Profiles

Sabrina Sturgeon joined CIC in 2023 and is the AI adoption and innovation specialist. She supports the AI Ready Network and leads internal efforts to advance AI adoption across the organization. Previously, Sturgeon supported the Belong Network, a first of its kind collaboration with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), as well as […]

​Suzanne Smith joined CIC in 2022 and is the designer and creative strategy specialist. Her responsibilities include conceptualizing, designing, strategizing and producing a wide range of marketing collateral for multichannel platforms; and, as the sole designer on staff, providing creative direction for the organization. Before joining CIC, Smith served as the director of creative services […]

Kathleen Smith joined CIC in 2019 and is the executive assistant to the president and staff secretary to the Board of Directors. She handles the responsibilities for the president’s office and liaises with CIC’s Board of Directors. Previously, Smith worked in the University Career Center as well as the Office of Student Conduct at Auburn […]

Samantha Sabalis joined CIC in 2018 and serves as senior director of foundation relations. She initially served as development officer through the Mellon/ACLS Public Fellows program for recent PhDs in the humanities and became a full-time CIC employee in 2020. In her current role, she leads the entire life cycle of fundraising strategy, grant development, […]

Leslie A. Rogers-Brown joined CIC in 2001 and is director of conferences. She is responsible for supporting the Institute for Chief Academic Officers, managing the Presidential Spouses and Partners Program, arranging the myriad logistical details involved in each event, and supervising workshops and conferences onsite. A native of Washington, DC, Leslie attended the University of […]

Siena McCabe joined CIC in 2023 and is the manager of network engagement. In this role, she is responsible for managing CIC’s Online Course Sharing Consortium (OCSC), while supporting CIC’s corporate affiliate partners and expanded offerings for members and sponsors. McCabe was initially hired as a conference coordinator at CIC before being promoted. Prior to joining […]

Vanessa Long joined CIC in 2015 and is the associate director of finance and accounting. Long brings to CIC several years of grant program management, event management, and accounting experience and is responsible for overseeing CIC’s accounts receivables, accounts payables, and bank reconciliation processes. Prior to joining CIC, Long served as office assistant for the […]

Christoph Kunkel joined CIC in 2004 and is the senior vice president and chief of staff. He is responsible for CIC’s administrative and financial operations, and he plays a key role in shaping CIC’s technology and investment activities. He serves as the main liaison to the CIC Board of Directors. A native of Germany, Kunkel […]

Philip M. Katz became CIC’s director of projects in 2013 and senior director of projects in 2023. His portfolio at CIC has included faculty development programs in philosophy and the public humanities, a national network devoted to the legacies of American slavery, and a consortium for online humanities instruction. Trained as an American historian, he […]

​After serving at two CIC member institutions, Susan Jenkins joined CIC in 2022 as assistant vice president and was promoted to vice president for marketing and communication to implement a new “digital-first” communications strategy. She previously led brand marketing and reputation efforts as assistant vice president of marketing and communications at Shenandoah University. Jenkins also […]