Staff
Cynthia Jackson Hammond, President, has been a member of the higher education community for over 30 years. Her professional career has included tenured and administrative positions in universities throughout various regions of the United States: University of Louisiana Monroe, California State University Dominguez Hills; Delaware State University; University of North Carolina Charlotte, Winston-Salem State University; and Coppin State University. Most recently, Dr. Jackson Hammond completed her tenure as president of Central State University in Ohio.
She is a sought-after thought leader on accreditation, multicultural diversity and inclusion. Her academic discipline is Education and Higher Education Administration. Dr. Jackson Hammond spent the majority of her career in administration serving as director of TRIO programs, academic dean, provost and president. Jackson Hammond has served on many national boards including Thurgood Marshall College Fund; NCAA Division II Presidents Council; American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education; and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. She has appeared several times on Capitol Hill providing testimony regarding the status of 1890 Land-Grant institutions.
Dr. Jackson Hammond is an ardent advocate for quality assurances and transparency in higher education and is committed to the advancement of college success, equity and integrity in higher education.
Michelle Claville, Vice President for Research and Policy Analysis, joined CHEA in September 2021. Most recently, Dr. Claville served as Program Officer in the Division of Human Resource Development at the National Science Foundation. She has previously served as Assistant Dean of the School of Science and tenured professor at Hampton University and as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and tenured associate professor at Southern University and A & M College, among other positions.
Ashley Corley, Data Management and Media Technology Administrator, joined CHEA in September 2019. Most recently, she served as Coordinator of Administration and Technology Operations for American University’s Academic Support and Access Center. She previously served in administrative positions with the Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and American University’s Washington College of Law.
Jahan Culbreath, Director of Federal Relations, joined CHEA in August 2020. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Central State University. Previously, he held positions as Director of Athletics and other senior positions at Central State University.
Megan Doyle, Administrative Assistant, joined CHEA in November 2021. Prior to moving to Washington, DC she worked at the University of Kentucky for 11 years, providing administrative support for the Department of Mining Engineering.
Joél Espinoza, Special Assistant to the President, joined CHEA in December 2011. He has served as an executive assistant at companies including Hildebrandt Baker Robbins, Russell Reynolds Associates, Opus8, Inc. and Watson Wyatt Worldwide. Previously, he served as Senior Knowledge Analyst, Program Management in the Global Office of Knowledge Management at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.
Kathleen Ford, Website and Technology Manager, joined CHEA in December 2017. She previously was Creative Director of Health Affairs, a nonprofit organization for whom she served in a number of Website management and design capacities for nearly 15 years. She has also worked for organizations including Health Strategies Network and Kaiser Permanente.
Jan Friis, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, joined CHEA in May 2006 from Final Analysis Communication Services, Inc. where he was Vice President of Administration and Director of Government Relations. Jan has served as chief of staff for two former Members of Congress (Mr. Fox of Pennsylvania and Mr. Forbes of New York) and served as district administrator for a third Member, Mr. Schulze of Pennsylvania. Jan has also been in private law practice.
Jeanne Hamrick, Director of Communications, has more than 25 years of experience and a proven track record of success in external communications and media relations. She joins us from the financial industry where she previously worked as Communications Director at NASAA, CFP Board, and Freddie Mac. Jeanne previously worked in communications and media with nonprofit organizations including the national headquarters of the American Red Cross and Goodwill Industries International. Jeanne earned a BA degree from St. Bonaventure University and is accredited in public relations by the Public Relations Society of America. She is an active member of the National Press Club.
Eric Selwyn, Membership and Outreach Manager, joined CHEA in May 2011. He previously served as Production Manager for Bulls Eye Marketing, Inc., where he handled day-to-day operations for a data management company. He also has served in administrative positions for the George Mason University School of Management, Washington Gas, First Union and Bank of America.
Loretta Waldron, Vice President for Recognition Services, joined CHEA in January 2022. Most recently, she served as Director of Accreditation Services for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). She previously served as Associate Director for the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association and as Research and Financial Analyst with the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. Earlier in her career, she worked as the Registrar at Mount Vernon College and was a Compliance Specialist with the Education Licensure Commission of the District of Columbia.