Ellen Meader is a seasoned administrator with over thirty years of experience in higher education and has worked at U-M in several different capacities. Prior to her current position, Ellen was an Assistant Vice Provost for Equity, Inclusion, and Academic Affairs in the Provost’s Office. She also worked with the U-M ADVANCE Program focusing on equitable and preemptive strategies in faculty recruitment, retention, climate, and leadership; in the Rackham Graduate School as a program manager in the Office of Graduate Student Success; and in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts in the Office of the Dean as a Research and Policy Analyst. Ellen received her PhD from U-M’s Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (CSHPE).
Tania Piotrowski is an advisor helping to launch and develop the center. A longtime administrator at Michigan Medicine, Tania is currently the director of the medical school's Global REACH program, where she develops strategic approaches to support and enhance international engagement for medical school faculty and students.
Parina Kamdar is a project manager for the center. Prior to joining CGHE, she was a financial analyst at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. Parina earned her Master of Business Administration with a major in Finance at Walsh College. Parina has extensive experience in oversight and financial analysis of complex funds and annual budget processes.
Kristina Rice is a project manager for the center. She holds master’s degrees in South Asian Studies, Urban Planning, and Social Work from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining the center, she worked at the School of Public Health on Community Based Participatory Research Projects related to environmental health and air quality.
Alana Rodriguez is a project manager for the center. She holds master’s degrees in Latin American Studies and Public Health from San Diego State University. Prior to joining CGHE, she worked at the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, where she managed student and minority-serving outreach initiatives and built academic partnerships in Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Kelly Espinoza provides administrative support for Joseph Kolars, Ellen Meader, and the Center staff. Prior to joining the center, she was executive assistant senior to the senior associate dean for Education and Global Initiatives at Michigan Medicine for over 13 years. Kelly brings with her extensive administrative and procedural knowledge and a range of professional and global relationships.
Torsten Grabbert is an administrative specialist for the center. He brings a wealth of experience in operational management, financial analysis, marketing strategies, and team leadership, with experience both in Germany and the US. He is adept at driving business growth, optimizing processes, and building strong client and team relationships.
Bettina Senga is the center's communications manager. Over the last decade, she has worked to produce mission driven creative content spanning film, digital, print, and social platforms. She has worked with a wide variety of changemakers including the USAID Southern Africa Trade & Investment Hub, Peace Corps, Feed the Future, PEPFAR, Power Africa, Sesame Workshop, and ICAP at Columbia University.