As we approach the University Innovation Alliance’s 10th anniversary this fall, we are excited to announce the expansion and evolution of our leadership team. Dr. Candice Staples and Betsy Davis have been elevated to senior leadership positions, and we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Devon Skerritt to our team. These strategic appointments reflect our commitment to advancing our mission of accelerating collaborative innovation to dramatically improve student outcomes across our network.
Dr. Candice Staples has been promoted to Chief Network Engagement Officer from Senior Director of Alliance Engagement. In her new role, she provides leadership and oversight for building and maintaining our high-impact network, engaging campuses to innovate shared problems, advance collaborative initiatives, and accelerate network learning and impact. Candice has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and higher education, with particular expertise in advancing institutional equity. Before joining the UIA, she worked with institutions and an array of national organizations, including Charitable Ventures, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, IHEP, and the Consortium on High Achievement and Success. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Betsy Davis has been appointed Chief of Staff, where she will work directly with the CEO to support and collaborate with our board, philanthropic partners, team, and consultants to advance our shared goals. She previously served as the UIA’s Campus Engagement Manager and brings extensive experience working with a range of institutions, including urban community colleges, private Jesuit universities, and public research universities. In these roles, she developed programs to support student success and improve access. Betsy also had a successful career in educational television, working as a producer for WordGirl and being part of the Emmy award-winning team for SciGirls. She holds an M.S.Ed. in higher education from the University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing an Ed.D. from the University of South Florida.
Dr. Devon Skerritt steps into the role of Director of Strategic Learning and Impact. He oversees the UIA’s learning agenda, diffusion of insights, assessment and evaluation of initiatives, promoting a data-driven learning culture. Devon’s experience spans innovation, research, and student services at liberal arts colleges, research universities, and nonprofit institutions. He has particular expertise in human-centered design, strategy and facilitation, having led initiatives that reinforce a culture of innovation in higher education. Devon has an Ed.D. in higher education from Southern Methodist University.
As we move into our next chapter, we are excited to leverage the deep expertise of our newly expanded leadership team to enhance our support for campuses across our growing network. Together, we will continue to drive collaborative innovation and significantly improve student outcomes.