Presidential Transition Steering Committee
The steering committee's primary responsibilities are to prepare the University community to celebrate our departing president, welcome and support the president-elect, and provide periodic updates to the internal/external community on details/updates of the transition efforts.
Presidential Transition Steering Committee Membership
- Mike Reilly, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Co-Chair of the Transition Committee
- Christy Larsen, Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee
- Joe Poss, Vice President/CAO, University Advancement and Co-Chair of the Transition Committee
- Astrid Kingsford, Sr. Assistant to the Vice President and Administrative Assistant to the Transition Committee
- Mia Bertagnolli, Interim Provost
- Julia Bjordahl, Director of Operations, Office of the President
- Mike Graham, S.J., Board of Trustees
- Kurt Heimbigner, Interim Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications and Co-Chair, Communications and Celebrations Subcommittee
- John Hemmingson, Board of Trustees
- Mary Herche, Board of Trustees
- Ray Kliewer, Vice President for Human Resources and Co-Chair, Onboarding and Orientation Subcommittee
- Bob Lyons, S.J., University Chaplain and Board of Members
- Renee Reuther, Board of Trustees
- Larry Simkins, Board of Trustees
- Sarah Schwering, Presidential Communications Specialist and Co-Chair, Communications and Celebrations Subcommittee
- Dori Sonntag, Associate Vice President/COO, University Advancement and Chair, Stakeholder Engagement Committee
- Chris Standiford, Athletic Director
- Diane Timberlake, Board of Trustees
Presidential Transition Subcommittees
Three subcommittees are mobilized to frame the work of the transition: Communications and Celebrations, Onboarding and Orientation, and Stakeholder Engagement.
Communications and Celebrations
This subcommittee is organizing a series of events and engagement opportunities that highlight the achievements and contributions of President McCulloh; creating a communications plan to position Dr. Passerini for success as the University’s next leader; and providing periodic updates to the internal/external community on appropriate details/updates of the transition efforts.
- Co-Chair – Kurt Heimbigner, Interim Assoc. VP, Marketing and Communications
- Co-Chair – Sarah Schwering, Presidential Communications Specialist
- James Aitken, Sr. Director of Strategic Communications, Marketing and Communications
- Julia Bjordahl, Director of Operations, Office of the President
- Holly Jones, Sr. Development Strategist/Writer, University Advancement
- Whitney Franklin, Director of Strategic Initiatives, University Advancement
- Jessica Maiers, Assistant Director of Marketing, Marketing and Communications
- Ashley Martin, Sr. Director of Marketing, Marketing and Communications
- Stephanie Rockwell, Assistant Vice President, Operations and Fundraising Strategy, University Advancement
- Kate Vanskike, Sr. Director, Content Strategy and Publications, Marketing and Communications
Onboarding and Orientation
This subcommittee will create a smooth transition for Dr. Passerini as she assumes her role; facilitating a process for her to listen and learn about Gonzaga’s history, traditions, and culture; and supporting her understanding of key priorities and major issues facing higher education in the context of Gonzaga’s community, unique institutional characteristics, communication norms/channels and academic calendar.
- Co-Chair – Ray Kliewer, Vice President for Human Resources
- Co-Chair – Joe Poss, Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer
- Julia Bjordahl, Director of Operations, Office of the President
- Laura Gatewood, Assistant Vice President, Donor Relations, University Advancement
- Heather James, Dean, Foley Library
- Robin Kelley, Chief Diversity Officer
- Ellen Maccarone, Vice President for Mission Integration
- Joe Smith, Chief Financial Officer
- Jacquie Van Hoomissen, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Stakeholder Engagement
This subcommittee supports the events and engagement opportunities of the transition effort; guiding engagement with key University stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, Jesuits, parents, donors, alumni, tribal leaders, community leaders, and other members of the community for Dr. Passerini; and capturing and sharing Gonzaga’s important traditions as part of the transition process.
- Chair – Dori Sonntag, Associate Vice President/COO, University Advancement
- Matt Eastman, Program Manager II, Information Technology Services and Staff Assembly President
- Whitney Franklin, Director of Strategic Initiatives, University Advancement
- Yoli Gallardo, Dean, School of Education
- Kara Hertz, Assistant Vice President, Alumni and External Relations
- Jason Houston, Dean, Gonzaga in Florence
- Kathleen Jeffs, Associate Provost for Assessment, Accreditation, and Programs
- Astrid Le Roy, Program Assistant III, Office of the President
- Ellen Maccarone, Vice President for Mission Integration
- Kent Porterfield, Vice Provost for Student Affairs
- Jacob Rooksby, Dean, Law School
- John Sklut, Sr. Advisor to the President, External and Government Affairs
- Brian Steverson, Professor, John L. Aram Chair of Business Ethics
- Shannon Strahl, Deputy Athletics Director and COO, Senior Women’s Administrator
- Wendy Thompson, Director of Tribal Relations