Current Board Members 2023-24

Affiliate Faculty of Instruction,
Grand Valley State University

Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area, MI

Bobbie Biby is an Affiliate Instructor at Grand Valley State University.  She has over 25 years of teaching experience and for several years worked for the Education Professional Standards Board – Commonwealth of Kentucky, the accrediting agency of Kentucky teacher education programs.  Bobbie believes, like so many others, that education is the great equalizer and that great teachers are vital in providing opportunities for all.  She is a board member on the Dyslexia Correction Foundation.  She participated on the School Improvement Team at Cummings Elementary and has served on a Michigan MEAP Standards Committee.  Bobbie’s family is rich with Spartan pride and graduates, including her husband, Bruce (MSU ’88), and two of her three children, Megan (MSU ’15), Kip (FSU ’17), and Taylor (MSU ’17).

Interventionist & Instructional Coach,
Haslett High School

Haslett, MI

Stephanie Livingston is the interventionist and instructional coach at Haslett High School where she is also the school improvement chair and leads the district’s crisis team. She has additionally served as an English teacher and interim associate principal. Her areas of professional focus are affirming student identity and voice, developing systems of support so that all students can be successful, and promoting literacy strategies across content areas. She holds a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching from MSU and Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State. She is a member of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals and Michigan Council of Teachers of English.

Director of Student Supports,
Mason Public Schools

Mason, MI

Craig Kueffner is the Director of Student Supports for Mason Public Schools in Mason, MI. In this role, he leads and implements social emotional learning system development, the growth of summer and before and after-school offerings, and serves as the student success resource for staff. Additionally, Craig works with the school district’s diversity consultant and district leadership to support equity, diversity and inclusion training and professional development for staff as well as ensure programmatic alignment of the district’s strategic plan and DEI efforts.
Previously, Craig served as the assistant principal at Mason Middle School for five years, and prior to that, he was a high school and middle school English teacher for Haslett Public Schools. Craig received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Michigan State University in 1998 and his Master of Arts in K-12 Administration from MSU in 2007. He is a member of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals.

Deputy Chief Examinations Officer,
National Council of State Boards of Nursing

Chicago, IL

Steve has nearly 20 years of experience in the academic and operational worlds of measurement and assessment. Prior to joining Twig Education, Steve worked in the public sector having been the Lead Psychometrician, Director of the Psychometrics and Measurement Research Division, and Interim Director of Accountability for the Michigan Department of Education.  Following his tenure with MDE, Steve was the Director of Psychometrics and Analytics for Adtalem Global Education. Additionally, he has extensive consulting experience in the certification and licensure side of measurement and assessment in the areas of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Arboriculture, Physical Therapy, Public Accounting, and Financial Fraud/Money Laundering Prevention to name a few. Steve is also an Adjunct Professor of Psychology, Statistics and Data Analytics at Davenport University.

Steve earned his Ph.D. in Measurement and Quantitative Methods from the MSU College of Education. Prior to his studies at Michigan State, Steve earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Applied Experimental Psychology (Cognition and Neuroscience concentration) from Central Michigan University. He is a member of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the American Psychological Association (APA; Quantitative Psychology division), the National Council on Measurement in Education and the Psychometric Society.  Steve resides in East Lansing with his family.

Adjunct Professor,
Grand Valley State University

Zeeland, MI

Dale Berry earned her bachelor’s from MSU in K-12 PE/Health in 1972, and her Master’s degree in physical education from Ball State. Dale is a retired elementary physical education educator, and presently works as a Grand Valley State University (GVSU) adjunct professor. Dale received the GVSU Excellence Advisor Award in 2017; the MSU K-12 Alumni Teacher of the Year award in 2007; and, the Indiana Elementary PE Teacher of the Year award in 1998.

Retired Vice President of Development/Philanthropic Advisor, Community Foundation for Muskegon County

Muskegon, MI

I have held leadership positions in the non-profit, private, government and post secondary education sectors. I ended my working career as a Community Foundation Vice President of Development. I currently serve on numerous boards, committees and workgroups and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for kids in the foster care system. I have graduate degrees in Public Administration from WSU and Adult and Continuing Education Administration from MSU.
My core strengths include being strategic in thinking and action; knowing how to engage others in a dialogue and valuing input from all; and at all times being enthusiastic and genuine.

