian co-op initiatives, testifying before Congress during the Title VIII funding era and being instrumental with the efforts to bring about the co-op national ad campaign.

Perhaps more significant than anything else have been Dan Cayse’s effect on the people in the field of cooperative education. He consistently supported his faculty’s involvement in professional activities and provided inspiration to countless co-op practitioners across the United States. A quiet, humble, unpretentious leader, Dan not only has been willing to share his knowledge with others, but has fostered the professional development of those who have been fortunate enough the work with him. He can effectively articulate the academic role of co-op in students’ educational programs, while maneuvering through the politics of academic institutions

Tracey Lord serves as the Program Director of Experiential Learning at Florida State University's Career Center.

An experienced career coach, she delivered career advising and lead programming efforts with Emory University's Goizueta Business School, the University of Georgia, and The University of Virginia – Semester at Sea program. Currently a member of the NACE Leadership Advancement Program’s 2016 Class, she has completed career services trainings including the NSEE Experiential Education Academy, Career Services Institute - West, and the NACE Management Leadership Institute.

She is both a proud Blazer, earning a BBA in Marketing from Valdosta State University, and a proud Seminole, earning a MS in Higher Education from the Florida State University.

Cherie Lynch is Assistant Professor of Experiential Learning in the School of Social Sciences, Communication & Humanities at Endicott College. Her interests include experiential learning pedagogy, standards and assessment for academic internship, and special topics related to college outcomes and work and college accessibility. Cherie has an Ed.M. in Higher Education/Policy, Planning, & Administration from Boston University and certifications through the Institute for Experiential Learning- founded and led by Kay Peterson and David Kolb, NSEE Academy, and NCDA. Cherie has served on numerous academic committees and has been a presenter and leader with regional, national, and international conferences and associations including CEIA, NSEE, NEACEFE, and WACE.

Previously at Endicott, Cherie served as the first Director of Internship, reporting to the VP of Academic Affairs. With the internship faculty, she spearheaded the launch and integration of an innovative required pre-internship curriculum in the freshmen and sophomore year, brand new technological systems to manage internship data and opportunities, as well as outcomes and assessment tools for the courses and program.

Cherie was also an early employee at an award-winning tech company, Virtual Access Networks, developing all initiatives related to talent, HR, and organizational strategy before it was sold to Symantec. She began her career as the manager for classroom academic technology at Boston University, responsible for all classroom technology on campus, and has served in other professional, consultative, and volunteer roles related to employer recruitment, federal workforce development, and college admissions. Cherie lives in the seaside community of Beverly, located on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Lynne Hickle joined the CEIA Board as the Region 2 Vice President in January of 2016. Lynne is the Executive Director of Co-operative Education in the Steinbright Career Development Center at Drexel University. In her role as the Executive Director, she manages the co-op team and provides leadership and direction to the co-op program. The Co-op program at Drexel is about 100 years old. It supports approximately 6,000 students annually secure co-op opportunities and manages relationships with nearly 2,000 employers.

Prior to her current role as Executive Director, she was the Associate Dean for Student Services in the College of Computing & Informatics at Drexel University where she led a team of staff that supported the recruiting, admissions, advising and registration services for the College. She has 20+ years of experience in higher education administration and is a recognized leader. Lynne’s background in academics and current role in cooperative education gives her a unique perspective on work integrated learning. She looks forward to contributing to the CEIA organization.

Scott Maynard is the Director of Economic Development for the St. Johns County FL Chamber of Commerce. He is the former Program Director for Employer Relations at Florida State University and has over 32 years of experience in Career Services, Experiential Learning, and Economic Development.

Prior to his role at Florida State University, Maynard was the CEO/President of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership in Starkville, Mississippi. The Partnership is an umbrella organization that houses the Chamber of Commerce, Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority, Starkville Visitors and Convention Council and the Starkville Main Street Association.

Maynard was named Director Emeritus of the Career Center and Cooperative Education Program at Mississippi State University (MSU) where he retired after 29 years. While at MSU he was actively involved in local government and economic development and served on the City Council of Starkville, Mississippi.

