Since the previously-elected candidate will not be able to accept the position, below are the two candidates for a special election for the 2026-2027 Region I Director. The special election will take place online June 15-21, 2026. On June 15, Region I members will receive additional information, including details on the voting process, as well as an online ballot. Each Region I member will be able to cast one ballot in this special election.
Whitney Rollerson
Whitney Rollerson is the Events Manager for the Office of Admission at the University of Southern California. She plans and executes more than 40 large-scale events for prospective students, admitted students, counselors and other special events, including events on-campus, off-campus and online.
Her passion for event management started as an undergraduate student working for USC Athletics Operations, Facilities & Game Management in large, Division-I athletic events. She began her career in admission at USC as an admission counselor and moved to the events team in 2018. Her love for helping students access college and find their collegiate home continues as a territory manager. Whitney remains active in athletics and continues to work in guest services during football and basketball seasons.
Whitney brings more than 10 years of admission and athletic experience together in her work that keeps students, families and counselors needs centered in a cohesive and operationally efficient manner. Attending her own admitted student event led Whitney to finding a home and community in USC, and she is honored to continue to provide those experiences for new students.
A proud and dedicated CIVSA member since 2020, Whitney has served on the Research & Assessment Committee eventually chairing the committee for two years. Most recently, she wrapped up a fantastic term on the Annual Conference Committee as the Welcome & Volunteers subcommittee chair. In 2024, Whitney was awarded the Rising Star Award. CIVSA has been a warm and welcoming professional home and she looks forward to continuing to build genuine connections among members.
Whitney holds undergraduate degrees at USC and a Master’s in Sport Management from the University of San Francisco. Outside of work, Whitney loves to watch and attend live sporting events. She’s an active Peloton-er and also enjoys baking, playing video games and enjoying the outdoors.
Kendra Schneider
Kendra Schneider serves as the Associate Director of Events & Visits within the Office of Admissions at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). With more than a decade of experience in admissions, visitor services, enrollment management, and student leadership development, she is passionate about creating experiences that help students and families feel welcomed, informed, and connected. She currently oversees UNC’s campus visit and event programs, including the Student Ambassador Program, where she focuses on developing student leaders and fostering a culture of belonging and service.
Kendra holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from UNC and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Directing and Stage Management from Azusa Pacific University. She is a professional working theatre artist and adjunct professor at UNC. Outside of work, she enjoys kickboxing, paddleboarding, cycling, baking, cheering on the Denver Broncos, and spending time with her niece and nephew.
A dedicated CIVSA member, Kendra has served on the Region I Leadership Team (two separate times), facilitated the Senior Leadership Connections Group, hosted and attended regional events and webinars, presented educational sessions and contributed through a variety of volunteer roles at annual conference. CIVSA has played a significant role in her professional journey by providing opportunities for leadership development, collaboration, and lasting relationships. She believes some of the most impactful experiences in our profession happen when people find a community that encourages them to learn, contribute, and grow.
As a candidate for Region I Director, Kendra is honored by the opportunity to serve an organization that has had a profound impact on her career. If elected, she looks forward to advocating for Region I members, expanding opportunities for connection, increasing awareness of CIVSA’s resources, and helping more professionals and institutions discover the value of membership.
Brandon Gross
Brandon Gross is currently the Assistant Director of Events in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at Johns Hopkins University, where he leads the strategy, planning, and execution of large-scale on-campus and virtual programs that engage prospective students, families, counselors, and community partners. His portfolio includes signature recruitment and yield events serving thousands of visitors annually, as well as the mentorship and development of student ambassador leaders. With several years of progressive experience in higher education enrollment and visitor services, Brandon brings strengths in event operations, student leadership development, and cross-campus collaboration.
Prior to Johns Hopkins, Brandon worked at Stevenson University as an Admissions Counselor and Tour Guide Program Coordinator, supervising and training more than 60 student ambassadors and supporting recruitment initiatives across admissions events and outreach programs. His work emphasized inclusive visitor experiences and the connection between campus culture and enrollment goals.
