Senior Administration
The Provost & Senior Vice President collaborates with senior administrators in overseeing academic endeavors and in managing the internal administrative operations of the university.
They include the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, the Interim Chief Information Officer and Vice President, the Associate Provost, the Associate Vice Presidents of Academic Affairs, the Deans of the schools and colleges, and the Dean of the library.
Senior Administration
- Carol Adams, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Extended Campus Administration
- Benjamin Ola Akande, Dean of the Walker School of Business & Technology
- Mike Callan, Associate Vice President for Military and Governmental Affairs
- Paul Carney, Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Affairs
- Grant Chapman, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of International Programs
- Eileen Condon, Acting Dean of the Emerson Library
- (William) Kenneth Freeman, Chief Information Officer & Vice President
- Brenda Fyfe, Dean of the School of Education
- Greg Gunderson, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
- Nancy Hellerud, Associate Provost for Academic Planning, Policies and Operations
- Thomas Johnson, Associate Vice President and Chief of Strategic Initiatives
- M. Elizabeth (Beth) Russell, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Extended Campus Administration
- Peter Sargent, Dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts
- Dan Viele, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of the Online Learning Center
- David Carl Wilson, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
- Randy Wright, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Extended Campus Administration
- Eric W. Rothenbuhler, Dean of School of Communications
Carol Adams
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Extended Campus Administration
Carol Adams oversees extended campuses in the Central U.S. region, monitoring enrollment, budget and program development to ensure academic integrity and consistency. She serves as Co-Chair of the Webster University Sustainability Coalition and is a member of the university's Military Task Force, appointed by President Stroble.
Dr. Adams came to Webster in 2008 from Ottawa University, Kansas City, where she was Associate Professor of History and worked on several university-wide collaborative efforts, including assessment and curriculum development. While at Ottawa, she also worked with international programs and served as Professor in Charge of Ottawa's Health Care Management program. She holds a BA in history, an MA in history, an MA in secondary education, and a PhD in history with a specialization in foreign relations, all from the University of Alabama.
Dr. Adams' responsibilities include: 19 extended campuses in Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Benjamin Ola. Akande
Dean of the Walker School of Business & Technology
Benjamin Ola. Akande has been a Professor of Economics and Dean of The George Herbert Walker School of Business & Technology at Webster University since June 2000 and was recently named the Chief of Webster University's Office of Corporate Partnership. Dr. Akande served as co-chair of Webster's Institutional Planning Committee in 2008/2009.
Dr. Akande holds a BS in Business Administration and Masters in Public Administration from Wayland Baptist University and an MA in Economics and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma. He completed post-doctoral studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government and executive programs in leadership at Harvard University. Dr. Akande has been recognized as one of St. Louis' Most Influential Leaders from 2007-2010. In 2007, he was honored with the St. Louis Business Journal's Most Influential Minority Business Leaders award.
Dr. Akande serves on the boards of the Rx Outreach, Xiolink, and the Vandiver Group. Dr. Akande is a Trustee at Mary Institute Country Day School, Vice Chair of Beyond Housing, a director of Ralcorp Corporation, and a member of the Advisory Board of Dean and Provost.
Mike Callan
Associate Vice President for Military and Governmental Affairs
Brig. Gen. Mike Callan, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), provides leadership and strategic direction for Webster's alliances with all branches of the military related to the development and delivery of education programs, as well as for the development and strengthening of relationships with federal and state agencies. He advises on areas for expansion of the Department of Defense student base for graduate and undergraduate degree and non-degree offerings and works with units across Webster, including Alumni and Development, Global Marketing and Communications, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to deliver high quality services and programs to the military and government sectors.
Brig. Gen. Callan retired from the Air Force in the fall of 2011, where his last assignment was the 17 AF/ United State Air Forces Africa Vice Commander. He has also served as Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs at the Pentagon. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Slippery Rock State College, a Masters in General Administration from the University of Maryland, and a Masters in Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College.