He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Business Administration degree from Mississippi State University. Maynard taught a wide variety of classes in the College of Business at MSU and served as an instructor at the CEIA Academy in Vail, Colorado.

Kelly Harper is a co-op coordinator and tenured faculty member at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.  She has been a member of the CEIA Board since 2011 serving in the roles of conference chair and Vice President of Marketing and Membership.  Prior to this, she has played an active role including President of both the Ohio Cooperative Education Association (OCEA) and the Midwest Cooperative Education and Internship Association (MCEIA).

Kelly has been in the field of Cooperative Education for over 15 years working for both Northern Kentucky University and Cincinnati State.  Her work has focused on higher education and workforce development.  Her areas of specialty include career development, employer recruiting and hiring of talent for co-ops, internships, full-time and part-time employment.

Kelly Harper has also been actively engaged in quality assurance programs on campus including participation in Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) systems portfolio review and Continuous Quality Improvement Program (CQIN) focusing on organizational sustainability.

Kelly graduated with an undergraduate degree in International Studies and History and obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Northern Kentucky University.  In her time away from work, you can find Kelly with her husband Derick and two children Sara (a junior in high school) and London (a 7^th grader.)  They reside in northern Kentucky.

Mark Isenburg is the Assistant Director of Employer Connections at the University of Denver for STEM fields. He works to connect employers and students to facilitate job and internship opportunities. Mark spent eight years at Metropolitan State University of Denver, primarily as an Internship Coordinator for communication-related majors, working to educate students on the value of experiential learning and guiding them through the process of finding, obtaining, and making the most of internship experiences. He loves helping students find their success.

Mark also helped develop a new on-campus student employment plan for MSU Denver meant to help students get more out of their jobs by increasing the development of transferrable career skills through purposeful training and projects.

Throughout his time on campus, Mark has explored ways to expand his knowledge of DEI issues and implement them in his work. Examples includes special career training sessions for veterans and international students, as well as key elements of the student employment plan which include DEI training and awareness for student workers. Mark also pushed to add resources for employers looking to improve equity and inclusion.

Prior to joining academia, Mark spent more than 20 years in broadcast journalism and video production. During most of those years, he supervised and mentored interns as an employer helping students learn and grow in their careers.

Mark brings years of experience as a manager and supervisor in private industry and local government. He enjoys cooking, gardening and dancing and coached a youth water polo club for 14 years.

As the Director, Employment Relations with the University of Waterloo, Domenica is accountable for the North American employment relations strategy. She leads a diverse team across Canada who are responsible for developing new employer relationships as well as retaining and growing existing ones. Her team also provides support to students on and between work terms. Prior to joining the University of Waterloo, Domenica worked for 30 years in the Government, Not for Profit and Private Sectors. She has experience leading a national team focused on vocational planning, building employer and community relationships and supporting individuals as they navigate the world of Academia and work. With a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a commitment to staff and student health and wellness, Domenica has been instrumental in developing the new Student Mental Health Advisor role and expanding the Advisor, Workplace Harassment role within Co-operative and Experiential Education at the University of Waterloo. She is also a member of The President’s Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health.

As a CEIA member, Domenica presented on Campus Partners and Employer Relations at the CEIA conference in 2019 and submitted proposals in 2020 and 2021. She is a member of Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning (CEWIL) Canada and a member of the Professional Development committee for Education at Work Ontario (EWO). She has spoken at various Academic and Employer Organizations across North America promoting co-op at the University of Waterloo.

Domenica strongly believes in the value of giving back to her community – spending much of her spare time volunteering with homeless shelters and local food banks in the Greater Toronto Area. She is fluent in four languages: English, Italian, Spanish and French and her passion for travelling the world has offered her opportunities to spend time living in Italy, Venezuela and England.

