Brand Equity: How Do We Rebuild Trust?

Dr. Edward Conroy
Senior Policy Advisor, Education Policy Program, New America

Dr. Conroy's work focuses on research and advocacy that improve regulatory and legislative policies, including financial aid and higher education funding, and student basic needs issues that improve student outcomes. His subject matter expertise has been cited in media outlets such as the New York Times, ProPublica, CNBC, Inside Higher Ed, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Previously at The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, Dr. Conroy used research and evidence to improve higher education policy and practice as associate director of institutional transformation; he also served as associate director of research communications and senior practitioner researcher.

Dr. Conroy was fortunate to have attended tuition-free public institutions in Scotland, where he received a master’s in political science and an EdD from the University of Glasgow. His doctoral work focused on how financial aid staff members are forced to take a compliance approach because of federal regulations and it considered ways that they can be encouraged to take more of a student advocacy-based approach.

Dr. Jay Jacobs
Vice Provost for Enrollment Management, University of Vermont

Jay Jacobs is a strategic, data-driven, collaborative leader with a passion for access initiatives and student success. He leads and manage all areas relating to the university’s undergraduate student recruitment and retention through a division comprised of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of the Registrar, Student Financial Services, and Orientation & Student Advancement.

Before joining the Division of Enrollment Management at UVM, Dr. Jacobs most recently served as the Director of Enrollment Management and Admission Operations for the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. He has also worked in enrollment management at The College of New Jersey, Colgate University, and the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

Dr. Jacobs obtained his bachelor’s in Economics from St. Lawrence University (NY), his master’s in Higher Education Administration from Drexel University (PA), and his doctorate in education from Northeastern University (MA). His doctoral research centered on access to selective institutions for low-income students.

Dr. Douglas Palmer
President, Siena Heights University

Doug Palmer has a strong belief that a high-quality private education should be accessible for all students. He was a non-traditional student himself, earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville with G.I. Bill funding. Palmer's career includes Walsh University, a Catholic university in North Canton, Ohio teaching world history where he became chair of the Humanities Division, established a global learning program, and led the efforts to create a fully online nurse practitioner program in mental health and addictions treatment and a Master’s in Occupational Health to better serve Ohio’s healthcare needs.

As a researcher, Palmer has published and spoken often about law, politics and religion, particularly in the context of the American and French Revolutions. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Emory University School of Law. He is also recognized as a leader in the field of international education where he served as the Chair of the Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship committee for NAFSA: the Association of International Educators. He has worked with higher education leaders around the world, having led workshops and training on global learning to national and international audiences.

Amber Sandall
Associate Vice President of Client Services,
Campus Sonar

Amber finds meaning as a coach, collaborator, and leader who is data-informed and people centered. As a part of Campus Sonar’s leadership team, she helps bring the agency’s vision to life by partnering with a talented team of strategists and analysts who work directly with clients in support of advocating for change on campus. 

Amber is an award-winning pioneer in The Social Intelligence Insider 50 and holds a Masters in Business Administration, with a certificate in entrepreneurship, from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.