Work with thought leaders and academic experts from Webster University

Adriel A. Hilton is director of Programs, Transition, and Youth Success Planning, a managerial appointment in the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families of Washington Management Service. He recently served as vice-chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management and an associate professor of education at Southern University at New Orleans. Prior to this role, Adriel was dean of students and diversity officer at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa., where he provided strategic leadership and direction to the office of Housing and Residential Life, Community Standards, First Year & Transition Programs, Diversity & Inclusion, and International Student Services. Subsequent positions include director of the Webster University Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Extended Campus; chief of staff and executive assistant to the president at Grambling State University; assistant professor and director of the Higher Education Student Affairs program at Western Carolina University; and inaugural assistant vice president for inclusion initiatives at Grand Valley State University. Hilton honed his expertise in higher education administration and teaching at Upper Iowa University (UIU) as executive assistant to the president and assistant secretary to the board of trustees, and adjunct faculty member at both UIU and the University of Northern Iowa. He was later to be appointed UIU’s very first chief diversity officer. An avid scholar, Hilton has been a Frederick Douglass Teaching Scholar at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he taught and developed academic programs within the Office of the Provost. He also served as the first public policy fellow at the Greater Baltimore Committee, a leading regional organization comprised of civic and business leaders in Baltimore, Md. While there, Adriel worked closely with advisors to research, develop, and advocate a public policy agenda to advance the organization’s work in regional areas of concern including access to health care. Hilton is a prolific author and researcher. His research is published in a host of refereed journals, such as the *Teachers College Record*, J*ournal of College Student Development*, *Community College Review*, *Community College Journal of Research and Practice*, *Journal of Applied Research in the Community College*, and the *Journal of the Professoriate*. His numerous service commitments include membership on the editorial boards of the renowned *Journal of Negro Education* and the highly acclaimed *College Student Affairs Journal*. Dr. Hilton holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, with a concentration in finance from Morehouse College, Atlanta, Ga.; a Master of Applied Social Science degree, with a concentration in public administration from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fa.; a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University, Saint Louis, Mo.; and, a PhD in higher education, with a concentration in administration, from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md.

I am a doctoral-trained experimental psychologist with nearly 20 years’ experience supporting the success of my students and colleagues. When not in the classroom, I am passionate about leading, mentoring, and contributing to behavioral science research at the intersection of developmental, health, and performance psychology. <br> I view myself as a collaborative scholar, mentor, and leader, developing these traits over deliberate effort, trial (and error), and a constant striving for growth across increasingly challenging leadership and administrative positions, including my current work as Assistant Vice President of Research at Webster University in St. Louis, MO. In this role, I leverage my knowledge, experience, and relationships to lead and contribute to organizational change as related to grantseeking and student/faculty development. Further, I’ve developed, promoted, implemented, and evaluated innovative initiatives aimed at advancing strategic goals. Across these roles and contexts, I have demonstrated my ability and flexibility to effectively collaborate and communicate with diverse students, colleagues, and stakeholders, both across and within boundaries. Because one job is not enough (!), as a tenured faculty member, I also develop and deliver both remote and in-person undergraduate and graduate coursework in Psychology to audiences of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities. I am also known as a champion for high-impact practices within and outside of the classroom and have a track record of successfully leading such experiences. I know how to conceptualize, design, and implement research projects grounded in behavioral science. Research in my collaborative Lifespan Wellness Lab has explored numerous topics, ranging from career identity, to personal control beliefs and mindfulness, goal-setting, stress, exercise and nutrition, substance use, and socializing experiences across the lifespan. My teaching and mentorship efforts have been recognized via multiple awards, while my scholarship has been supported by several research grants. I am energized by opportunities to enhance understanding, awareness, and application of behavior science concepts in everyday life and how we can translate academic and scholarly work to inclusively and equitably improve people’s lives. I see the theoretical and methodological tools of behavioral science as versatile and robust, to be applied creatively to investigate and understand a variety of topics. If done well, this work can change behavior in desirable ways and offer solutions to complex problems.

I have over a decade of experience in academic administration and program management. As the Director of Education and Workforce Development at the Digital Intelligence and Innovation Accelerator (DI2) and the Office of Health Information and Data Science (OHIDS) at Washington University in St. Louis, I have spearheaded the creation and evaluation of interdisciplinary educational programs. These initiatives are designed to equip learners and professionals for the challenges of a rapidly changing digital economy and healthcare landscape. My career also includes significant roles in strategic oversight, program development, and stakeholder engagement, particularly focused on fostering a digital-first culture within a university setting. My research emphasizes the development and evaluation of competency-based education curricula and the integration of AI and machine learning tools to enhance education. I also combine my expertise in acting and science to offer science communication training for faculty, staff, trainees, and industry professionals. Before my tenure at Washington University, I was a teaching artist and arts integration specialist. I hold a BA in Theatre, an MA in Communication Arts, and I am a PhD candidate in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Healthcare administrator with extensive experience in acute inpatient psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs, and traditional outpatient behavioral health services, along with targeted case management programs. Results-oriented and proactive in addressing and resolving issues. Experienced in State and Joint Commission regulatory and accreditation surveys

Over my 20-plus years of teaching, as well as my 20-plus years with CSX Transportation railroad in the USA, I have gained significance experience in supply chain management, transportation and logistics, inventory and warehouse management, and emerging digital technologies and systems. My favorite specialty is freight rate and economic impact analysis.

Samuel Sheffield has always been interested in the intersection of technology and security. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology, he joined the United States Army where he served as a Military Intelligence Officer, Signal Officer, and Company Commander. During his time in the army, he became fascinated with cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, leading him to pursue a Master's degree in Cybersecurity and a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence. In 2023, Samuel founded PantheonAI, a company that specializes in developing advanced ethical decision-making solutions using AI technology. He also served as the Deputy CISO at General Datatech, L.P., where he oversaw the security of the company's systems and networks. Samuel is also passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge with others. He previousky worked as an Adjunct Professor at Collin College, where he taught courses on cybersecurity analysis. He currently serves as the Innovation Officer for the United States Army, where he leads initiatives to implement cutting-edge technology in military operations. Throughout his career, Samuel has been recognized for his expertise in the field of cybersecurity and AI. He has received multiple certifications, including the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. He is committed to using his knowledge and experience to make the digital world a safer place for individuals and businesses.