Vanecia Harrison-Sanders is the Associate Director of Graduate Co-op in the College of Science at Northeastern University where she manages the Co-op Process for Graduate Programs and serves as the Faculty Experience Coordinator for PhD students. She has a diverse career background with over 15 years of experience in Cooperative Education and Career Development along with 10 years of experience in the private sector, state, and local government.

Prior to working at Northeastern, Vanecia worked at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA as the Associate Director of the Career Development Office and Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, MA where she held positions in the Career Development Office as a Co-op Coordinator, Career Planning Coordinator and as the Assistant Director. She has worked with Engineering, Science, Technology, Design/Build and Liberal Arts students.

Vanecia has a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Emmanuel College and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Framingham State University. Vanecia understands the importance of “work experience” as she has held various positions that ranged from manufacturing to customer service, which she believes served as the building blocks, leading her to where she currently stands in her career.

Vanecia greatly enjoys supporting students while they discover their passion, through experiential opportunities and helping students find their niche’. Vanecia has served on various committees with CEIA, the Professional Development Committee, the Internship Award Committee and she has presented at CEIA’s Annual Conferences.

Kristen Gallo is the Executive Director for Career Services for the university Career Center at Temple University, providing strategic vision and planning for a staff of 16 in a central unit and serving as liaison between career development within colleges and schools. Previous to this role, Kristen spent seven years working with the cooperative education program at Drexel University, with five of those years as Assistant Director managing a staff of seven co-op advisors across five different colleges and schools. Collectively this team facilitated connections between approximately 2,000 students and 500 unique employers each year.

Kristen has been a member of CEIA for about 5 years. During that time, she has presented two sessions at the national CEIA conference in 2019, led a webinar on the future of work, and submitted to Experience Magazine. Kristen has also presented sessions and pre-conference workshops at several other conferences, with a focus on cooperative education best practices and assessment. Now she hopes to grow involvement with CEIA as Vice President of Region 2, bringing her knowledge of cooperative education and career services together.

Kristen is currently in the research phase of her Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Management from Drexel University. Her research focus is the impact of cooperative education on students studying entrepreneurship, and she looks forward to the contribution her dissertation will make to the field. Kristen also holds an M.S. in College Student Development and Counseling from Northeastern University and a B.A. in Psychology from Stony Brook University.

Elery Rojas is an Academic Partnerships Manager at Wix.com where she helps students become career ready with a professional online presence and the necessary digital skills to build their portfolio, personal brand or online business. Before joining Wix, Elery spent over ten years in Higher Education, assisting students with their academic and career development. She has worked as the Assistant Director of Internships for Employer Engagement, in the Career and Talent Development Department at Florida International University and as an Admissions Counselor and Recruiter for Albizu University.

Elery has been a member of CEIA since 2018, having served as the Tampa Conference 2021 volunteer local arrangements committee member and Chair for the Local Arrangements Committee for the Alexandria Conference 2022.

Dr. Richard Robles is currently an Associate Professor overseeing the Mechanical Engineering Technology Co-op Program at the University of Cincinnati’s Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education. In addition to teaching professional development courses for engineering students, Rich is responsible for mentoring and placing mechanical engineering students in full-time work-integrated learning experiences. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Rich has research interests in experiential learning, electronic portfolios (eportfolios), assessment, leadership development, and college student development.

Rich received a BA in Liberal Studies from Northern Arizona University, a MS in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and an MBA from the University of Cincinnati. He has recently completed his EdD in Leadership Studies at Xavier University. Rich’s doctoral research explored engineering identity development through cooperative education.

Rich previously completed a three-year term as president of the Ohio Cooperative Education Association, and served as the General Conference Co-Chair of the 2022 ASEE Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration. Within CEIA, Rich served on the committee to relaunch Experience Magazine.

Ms. Tiffany D. Johnson serves as the Director of Career Services at Arkansas State University (AState) and leads a team of multigenerational employees who provide employability skills training for students and cultivate relationships with industry leaders. While at A-State, she has increased employer engagement and student participation while also implementing a Corporate Sponsorship Program.

