Archives of Staff

Millicent Bender is a director at the College Excellence Program, where she oversees the development of curricula for leadership programs, including the Aspen Presidential Fellowships. Millicent manages partnerships for the deployment of curricula to state-based audiences of presidents, trustees, and other senior leaders, and leads the curriculum team in the synthesis of learning from across […]

Nora Ngo is a Transfer Program Coordinator at the College Excellence Program, where she provides support to program administration and operations, communications, events logistics, and other program organizational efforts within the Transfer Team of CEP. Prior to joining Aspen, Nora worked at UCLA Center for Community College Partnerships as a peer advisor. She also volunteered […]

Kimbell Dobbins is a program associate on the Rising Presidents Fellowship team. She went to Furman University for undergrad. While there, she was a classics major (Latin and Greek history, language, and literature) and developed a passion for higher ed. She then went to Clemson University for grad school and received an M.Ed. in counselor […]

Alex Anacki is a research associate with the College Excellence Program, primarily working on the next generation of Tracking Transfer & the Transfer Playbook. Within CEP, he focuses on using data and high-impact institutional practice to foster systems of higher learning that serve every student well. Before joining CEP, Alex supported postsecondary policy work at […]

Ben Fresquez is a senior program manager with the College Excellence Program. He supports the American Talent Initiative, the Transfer Scholars Network, and other innovative programs addressing higher education quality, equity, and efficiency. Ben’s responsibilities in the American Talent Initiative (ATI) include: supporting the network of high-graduation-rate four-year institutions committed to enrolling and graduating more […]

Tatiana Johnson is a Communications Associate with the College Excellence Program, where she provides support on digital media and events. She comes to Aspen from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities where she focused on using communications to connect underserved communities with tax credits and free tax filing services. She also interned at the […]

Tess Henthorne is a senior program manager at the College Excellence Program. She leads research and workshops aimed at helping community colleges drive strong labor market outcomes for students, including projects on college – employer partnerships and excellence and equity within career and technical education. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, Tess supported teaching pedagogy […]

Kate Snyder is a Senior Curriculum Manager at the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, where she develops curriculum for transformational reform and leadership initiatives including Unlocking Opportunity and the Aspen Presidents Fellowship. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, she achieved tenure and promotion at the University of Louisville and then served on the faculty at […]

Amanda Kirsch is the senior program and operations manager at the College Excellence Program. In her role, Amanda supports all of CEP’s initiatives by providing operational, administrative, and logistical support to the program as a whole and to various projects as needed. Before joining the Aspen Institute, she worked as the program manager at Brainfood, […]

Kathryn Masterson is a senior writer and editor with the College Excellence Program, where she oversees the development and refinement of the program’s written products. Katie works closely with researchers and field leaders to identify exceptional practices and translate them into compelling content for the higher education field. Prior to joining Aspen, Katie worked as […]