Below are the candidates for this year’s Executive Board and Regional Directors. Look for an email on March 3 with a link to our online election and directions on how to vote. The election will take place March 3-16 and the newly-elected officers will be announced by the end of March. Candidates are listed alphabetically within position below, but they will be randomized for each voting member’s ballot.
SLATE OF NOMINEES
President-Elect
BJ Heidlebaugh
My name is BJ Heidlebaugh (he/him), and I have been a dedicated member of CIVSA since 2013. Attending 11 Annual Conferences and 3 SDI Events has greatly enriched my professional journey. I have served as Region 3 Director (2018, 2023), chaired the Spirit & Traditions Committee, and contributed to various other committees. I was honored with the Foot Award in 2021 and the CIVSA Service Award in 2023.
Beyond CIVSA, I served as President of the Ohio University Marching Band Society of Alumni & Friends from 2017 to 2023, where I helped redraft the Constitution & Bylaws and supported the association through challenging times. I have also been active in OACAC and NACAC, contributing to conference planning and local arrangements.
With over 20 years in higher education, I have focused on event management, student supervision, customer service, and public speaking. I hold a Master of Education (2012) and a Bachelor of Science in Communication with a minor in Theatre (2000) from Ohio University.
Currently, I am the Director/Associate Director for Visits & Events in Undergraduate Admissions at Ohio University. In this role, I oversee assistant directors, design and execute programs, and maintain positive relationships with campus and off-campus partners. My previous roles include Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Ohio University and Coordinator of Admissions On-Campus Operations at Hocking College.
I am passionate about higher education and student success, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to contribute to these fields. Thank you for considering my nomination.
Secretary
Shari Foglesong
Following the classic tour guide turned higher educational professional story, Shari Foglesong found her passion for visit experience at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.
Shari spent 8 years in the Office of Admission at Truman coordinating all visits and large-scale events, managing the Ambassadors, executing Orientation, and serving as Co-Director of Admission. Her commitment to delivering high-quality service and creating strong partnerships has led to her current role as Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Marketing Project Manager, overseeing key projects which have included facilitating work with contracted vendors and supporting high-need division operations.
Her involvement with CIVSA reflects her value of collaboration and professional development. As an active member since 2016, she has served within Region 2 Leadership Team, the Annual Conference (AC) Committee, volunteered, and presented. She chaired the AC Publicity & Promotions Subcommittee for Orlando and AC Local Arrangements & Transportation Subcommittee for St. Louis. Currently, she co-chairs the Involvement Committee connecting members’ talents to committees where their contributions are essential to the continued success of the Association. This engagement has strengthened her network, transformed her in professional and personal ways, and inspired her to contribute further.
In addition, Shari brings strong organizational skills and a collaborative mindset—qualities that are essential as CIVSA Secretary. Her ability to manage complex projects, communicate effectively, and maintain accurate records will ensure the efficient functioning of CIVSA’s operations.
Shari holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration and a Masters of Arts in Leadership. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors (with a goal to log 1000 hours outside this year!), gathering with friends around a meal, indulging in some retail therapy, and cherishing rural Midwest life alongside her husband and children.
Treasurer
Paul Hovey
Paul Hovey serves as Director of Transfer Admission and Campus Visit Experience at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. In this role, he oversees a team of five professional staff members, student ambassador programs, and is responsible for all facets of the visit experience from daily visits to large signature events for admitted students.
He has been a member of CIVSA since April of 2016 and attended his first Annual Conference in San Diego that year. Beginning in 2017, Paul has served CIVSA in a number of roles, first as a member of an earlier iteration of the Retention Committee and then as a member of the Publicity and Promotion Subcommittee for the 2018 Annual Conference. In 2021, he began serving on the Standards Committee and has represented CIVSA at the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) since. In 2022, he was named chair of the CIVSA Standards Committee and has worked to increase access to visitor services standards for CIVSA membership after recent revisions. Paul also serves on the CAS Financial Advisory Committee which reviews monthly financial statements and assists the Governing Board during the organization’s budget process each year. He is the proud recipient of the 2024 Betty Spengler CIVSA Service Award.
