Blackburn College Leadership
A private, liberal arts institution, Blackburn College is governed by a cohesive team of senior academic and administrative leaders and a Board of Trustees. Together, Blackburn’s leadership provide strategic direction for the institution in fulfilling its mission and preparing students to reach their full potential.
President
Blackburn College welcomed Mark L. Biermann, Ph.D., as its 18th President of Blackburn College in August of 2020. He previously served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Valparaiso University.
President’s Cabinet
The president’s cabinet is composed of senior administrators who report directly to the president. They work closely together with the president and trustees to advise, develop, and implement institutional initiatives and oversee the day-to-day operations. They include:
Lauren Dodge
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Steven Lambert
Vice President for Inclusive Enrollment
Margaret Lawler
Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Chief Diversity Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Sarah Mouch
Vice President for Administration & Finance
Karla McCain
Provost
Shawna Poe
Executive Assistant to the President & Board of Trustees
Mike Neal
Interim Director of Athletics & Recreation
Al Sturgeon
Vice President for Diverse and Equitable Student Life; Dean of Students
Jody Sturgeon
Dean of Work
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is entrusted with final responsibility for the quality and integrity of the education provided by the institution.
Leadership
Chair: Michael Smiley
Vice-Chair: Rochelle Henderson
Secretary: Kenneth Deihl
Trustees
Jerome E. Adams, M.A. (1983)
Retired Executive V.P. and CEO, St. Louis, MO
Dan Anderson* (2018)
Retired, Arizona Board of Regents, Tempe, AZ
Jeffery Aper*, Ph.D. (2022)
Retired, Provost, Millikin University, Decatur, IL
Lisa Black-Gomez*, Ed.D. (2019)
Retired Educator, Winfield, IL
Kenneth R. Deihl*, J.D. (2004)
Circuit Judge, 7th Judicial Court, Carlinville, IL
David Dorris* (2018)
Attorney, LeRoy, IL
James Faust*, B.A., M.S. (2017)
Retired, Golf, IL
Fran A. Goodman*, B.A. (2012)
Realtor, Goodman Agency, Carlinville, IL
Jennifer Hamilton*, M.S. Ed. (2005/2016)
Retired Educator, Carlinville, IL
Rochelle Henderson*, Ph.D. (2018)
Vice President, Health Services Research, Edwardsville, IL
Thomas P. Heinz*, B.A., M.F.A. (2019)
Owner, Thomas P. Heinz Design, Hinsdale, IL
Cynthia LaMar*, B.A. (1997)
Retired Co-owner and President of Cynmar Corporation, Carlinville, IL
Cress L. Maddox (2000)
President, Masco Packaging and Industrial Supply, Springfield, IL
George E. Malo*, B.A., Ph.D. (2012)
Retired, Associate Vice Chancellor, Tennessee Board of Regents, Brentwood, TN
Stanley Pillman, B.S., J.D. (2010)
Co-founder of Logan Ventures, LLC, Chicago, IL
George Preckwinkle, J.D. (2016)
President of Bishop Hardware & Supply, Springfield, IL
Sarah Robison*, B.A. (2017)
Marketing Communication Lead, Watchfire Signs, State Line, IN
James D. Sandfort, M.B.A.(2004)
Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor at Rockefeller Capital Management, Dallas, TX
Jennifer Shelby, B.A. (2010)
Owner, Solomon Ventures LLC, Champaign, IL
Michael W. Smiley*, B.A. (2012)
Retired, Air Force, Boerne, TX
Paul Tepikian*, B.A. (2015)
Independent Contractor, Retired Exxon Mobile, Houston, TX
Madonna Reed Tideman*, B.A. (2012)
Owner, The Tideman Company, Northfield, IL
*indicates Blackburn Graduates