Home Office Staff

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1001 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1001

Steve Dandaneau
Executive Director
steven.dandaneau@colostate.edu

Julia Michaels
Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships
julia.michaels@colostate.edu

Catherine Wilson
UERU Coordinator (Events, Finance, and Administrative Support)
catherine.m.wilson@colostate.edu

Rashelle Straker
UERU Coordinator (Virtual Events, Communications, and Technical Support)
rashelle.straker@colostate.edu

Cynthia Donlucas
Provost Accounting Student Assistant

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Steve Dandaneau

Steve Dandaneau

Executive Director

Steve Dandaneau is Associate Provost at Colorado State University and Executive Director of the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU). In these roles, Steve provides leadership for an association of U.S. research universities focused on equity/excellence in undergraduate education and collaborates with colleagues to strengthen the undergraduate experience at CSU.

Dandaneau previously served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at Kansas State University; Associate Provost and Director of the Chancellor’s Honors and Halsam Scholars Programs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Visiting Professor of Sociology at the University of Maryland, College Park; and Director of the University Honors & John W. Berry Sr. Scholars Programs at the University of Dayton. He earned a B.A. in Economics (with honors) from Michigan State University and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Brandeis University.

Julia Michaels

Julia Michaels

Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships

Julia Michaels is Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships for the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU) at Colorado State University. In this role, she helps UERU grow its base of support and work with other higher education stakeholders to advance equity and excellence in undergraduate education. Julia has nearly two decades of professional experience in higher education.
Prior to joining UERU, Julia worked for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), leading multiple projects that engaged university networks including APLU’s Powered by Publics initiative and Urban Universities for HEALTH collaborative. Other past roles include leading an undergraduate student internship program at the University of Texas at Austin and supporting international programs at Oregon State University. She was also a Visiting Research Fellow at the American University in Central Asia, where she conducted field research on the impact of U.S. aid on civil society development in the region. Julia holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Oregon State University and a B.A. in political science from St. Olaf College. She is currently a doctoral student in Higher Education Leadership at Colorado State University.

TBD

Assistant Director

Catherine Wilson

UERU Coordinator (Events, Finance, and Administrative Support)

Catherine is a recognized leader in managing international visitor protocol, facilitating benefactor and donor stewardship, and executing event and protocol management for distinguished visitors and delegations. She has provided protocol and business etiquette instruction throughout the United States and managed events and delegation itineraries in the US, Central America, South America, and Europe. She has been featured as a guest on the Emily Post Institute’s Awesome Etiquette podcast, discussing protocol in today’s world.

In addition to being the founder of Wilson Protocol & Etiquette Consulting, LLC, Catherine previously worked as the Director of Protocol, Stewardship, and Partnerships for Notre Dame International at the University of Notre Dame, and Director of Special Projects and Media Relations for the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for the 60th Judicial Circuit of Indiana, as well as several other roles. She serves as an advisory board member for Fūrinkazan Venture Company, LLC, a global entrepreneurial finance & startup advisory firm that empowers under-estimated founders who want to start or scale their companies by providing them with the tools and resources to understand and navigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Catherine earned both her bachelor’s degree in philosophy and her master’s in nonprofit administration magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, as well as a certificate in hospitality and tourism management from Florida Atlantic University and a Sustainable Events Professional Certificate from Events Industry Council. She is a graduate of The Protocol School of Washington®’s protocol officer training and is licensed through PSOW as an intercultural protocol and etiquette trainer. Catherine earned her certification as a Protocol Leader (CPL) through Global Center for Protocol Development. She is also certified in GlobeSmart Profile and Inclusive Behaviors Inventory through Aperian Global.

Catherine has been an active member of Protocol & Diplomacy International - Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) since 2016 and has served as a Forum volunteer, Member Buddy, Communications Committee Co-Chair, and Chair of the 2022 International Protocol Education Forum, as well as a member of the Events Committee and the Select Committee on Professional Behaviors, Ethics, and Responsibilities. Catherine joined the PDI-POA Board of Directors in 2020, serving as Vice President for Communications (2020-2022), and assuming her current role as President in September 2022.

Outside work and volunteering, Catherine enjoys solving crossword puzzles, visiting Disney theme parks, crocheting, baking, and spending time with her husband Bill and son Liam and their golden retriever Saoirse.

Rashelle Straker

UERU Coordinator (Virtual Events, Communications, and Technical Support)

 

Rashelle Straker is an alum of the University of Massachusetts Boston, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in photography, art administration, cultural appropriation, and representation of the Caribbean Diaspora, as well as the use of art as a tool for self-preservation. With over 18 years of experience as an event and higher education professional, Rashelle has sharpened her expertise in event management, marketing, communications, and academic programming. 

 

As the Director of Academic Programs and Events for the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies, Rashelle collaborated closely with deans, associate deans, department chairs, faculty, staff, students, and university leaders. She played a critical role in supporting the college’s events, conferences, convocations, graduation ceremonies, fundraising galas, political debates, academic affairs, and programming initiatives. In this capacity, she led the planning, promotion, execution, and evaluation of all events for the Dean’s Office while providing strategic guidance to the college’s three departments and 14 centers. 

 

For the past three years, Rashelle has served as a consultant and virtual event specialist, partnering with clients in the healthcare, education, and entertainment industries to deliver engaging virtual classrooms, as well as hybrid and in-person conferences, across the United States. She also supported multiple Massachusetts state agencies by providing virtual administrative coordination, enabling C-suite leaders to enhance operational productivity through her organizational expertise. 

 

As the UERU Coordinator, Rashelle will oversee virtual events, communications, and technical support for the Undergraduate Education at Research Universities. Rashelle brings a dedication to education and professional development that reflects her passion for creating transformative opportunities that empower individuals and organizations alike. 

Cynthia Donlucas

Student Coordinator

  

Cynthia is an Accounting Student Assistant for the Office of the Provost and the Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities (UERU), where she supports financial operations by tracking transactions, maintaining accurate records, and assisting with financial reporting and budgeting efforts. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business 
Administration with a concentration in Management and Innovation, and Accounting at Colorado 
State University. 

Cynthia is detail-oriented, organized, and committed to continuous learning. She enjoys collaborating with others, approaching challenges with a positive attitude, and contributing to efficient financial operations. As she continues her education, she is focused on developing the knowledge and experience needed to build a successful career in the accounting profession. 
Outside of her professional and academic responsibilities, Cynthia enjoys trying new recipes, 
staying active, watching crime documentaries, and spending time with family and friends.