Paul holds a BA in political science from the College of the Holy Cross and an MPA from Fairfield University. His master’s coursework included classes in financial management and nonprofit management, as well as a quantitative research thesis on local election administration in the State of Connecticut.
Region I Director
Katie Holdgreve-Resendez
I was born and raised in a tiny farming town in Ohio and am a proud first-generation college student who embarked on an extraordinary journey of higher education. As the sole student from my high school to venture out-of-state for college, I benefited immensely from the guidance of remarkable mentors.
Upon completing graduate school, I returned to my undergraduate alma mater to work in Admissions, where I supervised and managed campus visit programs. This role allowed me to give back to an institution that had significantly shaped my undergraduate experience. After four years in Admissions, I transitioned to Campus/Student Life, and had the opportunity to work in Greek Life, Leadership, Student Activities, and Orientation. Orientation quickly became my favorite, as it provided the launching pad for students’ journeys into higher education.
Life changes eventually brought me to Colorado, where I took on what was initially meant to be a “short-term gig” in Admissions, hoping to return to Orientation. However, twelve and a half years later, I continue to thrive in my Admissions role, guiding students through campus visit experiences and helping them find their fit.
The driving forces behind staying in Admissions are the incredible people I work with, the students and families I am able to serve, and the “framily” (friends who become like family) I have found in CIVSA. I am beyond grateful for the personal and professional growth opportunities CIVSA has provided, including serving on various conference committees, serving as the inaugural chair of the Involvement Committee, and most recently holding the role of SDI Conference Chair. I remain committed to giving back to the CIVSA community that has given me so much!
Region II Director
Austin Rogers
Austin Rogers has a combined 10 years of experience in Admissions as a full time professional and student worker. He currently serves as the Visit & Experience Manager at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he leads the campus tours and manages a team of over 40 student workers between the Visitor Center and Call Center teams.
He currently serves on the Region II Leadership Team for CIVSA and has previously worked on the Spirit and Traditions Committee, where he helped lead the Amazing Race event in Seattle, as well as serving on the Nominating Committee and Member Relations Committee. Over the last two years, he has also mentored new professionals, helping them navigate challenges and build their networks within the organization. In addition to his involvement with CIVSA, he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, with a focus on researching strategies to better recruit adult learners in Louisiana.
He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Southeastern Alumni Association where he has helped to implement new programming to engage young alumni in the area. He enjoys working with teams and is always looking for new opportunities to challenge himself and others around him.
Region III Director
Sean O’Melia
Hello CIVSA!
My name is Sean O’Melia, and I am an Admissions Counselor and Event Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I am excited to be considered for the Region III Director position.
I have served on the Region III Leadership Team for the past two years, during which I hosted an in-person conference at UW Oshkosh. I’ve supported the introduction of new members and led an outreach group focused on recruiting new CIVSA institutions. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of working in three states within our region: Wisconsin, Indiana (Ball State University), and Michigan (Grand Valley State University).
If elected, I hope to expand regional events to more states within our region and increase the frequency of these regional events. I am also committed to strengthening our efforts to recruit new institutional members to CIVSA.
Should I have the honor of serving in this role, I will work hard to achieve these goals while actively listening to member feedback to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our region. I’m confident that, together, we can identify areas for growth and develop plans to support our members effectively.
Region IV Director
Paul Campbell
Paul Campbell is the Associate Director of Admissions at James Madison University. A proud alumnus of both Virginia Tech (BS, Psychology 1991) and James Madison University (MS, Kinesiology 2004), Paul’s career in higher education began as the Head Fencing Coach at James Madison in the fall of 1994. After stops in Athletics, Academic Affairs, Alumni Relations, and Dining (twice), Paul landed in the Office of Admissions in July of 2016.
