As we begin a new year at CUPA-HR, we want to take a moment to introduce our Board of Directors for 2026-27 and to thank those who have served on the board over the past year. The board, which guides the association’s strategic priorities, is an incredible team of higher ed HR leaders who are dedicated to supporting and advancing the higher ed HR profession.
2026-27 Board Members
The chair of CUPA-HR’s Board of Directors for 2026-27 is Dr. Alejandra “Ale” Kennedy, associate vice president for human resources and chief human resources officer at Clemson University. For more than 20 years, Kennedy has been an active member of CUPA-HR, where she has been highly involved at all levels of the association. From 2013 to 2016, she served as the secretary of the Georgia Chapter board. She has been a long-time member of the Southern Region board, culminating in a term as chair during the 2020-21 fiscal year. Since 2022, Kennedy has served as the Southern Region Representative to the national board. She has also been an active member of several CUPA-HR committees and task forces, including the Governance Task Force, Public Policy and National Awards committees, vice chair of the Learning and Professional Development Committee, and chair of the Research Advisory Committee.
Also serving on this year’s board are:
Executive Committee Members
- Kelli Shuman, Chair-Elect – Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Carnegie Mellon University
- Dr. Joshua Mackey, Past Chair – Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer at Indiana University
- Eugene Whitlock, Treasurer – Chief People and Culture Officer/Associate Vice Chancellor for HR at the University of California, Berkeley
- Dr. Andy Brantley, Ex-Officio – President and Chief Executive Officer at CUPA-HR
At-Large Directors
- Melanie DeSantis – Associate Vice President for Human Resources/Chief Human Resources Officer, Franklin and Marshall College
- Clint Eury – Program Director, Human Resources Strategic Partnerships and Communications at the University of Maryland, College Park
- David Zajchowski – Executive Director and Deputy CHRO at Rollins College
- Kristi Darr – Vice President for University Human Resources at Iowa State University
- Bryan Garey – Vice President, Human Resources at Virginia Tech
- Sheri Jungman – Talent Acquisition Manager at University of Colorado System Office
- Jacob Lathrop – Assistant Director, Talent & Strategic Partnerships at Michigan State University
- David Perryman – Director – Talent Acquisition and Employment at NC State University
- Jamee Harrington – Vice President of People, Culture and Safety, CHRO and Chief of Staff at Rogue Community College
- Dr. Mary Lucal – Vice President and CHRO at Wake Forest University
- Leah Schonfeld – Assistant Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at The Citadel
Thank You!
We also want to celebrate the outstanding leaders who are rolling off the board. They have invested countless hours of their time and energy in leading our profession and our association, and we are so grateful for their wisdom and guidance.
- Robyn Salvo, Past Chair – Vice President for Human Resources at Manhattan University
- Dr. Lynne Adams – Chief Human Resources Officer-Associate Vice President Human Resources at the University of Maryland Baltimore County
- Maureen Binder – Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at the University of Central Florida
- Connie Putland – Chief Human Resources Officer at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
- Clarity White – Human Resources Director at the University of California-Berkeley, Library
We couldn’t accomplish our mission without our leaders. Thank you for your dedication and commitment!
CUPA-HR’s 2025-26 Board of Directors