Adena Loston

Adena Loston is the 14th president of St. Philip’s College, our nation’s only Historically Black College and Hispanic-Serving Institution; she began her appointment in March 2007. Previously she served as the director of education and special assistant for Suborbital and Special Orbital Projects Directorate for the Goddard Space Flight Center, Wallops Flight Facility and chief education officer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at its Headquarters in Washington, DC. She has served as president of San Jacinto College South, executive dean/provost in the El Paso Community College District, dean of vocational education, budgets and facilities, and dean of professional programs at Santa Monica College, and has also served in other administrative educational capacities for the past 39 years. Loston is the product of a historically black college, Alcorn State University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in 1973. She received her master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Bowling Green State University in 1974 and 1979, respectively.

Diane Dorgan

Diane Dorgan is the project manager for Interstate Passport as part of WICHE’s Programs and Services unit and provides comprehensive support in onboarding new member institutions and facilitates outreach for Interstate Passport committees and review board while assisting with managing program grant funding. Prior to joining WICHE, Diane worked for over 10 years in the Student Success Division at Montana State University-Bozeman before spending the past six years directing the Dual Enrollment and Montana Career Pathways program for MSU’s imbedded two-year college, Gallatin College. Diane earned both a BA in English Literature and a Master’s in Public Administration from MSU-Bozeman and serves as an adjunct instructor in Business Communications. Outside of work, Diane has a passion for reading, traveling with her husband Mark, and enjoying all forms of outdoor recreation and amenities offered by residing in the beautiful gem of Big Sky Country, Bozeman, Montana.

Sarah Leibrandt

Sarah Leibrandt, Ph.D. is the director of strategy, impact, and academic partnerships at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. In this role, she oversees two membership networks, the Western Academic Leadership Forum (Forum) and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders (Alliance), which enable provosts, vice presidents of academic affairs, and chief academic officers throughout the West to network and collaborate on initiatives supporting key higher education issues. Leibrandt also leads the Western Academic Leadership Academy for aspiring provosts and the Interstate Passport program, a nationwide network of institutions working to improve student transfer through the block transfer of lower division general education. Leibrandt has been with WICHE since 2013. Prior to joining WICHE, Leibrandt worked for the Colorado Department of Education and Red Rocks Community College. Leibrandt earned a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and a Ph.D. in Education Policy from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Julie Esterline

Julie Esterline is the Project Coordinator for Interstate Passport at the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. Prior to joining WICHE, Esterline worked at a transportation non-profit, assisting with grant administration, membership retention, and bookkeeping. She has a B.S. in Business Administration from Southeast Missouri State University.