I.
STAFF

Meet the members of the Institute

Featured
Betsy O. Barefoot
Betsy O. Barefoot

Senior Scholar
828-475-6018
barefoot@jngi.org

Betsy is directly involved in the development of instruments and strategies to evaluate and improve the first college year and collegiate transfer. 

Read Full Bio

Ethan Campbell
Ethan Campbell

Assistant Director of Technology, Informatics, and Data Security

828-449-1072

campbell@jngi.org

Ethan joined the Gardner Institute in March 2016, and serves as Associate Director of Technology, Informatics and Data Security.

Read Full Bio

Brittany Connor
Brittany Connor

Assistant Director of Marketing, Communications, and Engagement

connor@jngi.org

Brittany joined the Gardner Institute February 2022 as the Marketing Assistant and in June was named the Assistant Director of Marketing, Communications and Engagement.

Read Full Bio

Brent Drake
Brent Drake

Senior Vice President for Operations and Research

drake@jngi.org

Dr. Drake has worked in higher education since 2001 with positions focused on institutional research, educational assessment, business intelligence, and institutional effectiveness.

Read Full Bio

Monica Flippin Wynn
Monica Flippin Wynn

Associate Vice President

828-449-8801

flippinwynn@jngi.org

Monica’s current research projects include student engagement and new media, online equity and post-secondary education.

Read Full Bio

Stephanie M. Foote
Stephanie M. Foote

Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Evidence-Based Practices
828-449-8801
foote@jngi.org

Stephanie's scholarship and consultative work span a variety of aspects of student development and transition.

Read Full Bio

John N. Gardner
John N. Gardner

Founder and Executive Chair
(828) 348-4820
gardner@jngi.org

John serves as the Executive Chair and Co-Founder of the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education.

Read Full Bio

Betsy Q. Griffin
Betsy Q. Griffin

Vice President and Resident Scholar
828-449-8048
griffin@jngi.org

Betsy joined Gardner Institute in July 2008 as an Associate Director. She serves as an advisor to campuses that are conducting Gardner Institute ’s Foundations of Excellence self-studies.

Read Full Bio

Christina Harris
Christina Harris

Administrative Assistant

harris@jngi.org

Christina joined the Gardner Institute in 2021 and she serves as the Administrative Assistant.

Read Full Bio

Drew Koch
Drew Koch

Chief Executive Officer
828-877-3549
koch@jngi.org

Drew has substantive experience with undergraduate education administration, redesign of unjust education systems, strategic planning, fundraising, reaffirmation of accreditation, postsecondary access and success, and enrollment management efforts.

Read Full Bio

Jill Kramer
Jill Kramer

Senior Fellow

(828) 435-2090

Kramer@jngi.org

Jill Robinson Kramer, PhD, is principal consultant at JRK Consulting in Indianapolis. In her consulting work, she focuses on strategic planning, network and meeting facilitation, grant facilitation and development, and metrics and outcome reporting. She also serves as an adjunct faculty member at Marian University in the master’s of education program.

Read Full Bio

Katie Locke
Katie Locke

Director of Marketing, Communications and Engagement
828-210-2408
locke@jngi.org

Katie joined the Institute in March of 2018, she currently leads the Institute’s marketing and communications efforts as well as working closely with the Socially Just Design Movement and all processes and events.

Read Full Bio

Victoria McGillin
Victoria McGillin

Associate Vice President
828-398-1587
mcgillin@jngi.org

Vicki is a Resident Fellow at the Gardner Institute, where she has served as an Advisor and Fellow since her retirement as Provost and Professor of Psychology at Otterbein University. She is the Process Coordinator for the Retention Performance Management process and Co-Project Coordinator of the Excellence in Academic Advising Process.

Read Full Bio

Rob Rodier
Rob Rodier

Director of Technology, Informatics, and Data Security
828-449-8050
rodier@jngi.org

Robert is a seasoned network and IT security professional.

Read Full Bio

Brandon Smith
Brandon Smith

Associate Vice President

828-388-7227

Smith@jngi.org

Brandon currently serves as an Assistant Vice President at the Gardner Institute. Formerly Brandon was Associate Professor of Theatre and as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for Student Success at Brevard College.

Read Full Bio

Sara Stein Koch
Sara Stein Koch

Institute Fellow and Senior Associate for Institutional Support
828-398-1586
saraj@jngi.org

Sara's current work with the Institute involves advising institutions on the Foundations of Excellence First-Year, Transfer, and Implement, Gateways to Completion, and Retention Performance Management processes. 

Read Full Bio

Angela M. Whiteside
Angela M. Whiteside

Senior Vice President for Finance, Human Resources and Events
828-449-8053
whiteside@jngi.org

Angela been with the Institute since 2001. She oversees the finances, prepares and monitors the budget, and collaborates with the finance committee.

Read Full Bio

Ed Willis
Ed Willis

Senior Fellow

828-233-5874

willis@jngi.org

Ed Willis is a seasoned university administrator providing vision and leadership for diverse student-body environments while managing key internal and external stakeholder relationships involving student affairs.

Read Full Bio

Kylie Thomas
Kylie Thomas

Kylie Thomas (she/they) is a senior Multimedia major with a minor in Photography at Point Park University. They work as the Co-Features and Arts and Entertainment editor of the university newspaper, The Globe, while running their own photography business. From Youngstown, Ohio, Kylie takes a strong interest in diversity and equity. She hopes to specifically help increase opportunities for students in low-income situations. In their free time they enjoy reading thriller and horror novels and attending concerts.

China Warren
China Warren

China has recently begun her internship here at the Gardner Institute as of January 2023. China is currently enrolled at Purdue Global and is majoring in Communications. She is from Maryland and graduated from Frank W. Ballou H.S. (in Washington D.C). Upon Graduating college, China hopes to expand her skills as a writer and work in media and publishing as an Entertainment magazine editor.