Paul’s current role sees him overseeing all aspects of visitation, access and outreach for the Office of Admissions at JMU, as well as serving as co-advisor to the JMU Student Ambassadors, and on the leadership team in Admissions.
Paul currently serves as the Region IV Director of CIVSA. He was elected in 2024 to this role after chairing the 2024 Annual Conference planning committee. He has also held other positions within CIVSA, including Local Arrangements Chair for the 2019 SDI, Programming and Education Chair for the 2021 Annual Conference, and Spirit and Traditions Chair for the 2023 Annual Conference. He has also previously served on the Nominating Committee and the Region IV Leadership team, and was a proud recipient of a Foot Award at the 2022 Annual Conference.
Paul is excited at the possibility of continuing to serve the Association as the Region IV Director for a second year, where he hopes to continue growing both the Association and the sense of camaraderie and collegiality within Region IV with more events and communication.
Outside of work, Paul is an avid golfer, a lifelong fencer, and a voracious reader. A complete and utter sports fan, one of Paul’s favorite things is trying to fit in either competing at a fencing tournament, or spectating at professional or college sporting events around any work or CIVSA related travel he can!
Brandon Gross
Brandon Gross serves as the Assistant Director of Events at Johns Hopkins University, where he leads the planning and execution of large-scale on-campus and virtual events for prospective students, families, and counselors. With nearly five years of experience in higher education, Brandon has a strong background in event management, student mentorship, and strategic partnership development.
Previously, Brandon was an admissions representative and tour guide program coordinator at Stevenson University, where he managed over 60 student ambassadors, coordinated training programs, and played an essential role in recruitment and event planning. His ability to lead teams and create engaging experiences directly contributed to enrollment success.
An active member of CIVSA, Brandon currently serves as the Subcommittee Chair of Spirit and Traditions for the 2025 Annual Conference, overseeing initiatives that foster engagement and excitement among attendees. He also previously served as the Subcommittee Chair of Publicity and Promotions for the 2024 Student Development Institute and Committee Member for the Educational Resources and Student Development Committee prior to being a Subcommittee Chair. These roles have provided valuable insight into the association’s needs and the importance of building strong professional connections.
With a background in psychology and pursuing a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration in progress, Brandon approaches leadership with empathy, strategic thinking, and a commitment to inclusivity. As a candidate for Regional Director of Region IV, he hopes to enhance communication, collaboration, and engagement among members while continuing to uphold CIVSA’s mission.
Brandon is passionate about professional development, event planning, and fostering meaningful connections within the higher education community. He looks forward to the opportunity to serve and support Region IV in a leadership capacity.
Region V Director
Akilah King
My name is Akilah King, and I am the Associate Director of Events and Visitation at Georgia Southern University. As a proud double Eagle, my passion for Georgia Southern runs deep!
I began my career with the University in March 2020 as the Coordinator of Events for the Office of Career and Professional Development. From there, I transitioned to Continuing Education, where I worked as the Conference Services Manager. After about a year in that role—and feeling very disconnected from the school I love—I decided to apply for my current position.
Since stepping into the role of Associate Director of Events, I have cherished every moment. I’ve been fortunate to make history at Georgia Southern by upgrading many of our event experiences and creating Destination Eagle Nation, the largest on-campus recruitment event in University history.
I became a member of CIVSA in May 2023, and since then, I’ve served on the Annual Conference Local Arrangements and Transportation Committee as well as the SDI Spirit and Traditions Committee. I truly love being part of this wonderful organization!
In addition to my long professional title, I also hold the short but meaningful titles of wife and mom. I have been married for 20 years (this May!) to my personal hero, Lt. Kelcey King, a firefighter with the Bulloch County Fire Department. We have three beautiful children—Sheridan, Kailyn, and Kelcey Reed, affectionately known as Bubba—and one fur grandpup, Kingston, our beloved miniature schnauzer.
