Staff Directory

Laurel Reed Rosch
Program Manager
217-244-0817

Develops, implements and evaluates the strategic initiatives and programs of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Deans and Senior International Officers. Fosters the collaborative communities and shepherds the success of the activities of the professional peer groups of the LAS Deans and SIOs.

Danielle F. LeFaivre
Program Coordinator
217-300-4063

Coordinates, implements, and administers programs and strategic initiatives of the Chief Information Officers, the Liberal Arts and Sciences Deans, and the Senior International Officers. Supports the collaborative communities, conferences, and events of these groups. 

Jon Rutter
Program Coordinator
217-300-3784

Coordinates, implements and administers the programs and strategic initiatives of the Graduate Deans. Supports the collaborative communities, peer groups, and events of the Graduate Deans groups

Heather Blair
Office Manager
217-244-2676

Provides comprehensive administrative support to the Vice President for Academic Programs and oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of administrative and logistical tasks that advance the initiatives and operations of the Graduate Deans.

Julie Sweet
Vice President for Finance and Administration
217-300-5383

Oversees the financial management, human resources, sponsored project administration, and communications for the Big Ten Academic Alliance and leads the Operations Team. Coordinates procurement leadership initiatives for the collaboration, including strategic contracting for member universities.

Leads technology, communications, and project management for the office to support collaborative initiatives across all programs. Supports overall operations including strategic leadership within the Operations Team. Oversees the Big Ten Academic Alliance Admissions collaboration.

Leads financial reporting and operations activities including the annual audit, sponsored project administration, and other reporting as necessary. Supports contracting and compliance management for the organization. Assists the Big Ten Academic Alliance procurement collaboration.

Audrey Donoho
Business Manager
217-244-9188

Oversees finances related to the Center of Library Programs including electronic licensing and invoicing. Provides budget and contract management support to the library team.

Responsible for data management and provides technological and logistical support to the programs, staff and core members of the Leadership Institute Team, Operations Team, and Programs Team. Provides financial accounting assistance for the organization.

Ben Hoogstraat
Information Technology Specialist
217-333-3927

Manages office-wide information technologies, including support and coordination of video conferencing, office networking, desktop computing, server management, and email list administration.

Sharon Lee
Business Analyst
217-300-0386

Provides analytical support to headquarters program staff and member stakeholders. Tracks internal metrics and Big Ten Academic Alliance institutional data. Provides financial accounting assistance to the Assistant Director for Accounting.

Eileen Oldham
Accounting Associate
217-244-6966

Responsible for accounting tasks that include billings to member institutions, staff reimbursements, vendor payments, and financial records management.

Will Wittmer
Technical Architect
217-333-7378

Delivers comprehensive software and hardware support, manages website administration, and offers expert assistance and development for various applications. Ensures operation and integration of technology solutions to meet organizational needs.

Charity Farber
Director of Leadership Institute
217-333-6314

Directs the Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Institute, overseeing staff and guiding the design and delivery of faculty leadership programs. Provides strategic oversight and fosters collaboration for the Vice Provosts for Faculty Affairs core group

Laney Staehlin
Program Manager
217-244-5619

Provides programmatic leadership for the Big Ten Academic Alliance Leadership Institute, serving as the primary liaison for participants, speakers, and host universities. Facilitates strategic collaboration with campus partners to support program development and participant engagement.

Lacy Millsap
Office Support Associate
217-300-2753

Provides comprehensive administrative and logistical support to the Leadership Institute and Center for Library Initiatives, overseeing the planning, coordination, and execution of events and operational tasks that advance the programs and initiatives of both teams.

Maurice York
Vice President for Library Programs
217-300-0945

Leads the Center for Library Programs of the Big Ten Academic Alliance. Works with the directors of libraries to identify and facilitate cooperative programs, and serves as liaison to library-related working groups.

Ellen Ramsey
Associate Director
217-300-2689

Oversees primary programmatic leadership for the Big Collection initiatives. Provides strategic guidance for the BIG Collection and its portfolio of programs, projects, and initiatives.

Kate McCready
Program Director for Open Publishing
612-626-4357

Provides programmatic leadership, strategic coordination, and project management for the libraries' open publishing portfolio and scholarly communications initiatives. The portfolio includes commercial licensing, content purchasing, academy-owned publishing, and university press initiatives.

Emily Frida Shaw
Coordinator of Infrastructure Services
217-300-9473

Coordinates the BTAA Libraries Shared Services Package including overseeing the existing services within the package as well as any new services that are developed as the BIG Collection roadmap evolves.