AWAY ADVISORY GROUP

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Dr. Tonjia Coverdale is a technology executive and scholar who has cultivated her unique perspective through strategic focus, industry practice, academic theory, and applied research while leveraging emerging technologies within a people-centered context. She is a career technologist with three degrees in information technology and dual-path experience from entry-level developer to CEO in industry and adjunct professor to Cabinet-level CIO in higher education. She is dedicated to increasing socioeconomic mobility through technology access, education, and careers with a keen interest in creating pathways for ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, and educationally diverse groups. She currently serves as AVP, Technology Data Management at Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. 

Nationally respected and connected leader in higher education online learning, Ray Schroeder is Senior Fellow at the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). The recipient of numerous national awards and citations for individual excellence and leadership from many associations and entities including the Online Learning Consortium, US Distance Learning Association, American Journal of Distance Education, University of Wisconsin and University of Illinois, Ray is a noted speaker, consultant, researcher, and author on topics related to online learning, emerging educational technologies, and technology-enhanced learning. 

Experienced professional, with outstanding educational credentials, combined with advanced leadership abilities and management and technical skill sets. Dr. Larry Singh teaches at the university (Point University) and K-12 (Atlanta Public Schools) levels and is an agile critical thinker, and innovative problem solver, with significant strengths in managing multiple simultaneous projects and data and statistical analysis. Larry is a highly effective strategic planner, researcher, and analyst, proficient at leveraging technology to enhance organizational performance. He is a proven leader and mentor in building, training and motivating productive cross-functional teams, and students while fostering and leading change. 

Throughout her professional career, Paige Smith has had the great fortune to serve in a variety of higher education roles, including in-house counsel, compliance officer, vice chancellor for administration and adjunct lecturer. These experiences have given her a breadth of knowledge and practical experience which led to a clear understanding of the entire higher education organization and what it takes to succeed. Her most recent role includes serving as the Chief Compliance Officer in the Office of Compliance and Risk Management for the University of Wisconsin System. This opportunity allows Paige to use her knowledge and experience to support the UW System and its thirteen four-year institutions in their navigation through the complex world of higher education compliance. 

Dr. George Timmons is an accomplished, visionary leader in the field of higher education with broad, extensive experience in academic leadership. He also has a deep background in academic program management, faculty development, student support services, and online course development. He has demonstrated success in leading academic programs to meet the diverse needs of historically underrepresented groups. George, an advocate for post-traditional learners, he is committed to mutually beneficial processes and shared governance and is an open, collaborative leader with the ability to engage dialogue across constituencies.  George is currently provost and senior vice president of academic and student affairs at Columbia-Greene Community College (CGCC). He previously served as dean of the School of Liberal Arts and founding dean of online education at Excelsior College.