Speaker Bios

Nancy L. Zimpher is President of the National Association of Higher Education Systems (NASH), a leadership organization for presidents and chancellors who lead this nation’s public higher education systems across the fifty states. Today, NASH is leading a comprehensive transformation agenda called the Power of Systems, leveraging “systemness” to advance prosperity for the country by using collective impact and improvement science to increase credential and degree completion, expand social and economic mobility, and bring down the cost of college.

Dr. Zimpher is Chancellor Emeritus of The State University of New York (SUNY) and from 2009 to 2017, served as SUNY’s twelfth chancellor, the nation’s largest comprehensive system of public higher education. Prior to SUNY, she served as president of the University of Cincinnati, chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and executive dean of the Professional Colleges and dean of the College of Education at The Ohio State University.

Throughout her career, Dr. Zimpher has embraced the expansive responsibilities of public higher education in the 21st century. “To educate more people and to educate them better” is at the center of her collective-impact theory of action: to drive regional and local economic development; to create seamless cradle-to-career education pipelines in every community; and systemically transform teaching and learning for students in urban and rural school settings.

Dr. Zimpher is co-founder of StriveTogether, a national network of innovative partnerships that holistically address challenges across the education pipeline, and served as chair of the National Association of System Heads, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the New York Academy of Sciences, CEOs for Cities, and the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities. She is a board member of the national College Promise, former co-chair of the Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics, and co-director emeritus of the Association of Governing Boards’ Institute for Leadership and Governance in Higher Education.

Dr. Zimpher holds a BS in English Education and Speech, an MA in English Literature, and a PhD in Teacher Education and Higher Education Administration, all from The Ohio State University.

Marianne W. Lewis is Dean of the Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati, and prior at Bayes (formerly Cass) Business School, City University of London. Passionate about leadership and education, she has served on the international accreditation boards of AACSB and AMBA. Her latest book, Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problem, published by Harvard Business Review, received the 2023 Thinkers50 Breakthrough Award. Lewis has been recognized among the world’s most-cited researchers in her field (Web of Science) and received the Decade Award (2021) from the Academy of Management Review. Her work also appears in such media outlets as Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Newsweek, and MarketWatch.

Lisa Huffman, PhD, is the Dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH-IT) at the University of Cincinnati, where she leads with a deep commitment to opportunity, innovation, and student-centered education. With a background in human development and systems theory, Dean Huffman has over two decades of experience in academic leadership, program development, and policy innovation.

As dean, her top priority is the preparation of outstanding and forward-thinking educators and leaders who can support the development of children across Ohio and beyond. She has championed initiatives that expand access, foster student success, and create flexible learning environments. A passionate advocate for entrepreneurial thinking in higher education, Dean Huffman has designed and implemented student-first programs that emphasize accessibility, whole-child development, and community impact.

She actively engaged in national and statewide efforts to strengthen teacher and leader preparation. Dean Huffman has served as President of the Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU) and is part of Deans for Impact, a national coalition dedicated to ensuring all educators are equipped to build rigorous, affirming classrooms. Her leadership style empowers faculty and staff to work together to tackle the complex challenges faced by schools and communities today.

Shauna Murphy is the Superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools. She became interim superintendent in May 2024 and was appointed permanent superintendent by the Board of Education in November 2024. As superintendent, Murphy serves more than 35,000 students and 6,500 employees in 66 schools. 

A Cincinnati native, Superintendent Murphy brings more than 34 years of experience in education, most recently serving as CPS Chief of Student, Family and Community Engagement. In her former role, Murphy managed the District’s relationship with community partners, implementing industry-recognized and ODE-approved credentials and certifications to successfully increase high school graduation and a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway for every CPS high school. She helped to create successful post-secondary college and career preparation and increased the number of active parent organizations.

Superintendent Murphy previously served as CPS assistant superintendent. She began her career with Cincinnati Public Schools as a substitute teacher before becoming an English teacher at her alma mater, Purcell Marian High School. She served as the school’s academic dean before returning to CPS at the School for Creative and Performing Arts. Superintendent Murphy has been the principal of Hyde Park Elementary School, Quebec Heights Elementary School and Woodward Career Technical High School. Superintendent Murphy is a member of the boards of directors of High Schools That Work, MindPeace and Cincinnati Arts and Technology.

