Making the Case for Boyer 2030

Peter McPherson is president emeritus of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), having retired in September 2022. Since becoming president in January 2006, McPherson helped cultivate a vibrant and collaborative public higher education community aimed at driving equitable student success; fostering research and innovation to meet societal needs, and deepening community and economic engagement to benefit all.

Before leading APLU, McPherson served as president of Michigan State University from 1993 to 2004. Before being named president of Michigan State University, McPherson was a Group Executive Vice President at Bank of America. During the Reagan administration, McPherson served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury from 1987 to 1989. Before his work at the Treasury Department, McPherson served as Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from 1981 to 1987. Prior to leading USAID, McPherson was the managing partner of the Washington office of the law firm Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease. He also served as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel during the Ford administration.

McPherson has served as Chair of the Board of Directors at Dow Jones and Company, as Chair of the Board for Harvest Plus, and he was Co-founder and Chair of the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa. McPherson is also the former Chair of Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Commission. He was a Board of Trustees member for the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation.

McPherson holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, an M.B.A. from Western Michigan University, and a J.D. from American University.

Doneka Scott is the Vice Chancellor and Dean for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs at NC State University. She leads a division dedicated to preparing students to succeed academically, professionally and personally, to embrace a commitment to lifelong learning, and to become informed, engaged, and productive citizens.

Scott joined NC State in 2021 after serving as the Associate Vice Provost and Associate Dean for Student Success, then as the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Student Success at the University of Oregon. There she was responsible for the overall strategy and execution of undergraduate education and student success efforts on campus. She worked to eliminate institutional barriers that prohibit students from being successful and inhibit them from completing a degree program in a timely manner.

With the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, Scott manages the seamless integration of all aspects of undergraduate education, serves as a key strategic advisor to the provost and works to support the success of the whole student. Working closely with the Chancellor’s Cabinet, college deans, university faculty, and administrative colleagues, she leads all aspects of an innovative and coordinated delivery of student services.

Scott directs staff and resources to maximize impact on the curricular and co-curricular programs of the university, including the programs and services of University College; academic advising; academic enrichment programs; Exploratory Studies; cross-college interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs; advising technology; Health and Exercise Studies; Music; undergraduate courses, curricula and academic standards; Arts NC State (NC State LIVE, Crafts Center, Dance Program, Gregg Museum, University Theater, and Ticket Central); academic success programs; business administration, residential programs, and engagement; student development, health, and wellness. In addition to these areas, Scott also oversees the Office of Academic Support Programs for Student Athletes; assessment; development; student ombuds; and marketing and communications for the division.

Paul Dosal is UCF’s Senior Vice President for Student Success. In this position, Dr. Dosal reports to the provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs and supervises the Division of Student Success and Well-Being, which provides the personalized care and guided pathways that help students transform their aspirations into achievements.  He joined UCF in July 2022 and assumed responsibility for accelerating the university’s performance on the key metrics articulated in the university’s strategic plan, Unleashing Potential.  Bringing an intense focus on timely degree completion and performance improvements, Dr. Dosal has applied a care management approach to student success, utilizing analytical insights to provide appropriate and timely assistance to students through a coordinated network of support personnel who want to empower every student to thrive.

Born and raised in Tampa, he is a fourth-generation descendant of Cuban immigrants who settled in Tampa in 1889. He earned his B.A. in International Politics at St. Andrews College in North Carolina.  He received his M.A. in Latin American Studies and Ph.D. in History at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Julia Michaels is Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships with 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 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.