Side Affects Episode #112: Culture Isn’t The Flavor Of The Month – DE&I Part IV

Dr. Lillian “Lil” Schumacher took the helm as Tiffin University’s Interim President on January 11, 2016 and was named President just five months later on June 8, 2016.  Prior to her presidency, she has been an integral part of the University since 2010, first as Dean of the School of Business and more recently as Vice President for Academic Affairs.

A natural leader who has experience and academic training in leadership, Dr. Schumacher has more than 30 years of expertise in higher education and corporate environments in areas of program development, assessment, accreditation, teaching, strategic planning, budget preparation and administration, staff selection and evaluation, and fundraising.  As a professor of management, she has designed and taught courses and workshops in the areas of organizational behavior and change, strategy, leadership, entrepreneurship, communication, career mapping, human resources, international business and global leadership, and other related disciplines.

With over 20 years of serving as an organizational consultant in areas of leadership development, executive coaching, strategic planning, human resources, career coaching and change management, Dr. Schumacher believes in an organizational culture that embraces mutual respect, accountability, intentional actions, diversity, inclusion and clear decision-making aligned with organizational values.

She has demonstrated her ability to manage and advocate change processes in higher educational and corporate settings, and is a highly motivated, results-oriented professional with an approachable leadership style and a strong work ethic marked by dedication, initiative, integrity and professionalism.

Click this link to read more about President Lillian Schumacher’s history and background.

Dr. Julia Porter is an educator, consultant, and writer. At Tiffin University, she is the Director of the Center for InterculTUral Excellence. Julia started her career as a high school teacher in Brooklyn, NY and went on to work in the nonprofit sector before landing in higher education. She holds a BS in English Education from Indiana University/Purdue University-Indianapolis, an MA in English Literature from Brooklyn College, and a PhD in Global Leadership from Indiana Tech. Julia is the first in her family to not only earn a four year degree, but to get a PhD. She and her husband, Kyle, built their family through adoption and raised awareness about the unique nuances of being a part of a transracial family, as well as the complexities of the adoption triad.

Nadia Lewis is the Vice President for Human Resources and the Center for InterculTUral Excellence at Tiffin University. She received her B.A. from the University of Cincinnati in International Business and her Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership with a focus in Human Resource Management along with a certification in Strategic Global Organizational Leadership from Colorado Global campus.  Nadia has over 15 years working as an HR business partner for industries such as aerospace, engineering, robotics, healthcare, behavioral health, higher-education, factory automation and manufacturing.  She is a certified facilitator in Bridges out of Poverty, Fierce Conversations, the Color Code and CQ (Cultural Intelligence).  Helping to train organizations in the opportunities that exist to maximize the various pathways in creating a culture of engagement, under a culture of inclusion.

Nadia has served consecutive years as a chair and a board member for the Northwest Ohio Human Resources Association (a state chapter of SHRM) most recently consecutive years as the Diversity Chair.  She is also a member of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) previously served in the role of President on the board for CUPA-HR.  She has also served as a keynote speaker/presenter at national, regional and state conferences. Presented on topics such as “Creating conditions that lead to retention, productivity, and engagement in entry-level workers”,  “Getting results through individual and organizational accountability” at conferences such as the NOHRA-SHRM Diversity Conference of 2017, Keynote Speaker CUPA-HR Conference 2017, 2018 & 2019, Keynote Speaker for Health Care 2016, Staffing World conference and varies SHRM chapters.  Outside of her professional HR environment, Mrs. Lewis has served on the Lucas County Mental Health Board as well as NAMI as an advocate for creating opportunity and equitable access for the underrepresented population.

Mrs. Lewis holds a SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) in Human Resources.

Nadia Lewis currently resides in Maumee, Ohio with her husband Kevin and their two boys KJ (10) and Camden (7).

Learn more about the Center for InterculTUral Excellence here!