She holds a Master of Education from Xavier University and University of Cincinnati, superintendent licensure from University of Dayton and a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism from Ohio University.

Mr. Baggett and the School and Community Partnerships team support the growth and impact of the Cincinnati Public Schools' Community Learning Center (CLC) Model. This model transforms school buildings into community hubs, connecting students, families, and the wider community with essential services and learning opportunities. The office works with CLC Lead Agencies to ensure schools have access to resources for academic support, expanded learning, health and well-being, and strong family and community engagement. Ultimately, the School and Community Partnerships team maximizes the positive impact of CLCs by fostering strategic partnerships that enrich the lives of students, families, and the entire Cincinnati community.

Mr. Clark is a Curriculum and Technology Consultant at the Butler County Educational Service Center and an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati. With over two decades in education and leadership roles, he specializes in instructional technology, professional development, and the integration of generative AI in K-12 settings. David is a lead trainer for CoSN’s AI capacity-building program, a member of Ohio’s statewide AI in Education Coalition, and co-creator of the Ohio Learning Community. He has presented at more than 40 local, state, and national conferences and is known for his practical, educator-centered approach to AI implementation.

Ms. Davis brings more than 25 years of leadership experience helping both large and small organizations fulfill their missions through strategic innovation, strong systems thinking, and community-rooted vision. At the University of Cincinnati, she served as an Assistant Director of the Career Development and Placement Center, where she founded ADVANCE, a nationally recognized, award-winning program that continues to prepare underrepresented students for success in the corporate world through immersive, skill-building experiences. She later served for four years as the University’s Director of Admissions, overseeing undergraduate admissions for 15 of UC’s 17 colleges. In that role, she also authored and implemented the university’s first-ever marketing plan for undergraduate admissions.

One of Ms. Davis’s most meaningful leadership roles was as Executive Director of the Winton Place Youth Center—a small but deeply impactful organization rooted in community service. There, she led significant enhancements to programs and facilities and introduced enriching new experiences for students and their families. With the center relying heavily on grant funding to sustain and grow its work, Ms. Davis embraced the opportunity to hone her grant writing skills.

In 2016, Cincinnati Public Schools initially hired Ms. Davis as its District Grant Writer. She was promoted in 2021 to Grant Manager after designing and launching the district’s first charitable grants management system. In this role, she manages competitive grant activity districtwide, while providing training and support for grant writers across the district.

A proud alumna of Kennedy Elementary School and Walnut Hills High School, Ms. Davis holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and a master’s degree from Kent State University.

Dr. Jarrod E. Druery is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Druery is a two-time graduate of Texas A&M University, where he received both his bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Development and master’s degree in Educational Leadership. He earned his PhD in Educational Leadership and Organizational Development with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville. Dr. Druery’s research utilizes qualitative methods and liberatory theories to explore the collegiate experiences of Black men as well as campus initiatives and cultural practices that support their engagement, belonging, retention, success, and graduation. Additionally, his scholarly inquiry interrogates racism, anti-blackness, and other forms of oppression that impact Black folx in higher education. He teaches courses focused on higher education, qualitative research, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, anti-oppression, and critical theories. Dr. Druery has over 14 years of experience in higher education in practitioner and faculty roles.

Dr. Scott Ebbrecht has been with the University of Cincinnati since 2019. He received his doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a master's in Educational Administration from The Ohio State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Reading from Capital University, where he also played college basketball.

Dr. E. (as he is often called), began his career as a sixth-grade teacher in the Lancaster City Schools before becoming the principal of a K-8 rural school at age 25. He later became a school administrator in the Westerville City Schools, serving as an elementary, secondary, and central office administrator for 30 years. With tremendous staff and parent support, schools under his administration received both State and National recognition for student, family, and community engagement, as well as the utilization of formative and summative assessments to enhance student achievement.

