Roger is a professor emeritus of higher, adult, and lifelong education at MSU. Much of his research focused on academic career development, including the challenges and opportunities of retirement. He is the past president of the MSU Retirees Association. In addition to serving as AROHE’s president-elect, he also chairs the Research and Education Committee. Roger seeks to support AROHE’s mission to enlarge the vision of the retirement years and increase pathways for continued engagement, service, and fulfillment post retirement.
Cherie Y. Hamilton, President-Elect
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cherie retired from Vanderbilt University as
director of recruitment & staffing. She spent 12 years as a human resources
consultant conducting workshops on recruiting, training and development, and
diversity. She serves on the University of Minnesota’s Retiree’s Association
Board of Directors and chairs the AROHE Travel Committee. Cherie integrates her
experience in training and H.R. into ideas for new programs for AROHE
organizations as their members plan for retirement.
Susan Kress, Secretary
Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY
Susan retired in 2012 as vice president for
academic affairs and professor of English at Skidmore College. She is an active
member of Skidmore’s Retiree Planning Group. She has served AROHE in various
capacities since 2012. In addition to serving as secretary, Susan serves on the
AROHE Research and Education Committee. Susan sees AROHE as uniquely qualified
to lead the way in transforming retirement in higher education and is dedicated
to making AROHE’s resources more visible.
Caroline Kane, Treasurer
University of California Berkeley (UCB), Berkeley, CA
Caroline is a professor emeritus of biochemistry
and co-founder of the UCB Biology Scholars Program, where she promoted access
to higher education for underrepresented students. She is active in the UCB
Emeriti Association. In addition to serving as AROHE treasurer, she is a past
president and serves as chair of the AROHE Sponsorship Committee. Caroline
works to make AROHE the go-to organization about retirement in higher education
for colleges/universities, government entities and the media.
William A. Verdini, Immediate Past-President
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Bill is a professor emeritus of supply chain management. He served as the dean of the Arizona State University Emeritus College 2015-19 and as President of AROHE 2021-22. He strives to contribute to AROHE's mission to foster the success of existing retirement organizations and to create new retirement organizations that will harness the remarkable talents of retired faculty and staff for the service of their institutions and communities.
Directors-at-large
Charles DeSantis
Georgetown University, Washington DC
Charles DeSantis serves as Associate Vice
President for Benefits and Wellness and Chief Benefits Officer for Georgetown
University. He is committed to supporting the personal, professional, and
financial well-being of the university community and to serving on boards of
organizations that influence how we serve our communities. He gives back to the
humanitarian sector through his work serving children and refugees in the
greatest need worldwide. He has published two books: SMART, BEAUTIFUL AND
IMPORTANT: Teaching art to AIDS-affected orphans in Africa’s largest slum and
Lucas & Lilly Go to Kindergarten. Charles values AROHE's mission to make
more belonging happen in retirement.
Emma Gillom Ward
University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Emma retired from The University of Mississippi in 2013 as a Telecommunication Specialist after 32 years in customer service and data entry. She was the chair of the University of Mississippi Retiree Organization in 2014 and she continues to serve as a board member of that organization. She has completed one term on the AROHE Board of Directors and she serves on the AROHE Membership Committee. Emma is currently a United Methodist clergy and has been for 26 years. She earned a business administration degree from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi. She is committed to increasing the diversity among AROHE members and has encouraged several Historical Black Colleges and Universities to join.
Tom Hart
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Tom retired from Florida State University in 2005 and is a professor emeritus of the College of Information and the editor of the Association of Retired Faculty. He has served for several years on the AROHE Innovation Awards Committee. At the AROHE Conference at Emery University in Atlanta he presented a session on the FSU ARF Journal to a standing room only audience. The FSU ARF Journal and Website received the 2021 AROHE Innovation Award.
Hoke S. Hill
Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Hoke is a professor emeritus of mathematical sciences and chair emeritus of applied statistics at Clemson University. He was recently named a fellow of the Clemson Emeritus College. He was a member of the Clemson Emeritus College Advisory Board from 2015-20 and served as the board chair for 2018-19. He currently serves on the AROHE Travel Committee. Through work with AROHE, Hoke encourages and enables the growth and development of emeritus colleges and works to help AROHE achieve increased national visibility and impact.
Eric Hockert
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Eric is president-elect, program committee chair and former communications committee chair for the University of Minnesota Retirees Association board (UMRA), an 800-member organization, and former board chair for the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC). His career experiences include work at 3M in corporate research, vice-president R&D for a small company, academic research center industrial liaison, Boston Scientific (interventional coronary products), and academic technology commercialization (patents and startup companies). His education includes Iowa State University and the University of Illinois (Ph.D. chemical engineering). His broad background of experiences in industry and academia as well as several years working with volunteers and other retirees will be an asset to AROHE.
Kaye Jeter
Central State University, Wilberforce, OH
Kaye is the retired dean and director of the Institute of Urban Education and former dean of education at Central State University-Dayton campus. She previously served as the general counsel of education for the State of Tennessee. She is a graduate of Central State University, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Marquette University Law School. Kaye has served as a member of the AROHE membership committee since 2019. She and Emma Ward have worked diligently to encourage HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and University) campuses to create retirement organizations and join AROHE. She is excited about serving and being able to continue the important work of this organization.
Ann Rethlefsen
Winona State University, Winona, MN
Ann is a professor emerita in the College of Education at Winona State University (WSU) since her retirement in 2015. She joined the WSU Retiree Center Board in 2017 and has served as co-chair since 2020. She has been active in the Learning Club, an organization affiliated with the Retiree Center open to those over age 50. She serves on its board. This group sponsors hour-long programs on a diversity of subjects, and Ann has presented numerous times on her extensive travels. She seeks to encourage active participation in travel and educational opportunities in AROHE and locally.
Cary Sweeney
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cary Sweeney is Director of the University of California, Berkeley Retirement Center. She holds a Master's of Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth University and has 20+ years of experience in developing and managing programs in geriatrics and gerontology aimed at improving the well-being of older adults. Cary is interested in maximizing the value of AROHE to its members and believes that colleges and universities are enriched by engaging retirees in campus life.
Joyce M. Szabo
University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque, NM
Joyce retired from the UNM's Department of Art after teaching art history there for 28 years. She serves the UNM Retiree Association as secretary and co-director of the programs committee. She also advocates for retirees through service on the state’s Educational Retirement Board. Joyce currently serves on the AROHE Research and Education Committee. She is particularly concerned that AROHE represent the needs of retired staff as well as retired faculty.
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