Paul Carney
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Paul Carney leads all functional areas of enrollment management, admissions, the Registrar's office, student affairs, and financial aid. He came to Webster in September of 2009, after serving as Vice President for Enrollment Management at Drury University in Springfield, MO. He is active in the Missouri and National Association for College Admission Counseling and also serves as chairman on the board of McAuley Counseling Services Inc.
Over the course of his career Dr. Carney has served as Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Oklahoma State University and as Associate Director for Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Notre Dame. He also spent 12 years in administration at the University of Dallas, where he was Director of Enrollment Management and Institutional Planning. He holds a BA in history from Kansas Newman College, an MA in educational measurement and testing from Wichita State University, and a PhD in educational research and evaluation.
Dr. Carney's responsibilities include: the Registrar's Office, Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Affairs.
Grant Chapman
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Director of International Programs
Grant Chapman provides leadership for a variety of international initiatives across Webster worldwide, collaborating with faculty, staff, and students to enhance the university's global reach. He oversees administration of Webster's international campuses, study abroad, and the Center for International Education. He participates in establishing and maintaining global strategic partnerships and in developing new international programs. He chairs the international programs committee.
Since 1992, Mr. Chapman has held several posts with Webster, including being a faculty member in the History, Politics and International Relations department, Director for the Center for International Education, and Director of the London campus of Webster University. Mr. Chapman held an administrative post as Provost with Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas from 2003-05. He regularly teaches, writes, and presents on matters of international law and international education and was a Fulbright Scholar in Japan in 2008. Grant received his Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University and holds an MA and JD from St. Louis University.
Mr. Chapman's responsibilities include: Center for International Education, Confucius Institute, Study Abroad, International Programs, and International Campuses.
Eileen Condon
Acting Dean of the Emerson Library
Eileen Condon administers the Emerson Library, overseeing the provision of quality information and library services in support of the University's curriculum to students, faculty, and staff in online programs, in St. Louis, and at extended sites. She coordinates with staff at Eden Theological Seminary on the operation of the Webster-Eden Library System, a cooperative program that supports the teaching, research, and intellectual pursuits of Eden Theological Seminary and Webster University. Eileen serves as the editor of the Webster University Press, managing the existing catalog as well as acquisition and publication of new titles.
Ms. Condon has been with Webster since 1992 and has held positions at the library that include Rare Books Cataloger; Head of Systems; Head of Systems and Technical Services; and most recently Associate Dean. She holds a BA in English and minor in Spanish from Truman State University and an MLS from University of Missouri-Columbia.
Ms. Condon's responsibilities include: the Emerson Library and Webster University Press.
(William) Kenneth Freeman
Chief Information Officer & Vice President
Ken Freeman is responsible for all aspects of technology at Webster's more than 100 domestic and international sites, including enterprise information systems, networking and technology services, desktop support, instructional lab support, media center operations, the technology help desk and training, IT policy and information security.
Prior to joining Webster in April 2011, Mr. Freeman's held employment with Monsanto, CIGNA, Fleet Financial Group, United Parcel Service and IBM. He received his BS in business management from Herbert H. Lehman College in New York and his MS in telecommunications from New York University. He is a graduate of the Society of Information Management Regional Leadership Forum and holds a certificate in ITIL V3 Service Management.
Mr. Freeman's responsibilities include: Information Technology, Help Desk ,Desktop Services, Media Services, Project & Program Management Support, Application Development & Maintenance, Voice/Telephone support, Instructional Lab Support, Networking and Technical Services, Information Services and Information Security.
Brenda Fyfe
Dean of the School of Education
Brenda Fyfe has been the Dean of the School of Education since 2002. She is a professor and researcher in the field of education. She has studied the Reggio Approach for over 20 years and has been a consultant to many private and public schools during these years. She is a board member of the National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators and the Association for Constructivist Teaching and Learning.
