Our Team

Rolf Wegenke, Ph.D. - President & CEO 608.256.7761 - rolf.wegenke@waicu.org Rolf Wegenke is president and chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (WAICU) as well as WFIC.  WAICU represents the 20 independent institutions of higher education in the state. Dr. Wegenke is also president/CEO of the WAICU Benefits Consortium and the WAICU Educational Technology Consortium. WAICU is the official organization of Wisconsin private (or independent) colleges and universities recognized in state statutes ss. 14.57, 15.377, 15.67, 16.979, 38.50, 39.285, 39.437(4)(a), 115.297, and 560.27.

Previously, Dr. Wegenke served in the administrations of five Wisconsin governors, directing the state’s international trade and investment, business development, technology transfer, community development, and finance programs.

Dr. Wegenke serves as co-chair of the Wisconsin PK–16 Leadership Council. He serves as chair of the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the Wisconsin Public Broadcasting Foundation. He is president of the national Fund for Campus Servant Leadership. He sits on the executive committee of the Wisconsin Technology Council and chairs its Human Capital Committee. He serves on the Board of Directors of Competitive Wisconsin, Inc., and is chair of its Education Committee. He serves on the following boards: the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), the Wisconsin International Trade Council, (and as chair of its education committee), the Wisconsin College Savings Program Board, the Wisconsin Council on Workforce Investment and its executive committee, Forward Wisconsin, Inc., the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, the Governor’s Economic Growth Council, the Wisconsin International Education Council, the Commission of Midwest Higher Education Compact and its executive committee, the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin-Chiba (Japan) Sister State, Inc., and the Governing Board of Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel and Student Center.

Dr. Wegenke is past president of the national Council of State Community Affairs Agencies and of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters. Dr. Wegenke has served as chair of the following: the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities State Executives (NAICUSE), the Universal (Telecommunications) Service Fund Council, the Board of the Wisconsin Venture Fairs, the Governor’s Task Force on International Education, the Board of Regents of Wisconsin Lutheran College, and the Dane County Economic Development Summit. In addition, he has served on the steering committee of the Wisconsin Economic Summit, the Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented Youth Board of Directors, the Wisconsin Innovation Network Foundation Board of Directors, the Wisconsin Education Network Collaboration Committee, the Advisory Committee of the Wisconsin Youth Arts Festival, as a member of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on 21st Century Jobs, and the editorial advisory boards for Academic Leader and Administrator.

Dr. Wegenke is the recipient of many awards and honors including the Governor’s Exceptional Performance Award, the Pro Gloria Dei Award of Wisconsin Lutheran College, the Robert Marshall Award for the advancement of entrepreneurialism and technology transfer, and a Doctorate in Humane Letters (honors causa) from both Beloit and Ripon Colleges. Dr. Wegenke is a native of Montello, Wisconsin, and a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the
University of Wisconsin-Madison. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at the University of Chicago.

Christy Miller - Vice President

414.273.5980, x12 - christy.miller@waicu.org

Christy Miller, Vice President, spends most of her time telling the students' stories to the donor and broader community. Christy has a degree in business and marketing from Carthage College and has worked at WFIC since early 2000. She oversees fundraising statewide and works closely with the program team on program development and evaluation.   Christy is a graduate of the Future Milwaukee Leadership program, MOSAIC Milwaukee Partnership Program and has a mini-MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of St. Thomas. She also has a certificate of Management from MRA-Institute of Management and is a member of the National Association of Professional Women. Christy and her husband, Kevin, live in West Milwaukee with their two young children.

JohnRae' Stowers - College Readiness 21 Statewide Director

414.273.5980, x16 - johnrae.stowers@waicu.org

JohnRae’ Stowers, State Director of College Readiness 21, has over 14 years of pre-college and college preparation experience. As the State Director, she over oversees all aspects of the program and has been with WFIC since 2004.    JohnRae’ holds a Master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration/Counseling from Concordia University-Wisconsin. She is a graduate of the Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel (MAEOPP) Emerging Leaders Institute, MOSAIC Milwaukee Partnership Program and has a bachelor’s from the University of WI-Parkside. She has a Certificate of Management from MRA- Institute of Management. She has served as a Board Member of Empower Our Youth and a member of the Boys & Girls Club Youth Advisory Council. She was previously employed as an Upward Bound Counselor at Marquette University and she served as an Admissions Counselor/Minority Recruiter at the University of WI-Parkside. She has been an adjunct instructor for Marquette University’s – CommUNITY program and Bryant & Stratton College. JohnRae’s passion is to educate youth on the college admission process and assisting them in making informed decisions. She has presented at community organizations, national conferences, and schools. Her goal is truly to help students become College Ready! JohnRae’ is a part of PCAS (Partnership for College Access and Success), MAEOPP, WAEOPP (Wisconsin Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, and more recently FUEL Milwaukee.

Karissa Kleven - Director of Collegiate Programming

414.273.5980, x17 - karissa.kleven@waicu.org

Karissa Kleven currently serves as the Director of Collegiate Programming in which she oversees the scholarship, internship and workforce development programs offered by WFIC. A 2006 graduate of Carthage College, she received dual degrees in both Communication and Business Administration. Karissa is now into her third year of program management at WFIC.   Karissa is a graduate of the Future Milwaukee Leadership program and enjoys working with a mix of students, professionals and college faculty. As a first-generation college student, Karissa is passionate about helping current college students and recent graduates reach their personal career goals.

Mary Schwiner - College Readiness 21 Program Manager, Northeast Wisconsin

920.923.8937 or 920.403.4488 - mary.schwiner@waicu.org

Mary Schwiner, Program Manager for CR21's Northeast Wisconsin program, holds a B.A. in Education from Marian University where she also minored in Communications and Athletic Coaching.  Mary graduated in May of 2006 and was a CR21 College Coach during the 2005-06 school year.   Mary coordinates program activities, stays connected with the youth, supervises College Coaches, and maintains data on each CR21 participant. CR21 maintains an office on the Marian University campus.

Le'Lana Johnson - College Readiness 21 Program Coordinator

414.273.5980, x11 - lana.johnson@waicu.org

Le’Lana Johnson is the College Readiness 21 Milwaukee Coordinator. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  Le’Lana keeps in close contact with CR21 students and parents, tracks the progress of students as they move through the program, and coordinates all CR21 activities.

Sam Zajac - Grant Writer & Researcher

414.273.5980, x19 - sam.zajac@waicu.org

Sam joined the WFIC team in August of 2008. He is a Milwaukee native and attended Bay View High School on the city’s south side. After high school, Sam attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2005. He graduated from UWM in 2007 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and English.

Victoria Howard - Office Coordinator

Victoria Howard is a graduate of UpperIowa University with a Bachelor Degree of Science in Human Service along with a minor in Criminal Justice. She also attended Robins and Lloyd Training Institute for her Realtor License. Victoria is WFIC's Office Coordinator and manages the day-to-day needs of WFIC and the WFIC team.

Visit the WAICU website to learn more about the WAICU team.