Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Dr. James Zhang has served as the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost since 2014. As the Chief Academic Officer of Kettering, he oversees learning and teaching, along with all related areas including student achievement, curriculum development, faculty performance and development, graduate education, and research. He is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

While at Kettering, James has led efforts to create the University’s current college structure and new faculty workload model. Also, he guided the University’s Program Realignment and Reinvention initiative which resulted in significant program and organizational changes. During his tenure, James has expanded collaboration with international corporations and higher education institutions, and grown graduate studies. 

Before joining Kettering, James previously served as the Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University where he also held a faculty appointment as a professor of Electrical Engineering. He also has extensive industry experience.

James has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Hunan University, a Master’s degree in Telecommunications from Indiana University, and a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. He has authored or co-authored more than 70 publications and holds seven U.S. and international patents.

Vice President of Administration and Finance

Marsha Bewersdorf joined the leadership team at Kettering University as Vice President of Administration and Finance in 2023. In this role, Marsha serves as Treasurer to the Board of Trustees and leads all activities involving University finance, including accounting, cashier’s office, payroll, purchasing, and student accounts; Human Resources; and all areas of facility management, including business operations, planning and construction management, campus maintenance, and central receiving. She is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Most recently, the Associate Vice President for Finance at Union College in Schenectady, New York, Marsha has more than 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, and operations. In her role at Union College, a national Top 50 liberal arts college, she led the Department of Financial Planning and Analysis. She successfully oversaw a comprehensive restructuring, ensuring administrative and operational processes could support and enable the goal of strengthening the vibrant community of learners, scholars, and teachers.

In 2017, Marsha earned the annual CFO Award from Wichita Business Journal and, in 2009, was named to the 40 Under 40 list. She has served as a Fractional CFO to non-profits for more than two decades and continues to serve as a board member supporting many NGO associations. She has volunteered with Arc of Space in Florida and the Spina Bifida Association, the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center, Global Outreach, the Child Advocacy Center, and YMCA Strong Kids in Kansas.

Marsha earned an MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. She also holds a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business Office of Corporate Training and Professional Education. She remains an active CPA in the state of Florida.

Chief of Staff

Dr. Svinarich has been an integral part of Kettering University since 1992 currently serving as Chief of Staff. In this role, she oversees institutional planning, policy development, and problem resolution, while acting as a liaison to faculty, staff, and student groups. She also manages the Office of the President’s operations and leads University-wide initiatives as a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Throughout her career at Kettering, Dr. Svinarich has held several leadership positions, including Associate Provost and Dean of the College of Science and Liberal Arts. She spearheaded accreditation efforts with the Higher Learning Commission and ABET, enhanced student services within Academic Affairs, and guided departments like Computer Science, Liberal Arts, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences as Dean. A dedicated educator, she also chaired the Physics Department and taught physics for over 20 years.

Dr. Svinarich earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Michigan and her Ph.D. in Physics from Wayne State University. She has completed advanced leadership training through the HERS Bryn Mawr Summer Institute and the Harvard Kennedy School’s seminar on Crisis Leadership in Higher Education. Nationally, she co-founded the Effective Practice for Physics Programs (EP3), a $2.2 million initiative supporting systematic improvement in physics departments, and currently serves on its Editorial Board. She was a mentor in the American Council on Education’s “Moving the Needle Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program.”

With decades of experience, a collaborative leadership style, and a commitment to innovation, Dr. Svinarich plays a vital role in advancing Kettering University's mission and fostering a thriving academic community.

Vice President of Instructional, Administrative, and Information Technology

Geoffrey joined Kettering University in 2015. In his current role, he serves as the Chief Information Technology Officer for the University, overseeing the information technology department to maintain existing technologies, coordinate technology needs of the University, and implement technology initiatives that serve the strategic goals of Kettering. He is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Geoffrey has a multi-faceted background, including web and application development, database administration, graphic design, photography, public relations, user training, and project management. Geoffrey previously worked at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the Fletcher School of Diplomacy at Tufts University, and Rice University overseeing web development and brand management.

While at Kettering, Geoffrey has guided the implementation of the University’s inward-facing, knowledge base and application portal. He also has coordinated inter-departmental technology projects. 

Geoffrey earned a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University and is working to earn a Master of Business Administration from Kettering University Online. 