A dedicated CIVSA leader, he is on the Board as Chair of Research and Assessment. His previous CIVSA involvement also includes Subcommittee Chair for Spirit and Traditions at the 2025 Annual Conference and Subcommittee Chair for Publicity and Promotions at the 2024 Student Development Institute, as well as earlier service within Educational Resources and Student Development.
Brandon holds a Master of Education in Higher Education and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Management, with research focused on campus visitation and college access for first-generation and limited-income students. As a candidate for CIVSA Secretary, he is motivated by a commitment to organizational clarity, continuity, and connection across the association. He brings a strong attention to detail, experience documenting processes and initiatives, and a collaborative approach to supporting board and committee work. Brandon is eager to help members remain informed, engaged, and connected to the association’s mission.
Emily C. Stanley
Emily Collinsworth Stanley is the Executive Director of Admission at Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts, where she oversees undergraduate recruitment strategy, enrollment operations, admission communications, and visit programs. She leads a department of 11 professional staff, 45 student workers, and also manages a seven-figure budget. A systems-oriented leader, she implemented her institution’s CRM and continues to manage operational workflows and data integrity while leading cross-functional initiatives to build a seamless enrollment experience for students.
Emily began her higher education career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) like many others in the field do–as an enthusiastic tour guide. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in World Languages and Literatures and a Master’s in Applied Sociology, studying the campus visit experience from a generational lens for her thesis. In addition to working as an Admission Counselor, she managed the campus tour guide program and helped plan the institution’s first accepted students day and counselor fly-in program.
A dedicated member of the CIVSA since 2016, Emily considers the Association her professional home. She has attended a combined 10 CIVSA conferences, led three conference presentations, and volunteered in myriad ways including leading conference morning wellness activities. She has served on Annual Conference sub-committees (Local Arrangements & Transportation; Publicity & Promotions), chaired the Spirit & Traditions sub-committee, served as Involvement Committee Co-Chair, and currently serves as 2026 Annual Conference Chair. In these roles, she has led engagement opportunities for conference attendees, enhanced volunteer appreciation, and expanded professional development programming. She loves giving back to the Association that has profoundly shaped her career and given her lifelong friendships.
Originally from Texas, Emily values friendliness and hospitality. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, dancing, walking, and consuming all kinds of media. She loves spending time with her husband, Taylor, and their dog, Finn, and cat, Eve.
Owen Posey
Born and raised in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Owen Posey serves as the Assistant Director for Undergraduate Admissions, Orientation, and Events at Western Kentucky University (WKU). His passion for higher education and visitor services began during his undergraduate experience as an Orientation Leader and Tour Guide, where he developed a strong commitment to creating welcoming and meaningful campus experiences.
Owen is a proud two-time graduate of WKU, earning a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Marketing and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership to continue growing as a practitioner-scholar in enrollment and student engagement.
In total, Owen has spent six years working within Enrollment at WKU, with professional experience centered on event planning, coordination, and execution. Throughout his career, Owen has planned and hosted recruitment events of varying scale, from large venues such as NFL stadiums to smaller hotel and campus settings. These experiences have strengthened his confidence in event logistics, contract management, and cross-functional collaboration with campus partners and external stakeholders.
Owen has been actively involved in CIVSA for the past six years, serving in roles that have allowed him to learn the Association from the ground up. His service includes the Publicity and Promotions Subcommittee for the 2022 Annual Conference in Orlando, Subcommittee Chair for the 2023 Conference in St. Louis, helping establish the New Member Orientation initiative as Retention Committee Chair in 2024, and most recently serving as Director of Communications on the Executive Board for 2024–26.
Through these experiences, Owen feels prepared to step into the role of President-Elect. He brings a creative, adaptable, and collaborative leadership style, with a commitment to ensuring CIVSA’s work reflects and supports the full breadth of its membership.
