Meet the Educational Outreach Staff...

Staff at Highland Heights:

Vicki Berling, Ph.D., Executive Director, has worked at NKU since 2005 and has helped grow the Educational Outreach Department and assists our adult students in achieving their goal of completing a degree. Their stories inspire her to do "what it takes" to make that happen! Vicki has a Master of Business Administration degree from Thomas More College. She took her own advice about returning to school and recently finished her  Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Indiana State. 

Debbie Poweleit, Associate Director, PACE, has been with NKU since 1991 having started in the Office of Admissions.  She joined the newly formed department in 2002 to coordinate NKU's first online degree program.  She now oversees development and student support for our PACE program, off-campus cohorts, and Project Graduate.  Debbie will go the extra step to assist students in making their dream a reality.  Debbie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Mount Saint Joseph College.  She enjoys time with her family and jogging.

Kristen Lovett, Associate Director, Online Learning, joined NKU in early 2009.  She is focused on marketing online programs and implementing the NKU Guidelines for instructional course design, as well as providing support to our students.  The highlight of her day is insuring the students are on their way to higher education.  She teaches as an Adjunct Professor in courses such as Organizational Leadership, Operations Management, Marketing Research, Diversity in the Workplace, and developed coursework before coming to NKU full time.  Kristen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Thomas More College and an Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration from Sullivan University in Lexington.  She enjoys family time, reading, and boating in the summer.

Kathy Yelton, Associate Directior, Continuing Education, more information forthcoming... 

Sandi Cunningham, Advisor, PACE, joined the Educational Outreach department in 2006 having worked for 28 years in the Office of the Registrar.  Having all that experience, Sandi is instrumental in assisting our students in the registration process, from advising to graduation!   She loves seeing the excitement in the adults students as they return to college.  Sandi has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from NKU.  Being a history buff, Sandi enjoys reading books about World War II.  Sandi also enjoys taking care of and being "mom" to all of her cats.

Nicole Meade, Advisor, PACE, joined the Educational Outreach staff in March of 2010.  Prior to her time with us, Nicole worked in the Office of the Registrar at NKU.  Nicole hails from New York State where she received a Bachelor of Science in Social Work at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia.  Upon graduation, Nicole spent some time working in the field of Human Services.  She was later introduced to the world of Higher Education Administration after working as an Admissions Counselor at a small private college in Central New York.  She loves working with people by helping them set positive goals for their future.  Outside of NKU, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband and Shih Tzu, Mimi. 

Diana VonHagel, Coordinator, PACE, joined our staff in 2006 and looks after the PACE program by providing on-site support for our PACE students and faculty, with the goal of making everyone’s contact with the program a positive experience.  She loves leading students and new applicants through the admission and registration process  Diana has a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership degree from NKU  Her favorite musician is her husband!

Natalie Nickol, Coordinator, Online Learning, came to NKU in 2001 and works closely with our students in pursuing their educational dreams.  Nat is the person behind the scenes assisting with the day-to-day operations enrolling students into our online programs.  She is our "guru" when it comes to learning software and programs.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Thomas More College.  At her leisure, Nat enjoys riding motorcyles in the Grant County area!

Jeff Fox, M.A, Coordinator, School-Based Scholars, is a 2006 graduate of Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a minor in Professional Writing.  He also received his Master’s Degree in Communication in December of 2008.   In his position as the School-Based Scholars Coordinator, he works to bring college courses to local high schools.  He also teaches CMST 101, Public Speaking and CMST 340, Strategies of Persuasion at NKU as an Adjunct Professor.  Jeff spent six years in the airline industry and enjoys related research in organizational communication, crisis communication, and rhetoric.

Student Workers at Highland Heights:

Candi Copridge, more information forthcoming...

Maureen Krebs, started working with Educational Outreach in 2010.  She assists with daily operations of the office.  Maureen is currently a PACE student in the Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Leadership program with hopes of graduating in 2012.  She enjoys being outdoors, museums, and family time. 

Staff at the Grant County Center: 

Betsy John Jennings, Director, Grant County Center, has worked at NKU since 1978 -- can you believe it?! -- and has directed extended campus operations since 2004. She is a career counselor by training and holds a Masters of Education in Counseling degree from Xavier University.  Through her current position, Betsy links NKU with the community and promotes the NKU Grant County Center through programs at schools, clubs, Chamber of Commerce, local cable TV, radio, and newspaper ads. In addition, she plans the course offerings and connects students to main campus services at the Grant County Center. Did you know she plays the cello and sings in her church choir?

Connie Lawrence, Secretary, Grant County Center, joined the NKU staff in 1998 and is currently the secretary at the NKU Grant County Center.  She provides support to staff and assists students at the NKU Grant County Center. Duties include, but are not limited to, telephone operator, greeter, secretarial duties, hostess, photographer, plumber, computer repair, and snow removal. In other words, whatever it takes to “get the job done!” Connie loves to watch students grow in knowledge and confidence, and to become a vital part of society. Ask her about Tom Selleck if you want to see her smile.  

Student Workers at the Grant County Center:

Angela Lawrence, started working at the NKU Grant County Center during the fall of 2009.  She assists with evening operations.  She is majoring in Elementary Education with hopes to graduate in spring 2012.  In her free time, Angela enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies, golfing, and coaching a high school girl's golf team.