Before joining A-State, Tiffany worked at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) in the following departments between 2007 – 2015: Career Services, Minority Student Services, Upward Bound, and Leadership Studies. She is also an alumnus of UCA; she has a Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel Services and Bachelor of Art degrees in Journalism and Public Relations.

Tiffany has 15 years of higher education experience, including leadership experience in state, regional, and national associations. She is the Past President for the Arkansas Association for Colleges and Employers (after serving two terms), Administration Knowledge Group Past Chair and Current Co-Chair for Breakout Sessions and Roundtables on the Conference Committee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers, State Director for Arkansas and Diversity and Inclusion committee member for the Cooperative Education and Internship Association, 2021 – 2022 SoACE LEAD Fellow, a member of the 2013 Management Leadership Institute cohort and 2012 Career Coaching Intensive cohort through the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Tiffany is also a proud, active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Meghan Stidd is the Assistant Dean of External Relations for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) College of Business where she oversees employer relations, career development, internships, alumni relations, and marketing initiatives. Meghan is the main point of contact for any individuals or organizations wanting to engage with the College. Meghan is currently leading the development of a required career development curriculum for all undergraduate College of Business students, which will include a mandatory experiential learning component.

In her former role, Meghan served as the Program Director for the College of Business Career Development Center where she managed the College of Business Internship Program and assisted organizations interested in recruiting students for internships and full-time positions. During her two-year term, Meghan increased student participation in the College of Business internship program by nearly 30%, established new partnerships with over 100 employers, and identified the need for, created, and implemented a 2000 level internship course enabling students to earn academic credit for internship experiences earlier in their degree programs.
Prior to her positions at UCCS, Meghan served as a program director, associate regional director, and regional director of the Mountain Pacific Troops to Teachers program, spanning over 14 years. In her last position as regional director, Meghan led a twelve state region devoted to assisting military veterans during their transition to civilian careers as public school teachers. Through strategic partnerships and improved operating procedures, Meghan increased the number of Troops to Teachers students hired within the region by 48%, resulting in the most successful year of regional operations in program history.

Meghan has been involved with CEIA since 2016. For the past year, Meghan served as the Colorado State Representative and as a member of the Research Committee. Meghan has also contributed to the CEIA Blog and has presented at the past two CEIA annual conferences. In addition to CEIA activities, Meghan has conducted multiple conference presentations and published articles focused on best practices regarding internships, interviewing, and professional development programming. Meghan also collaborates with the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative at UCCS to lead workshops and facilitate trainings on integrating ethics into internship and career development programs.

Dr. Brigham serves as the Global Director of Campus Relations for the Southwestern Advantage company. It’s a position he’s held for the past 19 years. He is responsible for training corporate recruiters as well as cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with career offices at approximately 250 universities in 20 countries across North America, Europe and into Asia.
Prior to his years with Southwestern Advantage, Ralph was the Director of Career Services at Montana State University. In that position he was very active on campus concerning strategic planning initiatives within Student Affairs and the university as a whole and he also taught doctoral courses in leadership. He was also quite involved in the community by serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce.

Career highlights include: President, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE); Employer Director, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE); President, Rocky Mountain Association of Colleges and Employers (RMACE); Academy of Fellows, National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE); Charles F. Kettering Award, Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA); Professional Vice President, National Council, Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE), the collegiate sales fraternity.
Ralph is a certified Life Coach and mentors students and young professionals on such topics as finances, career, wellness, and relationships. He is also a frequent speaker across the globe on such topics as success habits, first impressions, dreams as related to career, etc.