Dr. E.’s professional degrees and experience have enhanced his leadership skills and abilities as an organizational leadership consultant and public speaker on organizational improvement planning, research and writing, artificial intelligence, conflict management, sports management, ethics, school law, curriculum supported through technology integration, and conducting cultural analyses within organizations. Since 2001, he has served as a professor, teaching academic research, writing, and leadership courses at various universities across the United States. His professional career includes 35 years of board or executive leadership of non-profit organizations.

Drawing on his extensive background in educational leadership and public-school administration, Dr. E’s teaching style is engaging and supportive. He approaches teaching as a coach and mentor, fostering active participation, collaborative learning, and critical thinking. By integrating real-world experiences and practical applications, he helps students connect theoretical concepts to practical scenarios. His dynamic methods, often including exemplars and "recipes," coupled with a focused dedication to student success, create an environment where learners are motivated to excel, connect deeply with the content, and enhance their leadership and writing skills. 

Dr. E. is married to his wife, Sheila, a school social worker. They have three children seeking college degrees - Austin, entering his second year of medical school after earning an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Cincinnati, twins, Carson, majoring in Psychology/Pre-Med, and Simon, in Biology/Pre-Physical Therapy.

Nanette Hagood, MBA, CPA, brings over two decades of dedicated experience in public school finance to their role as State and Federal Programs Manager at CPS. As a seasoned accountant, Nan possesses a deep understanding of fiscal management, compliance, and strategic resource allocation essential for maximizing federal funding impact and ensuring accountability within educational systems.

Dr. Jackson is a parent, grandparent, educator, and professional church musician, who truly loves what she does. She is a true example of a life-long learner. She graduated from Greater Hartford Community College with an Associate of Arts degree, Central Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science (Majors in Elementary Education and PreK-8), University of Connecticut with a Master of Arts in Education (Curriculum and Instruction), and Miami University with both a Master of Education in Educational Leadership (Principal Credentials) and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. 

As a professional educator, Dr. Jackson has taught students from nursery to graduate school. Currently, she teaches General Music for grades K through 5 at Sharonville Elementary School in the Princeton City School District. She has also served as the Principal of Lincoln Heights Elementary School within the same district. Her teaching experience spans both urban and suburban school districts, covering all core subjects in elementary education, as well as English, Math, and Music for grades 7 through 12. This includes teaching English (Writing, Literature, and Grammar) for grades 9-12, Mathematics for grades 7-8, Reading for grades 7-9, and General Music, including Choral and Keyboard Fundamentals. She has developed several curriculums in Music, Language Arts, and Reading. She is a dedicated educator who loves teaching because she believes that education is essential for making any community great.

Dr. Jackson’s efforts have been recognized with several awards, most recently the 2024 Cincinnatus Teacher of the Year Award from Xavier University. Additionally, she serves on the Ohio Education Association Board of Directors at Large and is the Vice President of the Southwestern Ohio Education Association (Educators Union). She is also a member of the H.O.M.E. (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) organization and the Cincinnati Juneteenth Board. Furthermore, she is the Minister of Music at Grace A.M.E. Church in Evanston, Ohio. With years of experience in education, she is committed to ensuring that children receive the best public education possible, as it is vital to strengthening communities. Dr. Jackson is passionate about teaching and learning and is dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of her students.

Dr. Jamison has over 29 years of experience in administration and currently serves in the role of Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. His previous roles include director of student services, regional manager of schools, special education coordinator, principal, assistant principal and counselor. Dr. Jamison has a successful track record of labor relations and negotiations.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and his master of education degree and certificate of clinical endorsement from Xavier University followed by his doctor of education degree with a clinical specialization from Nova Southeastern University and an executive certificate in school justice partnerships and diversion pathways from Georgetown University. He serves as the district’s wellness coordinator and supports other district operations and initiatives including the activities associated with the district’s goal for health and safety. 

Dr. Jamison is an Ohio Department of Education Special Education Leadership award recipient, and he received the Ohio Alliance of Black School Educators Leadership award. He served on the steering committee for improving outcomes for students with disabilities at the Ohio Department of Education. He serves on State Board of Education’s credential review Board and on Cincinnati Children’s Hospital’s Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children’s Joining Forces for Children executive steering committee to improve awareness and implementation of trauma-informed practices for school-age children. He has also served on program review teams for the Council of the Great City Schools and is involved with a number of human capital projects in partnership with area universities and Digital Promise/League of Innovation Schools. He brings his multidisciplinary experience to add to the perspectives in student level, program-level level, and system-level planning and problem-solving.

