My educational background entails a B.S. in Business Administration from Morningside College, in Sioux City, Iowa and a Master of Business Administration, M.B.A with concentrations in marketing and human resource management from Keller Graduate School of Management in Chicago, Illinois.

I was born in what used to be Dorchester, Massachusetts, lived in Ghana (West Africa), Connecticut and finally central New York were I spent most of my "formative years". Many of my summers were spent at summer camps or visiting my cousins in New England and Philadelphia. It was one of my first jobs that I believe set me on the path toward a career in education. It was as an admissions officer for my undergraduate alma mater. I then left the field for about six years to become a fundraiser for United Way and then a Vice President for a small group of companies. I then returned to education, working with adults at Keller Graduate School of Management were I spent three years.

In 1990, I was selected to be a founding member and director of marketing & admissions for Lewis University's Accelerated Degree Programs unit. In 1997 I was recruited to become the founding executive director of what would ultimately become the Institute for Adult Learning, at Dominican University. The Institute is the academic division that delivers accelerated baccalaureate degree completion programs and masters degrees, to adult learners at various locations. Additionally, I have been an adjunct faculty member since 1992 and a consultant for the Office of New Ventures at Regis University in Denver, Colorado since 1991 specializing in the areas of marketing, recruitment and overall administration of adult degree programs. At the June 2000 board meeting, the Illinois Board of Higher Education appointed me to be one of the founding Board members of the newly created University Center of Lake County.

When I am not getting my kicks starting new programs, I enjoy coaching youth soccer, raising my three children (who all play soccer), critically reflecting on almost anything and although not always enjoying it, I still occasionally do what my wife asks me to do. Alas resistance is futile!

Email contact: Bryan Watkins