Prior positions:
Formerly, Janis was the Managing Director of the Franklin Paterson Company, a provider of Resume Writing and Career Counseling Services, and its subsidiary FPSelectJobs.com a national Job Board. In addition, she was a founding Partner, Bond Technologies: Technology Consulting, large scale Technology Project Sales / Consultant/ and Technology Recruiter. Built a Technology Consulting practice with three partners from four consultants to four hundred Consultants with offices in NY, Chicago, and the UK.
She is fundamentally a teacher, techie, and career development specialist with an interest in using technology to enhance the speed and organization of the recruiting process. Janis Ransom is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Other facts:
Former Weight Lifter and “drop-out Retiree”. My period of retirement lasted just six weeks before I returned to workforce part-time as a recruiter at Cetera Investors. Started at one day a week, that one day has morphed into my current position as Recruiting Operations Manager. Born in Trinidad, W.I., and lived through the experience of International Student, to US Permanent Resident. Worked and lived all over the United States and Europe as part of my work experience. In the development of my own companies and as an employee of other firms have always hired between forty and sixty percent of new employees directly from the colleges. Former Board member of Roxbury Children’s Services, which at the time was the second largest provider of services to under-privileged children in the Massachusetts. The state Massachusetts was the largest.

Patricia Bazrod retired in May 2018 from the Georgia Institute of Technology. She has over thirty-four years of experience in career services and cooperative education and internships. In 2019 she was honored to be the recipient of the American Society for Engineering Educations’ Clement J. Freund Award for profound influence and accomplishments that furthered the field of cooperative education programs in engineering or engineering technology programs. She was also nominated and chosen as Fellow to the American Society for Engineering Education in 2015. She began her co-op career as an engineering co-op coordinator in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Arizona State University.
In Cooperative Education, Patricia has a long history of presentations and workshops at the state, regional, national, and international levels. Since 1990, Ms. Bazrod, has been a member of the Cooperative Education and Internship Association (CEIA) and has served as President, President-Elect, Vice-President of the Cooperative Education Network, Past President and is currently serving as the Associate for Member Development and Retention for the organization.

Since 1984, Ms. Bazrod has been a member of the Cooperative Experiential Education Division (CEED) of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), where she has served as Chairman, Program Chair, Secretary-Treasurer, Chair-Elect, and on the Executive Board as that national professional organization’s Archivist. She has served on the ASEE Board of Directors as the PIC V Chair and has had various leadership roles for the annual Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration (CIEC) including General Conference Chair.

She is the recipient of the CED 2005 Borman Award for outstanding service to the field of cooperative education and has served as a trainer and program reviewer for the Accreditation council for Cooperative education. (ACCE).

Patty lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband Larry and though he still works, she has taken up golf, leisure travel, Formula 1 racing (huge fan) and both she and her husband enjoy wine tasting and have become avid collectors of several types of wine.

Andrew Harper has built and managed programs that have connected talent from colleges and universities with employers for more than 15 years. Most recently at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), Andrew designed and launched a paid, statewide internship program that provides employers with resources to recruit and hire Texas college students that qualify for financial aid. Previously, Andrew was the Manager of Employer Relations and Internship Coordinator at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. During his tenure at St. Edward’s University, he co-advised the campus LGBTQIA+ PRIDE student organization, chaired the Student Success Center Professional Development Committee, and taught career development, history, research, and writing courses.

In 2022, he joined Grace Hill to provide business intelligence solutions for real estate operators and investors through KingsleySurveys as a project manager.

Through his involvement in several professional development associations, Andrew has advocated for expanding and enhancing work-integrated learning. Since 2016, he has served on the CEIA Board of Directors as the Diversity & Inclusion Task Committee Chair, 2022 Conference Chair, and Region V Vice President. In addition, he has been a member of several CEIA committees including Best Practices Award, Conference Programs (chair), Board Nominations and Elections, and Marketing and Communications. Andrew is also a past president, vice president, and conference chair of the Texas Cooperative Education & Internship Association (TxCEIA) and the 2017 recipient of the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE) Champion of Diversity Award.

Andrew earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from St. Edward’s University. He continues his involvement at the university by serving on the Alumni Board of Directors.

Penelope (Penny) Grob is the Director of the Business Scholars Co-op Program and the School of Business liaison to the Career Center at La Salle University. Penny has been in her role as co-op director for 14 years and prior to joining La Salle University’s School of Business as an Administrator, she held a variety of Human Resources roles in the private sector.

