National Board of Directors

Chairman

Dr. Tierney Bates
BA ’99, MA ’02

Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
University of South Carolina Upstate

Vice-Chair

Joni Fitch
BA ’07

Director, Community Affairs & Engagement
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Tracy S. Dowe, III
BSBA ’01

City President, Akron / Canton / Youngstown
Fifth Third Bank

Theron Brown
BM ’13, MM'22

Pianist, Composer, Educator
Theron Brown Music

Kevin Burwell
JD '19

General Counsel 
Knight Material Technologies 

Amber Genet Barkoukis
BA '06 MA '14

Executive Director Embracing Futures, Inc.

Dr. Eric Butler 
BA'10

Attorney
U.S. Department of the Air Force

Eufrancia Lash
BA ’96

Deputy Director Of Public Service And Neighborhood Assistance
The City of Akron

Laura Cessna 
MSE'11

University Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations 
South University 

Shon Christy
BSBA'00, MSE'09

Founder and President 
Shon Christy Social Media 

Jeff Flowers 
BS'07

CEO
Swensons

Dr. Jacquelyn R. Jones 
BS'01, MS'03

Assistant Vice President for Student Success
American Association of State Colleges and Universities 

Founder & CEO
Pathway to Purpose Consulting, LLC 

Brian L. Cherkala
JD ’78

Senior VP and National Director of Field Fiduciary Adm.
KeyBank

Kim M. Cole
BA ’93, MPA ’95

Vice President, Development
Executive Director UA Foundation
The University of Akron

Christine Franz
'93

Senior Administrative Assistant
Alumni Relations
The University of Akron

Trina M. Carter
’92, ’98

Board of Trustees
The University of Akron

Nicole “Nikki” L. Douglas
BSED ’07

Immediate Past President
Stay at Home Parent

Willy R. Kollman
BA ’08, MAED ’10

Assistant Vice President
Alumni Relations
The University of Akron