Dr. Richard L. Pattenaude
Ashford University President and Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Richard L. Pattenaude joined Ashford University in 2012 as President and Chief Executive Officer, bringing with him more than 40 years of experience in various leadership positions in higher education.

From 2007-2012, Dr. Pattenaude served as Chancellor of the University of Maine System, after serving for 16 years as President of the University of Southern Maine. He also spent five years as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Central Connecticut State University, five years as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at the State University of New York at Binghamton, and six years as a member of the Political Science faculty and the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at Drake University.

Dr. Pattenaude was Chair of the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education for the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the regional accrediting entity. He is actively involved in numerous community organizations and currently serves on the Boards of Maine Health, the Alfond College Scholarship Challenge, and Lee Auto Malls.

Dr. Pattenaude earned a Ph.D. in Political Science at the University of Colorado and a B.A. degree in Economics at San Jose State University. His areas of expertise include American government, university leadership, public administration, and organizational theory. In addition, Dr. Pattenaude is a Vietnam veteran.

Dr. Rebecca Wardlow
Ashford University Provost

Since 2008, Dr. Rebecca Wardlow has been a valuable member of the Ashford University team. She was promoted to Provost of Ashford University in April 2011. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Wardlow served as the Executive Dean of Ashford's College of Education where she managed various levels of faculty and curriculum throughout the college. In her new role, Dr. Wardlow is responsible for Ashford's academic plan, including new programs, accreditation and assessment, the academic mission and the overall academic experience for students.

Dr. Wardlow began her tenure at Ashford University as Program Director for the College of Education and as a Professor of Education.

Prior to joining Ashford University, Dr. Wardlow was an elementary school Principal at Monterey Ridge School, Creekside School and Valley School. She has also worked in the education field as an Assistant Principal and as a Teacher.

Dr. Wardlow earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from University of California, San Diego. She holds an M.A. in Education Administration from University of California, Riverside and a B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University.

Sheri Jones
Senior Vice President of Administrative Services

Sheri Jones joined Ashford University in November 2005. As Senior Vice President of Administrative Services, she oversees student-related areas, including policy and implementation, student and alumni affairs, career services, financial aid and services, imaging services and the Registrar's Office.

Ms. Jones' career in higher education spans more than 22 years. Before her promotion to Senior Vice President of Administrative Services, she served as University Registrar and Director of Institutional Research. Ms. Jones was later responsible for the creation of several essential functional areas: the Office of Institutional Research, the Office of Policy and Implementation, and a team specializing in online student and alumni affairs, and career services. She has participated in a number of additional projects which demonstrate her fluency in licensure, accreditation and legal compliance; information system planning and implementation; and the institutionalization of modern academic policies and procedures.

Prior to joining Ashford University, Ms. Jones served in various leadership positions in higher education, including Director of Student Services and Administration for Argosy University in Sarasota, Florida, and Director of Student Services for the Georgia School of Professional Psychology in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ms. Jones holds an M.S. in Education with a Specialization in Leadership for Higher Education from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and a B.S. in Psychology from Averett University in Danville, Virginia.

She is a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the Association of Student Affairs in Higher Education (NASPA), the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the Association for Institutional Research. Ms. Jones also serves on the Board of Directors for the Jenna Druck Center.

Sean Goushá
Senior Vice President of Enrollment and Services

Sean Goushá has served as Ashford University's Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management and Services since 2012. In this role, he provides leadership in planning, organizing, and executing the enrollment management and services functions for Ashford University. He is also responsible for the efficient and effective operations of all department functions within admissions, admissions operations, corporate and military relations, student services, and the Denver and Iowa Online Centers.

Mr. Goushá has more than 15 years of experience in higher education. Before joining Ashford University, Mr. Goushá worked at Bridgepoint Education for seven years, where he served as Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Student Services, and Operations Manager. Prior to his time with Bridgepoint, Mr. Goushá served in several enrollment and advisory roles with University of Phoenix, where he ascended from the role of Academic Advisor to Director of Enrollment.

Mr. Goushá holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of San Diego. He currently serves on the board of directors for the Carmel Mountain Ranch Little League, a non-profit organization located in San Diego, California.

Thomas Mead
Vice President of Finance

Thomas Mead joined Ashford University in 2011. As Vice President of Finance, he is responsible for managing the annual budget process, the quarterly forecasting process, and performs monthly and quarterly variance analyses and reporting in support of achieving business objectives. He is also responsible for directing the fiscal financial services functions of Ashford University in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles and for overseeing the financial aid process.

Mr. Mead's experience in finance spans more than 15 years. Prior to joining Ashford University, he served as Associate Vice President and Assistant Controller for Bridgepoint Education. He also served as a Partner of Accounting and Assurance Services at Weworski and Associates and as a Senior of Accounting and Assurance Services at Deloitte and Touche.

Mr. Mead is a Certified Public Accountant and is Yellow Book certified. He holds an M.A. in Accountancy and a B.A. in Economics from San Diego State University.

Dr. Christina Leimer
Vice President of Planning and Effectiveness

Dr. Christina Leimer joined Ashford University in 2012. As Vice President of Planning and Effectiveness, she is responsible for working with multiple departments at Ashford University and other constituencies to establish and maintain appropriate annual planning, strategic planning, effectiveness, and information management processes for the University.

Prior to joining Ashford University, Dr. Leimer served as Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at California State University-Fresno. Before that, she worked in various capacities at Seattle Central Community College and University of Houston.

Dr. Leimer has authored and edited several publications and participated in numerous professional presentations, conferences, and meetings. She is affiliated with several organizations, including the Association for Institutional Research, the Society for College and University Planning, the California Association for Institutional Research, and the Comparative and International Education Society.

Dr. Leimer earned her Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University. She also earned her M.A. and B.A. degrees from University of Houston.

Dr. John Joseph Hoey
Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff

Dr. John Joseph Hoey joined Ashford University in 2012 as Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff. In this role, he is responsible for the general oversight of the functions of the President’s Office and coordinating the President’s Cabinet. In addition, he manages accreditation services and is the liaison to the Board of Trustees.

Prior to joining Ashford University, Dr. Hoey served as Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation at Bridgepoint Education. He served four years as Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Savannah College of Art and Design, following eight years as Director of the Office of Assessment for Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Hoey has also held positions at North Carolina State University, Durham Technical Community College, North Carolina State University, and Florida State University.

He has authored and co-authored several professional publications, papers, articles, and book chapters, and has led a number of professional presentations and workshops. He is affiliated with several organizations including the New Leadership Alliance for Student Learning and Accountability.

Dr. Hoey earned his Ph.D. in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University. He also earned his M.A. degree from Florida State University and his B.A. degree from University of California, San Diego.

John Ballheim
Ashford University Vice President and Campus Director

John Ballheim, Vice President and Campus Director, joined the Ashford University team in 2007. A veteran educator, Mr. Ballheim started his teaching career in Andrew, Iowa in 1968 before serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He boasts decades of experience leading post-secondary institutions within the United States and Canada.

Mr. Ballheim's public service activities have included significant volunteer leadership positions with several community and state-level business and economic development groups. He has also held leadership roles in community arts groups and in education-related task forces.

Mr. Ballheim earned two master's degrees from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and two B.A. degrees in history and economics from the University of Northern Iowa.

Currently, Mr. Ballheim is a board member of the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce, Clinton Regional Development Corporation, Clinton Women's Health Services Center, Clinton Kiwanis, and Clinton Rotary.