Penny has grown the Business Scholars Program into a signature program within La Salle's School of Business. Penny's position includes advising students both academically and on career related issues. Her role in the Career Center allows Penny the opportunity share her expertise with a broader audience outside of the co-op program. Her work has brought new opportunities and enhanced existing employer partnerships to the Career Center. In addition, Penny works with the Office of University Admissions at La Salle speaking with prospective students and their families highlighting all the benefits La Salle has to offer. Penny also serves on several University Committees.

Penny has been an active member of CEIA since 2006 and immediately volunteered her time when she joined the organization. Penny presented at the San Antonio conference (2011), is a key member of the Registration Committee for the annual conference (2008-2021). Outside of registration she been a judge for the Student Co-op of the Year Award four times, and has been a Reviewer for Conference Proposal’s twice. She has served as a member of the Audit Committee of CEIA for the past three years. Penny served as the Region 2 Mid-Atlantic Vice President from 2012 – 2016.

Penny holds a Bachelors degree from Rosemont College and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Human Capital Development at La Salle University.

Penny welcomes the opportunity to again serve Region 2 – Mid Atlantic.

For close to thirteen years, Dr. Sharp has been leading Service-Learning at the University of Cincinnati, a program that connects stakeholders who support over 5000 student registrations per year, representing every undergraduate college at UC. Most recently, and in many ways in response to the COVID-19 crisis, he helped to create (and adjust to an online/virtual process) the Service-Learning Co-op program, providing students with paid opportunities to work virtually with not-for-profit organizations. Sharp is an associate professor of Experiential Learning, teaching classes in the Division of Experience-Based Learning and Career Education and the College of Arts and Sciences’ Communication Department. Sharp created and is leading a novel approach to service-learning called the Service Learning Collaboratory, a class that was recognized via the Dean’s Award for Innovative Instruction. He is the co-creator and co-host of the Tapioca Radio Show and has introduced to the university the Jack Twyman Award for Service Learning. Sharp is the senior editor of Experience Magazine: Practice + Theory + Podcast and has earned a doctorate in Urban Educational Leadership at the University of Cincinnati. His dissertation, Critical Curriculum and Just Community: Making sense of Service-Learning in Cincinnati, focused on the importance of "critical pedagogy" created through campus-community partnerships, was awarded dissertation of the year by the National Society for Experiential Education (NSEE). This award-winning work has been contracted for book publication by UC Press. In addition to being recognized for his Scholarship and Teaching, Sharp’s Service portfolio was also recognized by Ohio Campus Compact in that he was honored with the 2020 David Hoch Memorial Award for Excellence. Sharp has also been recognized by the university for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Researchers. Some of Sharp’s service to his community includes coaching youth baseball and volunteering. He also co-chairs the Greater Cincinnati Service-Learning Network’s higher education committee.

CEIA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Peggy Harrier

At Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, Peggy Harrier is a former Dean of Business where she supervised a mandatory co-op component for 20 majors. She also had management responsibilities for 50 fulltime faculty and 200 adjunct instructors. Peggy was also a Chair of the Business Technologies Division, where she had management responsibilities for the Management, Marketing and Real Estate programs and coordinated a mandatory co-op component for students. Cincinnati State College maintained the largest co-op program among two-year schools in the US and remained in the top ten of all co-op programs in the country for over 25 years. Having worked as a co-op coordinator early in her career at the college, she was a tenured faculty member teaching Business Law, Ethics, Co-op Seminar and Professional Practices. As a licensed Real Estate Broker, Peggy had experience in both industry and education. She earned a BA degree from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana, as well as a Master of Education degree from Xavier University. She retired from Cincinnati State College in 2013 and was associated with the college for over 30 years.