He is a member of the Merit Broadband Equity and Advocacy Community of Practice and Merit Michigan Information Technology Executive Community of Practice (MITE).

 

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Dr. L.B. McCune, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, joined Kettering in November 2000. His responsibilities include oversight of all extracurricular programs and activities, including Community Service; Fraternity and Sorority Life; Health, Counseling, Disability, and Health Insurance Services; leadership initiatives; multicultural student affairs; Residence Life; and Recreation Services. He is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Prior to assuming his current position, L.B. served Kettering as the Associate Dean of Students and Chief Judicial Officer and as the director of multicultural student initiatives.  His professional experience in higher education includes Academic Dean of Students at the Detroit College of Business and Davenport University. L.B. has also held an appointment as an adjunct faculty member at Baker College.

He is a recipient of the United Way Partnership in Business Award. L.B. has served on the Board of Directors for the Red Cross and My Brother’s Keeper of Genesee County. He is also a volunteer in the Michigan Basketball Association Community Program.

L.B. earned a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, New York, a Master’s degree in Education Administration from the University of Michigan, and a Doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He’s also a graduate of the Flint Leadership Development Program.

Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations

Jennifer Patterson, Vice President of University Advancement and External Relations, came to Kettering University in October 2022. In this role, she leads efforts to engage trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends by connecting them with philanthropic opportunities that further the Kettering mission “to prepare students for lives of extraordinary leadership and service.” Jennifer oversees major and planned gifts, alumni engagement and annual giving, advancement services, corporate giving, foundation relations, external relations, and STEM Diversity programs. She is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

She has more than two decades of successful fundraising experience. In her previous role as Vice President for Advancement, Marketing and External Relations at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, she led her division during record-breaking years in overall fundraising totals. During that time, Capital University doubled the baseline raised in less than six years and more than tripled it in 10 years. Jennifer has previously led advancement teams at the University of Rochester in New York, the National Academy of Engineering in Washington, D.C., and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from Xavier University in Ohio and her Master’s degree in Management from High Point University in North Carolina.

Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Jennifer Umberger joined Kettering University in February 2023. As the University’s chief marketing and communications officer, Jennifer leads the development and implementation of Kettering University’s marketing and communications strategy to promote the institution, increase its visibility, and support Kettering’s mission, vision, and Pillars of Success. She also manages the University’s web strategy, social media, video production, print advertising production, public and media relations, and publication units. She is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Jennifer has more than two decades of marketing and communications experience, most recently at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, where she served as the Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. In that role, she oversaw executive communications, enrollment marketing, university marketing and brand management, strategic communications, and media relations, as well as athletic communications and marketing. She also was a strategic lead in partnership with Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. 

Jennifer earned a Bachelor’s degree in History with a Mass Communication Concentration and Public Relations Emphasis from Albion College and a Master of Business Administration from Augsburg University.

She is a member of the American Marketing Association and is secretary of the board of directors, member and co-chair of the conference and programming committee for the College & University Public Relations and Associated Professionals (CUPRAP), a national organization of communications professionals from colleges, universities, and independent schools. Jennifer also serves on the National Housing Corporation Board for Alpha Xi Delta women’s fraternity.

University Counsel

Don has served as the University Counsel at Kettering since 2013. He provides legal advice to the Board of Trustees, President, administration, and faculty and staff in their capacity as agents conducting University business on legal matters involving or affecting the institution. He is also a member of the President’s Cabinet.

He has been registered to practice before the Patent Trademark Office for more than 30 years, and has litigated patent, trademark and copyright matters. His previous experience includes litigating product liability, employment, business and personal-injury negligence matters. 

Don is the past president of the Genesee County Bar Association; a founding member and first president of the University of Michigan-Flint Alumni Society; past president of the American Inns of Court Centennial Chapter; past president of the Rotary Club of Flint; and a past member of the board of the Community Dispute Resolution Center, which provides mediation services to nine counties in Michigan. He has served for more than 10 years on boards for the State Bar of Michigan and became its 83rd president in 2017. He also has served as a judge on the 67th District Court in Genesee County. He is currently serving as president of the Flint Township Civil Service Commission and as trustee for Carriage Town Ministries in Flint. 

Don graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan-Flint, majoring in physics before earning a J.D. degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, where he graduated cum laude.