NEUMONT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The purpose of the Neumont College of Computer Science Board of Trustees is to ensure the quality and integrity of the College, provide insight and direction toward the mission of the College, employ a President to serve as chief executive officer of the College, establish appropriate policies of governance and operation, assess outcomes, and serve as advocates of the College.
NICK BAGULEY
VP Global Data & Analytics - New Product Development/Open Banking, Mastercard
Independent Trustee
Nick Baguley, affectionately known as the "Godfather of AI," has played an integral role in shaping the landscape of Data Science globally. With a knack for innovation and a passion for problem-solving, Nick has been instrumental in the development and deployment of foundational AI-based solutions, patents, and curricula.
As a lifelong entrepreneur, Nick's commitment to pushing boundaries and driving progress knows no bounds. Currently, he serves as the driving force behind global Data Strategy and Data Science initiatives for Mastercard's Open-Banking and Financial Data Networks. In addition, Nick holds the position of President at AlphaTech Research Corp., a leading renewable energy company dedicated to sustainable solutions.
Nick's expertise extends beyond the corporate realm. He has lent his strategic insights to numerous boards, committees, and executive roles, including esteemed positions at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the National Science Foundation (NSF). His contributions to the National Data Science Organizers, Big Data Hubs, local governments, universities, and both for-profit and non-profit organizations underscore his commitment to fostering innovation and driving positive change on a global scale.
Thomas Bickart
Chief Financial Officer, National American University
Independent Trustee
Tom has been a CFO in higher education for the better part of the past two decades, including with Neumont from 2008-2013. At present, Tom is the CFO for National American University, a regionally accredited online university with headquarters in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Originally from the Midwest, Tom earned his B.S. in Accounting and Finance from DePaul University and his M.B.A. from Pepperdine University. He currently resides in Las Vegas, NV.
Korvyn Dornseif
Technology Practices Leader, Willis Towers Watson
Independent Trustee
Korvyn earned a BS in Computer Science from Neumont, graduating with honors in the institution’s first class in 2006. He also earned an MS in Computer Science from Neumont in 2009.
Upon graduation, Korvyn joined Extend Benefits, a small startup in the digital medical records space. He has worked in software development, quality assurance, and data architecture throughout his career. He was a technology-oriented vice president at Towers Watson, after their acquisition of Extend Benefits. He now works as a Practices Leader at Willis Towers Watson.
He has been an avid Neumont advocate since graduation. Due largely to Korvyn’s efforts, Willis Towers Watson has become one of the leading companies in employing Neumont graduates.
Sandy Pennington, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor to the President (Retired), Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions
Independent Trustee
Dr. Sandra Pennington retired in 2021 after nearly 20 years in executive leadership at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (Utah). During her tenure, she served as the Academic Dean, the Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs/Provost, the Executive Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Strategic Initiatives, and the Chief of Staff for the Office of the President. On retirement, she was awarded the title of Administrator Emeritus.
She also served as the Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and held the rank of Professor. Prior to RMU, she had a distinguished career at Berea College (Kentucky) where she held an Endowed Chair in Nursing position. On retirement from Berea College, she was appointed Professor Emerita.
Sandy has a forty-year career as a registered nurse where she served in diverse roles in the clinical and academic settings. She holds a PhD in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Kentucky. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University.
Dr. Pennington functioned as NWCCU peer evaluator and an observation visitor for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. In addition, she has served on the Physical Therapy Panel of the Commission on Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and was a CAPTE peer evaluator.
Dr. Pennington has a passion for institutional accreditation, governance, assessment, and strategic planning and has focused much of her career on data-driven decision-making at the point-of-care and in navigating the future of the professoriate. Sandy currently co-authors the nursing pharmacology text, Abrams' Clinical Drug Therapy and has also co-authored a critical care and emergency nursing text. She has written multiple book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals and has written. Sandy has extensive experience as an expert nurse witness in medical malpractice cases.