CEO,
Communities In Schools of Michigan

Lansing, MI

Mallory DePrekel is the CEO of Communities In Schools of Michigan, a statewide nonprofit that provides integrated student supports to 40,000+ students in Michigan. She is a 2010 graduate of the College of Education and a member of the original Urban Educators Cohort Program (UECP) cohort. Mallory currently lives in East Lansing with her husband and two young sons.

Elementary Teacher,
Fitzgerald Public Schools

Warren, MI

Becky Girling is a fifth-grade teacher at Mound Park Elementary.  She has been working with at-risk students during her professional career. In addition, she has been a mentor to new teachers in her district and a cooperative teacher for student teachers from various universities in Michigan. She has held many leadership positions across her district and helped design, implement and pilot new curriculum. Becky has won many awards over the years, including District Teacher of the Year and also a finalist for Elementary Teacher of the Year in Macomb County in 2019. Becky has been a club sponsor for a multitude of student programs.  In addition to teaching, she has been a coach for the YMCA Girls on the Run and STRIDE programs for over a decade. She has been awarded many grants to help innovate her teaching and positively inspire student learning. Becky is passionate about teaching our youth that they have the ability to achieve greatness.

Secretary and Chief of Staff,
Michigan State University Board of Trustees

East Lansing, MI

Stefan Fletcher has served as the Secretary and Chief of Staff to the Board of Trustees since January 2023. In this role, Dr. Fletcher supports the Board in the fulfilment of its general supervisory responsibility for the university. Dr. Fletcher is the internal and external liaison and adviser to the Board with custodial and management responsibility for the Board’s bylaws, ordinances, policies, and other records
Dr. Fletcher holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin – Superior (UWS), a law degree from the Michigan State University (MSU) College of Law, and a Ph.D. from the Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education program at MSU’s College of Education. Dr. Fletcher served in a variety of shared governance leadership roles while in Wisconsin and Michigan, including two terms as the Student Government Association President at UWS and four terms as the President of the MSU Council of Graduate Students.
Before returning to MSU, Dr. Fletcher was the Director for Administrative Policies, Projects, and Academic Fellowships at the University of Wisconsin System Administration, overseeing systemwide policy and project management in addition to a fellowship program for advanced degree students. Dr. Fletcher currently serves as the chair-elect for the Association of College and University Policy Administrators (ACUPA), the organization for policy administrators in higher education. Dr. Fletcher joined the College of Education Alumni Board in October 2022.

Executive Director of Academic Services,
Muskegon Public Schools

Muskegon, MI

Dr. Jennifer Hammond serves as the Director of Academic Services for the Muskegon Public Schools. She believes in serving the underserved by having high expectations for teacher and administrator performance as well as promoting strong home-school connections. Prior to this role, she served as the principal at Grand Blanc High School where she helped to implement an Early College program, increased access and performance in Advanced Placement coursework and increased student
involvement in Career and Technical Education. Jennifer was also an Assistant Principal at Troy High School where she managed student discipline, professional learning communities, student activities, teacher evaluation, and developing the master schedule. Dr. Hammond was a high school math teacher in Houston, Texas, Hamtramck, Michigan, and Troy, Michigan. She attended Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and received her Education Specialists and Doctorate in educational leadership at Oakland University. Jennifer served as the President of the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, is a member of the Muskegon Women’s Club and the Muskegon Rotary.

Retired Director of Adult Studies Program,
Virginia Wesleyan College

Norfolk, VA

After earning three degrees from the College of Education (B.A.- Elementary Education/Social Science; M.A.- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education, Ed.S.- Curriculum), Rich’s career in the field began as a middle school teacher but most of his professional experience over 35+ years has centered on providing leadership for the development and delivery of adult/continuing education programs and services in a variety of administrative roles including serving as a Community Education Coordinator (East Lansing Public Schools and MSU), Director of Continuing Education (Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach, Virginia), Director of the University of Virginia Regional Center (Hampton Roads, Virginia), and Director of Adult Studies at Virginia Wesleyan University (Norfolk, Virginia).   Additionally, Rich has served as a board member and officer for several professional associations including the National Council for Community Services and Continuing Education and the National Coalition of Lifelong Learning Organizations as well as receiving appointments to various community non-profit boards related to advocacy and long-range planning for economic development, parks and recreation, vocational education, military education, aging/elderly concerns, and public broadcasting, 
 
Now retired, Rich and his wife, Jill (a career K-12 science educator who also earned three degrees from the College of Education) have been long-time supporters of the University and the College through the Annual Fund (John Hannah Society) and started the first alumni club in the state of Virginia when they moved there from Michigan in 1980.  Rich is honored to be a member of the College’s Alumni Advisory Board and to be able to support the board’s strategic planning initiatives in service to the students, alums and faculty who have contributed to the College’s long-standing and well-deserved high national rankings in so many program areas.

