Trine VP Bennett named to 5th ICI Leadership Academy

The Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI) has selected Kim Bennett, vice president for enrollment management at Trine University, to be part of the fifth cohort of its ICI Leadership Academy.

The year-long program specializes in the talent development needs of faculty and staff members of private college campuses.

Bennett is the third Trine administrator to be named to the ICI Leadership Academy. Rachel Troutman, vice president for university marketing and communications, and Cisco Ortiz, vice president for student affairs, completed the Leadership Academy after being part of the fourth and third cohorts, respectively.

“As Indiana’s private colleges navigate a rapidly evolving higher education landscape, investing in leadership at every level has never been more crucial,” said Laura Bridges, vice president and COO at ICI. “The ICI Leadership Academy is designed to equip emerging leaders with the skills and perspectives they need to foster innovation and success on their campuses.”

Each participant was identified by their sponsoring college as someone whose leadership will be critical to the institution’s future.

Over the program, these aspiring leaders will gain an understanding of their institution holistically, and within the state and federal higher education landscape. Academy graduates are trained to view their college through multiple lenses (academic, financial, community involvement, and others) and to develop the leadership competencies needed for their institution’s and their own professional success.

“With the launch of the fifth Leadership Academy cohort, we’re cultivating a new generation of leaders ready to drive transformation across Indiana’s private colleges,” said Dottie L. King, president and CEO of ICI. “This program empowers participants to build leadership capacity and make a meaningful impact on their institutions and the broader higher education community.”

Other members of the fifth cohort include: 

• Scott Cagnet, Dean of Students, Anderson University
• Trent Palmer, Director of Alumni Relations, Anderson University
• Emily Sherwood, Senior Director of Advancement and Alumni, Bethel University
• Martha Dziwlik, Dean of Students, Butler University
• Nii Kpakpo Abrahams, Senior Director of Student Experience and Engagement, Butler University
• Matthew Vicars, Director of Career Services and Student Success, Calumet College of Saint Joseph
• Leanna Barlow, Associate Academic Dean for Students, Earlham College
• Jessica Mahoney, Director of Library Services & Assessment, Franklin College
• Matt Metzger, Chief Marketing Officer, Grace College and Theological Seminary
• Nicole Washington, Assistant Provost & Registrar, Hanover College
• Kevin Berry, Associate Vice President, Advancement, Hanover College
• Ryan Ozbun, Associate Vice President of Military and Veteran Services, Indiana Institute of Technology
• Julie Knuth, Director of Presidential and Board Operations, Manchester University
• Mara Youngbauer, Dean of Student Life, Manchester University
• Jeermal Sylvester, Director of Workforce Development, St. Joseph’s College, Marian University
• Chris Nicholson, Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences, Marian University
• Sydney Burt, Executive Director of Student Experiences, Martin University
• Ryan Brimberry, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
• Sarah Granger, Director of Health and Counseling Center, Saint Mary’s College
• Karen Elsea, Dean of Nursing, Taylor University
• Kenneth Siegfried, Director of Athletics, University of Evansville
• Brook Moffat, Director of Marketing, University of Evansville
• Rebecca Gilliland, Associate Provost, University of Indianapolis
• Julie Gardner, Assistant Dean of Crown Point Site, University of Saint Francis
• Kat Peters, Assistant Director, Institute for Leadership and Service, Valparaiso University
• Sue Kukurugya, Director of IT Operations, Valparaiso University
• Bailey Allen, Controller, Wabash College
• Victoria Gregory, Associate Director of Athletics and Recreation, Wabash College