Dr. Fyfe has held many positions within the School of Education including being the MAT coordinator for early childhood education, the director of university assessment, chair of the School of Education, and the director of experimental and individualized learning. She holds a PhD in Education from Southern Illinois University, an MA in Early Childhood Special Education, and a BA in Sociology from Quincy College.
Greg Gunderson
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Greg Gunderson leads all functional areas of finance and general accounting, resource planning and budget, endowment administration, administrative services, facilities planning and management, and public safety. He joined Webster in March 2011, after serving as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business and Operations in the office of Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Gunderson has provided financial and accounting leadership at international organizations including ConAgra Foods, Inc., Cray Research, Inc., and Arthur Anderson & Co. He earned a BS in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an MBA from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a PhD in educational studies, with a specialization in educational leadership and higher education, from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
Dr. Gunderson's responsibilities include: Accounts Payable, Accounting Office, Bursar & Cashiers, Collections, Facilities Operations, Finance, Payroll, and Public Safety.
Nancy Hellerud
Associate Provost for Academic Planning, Policies and Operations
Nancy Hellerud joined Webster University in April 2011. She serves as chief of staff to the Provost, overseeing operations of the Office of Academic Affairs, and works with the senior administration, deans and faculty on a range of policy issues and strategic initiatives, with a focus on improving procedures and policies. She oversees the academic support units of Academic Affairs, including Academic Advising, the Academic Resource Center, the Faculty Development Center, and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
Prior to joining Webster, Ms. Hellerud served as interim dean (2010-2011) and associate dean (2004-2010) of the Hamline School of Business in St. Paul, Minnesota and was an assistant professor in the department of management and marketing. She holds a JD from the University of Oregon School of Law, an MA in Liberal Studies from Hamline University, and a BA in English and German, also from Hamline.
Ms. Hellerud's responsibilities include: Academic Advising,the Academic Resource Center, Faculty Development Center, and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.
Thomas Johnson
Associate Vice President and Chief of Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Thomas Johnson provides leadership for the development and execution of strategic initiatives, including the identification of emerging markets and the creation, development and delivery of new programs.
Dr. Johnson served as Dean of the College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences at the University of New Haven for 13 years, during which time he worked with faculty to develop new programs in the areas of National Security, Digital Forensics and Advanced Investigation. For the governmental sector, he has developed programs in Criminal Justice, National Security, Emergency Management, Occupational Safety and Health, and Fire Science.
He has trained law enforcement agents and prosecutors from more than 30 nations in areas such as computer crime and advanced investigations. He holds a BS with honors and an MS from the School of Public Administration and Public Safety at Michigan State University, and PhD from the School of Criminology at the University of California-Berkeley.
M. Elizabeth (Beth) Russell
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Extended Campus Administration
Beth Russell has been involved with Webster University since her undergraduate days as a music major at the main campus. She has served as Associate Vice President since 2007 and oversees campuses in the Eastern U.S. Region. She has been honored repeatedly by Webster University for her leadership and hard work, and she is in demand as an instructor, motivational speaker and business communication consultant.
Dr. Russell holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from Saint Louis University, an MA in Marketing, with distinction, from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Music, summa cum laude, also from Webster University.
Dr. Russell's responsibilities include: 25 campuses in Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Peter Sargent
Dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts
Peter Sargent is the Dean of the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts and the Head of the Lighting Design and Stage Management Programs. He has been with the University since 1966. He received a BFA from the Carnegie Institute of Technology and an MFA from Yale University. Mr. Sargent has worked with the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis for 39 seasons. Highlights with the Rep as lighting designer include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, Anything Goes, The Most Happy Fella, She Loves Me, Sweeeney Todd, A Little Night Music and Mister Roberts.
Mr. Sargent is a member of the College of Fellows of American Theatre, the National Theatre Conference, the Educational Theatre Association's Hall of Fame, the Musical Theatre/Theatre Panel for the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Network Program Policy Committee for Young Audiences (YA). He is also a vice president of the St. Louis Chapter of YA, on the Board of Directors for National Young Audiences, and a recipient of a Special Citation for Education from the United States Institute for Theatre Technology.
