Dr. Kim Greene is the Director of Campus Operations at MCC - Maplewoods, where she provides operational oversight in a matrix leadership structure to ensure operational efficiencies for multiple campus units including facilities, IT, campus bookstore, budget, campus police, and legal. Dr. Greene works in collaboration with the Facilities Superintendent to coordinate facilities efforts for maximum effectiveness. Her focus is on utilizing space on campus to enhance student belonging and success. Dr. Greene received her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC).
Dr. Roland A. Hemmings Jr. currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Multicultural Student Affairs office and has 17 years of experience in higher education. He is passionate about sense of belonging, culture, and Black male success, and his research includes changing the Black male students' negative societal narratives by exploring their lived experiences. His overall desire is to support students in their journey to success. As a former international student-athlete, Dr. Hemmings understands the journey and perseverance of international students in America. Dr. Hemmings is from the twin isle Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice & Criminology and Psychology, Masters in Educational Administration, and Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from UMKC. Roland is married to Shelby Hemmings and is the proud father of three daughters Anja, Amaja, and Alija.
Corbin A. Johannpeter, M.A. is is a two-time graduate from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and works as a lecturer of sociology at SIUE and Southwestern Illinois College in Granite City, IL. Corbin is a passionate educator that specializes in the sociology of deviance, political sociology, and the sociology of religion. In the Spring of 2025, Corbin joined alongside Dr. J.T. Snipes to form a Christians Against Christian Nationalism caucus at SIUE. The goals of this caucus are to educate the local community about Christian Nationalism and to aid in the establishment of a more welcoming and inclusive religious environment both on and off campus. While the work has only just begun, Corbin believes any obstacle can be conquered by embracing community, compassion, and faith.
Dr. J. Cody Nielsen is an Assistant Professor at Western Michigan University. Dr. Nielsen’s research and practice for more than a decade has focused on the issues of “religious, secular, and spiritual identities” (RSSIs) and their intersections with race, gender, and sexuality. His research also focuses on organizational systems and governance in higher education. His work has been published in the Journal of College and Character and the Journal of Religion and Education. In 2022, Dr. Nielsen founded the Conference on Higher Education Values, Identity, Belonging, and Purpose. Dr. Nielsen received his Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from Iowa State University and an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Northern Iowa.
Dr. Wes Parham is a higher education professional, organizational consultant and an author. With his unique mix of social commentary, humor, and scholarship, Dr. Wes has presented to thousands of students, professionals, and individuals and has established himself as a dynamic voice in today’s culture. Dr. Wes earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and an MBA with an emphasis in Leadership and Organizational change from UMKC. He earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach. He has a true passion for individual empowerment, personal growth, and creative leadership.
Dr. Fabiola Riobé serves as the Vice President of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Kansas City Kansas Community College. She is a visionary leader and advocate for equity and inclusion in higher education. With extensive experience spanning global education, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, she has pioneered initiatives that bridge academic and industry gaps, promote diversity, and empower underrepresented communities. As the founder and CEO of Satis Sum, a consulting firm dedicated to helping individuals achieve professional goals, Dr. Riobé combines her expertise in education and business to drive transformative change. A first-generation college graduate, Dr. Riobé’s work is rooted in her lived experience and commitment to creating equitable opportunities for all. Her global perspective, honed through work across Europe and Africa, informs her strategies to foster inclusion and innovation in academia.
Dr. J.T. Snipes serves as an Associate Professor and Chair at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Prior to his faculty appointment, Dr. Snipes worked for over 15 years in higher education administration. His research focuses on religion and spirituality in higher education, African American collegiate students, and critical race theory in education. His latest edited volume Remixed and Reimagined: Innovations in Religion, Spirituality, and (Inter)Faith in Higher Education invites readers to rethink religious scholarship and practice in higher education. Dr. Snipes earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baylor University (TX) and his doctorate in Higher Education from Indiana University.