Peggy joined the CEIA Board in 2000 where she has served the Association as a board member for the past 20 years. Accomplishments to note include, preparing and distributing national state of the profession surveys, leading the reorganization efforts for the Journal of Cooperative Education and Internships, serving as President 2004-05 and chairing two conferences, including co-chairing the 2006 centennial celebration. She was instrumental in securing a collaborative agreement for the production of the Journal of Cooperative Education and Internships with WACE, NCCE and CAFCE. She also initiated strategic partnerships with WACE and NCCE for projects being conducted in the field and has assisted CEIA with the development of an interactive website. She is a CEIA Academy trainer, specializing in quality improvement processes. CEIA honored Peggy with the Dean Herman Schneider Award in 2009. Peggy Harrier is currently the Executive Director of the Cooperative Education and Internship Association, Inc. (CEIA)

Dan Cayse, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College

Dan Cayse retired as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Entrepreneurial Development at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College. Since joining Cincinnati State in 1974, he provided leadership in cooperative education for 36 years. He twice served as Dean of Business Technologies. During his combined 20 years of service as Dean, he made major contributions to his division and the college enhancing and expanding the cooperative education program. As Dean, he was responsible for the academic affairs and co-op program for 24 Associate Degree Programs and 14 Certificates for the Business Technologies Division. Under his leadership, the Business Technologies Division developed a nationally recognized academic and cooperative model that has lead to strategic partnerships with companies such as Walt Disney World, Procter & Gamble and The Kroger Company.

Dan has also played a significant role on state, region and national levels. He served as the Cooperative Education and Internship Association President in 1989-1990, as well as two terms as the Vice President of Finance. He rejoined the Cooperative Education and Internship Association Board and served as the 2010-2011 President. Dan is currently the Vice President of Finance. In 2005, CEIA honored Dan as the recipient of the Dean Herman Schneider Educator of the Year Award. On the regional level, Cayse developed the financial reporting system for the Midwest Cooperative Education Association and as a Certified Public Accountant, provided financial audits and non-profit consultation services. He was recognized as MCEIA’s Educator of the Year is 2004. The Ohio Cooperative Education Association elected Dan Cayse to the position of President in 1986 where he expanded state membership and fostered the expansion of an endowment for scholarships and research to maintain itself as one of the largest state co-op associations in the country. OCEA honored Dan Cayse as its Educator of the Year in 1990.

In other professional contributions to cooperative education, Dan has been a consultant for numerous colleges and corporations as well as having made over 200 presentations throughout the United States. Other involvement includes representing the United States in Canadian co-op initiatives, testifying before Congress during the Title VIII funding era and being instrumental with the efforts to bring about the co-op national ad campaign.

Perhaps more significant than anything else have been Dan Cayse’s effect on the people in the field of cooperative education. He consistently supported his faculty’s involvement in professional activities and provided inspiration to countless co-op practitioners across the United States. A quiet, humble, unpretentious leader, Dan not only has been willing to share his knowledge with others, but has fostered the professional development of those who have been fortunate enough the work with him. He can effectively articulate the academic role of co-op in students’ educational programs, while maneuvering through the politics of academic institutions

Elery Rojas is an Academic Partnerships Manager at Wix.com where she helps students become career ready with a professional online presence and the necessary digital skills to build their portfolio, personal brand or online business. Before joining Wix, Elery spent over ten years in Higher Education, assisting students with their academic and career development. She has worked as the Assistant Director of Internships for Employer Engagement, in the Career and Talent Development Department at Florida International University and as an Admissions Counselor and Recruiter for Albizu University.

Elery has been a member of CEIA since 2018, having served as the Tampa Conference 2021 volunteer local arrangements committee member and Chair for the Local Arrangements Committee for the Alexandria Conference 2022.

Tracey Lord serves as the Program Director of Experiential Learning at Florida State University's Career Center.

An experienced career coach, she delivered career advising and lead programming efforts with Emory University's Goizueta Business School, the University of Georgia, and The University of Virginia – Semester at Sea program. Currently a member of the NACE Leadership Advancement Program’s 2016 Class, she has completed career services trainings including the NSEE Experiential Education Academy, Career Services Institute - West, and the NACE Management Leadership Institute.

She is both a proud Blazer, earning a BBA in Marketing from Valdosta State University, and a proud Seminole, earning a MS in Higher Education from the Florida State University.