Outside of work, Owen enjoys freelance marketing, teaching yoga and Pilates, and spending time outdoors running and hiking.
Shari Foglesong
Shari Foglesong has served Truman State University in Missouri for 10 years. Through the Office of Admission, she advised the Ambassador Program, executed large-scale recruitment and yield events, coordinated Orientation, reviewed scholarships, and represented Truman to families both on campus and on the road. Her proudest accomplishment was serving as co-Director of Admission, where she led recruitment strategy and visit experience. She also served for two years as Student Engagement, Enrollment, and Marketing Project Manager, leading key initiatives such as the implementation of a new Bookstore contract. She currently serves as Admissions Event Manager, overseeing all event operations.
As a CIVSA member since 2016, Shari has been active in the Association through leadership and service. She served as a Region 2 Leadership Team Member (2017-18, 2018-19), Annual Conference Publicity and Promotions Member (2019-20, 2020-21), Annual Conference Publicity and Promotions Chair (2021-22), Annual Conference Local Arrangements Chair (2022-23), Involvement Committee Co-Chair (2024-25), and currently serves the Executive Board as Secretary. In addition, she has attended a regional event and seven Annual Conferences. She is a proud Foot Award recipient.
Shari’s involvement, contributions, and professional experiences make her uniquely qualified for the Director of Communications role. Through her Publicity and Promotions experiences, she developed and executed print and digital communications including all emails, social media, and the Conference program, learned Adobe Creative Suite, managed timelines, and worked with vendors on collateral such as signage, name badges, and tickets. Shari has experience with Slate at her own institution and is skilled in HTML.
If elected, Shari hopes to maximize Slate and create clear and consistent templates, strategically work to create effective communications, and explore incorporating video content to better tell CIVSA’s story. Most importantly, she looks forward to continuing to support the best members in the higher education industry. Thanks for your consideration!
Keisha Jordan
Keisha Jordan serves as the Assistant Director of Outreach and Recruitment at Valencia College, where she leads strategic initiatives focused on access, enrollment growth, and student engagement. With a background in Business and Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, Keisha combines strategic thinking with relationship-centered leadership to create meaningful impact in higher education.
Within CIVSA, Keisha currently serves as Chair of the Belonging and Retention Committee. She has also served as a committee member and consistently steps in to supporting the association’s mission. Most recently, she led the transition of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee into the Belonging and Retention Committee, ensuring the work remained integrated, forward-focused, and aligned with the evolving needs of the membership. In recognition of her service and leadership, she was honored as the 2025 CIVSA Rising Star recipient.
Keisha is passionate about building professional communities where communication fosters connection and members feel both informed and empowered. She believes strong associations are built through collaboration, transparency, and intentional engagement that extends beyond annual events.
Through her continued involvement with CIVSA, Keisha is committed to strengthening member experience, amplifying diverse voices, and advancing initiatives that position the association as both a professional resource and a true community for its members.
Kassie Rankin
My name is Kassie Rankin and I am an event manager in the Office of Admissions at the University of Missouri – Columbia. I am a Columbia native, and I graduated from Mizzou with my degree in Agricultural Education and Leadership.
I began my career in higher education in 2021, as an admissions representative. I spent two years traveling around the Northeast part of Missouri and the state of Iowa sharing with students about the institution that I love.
I transitioned into the event manager role at the beginning of 2024. I currently coordinate and facilitate on- and off-campus events for prospective students and high school counselors. I also supervise our 20 student workers in our office.
2024 is where my story began with CIVSA. My supervisor has been heavily involved in CIVSA and encouraged me to join. In the past two years, I have attended virtual meetings for Region II and Connections groups. These virtual events allowed me to feel like I had a place within this organization and I really began to fall in love.
I was then able to attend my first annual conference in Charlotte. The conference solidified my passion for this organization. I loved that there were presentations for anyone and everyone. I was able to learn from people from similar careers, differing backgrounds, and varied institution sizes and styles.