Kate Kennedy, PhD, (pronouns she/her) is a K-12 education policy and leadership scholar at the University of Cincinnati, with expertise in organizational behavior, care and social-emotional well-being, school districts and school choice. Kennedy utilizes qualitative methods to examine pressing education issues related to equity politics and change. Kennedy is the mother of three children, and she enjoys spending time with her family outdoors in her tiny vintage camper named Sadie.

This upcoming fall and spring semesters, Dr. Kennedy will be teaching the Curriculum Development and Data Analysis course.

Anita “Kim” Mccullom is a product of public education and completed her K-12 education in Cincinnati, Ohio at Woodward High School, after moving to Cincinnati at nine years old.  Upon high school graduation, McCullom studied at Clark Atlanta University, however, after her father became ill, she had to return to Ohio and completed higher education at Xavier University.  She currently holds an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Communications, and a master’s degree in Education. 

McCullom taught in public education at Princeton City School District for twenty-five years.  She was fortunate to teach at an urban and suburban school within the district, and taught grades PreK-5th in addition to Title One during her last five years.  McCullom’s experiences have allowed her to gain valuable insights before her retirement in May 2022.  While teaching, Kim always believed that every child was capable of learning and thus, she never accepted a student not trying or using the words “I can’t.”  She realized as a teacher it was her job to provide a safe environment that was language rich, full of experiences and to provide a classroom conducive to learning.  She started as a Montessori teacher and adopted the philosophy of Maria Montessori and used it as she transitioned into regular education classrooms.

McCullom has proudly been working for five years on several initiatives within Princeton which began through Digital Promise.  As a consultant in the Princeton City School District, she supports educators in the classroom and has found this work to be both fulfilling and promising.

Dr. Elsheika Pennerman is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership in the School of Education at the University of Cincinnati. She serves as the Program Coordinator for the Principal Leadership Program and has taught several courses in this program, including Principal Internship, Educational Leadership Theory, and Leadership for Social Justice. Dr. Pennerman earned her PhD in Educational Studies from UC. Before that, she earned her Master of Arts in Education and Teacher as a Leader endorsement from Northern Kentucky University. She earned her Bachelor of Education and Secondary Mathematics Teacher Certification from the University of The Bahamas. Dr. Pennerman’s scholarly work centers students' experiences in learning spaces. She uses theoretical lenses attentive to race, intersectional identities, positioning, and placemaking to examine school practices, structures, systems, and policies. 

With more than a decade of experience in K-12 education, Dr. Pennerman has served as a teacher, teacher leader, and researcher. She’s earned awards for her teaching and service including, Northern Kentucky Education Council's Excellence in Education-Golden Apple Award, University of Cincinnati CECH Golden Apple Award, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Next Generation Leader Award (Education Category), and University of Cincinnati College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies McFarlan Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. 

Dr. Pennerman’s scholarly work centers students' experiences in learning spaces. She uses theoretical lenses attentive to race, intersectional identities, positioning, and placemaking to examine school practices, structures, systems, and policies. 

This past year, Dr. Pennerman has also served as the Coordinator of UC's Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) which is an annual partnership between the university and local school districts. Such an initiative allows for authentic partnerships with school districts and has allowed her to think more intently about what meaningful and sustainable school district-university partnerships look like.

Dr. Robert Shapiro is Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and the Director of the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He has worked and published in the field of child abuse and neglect for over 25 years and has taken his work upstream to help families improve childhood outcomes by addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences and implementing trauma-informed practices. Dr. Shapiro is the Executive Director of Joining Forces for Children, a community-wide collective impact initiative which aims to improve child health and development by reducing the effects of toxic stress.