Dan Viele
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Director of the Online Learning Center
Dan Viele has been instrumental in the development of Webster's distance learning initiatives, including Webster's Online MBA program. He oversees which provides leadership, direction, and a range of support services. For his leadership role in pioneering online teaching and learning, the university presented Mr. Viele with a Presidential Recognition Award, and in 2002 he received the university's highest honor, the Kemper Excellence in Teaching Award.
Mr. Viele began his career in the classroom, first as an instructor at Northwest Missouri State University, then as an associate professor of accounting at Millikin University. Prior to joining Webster University in 1998, he served as a systems consultant for Silicone Valley's largest provider of information technology products and services to the graphics arts and printing industry. Mr. Viele earned his BA in accounting from the University of Illinois-Springfield and his MS in management accounting from Colorado State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Mr. Viele's responsibilities include: The Online Learning Center.
David Carl Wilson
Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
David Wilson has been the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences since 2002. Many new programs have been launched during his tenure, ranging from an undergraduate emphasis in Biotechnology to the Global MA in International Relations.
Dr. Wilson earned his BA in Classical Greek from the University of Georgia, an MA in Philosophy from the University of Illinois, and a PhD in Philosophy from UCLA. He remained at UCLA, where he taught philosophy and wrote the McGraw-Hill textbook, A Guide to Good Reasoning. While at UCLA he served as Vice-Chair of Philosophy, Assistant Dean of Humanities, and Associate Provost.
Dr. Wilson is engaged in the St. Louis region, serving as a director on many local boards including the Academy of Science-St. Louis, the Missouri Biotechnology Association, the Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences, the St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute, and the German American Heritage Society. He also chairs the Ethics Committee for the St. Louis Science Center, and has been a fellow with Leadership St. Louis. He serves on the Executive Committee of the American Council on Education's Council of Fellows and as co-chair of their national Outreach and Engagement Committee. He has been actively involved in national higher education issues, having served in Boston for a year as a Fellow with the American Council on Education.
Randy Wright
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs
Extended Campus Administration
Randy Wright has an extensive background in designing and implementing new educational opportunities for military and other adult students. His 34 years of experience in higher education includes being a college teacher, counselor, curriculum designer, grants writer principal investigator and a senior university administrator.
Mr. Wright believes in bringing educational opportunities where there is an unmet need and has opened 25 extended campuses primarily on military installations, as well as advising centers throughout the U.S. and the extensive network of cooperative degree programs with the military.
Mr. Wright is the 2009 recipient of the Kennedy Award for distinguished service and contributions to military education awarded by the Council of College and Military Educators. He holds a BS in psychology from Campbell University, an MAE in counselor education from East Carolina University, and an MA in management from Webster.
Mr. Wright's responsibilities include: 24 campuses in Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Eric W. Rothenbuhler
Dean of School of Communications and Professor
Mr. Rothenbuhler was previously Associate Dean of the Scripps College of Communication and Professor of Media Arts and Studies at Ohio University (2010-2012), director of the Media Studies MA Program at New School University (2001-2004), and a faculty member at University of Iowa (1985-2001) and Texas A&M University (2004-2010). He earned his Ph.D. in 1985 from the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Southern California with a dissertation on the living room celebration of the television audience for the 1984 Summer Olympic games.
As a scholar, teacher, and administrator he has long pursued the integration of differing approaches to the study and practice of communication and media, and built a record of engagement with interdisciplinary programs, international scholarship, student media, outreach, and educational access.
His teaching and research address media anthropology, media history, and communication systems ranging from ritual through community to media industries, with special interest in music, sound, and radio. He is author or co-author of over 60 articles, chapters, essays, and reviews on media, ritual, community, media industries, popular music, and communication theory. He has been a keynote or invited speaker at conferences and universities in China, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, and at many universities in the US.