I am grateful to be on the slate for Region II Director, and am excited to invest more of my time in this organization that has so quickly invested so much in me!
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 Assistant Director of Recruitment at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he leads the Recruitment team across the state and assists with on campus recruitment events.
He currently serves as the Region II Director and has previously served on the Region II Leadership Team for CIVSA, 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 three 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 recently completed his 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.
Mike Targonski
My name is Mike Targonski and I am the Director of Enrollment Events and Operations at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, IN. In my role, I oversee our campus visits for undergraduate admissions, our undergraduate admissions operations team, our alumni volunteers program, and four professional and 40-50 student ambassador staff in those areas.
I graduated from Valparaiso University in 2012 and started my career as the first Chicagoland regional representative for Columbia College of Missouri. After a short time there, I returned to Valparaiso University as an admission counselor. Within 15 months of starting back at Valpo, I took over our overnight visit program and visits and events have been part of my professional experience since then.
I moved up both the admissions and visit and event ranks concurrently for several years, taking on responsibilities in both areas. After a while, I decided to stick with visits and events because of how much joy it brought me and how the work fit my strengths and interests. I took over supervising our tour guides in 2019 and our daily visit experience in 2021 before being promoted to Director of Admission Visits and Events in October 2022. I moved into my current role in August 2024.
As a CIVSA member, I have attended 8 annual conferences, 1 student development institute, have volunteered at conference as a presenter, Connections leader, and many other roles, have served on the Nominating Committee, and currently serve as a mentor in the Mentorship Program. I have also had the honor of receiving the Foot Award in 2022.
In my spare time, I serve as the public address announcer for Valpo volleyball and women’s basketball home games, enjoy attending baseball games and traveling to see all of the ballparks, and playing volleyball, basketball, softball, and vintage baseball.
Jess Burkley
Jess Burkley is an Assistant Director of Admissions & Coordinator of Student Ambassadors at Allegheny College, where she leads recruitment, training, and development student ambassadors who help shape Allegheny’s campus visit experience. As a member of the Visit Experience team, Jess collaborates across campus to design programs that reflect Allegheny’s commitment to academic rigor, access, and belonging. She also evaluates applications, partners with financial aid, and supports access-focused initiatives including the Bonner Service Leadership Program and the RISE cohort.
Jess is deeply committed to professional engagement within the higher education community. She is serving a second year on the CIVSA Region IV Leadership Team and is a CIVSA mentor to two Region IV members. A frequent conference presenter, Jess has facilitated sessions at Annual Conferences and Student Development Institutes on topics including professional development, counselor programming, and intentional mentorship. Beyond CIVSA, she contributes to the field through service with OACAC committees, college access mentorship programs, and alumni board leadership.
At the center of Jess’s work is a passion for community-building and helping emerging professionals find confidence in their roles. She believes the campus visit is one of the most powerful tools institutions have to tell their story and is energized by collaborating with colleagues to continually raise the bar for the visitor experience.
Ben Tran
Hello! My name is Ben Tran, and I am the Interim Senior Assistant Director of Admissions Visitor Services at Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida.
I was a Student Ambassador at Flagler, and I once jokingly told my boss that if a role in Visitor Services at Flagler ever opened, to let me know. Little did I know that after I graduated, a new role would be created. Working in visitor services has been challenging and rewarding. I am constantly thinking about how I can improve the visitor experience. This is why I love CIVSA. We are all open and honest about what we do and support each other to push visitor services forward.
Additionally, working as a Student Ambassador and now getting to manage and grow the program means a lot to me. I want to help students grow and understand that being a student leader can provide many great skills for their careers. One of Flagler’s Core Values is “Transformative Learning,” and as a student supervisor, I am challenging myself to help these students learn life lessons they might not learn from the classroom.
In just a little over two years, I have been fortunate to serve on the Communications Committee and as the 2026 Annual Conference Publicity and Promotions Chair. I also recently received a promotion at Flagler College. I believe this showcases my work ethic and ability to make an impact when in leadership positions.