Senior IS Operations Consultant,
Baylor Scott & White Health

Dallas, TX

Vaughn Hubinger graduated from Michigan State University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology.  Vaughn has supplemented his degree with a passion for the health field, which has allowed him to work in the industry since graduation.  Early in his career he found himself gravitating towards information systems and business which led him to his current role as an IS Operational Consultant within Baylor Scott & White, a large healthcare system in Texas.  Vaughn continues to be an advocate for students and professionals that explore all opportunities, and allow their interests to drive their career.  

School Behavioral Health Unit Supervisor,
Office of Health and Nutrition Services,
Michigan Department of Education

Lansing, MI

Scott Hutchins is a School Mental Health and Medicaid Consultant for the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) in the Office of Health and Nutrition Services. Hutchins is a life-long learner dedicated to servant leadership with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University in Elementary Education. Prior to going to MDE, he served as a public school teacher and administrator for 20 years. Hutchins is passionate about being a champion for ALL learners and is committed to being better than he was the day before

Educational Specialist,
Bowers School Farm & Johnson Nature Center

Bloomfield Hills, MI

Brooke Larm is the Education Specialist for Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center, operated by Bloomfield Hills Schools. She earned two degrees from Michigan State University’s College of Education, which includes a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2003 and a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum in 2020. She holds a certificate in Nature-Based Early Childhood Education from Antioch University New England. Brooke has presented and published on her work as a practitioner, including NSTA’s peer-reviewed journal, Science and Children, and case studies within the book, The Sky Above and the Mud Below: Lessons from Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens by David Sobel. She focuses on providing all children and youth with diverse learning experiences that strengthen their connection with nature, agriculture, and their local communities.

Retired Former Head of Primary,
Chinese International School

Hong Kong

Social Studies Educator,
Grand Blanc High School

Grand Blanc, MI

Nathan Riek is a high school social studies teacher at Grand Blanc High School.  He teaches American Government, AP Government, and African American History.  In addition to his teaching he has involved himself in the community as a coach (football, baseball, basketball), and as an academic club sponsor (Model UN).  He has participated in scholarship, “Deliberating Public Policy with Adolescents” and is a presenter at the 2020 NCSS Conference.  In 2018 he was the Grand Blanc Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, and one of five American Legion’s Teacher of the Year in entire State of Michigan.

Principal,
Vernon Elementary School

Vernon, Vermont

Mary Ross is the principal at Vernon Elementary School, a rural, K-6 public elementary school in the southeast corner of Vermont. She serves on the leadership team for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union with colleagues from ten area schools. She has additionally served as an assistant principal in Vermont and a music and band teacher in the East Lansing Public Schools. Her areas of professional focus are building collaborative teams to best meet the needs of all students, supporting an inclusive school community where even the most vulnerable students can thrive, and emphasizing distributive leadership so a multitude of perspectives are part of decision making. She holds a Master of Arts in K-12 Administration from MSU and a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership and Management from Capella University. She is a Vermont Principal’s Association member and has trained at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Executive Director,
Macomb Academy/Macomb Intermediate School District

Clinton Township, MI

Anne-Marie Sladewski joined the Alumni Board in 2018, having earned a doctorate degree in educational administration in 2016 from MSU.  She is a proud public school educator, with experience mounting 40 years and counting from multiple states, serving in the capacities of central office and building-based administrative positions at the local district and regional levels. Anne-Marie also worked as local district and regional levels consultant, coach and mentor, and as a teacher at various levels in both general education and special education learning environments.  Anne-Marie also serves as a co-chairperson of the Doctorate in Educational Leadership (DEL) Advisory Committee; a member of the Michigan Educational Research Institute (MERI) Advisory Council; and, as a delegate on the Michigan Department of Education Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC). Anne-Marie also is currently the chairperson of the Michigan Association of Administrators of Special Education (MAASE) Professional Learning Committee.