Sheila Thorne
Business Architect and Technical Vitality Leader
Independent Trustee
Sheila’s human resources experience, technical roots and program management focus give her a foundation to work with teams and bridge the gap between vision and reality. She has expertise in strategy development, requirements analysis, facilitation, solution design, organizational change management, talent development and resource management. She is a business speaker on topics that include teaming, diversity and inclusion.
Sheila is a member of the National Speaker's Association, Business Architecture Guild, a senior member of IEEE and a Distinguished Certified IT Specialist with the Open Group.
Aaron Reed, Ed.D., Ph.D.
President & CEO, Neumont College of Computer Science
Non-independent Trustee
After working for a decade in the software development industry, Aaron joined Neumont College of Computer Science in 2004 as a faculty member focused on Microsoft development technologies.
Aaron is the architect of Neumont’s Enterprise Projects program, a series of unique experiential-learning courses that provide students with real-world experience through partnerships with industry-leading tech employers. Aaron is the sole author of two textbooks on XNA and Python that have been used at over 30 universities worldwide. He also served as a board member for the Utah Women Technology Council.
Aaron earned a B.S. in Computer Science from Weber State University, an MBA from Neumont University, an M.S. in Computer Science from Georgia Tech, a Doctorate in Education from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Auburn University.
Garrick Ahn
Investment Manager
Non-independent Trustee
Garrick leverages his financial and operational consulting experiences to assist companies with the design, financing and execution of strategic growth plans. Garrick is also involved in the sourcing, execution and management of investments in lower middle-market businesses.
Previously, Garrick held positions in private equity at Bastion Capital, management consulting at McKinsey & Company and investment banking at Morgan Stanley & Co. He received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and his M.S and B.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
RYAN MATTHEWS
Investment Manager
Non-independent Trustee
Ryan supports all aspects of portfolio company management and screens prospective investments. He joined Caltius Equity in July 2016 from Harris Williams & Co. where he was an analyst in its Consumer Group.
While at Harris Williams & Co., Ryan worked on mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory assignments in consumer segments including food & beverage, consumer products, restaurants and retail. Ryan received his B.S. in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.
Jakita O. Thomas, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Computer Science & Software Engineering, Auburn University
Non-independent Trustee
Jakita is a Philpott Westpoint Stevens Associate Professor of Computer Science and Software Engineering at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. Dr. Thomas is also Director of the CUltuRally & SOcially Relevent (CURSOR) Computing Lab. Her research interests include exploring the development of computational algorithmic thinking, Intersectional Computing, promoting access to healthcare information and services for under-served populations, improving reasoning using expert cases, and complex cognitive skills learning. Jakita is a recipient of the National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award (2012 - 2019). She is also a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) (2016).
Previously, Jakita held positions at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, and IBM Research – Almaden in San Jose, CA. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer & Information Science with a minor in Mathematics from Spelman College in 1999. In 2006, Jakita was conferred a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA.
Jim Upchurch
Investment Manager
Non-independent Trustee
Jim is involved in all aspects of investment management, including fundraising, and deal origination. His wide-ranging experience spans private debt and equity investing, sales and trading of public debt securities, portfolio management, and accounting.
Earlier in his career, Jim was President of U.S. Bancorp Libra and its predecessor, Libra Investments, an investment banking firm focused on the sale, trading, and placement of debt securities. Jim began his career as a Certified Public Accountant at KPMG. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Northern Arizona University.
Abe Wu, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Anova Capital Management
Non-independent Trustee
Abe focuses on leading and assisting companies with operations and revenue improvement efforts.
Abe began his career as a systems engineer with Boeing Aerospace and Systems Research & Applications. He was also a management consultant with McKinsey & Company and EHS Partners, and served as Chief Operating Officer of Platt College Los Angeles.
Abe holds a PhD in Political Economics from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, MA degrees in Education and Political Science from the Stanford School of Education and Humanities, and a BS in Electrical Engineering with Distinction from Stanford University.