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President
Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Head of Compliance + Title IX Coordinator
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Neely Patton
Neely Patton has been with RMCAD since 2007, serving as an Associate Professor of Art History, Department Head and Chair of Liberal Arts, Dean of Program and Curriculum Development, Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, and Strategic Advisor to the President. In her current role, Patton oversees the execution of the college’s 5-year strategic plan. Directly supporting Academic Affairs, Patton oversees student learning assessment and program review and serves as the College’s Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO). Patton collaborates across the college on other initiatives related to continuous improvement through annual surveys, departmental annual goals and objectives, and key results and performance indicators. She holds a Master of Arts in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Denver and is a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in Visual Arts: Philosophy, Aesthetics, and Art Theory at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts (IDSVA). Neely is an avid supporter and promoter of visual, performative, and poetic artistic practices and practitioners.
Leila Ertel
Leila Ertel (she/her/hers) is a digital marketer who specializes in conversion rate optimization and growth marketing. Ertel holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from San Francisco State University and has since served in several marketing and communications roles, most recently as VP of Marketing for RMCAD. Prior to RMCAD, she served as Head of eCommerce Marketing for VSP Vision. She joined RMCAD in July 2023 and has since used her creative and analytical skills to help more students discover RMCAD and their path to a fulfilling creative career.
Sarah Johnson
Sarah Johnson, a Colorado local, brings a wealth of experience in higher education, with over twenty years devoted to nurturing art and design students. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Organizational Management, she has traversed various roles spanning career services, student affairs, housing, and admissions. Johnson’s number one priority is students, evident in her commitment to fostering collaboration across departments
Kyle Curran
With over two decades of experience in higher education operations and enrollment management, Kyle Curran brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Senior Vice President, Enrollment Management at RMCAD. He is responsible for all admissions, advising, and technology functions for the college. Prior to his work at RMCAD, Curran served as the Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Metavasi Partners, a consulting firm specializing in business process redesign and technology transformation for public and private institutions. With previous roles as Senior Vice President of Operations at Zovio, Inc., an educational technology services company, and various leadership positions at the University of Phoenix, Curran has experience in optimizing operations, enhancing student success, and fostering collaboration across teams.
Carrie Iverson
Carrie Iverson is an experienced accounting and finance professional with over 15 years in the field. Iverson has a proven track record of successfully managing financial operations and driving business growth. She has a strong background in accounting, financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. Prior to joining RMCAD as Director of Accounting + Finance, Iverson held senior finance roles in other higher education institutions where she implemented strategic financial initiatives that resulted in increased profitability. She holds a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation and has a Masters in Accounting. She is a strategic thinker with a passion for driving financial performance and delivering results while mentoring her rockstar team of other accounting professionals.
Tracy Craven
Director of Financial Aid, Tracy Craven is an accomplished financial aid executive with over 20 years of experience in the field. Craven holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Masters in Organizational Management from Regis University. Having worked in both the private and public education sector her entire career, she is an expert in all aspects of being compliant with Title IV along with submitting new program approvals and updates in e-Application when necessary. In her current role as Director of Financial Aid and Military Services, she currently leads a geographically dispersed team and has delivered flawless FSA (Federal Student Aid), and OAE (Office of Inspector General Office of Audits and Evaluations) over her tenure. Craven currently sits as a membership chair of CAFAA (Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators).
Sara Olson
Sara E. Rodriguez Olson is a seasoned Executive Customer Success professional based in Denver, Colorado. With almost 15 years of higher education experience, she brings a proven track record in driving student satisfaction, retention, and revenue growth. Olson excels in developing and executing customer success strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and leveraging data insights for continuous improvement. She is a dynamic leader who has significantly increased student retention rates and reentry application-start rates through innovative strategies and collaborative efforts. With expertise in CRM, operational management, and leadership development, Olson is committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering long-term business success. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University.
Nicolle Dale
Nicolle Dale is a Career and Professional Development leader with over a decade of experience in higher education. As the Director of Career and Alumni Services at RMCAD, Dale oversees a comprehensive program aimed at empowering students and alumni to achieve their professional goals. Dale excels at building strong relationships with employers and alumni and orchestrates impactful programming initiatives such as career fairs, networking events, workshops, and industry-specific guest speakers. Her strategic leadership has led to the creation of innovative initiatives that align with current job market trends and meet the evolving needs of both students and employers. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Merchandising and Design from Colorado State University.
Wendy Wibbens
Director of Academic Operations, Wendy Wibbens began her career in higher education at the University of Denver, Lamont School of Music as an administrative assistant. One of her favorite series of positions came during her 10 years at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she worked in a series of positions in the Graduate School and created many new programs, relationships, and opportunities for graduate students. Wibbens also worked as a Registrar at Colorado Christian University. Prior to coming to RMCAD, she worked at CSU-Global building out a variety of departments during the startup of that organization. Over her 30+ years in higher education, Wibbens has worked in many positions across administration. She was also an instructor at Southern New Hampshire University for the Master’s in Leadership program. She has served Academic Affairs at RMCAD for 9 years, helping build out a variety of services and support functions at the College. She holds a certificate in Graphic Design from Platt College, is completing a Certificate in Botanical Illustration with the Denver Botanic Gardens, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Colorado Christian University, and a Master of Arts in Leadership from the Denver Seminary.