Nanette Hagood, MBA, CPA, brings over two decades of dedicated experience in public school finance to their role as State and Federal Programs Manager at CPS. As a seasoned accountant, Nan possesses a deep understanding of fiscal management, compliance, and strategic resource allocation essential for maximizing federal funding impact and ensuring accountability within educational systems.

Paul Smith is in his fourth decade as an educational leader. Paul received his master’s in teaching degree and his administrative specialist degree (Ed.S) from Indiana State University. His whole career has focused on urban schools. He has been a middle school mathematics teacher, middle school principal, district office instructional coach, district supervisor of K-12 mathematics and Title I for the Evansville-Vanderburgh school district. His career has been acknowledged by various local, state, and national teacher awards, grants, and national fellowships. He has traveled internationally to support schools in high-poverty countries.

Currently, Paul is the director of the Center for Urban Educational Services at Hamilton County ESC, where his team has been supporting Cincinnati Public Schools and 27 other districts in school improvement services for the past 17 years. He is the co-author of six guidebooks, including “Re-thinking Homework” and “Find the Balance: Creating a Healthy Social and Emotional Culture for Educators”. Paul and his wife Karen reside in the Cincinnati area, have four grown children and four grandchildren.

Dr. Walker, Professor of Practice for Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning (CASAL) Department. In this role, she serves as an instructor and advisor for master’s and doctoral students in School Administration. She has 30 years of experience in secondary education, including nine years as a business teacher and gymnastics coach, and 21 years as a high school administrator. Dr. Walker has served various high schools in roles including assistant principal, unit principal, and principal. She is proud to be the only two-time Ohio High School Principal of the Year. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Education, master’s degree in Secondary Administration, and Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from The University of Akron.

Dr. Walker, Professor of Practice for Counseling, Administration, Supervision, and Adult Learning (CASAL) Department. In her role as Professor of Practice, Dr. Walker serves as an instructor and advisor for master’s and doctoral students in School Administration. She also assists the Center for Educational Leadership as an instructor; Coach for the Institute for Premier Leadership and assists with the Education Policy Fellowship Program. She has thirty years of experience in secondary education including nine years as a business teacher and gymnastics coach and 21 years as a high school administrator. During her high school administration experiences, she served: Riverside Local (Assistant Principal); Mentor High School (Unit Principal), Bedford High School (Principal), and Avon Lake High School (Principal) and filled in for the superintendent when he was out of the district. She is proud to be the only two-time Ohio High School Principal of the Year. Courses she’s taught include but are not limited to: Clinical Supervision & Professional Development, Administration, Principles & Practices, Human Resources & Community Engagement, Leading School Reform, and Raising Student Achievement. 

Dr. Walker attended Tremont Elementary, Lincoln Junior, and is a graduate of Lincoln-West High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Education, master’s degree in Secondary Administration, and Doctor of Education in Educational Administration from The University of Akron. Her doctoral dissertation studies included school climate, female leadership, and communication. She’s an active member of OASSA (Ohio Association of School Administrators) and NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Administrators) where she has been a presenter on a variety of topics for Aspiring Administrators, Assistant Principals, and Principals. She has her Superintendent's license and is both OTES and OPES trained. Additionally, Dr. Walker is trained in Marzano's Art & Science of Teaching and Rick and Becky Dufour's Professional Learning Communities.

Dr. Suzie White serves as an Assistant Professor Educator in the School of Education at the University of Cincinnati where she teaches courses on higher education and educational leadership. Dr. White completed her PhD in Higher and Postsecondary Education at New York University (NYU). She earned her master’s in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and her bachelor’s in economics from Wake Forest University.

Most recently, Dr. White was the Executive Vice President of Leadership Scholars, where she developed and ran the mentoring and parent programs that served over 50 schools, churches, and community centers. She worked in program development at PeerForward, a non-profit organization with the mission of increasing the college enrollment rate of low-income students. She then was a high school college counselor and teacher at a Cristo Rey school. 

Dr. White’s research interests include student thriving and well-being, fostering connection and belonging in K-12 schools, parent/community engagement, marginalized students and college access, and K-16 education policy.

To date, Dr. White has taught several principal-relevant courses including, Leadership for Social Justice, School and Community Partnerships, and The American Community College.