Dr. Michael Harner has been with the University of Illinois for over 23 years. He joined the University of Illinois College of Dentistry’s (UIC COD) leadership team as the Associate Dean of Finance and Business Administration in 2015.

Dr. Harner holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, a master’s degree of Business Administration, a master’s degree of Art and a doctorate in Education. Dr. Harner’s role at UIC COD is responsible for overseeing state appropriations, tuition and fees, administrative operations, gifts and endowments and grants and community contracts. In his spare time, Dr. Harner enjoys spending time with his family and training for triathlons.

Jamie Hirshey serves Kansas City University (KCU) as Vice President of Human Resources and Joplin Campus Administration. She joined KCU, in January 2016, as its inaugural hire on the Joplin campus, where she played a crucial role in leading recruitment efforts that established the foundational faculty and staff team necessary for the campus to successfully launch.

Prior to her tenure at KCU, Ms. Hirshey spent 12 years in human resources leadership at Freeman Health System in Joplin, MO. Her extensive experience in health care administration has been instrumental in shaping her leadership at KCU.

Throughout her career, Ms. Hirshey has progressively assumed broader responsibilities, including recruitment and retention strategies, benefits administration, fostering institutional culture and inclusivity, enhancing employee engagement and recognition programs as well as overseeing comprehensive orientation, onboarding, professional development and performance management initiatives.

In her current role, she not only leads the university's human resources function, but also supports finance and operations at the Joplin campus, contributing to the overall strategic direction and operational excellence of KCU.

Ms. Hirshey earned her bachelor's degree from Missouri Southern State University and holds a master's degree in health care administration from Bellevue University. Her academic achievements complement her practical experience, enabling her to effectively navigate the complexities of higher education administration and health care management.

Dr. Marnie Oakley serves as the Dean at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine (Pitt SMD). After graduating from Pitt SMD, in 1992, she served an active-duty, four-year tour as a Dental Officer in the United States Navy. Dr. Oakley was responsible for the development and implementation of Pitt SMD’s Comprehensive Care Program. She also served as the Site Visit Coordinator during the successful 2010 American Dental Association (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) site visit.

Dr. Oakley served as Chair of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Annual Session Planning Committee for two consecutive years, for which she received a Presidential Citation. As a graduate fellow of the ADEA’s Leadership Institute, she served in officer positions in several ADEA committees and groups. She is also a Senior Consultant for Academy of Advancing Leadership (AAL)—where she offers one-on-one consulting services and seminars on various leadership topics to academicians across the country. Dr. Oakley works extensively in various areas of leadership development that include creating a positive culture, leading difficult conversations, resolving conflict and managing change. As a proud alumna of the Berkeley Institute of Executive Coaching, she leverages her certification and experience to help executives discover and reveal the best versions of themselves.

Dr. Oakley maintains membership in numerous professional organizations, including the ADA, the Pennsylvania Dental Association, the Dental Society of Western Pennsylvania and Omicron Kappa Upsilon.

Dr. Oakley was awarded the 2024 Impact Award and was recognized as a 2024 Trailblazer in Health Care by City & State Pennsylvania.