Gretchen Schaefer
Gretchen Marie Schaefer was born, raised, and currently resides in Denver, Colorado. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Visual Arts from Regis University. She is a co-founding member of artist-owned and operated TANK Studios, LLC., a sustainable, community-centered studio space for professional artists in Denver. Schaefer is a former board member of RedLine Contemporary Art Center and of Tilt West, a non-profit dedicated to fostering critical dialogue in art and culture through conversations and publications. Since 2013, Schaefer has directed the Visiting Artist, Scholar, and Designer Program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) where she curates the annual theme and roster of visiting artists. Her curatorial work includes exhibitions by Catherine Haggarty and Esteban Cabeza de Baca. In 2014, Schaefer was listed as one of Denver Westword’s “100 Colorado Creatives” and in 2016 she received Westword’s “Best Of” for her work directing the Visiting Artist Program at RMCAD. Her artwork has been exhibited at numerous locations including the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, the University of Colorado Boulder Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Rule Gallery in Marfa, TX, Texas Tech University’s School of Art, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO. Schaefer was an artist-in-residence at RedLine Contemporary Art Center (Denver, CO), Breckenridge Creative Arts (Breckenridge, CO), and Jentel Artist Residency (Banner, WY).
Martha Neth
Martha Neth became an art librarian because art students ask better questions than business students. She has worked at the Art Institute of Chicago, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Art Institute of Colorado and now is at RMCAD sharing the knowledge she has collected over the years. She possesses a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts, and a Master of Library Studies and is currently working on her PhD.
Kellie Johnson
Kellie Johnson brings over 13 years of experience in higher education to her role as RMCAD’s Registrar. In her role, she oversees the Office of the Registrar, ensuring institutional compliance with rules and regulations set forth by the Department of Education and student record keeping. Her responsibilities extend to student scheduling, evaluating transfer credits for incoming students, degree conferral, and orchestrating various administrative processes crucial to the success of the institution. Additionally, Johnson serves as the Primary Designated School Official within the SEVIS system, entrusted with the issuance of student visas and maintaining compliance with international student regulations. Her management facilitates seamless experiences for international students while navigating intricate visa procedures. Furthermore, she is vital in assisting international students with post-graduation options. As a PDSO, Johnson is responsible for periodic recertification reviews through SEVP.
Before her tenure as Registrar, Johnson honed her expertise through diverse roles at RMCAD, including positions in Admissions and Enrollment Management. These experiences equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the institution’s dynamics and a commitment to fostering student success at every stage of their academic journey. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University.
Keely Garcia
As the Campus Director for Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, Keely Garcia is responsible for providing comprehensive oversight and coordination across facilities, community engagement, campus logistics, and safety. With a passion for education and the arts, her goal is to support a hub of creativity and opportunity for RMCAD’s students, faculty and staff as well as community members and visitors who come to the gem that is the Lakewood, CO campus.
Before joining RMCAD, Garcia worked at a local law firm specializing in supporting school districts, where she gained extensive experience in educational operations, policy, compliance, and advocacy. Her background in both legal and academic settings gives her a unique perspective on institutional leadership and student support.
Jessica Elliott
Elliott brings extensive knowledge and experience in interior design and academic administration, along with a passion for teaching, to Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. She graduated from Arizona State University with a Master of Science in Interior Design and acquired her certification from the National Council for Interior Design Qualification in 2010.
For the past 17 years, Elliott has been leading and educating interior design students and faculty. She has taught various interior design classes, including Introduction to Interior Design, Commercial Design, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Hospitality Design. In addition to her academic role, Elliott has worked full-time in the field of commercial interior design since earning her undergraduate degree. Her areas of specialty include space planning, AutoCAD, construction management, finish selection, field verification, and furniture specification for large commercial clients.
In her spare time, Elliott enjoys working out at Orange Theory and hiking with her son, Jaxson, daughter, Jaidyn, and Vizslas, Quinn, and Bailey. Fall is her favorite time of year. Golf and photography have been hobbies of hers for several years.
Dr. Lucas Sheaffer
Lucas Sheaffer is an educator and scholar from Denver, Colorado. He holds a PhD from Temple University. His work interrogates the intersection of the natural world and the narrative imagination, specifically the role and metaphor water in 20th century American fiction. After nearly a decade of teaching, Sheaffer has taught environmental literature courses on three continents, and loves to travel locally and globally with his family and students whenever possible. If not reading a beautiful novel, then you’ll likely find him hiking or exploring with his family throughout Colorado. Most recently Sheaffers’ work appeared as a chapter in Ecocriticism and the Future of Southern Studies (LSU Press 2019) edited by Zachary Vernon.
Matt Garland
Matt Garland is a highly accomplished HR professional with a proven track record of success in various roles. He is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of HR best practices and a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Garland has extensive experience in all aspects of HR, including total rewards, organizational development, and HR policies and compliance. Garland is also a certified SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional), demonstrating his expertise and commitment to the HR profession. Outside of his professional life, Garland is an avid chef, trying new creations on his family, and spends his time with his wife, daughter, and chocolate lab Bailey.
Lauren Kirwin
Lauren Kirwin has over eight years of experience engaging students and young adults both on-campus and in the community. She is passionate about providing engaging opportunities for students to grow personally and professionally. Kirwin began her career at Michigan Technological University, advising student organizations, volunteering with the campus food pantry, and leading staff committees to support student opportunities. Most recently, she managed all youth and young adult programs at Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver. In her free time, she serves as a board member for DOVIA Colorado and chairs the Hike for Hope event for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She enjoys reading and traveling with her two dogs and her husband.
Jenna Heil
Jenna Heil is a passionate writer who values brand awareness and media relation strategies. She joined the RMCAD team in February 2022 and has since helped redesign the RMCAD site and relaunch the RMCAD Blog. Heil has 6+ years of experience in the communications and marketing realms, spanning several industries including sustainable seafood, travel and tourism, construction, and higher education. Her expertise lies in content creation and management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from The University of Georgia – Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications.
