Senior leaders in DPS have diverse backgrounds in serving the community, both on-campus and off. Learn about our people and how they are extending UMBC into new spaces together with our partners.
Vice Provost Chris Steele
Our division is driven by the spirit of collaboration which centers lifelong learning, community-engagement, and partnership with mission-aligned organizations. With more than 25 years of experience in higher education program and service development, Christopher Steele has led The Division of Professional Studies and the Shriver Center since 2015. Learn more about Dr. Steele.
Sarah Gardenghi
Assistant Vice Provost, Educational Pathways & Partnerships
Hometown: Menomonie, Wisconsin
Education: Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (BA); Colorado State University (MA); Frostburg State University (EdD)
Area(s) of expertise: higher education program development; professional/continuing education leadership; K-12 partnerships and pathway programming, communication training, teaching and student services
Hobbies & Interests: board member with the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce and volunteer with the Music City Maryland Association. Love gardening, canning, traveling, socializing with friends and family, and reading.
Eric N. Ford
Executive Director of Public Service Programs
Hometown: Petersburg, Virginia
Education: Hampton University (BA – Sociology); UMBC (Post Bacc Certificate – non profit sector)
Area(s) of expertise: community engagement, youth development, human services, restorative practices, justice – equity – diversity and inclusion (JEDI)
Hobbies & Interests: Reading, African American history, African diaspora, Hip Hop music, storytelling, traveling, basketball, American football, holistic health
Julie Gilless
Assistant Vice Provost, Marketing
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Education: Towson University (BS); University of Maryland Global Campus (MS)
Area(s) of expertise: higher education marketing, brand marketing, lead generation, integrated marketing communications, media procurement, trend analysis, project management, and enrollment marketing
Hobbies & Interests: live music, travel, beaches, spending time with my family
Allison Jones
Assistant Vice Provost
Hometown: Towaco, New Jersey
Education: The College of New Jersey (BS); The College of William and Mary (MEd)
Area(s) of expertise: Program Development; Partnership Building; Extended Learning
Hobbies & Interests: Reading; Hiking; Creative Parenting
Chelsea Moyer
Assistant Vice Provost, UMBC-Shady Grove
Hometown: York, Pennsylvania
Education: College of William and Mary (BA); University of Maryland School of Social Work (MSW, LMSW)
Area(s) of expertise: enrollment management; program development; partnership and relationship building; leadership development; practicing clinician in the addictions field
Hobbies & Interests: hiking and nature; gardening; history; music and the arts; animal lover; spending quality time with family and friends
Joby Taylor
Associate Vice Provost
Hometown: Miami, Oklahoma
Education: Conception Seminary (BA Philosophy), Missouri State (MA Religious Studies). UMBC (Ph.D. Language Literacy & Culture).
Area(s) of expertise: conceptual metaphor/applied linguistics; community engaged learning and scholarship; higher ed curriculum development; national service/service-learning; placemaking.
Hobbies & Interests: local history storytracking; swimming/kayaking; cooking; home projects
Trisha Wells
Assistant Vice Provost, Administration & Finance
Hometown: Wooldridge, Missouri
Education: University of Central Missouri (BME & MS)
Area(s) of expertise: Strategic financial planning, workflow creation and maintenance, human resources
Hobbies & Interests: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, working puzzles, eating out