Office of the President
Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D.
President
Dr. Katrina E. Bell-Jordan was appointed the eighth President of ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø on August 1, 2024, following her service as Interim President since July 2023. Dr. Bell-Jordan has been a member of the NEIU community since 1997, when she joined as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre. She has held key leadership roles, including Department Chair, Associate Dean, Interim Dean, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the largest academic unit at the University. Dr. Bell-Jordan earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Rhetorical Studies and Media Studies from Ohio University and a B.S. in Journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Her expertise includes academic leadership, accreditation processes, institutional planning, and shared governance. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in higher education, Dr. Bell-Jordan brings proven expertise in academic administration, strategic planning, and institutional effectiveness. Her tenure reflects a sustained commitment to advancing ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø’s mission, strengthening student outcomes, and ensuring operational excellence.
Academic Affairs
R. Shayne Cofer, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. R. Shayne Cofer serves as Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, providing executive oversight of all academic programming, curriculum development, instructional support, and faculty affairs. He directs the University’s four colleges, the University Library, and specialized centers such as the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies and El Centro. Dr. Cofer has over 25 years of leadership experience in higher education, including academic planning, accreditation, assessment, and governance. He earned both his Ph.D. and M.A. from the University of Iowa. Dr. Cofer’s leadership ensures the alignment of academic operations with institutional strategic goals and enhances NEIU’s capacity to deliver high-quality, accessible education to a diverse student population.
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Beni Ortiz, CPA
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Beni Ortiz, CPA, serves as Vice President for Finance and Administration, leading the University's financial operations, administrative services, and resource management functions. Ortiz joined NEIU in 2018 as Controller and was later promoted to Assistant Vice President for Finance and Administration before her current role, assumed in 2024. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant. Ortiz has more than 20 years of experience managing budgets, financial reporting, compliance, risk management, and strategic resource allocation. Her previous professional experience includes senior finance positions at Heartland Alliance, Artis-Naples, Grant Thornton, and ASG Technologies. She has been critical in strengthening NEIU’s financial resilience, implementing financial aid strategies, and leading capital improvement initiatives.
Student Affairs
Terry Mena, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Dr. Terry Mena serves as Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, leading student life, engagement, support services, residential life, and student success initiatives. Before joining NEIU, Dr. Mena served as Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Lamar University and held senior student affairs positions at Florida Atlantic University, Columbia University-Barnard College, Hofstra University, and ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø University in Boston. He earned his Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, a Master’s degree from Columbia University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø University. Dr. Mena brings over 20 years of student affairs leadership experience focused on student development, campus programming, emergency management, and grant administration.
Institutional Advancement
Liesl V. Downey
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Executive Director of the ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Foundation
Liesl V. Downey serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø Foundation, a position she has held since 2015. She oversees all fundraising, alumni relations, development operations, and public relations activities supporting the University’s mission. Downey joined NEIU in 2009 and has over 20 years of advancement experience, previously serving in development roles at the University of South Carolina. She earned a B.A. from Indiana University Bloomington. At NEIU, she leads the University’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, strengthens alumni engagement, and advances strategic philanthropic initiatives that increase scholarship support, grow the endowment, and expand community partnerships.
Legal Affairs and General Counsel
Nicki Bazer, J.D.
Interim General Counsel
Nicki Bazer serves as Interim General Counsel at ºÚ°µ±¬ÁÏÍø, overseeing all legal affairs, contract review, risk management, and regulatory compliance. Bazer is a partner at Franczek P.C., advising K-12 and higher education institutions on governance, labor relations, policy compliance, and institutional risk. She previously served as General Counsel at the Illinois State Board of Education, where she directed legal operations and legislative initiatives. Bazer earned her J.D., cum laude, from New York University School of Law and her B.A., cum laude, in History from Northwestern University. With over 20 years of legal experience, she brings significant expertise in advising educational institutions, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting institutional governance and operational effectiveness.
enrollment Management
Claudia Mercado, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management
Dr. Claudia Mercado serves as Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management, overseeing the University’s recruitment, admissions, enrollment services, and registrar operations. She rejoined NEIU in 2024, having previously served from 2006 to 2013, including as Director of Admissions where she achieved significant enrollment growth. Dr. Mercado earned a B.A. in English from Missouri State University and an M.S. and Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. She brings nearly two decades of experience managing enrollment strategies at institutions such as the City Colleges of Chicago, the University of Kansas, and Harper College. She has also been a faculty member and recognized national leader in advancing equitable enrollment practices. Her leadership focuses on building inclusive recruitment pipelines, improving student yield rates, and supporting institutional enrollment sustainability.
MARKETING AND cOMMUNICATIONS
Christopher Childers
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Christopher Childers is Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, leading all institutional marketing, branding, media relations, digital strategy, and enrollment marketing efforts. Before joining NEIU, Childers served as Chief Marketing Officer at the Academy for Urban School Leadership and held the senior marketing role at North Park University and Valparaiso University, after a 20-year corporate marketing career at JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and IBM. Childers earned a Bachelor of Science from Marquette University’s Olin School of Engineering and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He brings over 20 years of professional experience in marketing leadership, brand development, and strategic communications for higher education and corporate organizations.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Blanca E. Jara
Interim Executive Director of Government Relations
Blanca E. Jara serves as Interim Executive Director of Government Relations, leading the University's legislative relations, advocacy efforts, and government partnership initiatives. Jara brings over 15 years of professional experience in public relations, government affairs, and nonprofit management. Before joining NEIU, she served as Chief of Staff at the Partnership for College Completion and as Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Morton College. She is an alumna of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Academia de Liderazgo and a Fellow of the National Community College Hispanic Council. Jara’s responsibilities at NEIU include developing government strategies, monitoring legislative developments, securing state and federal support, and advancing policies that benefit higher education institutions and students.
