| John Fox [More Info] Head of Mopar Sales and Operations Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Tuesday, March 13 | Lunch Plenary John Fox has enjoyed a distinguished career in the automotive industry. After joining Chrysler Corporation in 1991, John served in a variety of field and corporate roles across the country. John was appointed Director of the FCA Performance Institute in 2012. He has led such critical initiatives as the innovative Degrees@Work program (a partnership between FCA US LLC and Strayer University), a re-designed Mopar Career Automotive Program (CAP), the launch of various performance improvement technology solutions, and the implementation of mobile education gaming and microlearning strategies. Recently, John was named Head of Mopar Sales and Operations for FCA. John graduated from Bowling Green University and resides in Oakland Township, Michigan with his wife and two daughters. | |
| Laura Owen [More Info] Inaugural Director; Research Professor Center for Postsecondary Readiness & Success; American University Tuesday, March 13 | Morning Plenary Dr. Laura Owen, a research professor and Director for the Center for Postsecondary Readiness and Success (CPRS) at American University, focuses on evaluating the impact of interventions and programs designed to address the persistent equity and access issues that so many students across the country face. Previously, Dr. Owen was an assistant professor and director of the school counseling program at San Diego State University (SDSU) and held an appointment as assistant professor in counseling at Johns Hopkins University. A prior urban school counselor and district counseling supervisor, she is a passionate advocate for closing college opportunity gaps. Dr. Owen has worked collaboratively with leaders from across the country to address systems issues impacting student postsecondary outcomes. She was a panelist at the Harvard White House Convening where she discussed research-based approaches to address financial aid and college affordability, the college enrollment process, and the summer transition between high school and college. Laura co-led the SDSU White House Convening and was a cofounder of the National Consortium for School Counseling and Post Secondary Success (NCSCPS), which supported the former First Lady, Michelle Obama’s, reach higher campaign focused on increasing equitable and accessible pathways to postsecondary success for all students, especially those who face formidable barriers. Dr. Owen is the recipient of two teaching awards, Johns Hopkins University (JHU) School of Education Excellence in Teaching Award (2013) and the SDSU College of Education Most Influential Faculty Member Award (2015). Dr. Owen is a co-author of the recently released Revisiting the Path Forward Report In response to the need for increasing school counseling support for college and career readiness, the Kresge Foundation charged the NCSCPS to survey the field and review existing scholarship to document a blueprint for the future of school counseling. | |
| Michele Siqueiros [More Info] President, Los Angeles Office The Campaign for College Opportunity Monday, March 12 | Welcome Plenary Michele Siqueiros grew up in Los Angeles and was the first in her family to graduate from college thanks to federal, state, and college financial aid. She is passionate about the power of college to change lives, and the power of public policy making to expand or constrain college opportunity. As President of The Campaign for College Opportunity, Michele works to expand access and success in college for California students by raising public attention on the critical challenges facing higher education, mobilizing a broad coalition of supporters, and influencing policymakers. The Campaign’s mission to increase college going and completion rates is driven by a strong belief that California’s future economic success depends on our ability to produce the best educated workforce in the nation and that our diverse population of young adults deserve the same opportunity provided to previous generations – regardless of race or socio-economic status. Under her leadership in 2010, the Campaign led the effort for historic transfer reform that makes it easier for students to transfer from any California Community College to the California State University system. She has worked to secure millions in state budget funding for student aid and to expand spots for more students in the state’s public colleges and universities. The Campaign has assembled a statewide network of over 12,000 coalition supporters, engaged over 50,000 young people and their families through scholarship contests which awarded well over half a million dollars in scholarships; released over 80 prominent reports on higher education; and passed important legislation improving remedial education, student support services and establishing a community college student success scorecard. Michele graduated from Pitzer College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Studies with Honors in Chicano/a Studies. She received her Master of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). | |
