NextLevel Current Cohort

Dr. Marc Davis

Dr. Marc Davis serves as the Dean of Business, Engineering, and Technical Studies at Mitchell Community College in Statesville, North Carolina. With a background in business, economics, and education, his work centers on connecting academic programs with workforce needs and community impact. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNC Charlotte, as well as a Master’s in Economics and an MBA from Walsh College. Originally from Michigan, his career has been shaped by a commitment to student success and program development.

Marc’s work focuses on aligning academic programs with industry expectations to create meaningful opportunities for students. At Mitchell Community College, he collaborates with faculty, industry partners, and local schools to expand dual enrollment, develop degree pathways, and enhance student engagement. This includes supporting industry certifications, refining curricula, and encouraging student participation in SkillsUSA.

Before transitioning to higher education, Marc held leadership roles in business development and sales with Rubbermaid Commercial Products and Prairie Farms Dairy Co., managing strategic accounts and fostering industry partnerships. These experiences continue to inform his approach—balancing long-term planning with practical implementation to support sustainable growth.

Marc is actively involved in mentorship, economic education, and community engagement, serving on local school and industry boards. He enjoys seeing students achieve their goals, faculty collaborate on new ideas, and programs evolve to meet emerging challenges. Outside of work, he spends time with his family, explores innovative education practices, and stays engaged with his community.

As a NextLevel Post-Secondary Leadership program participant, Marc looks forward to refining his leadership approach and strengthening his ability to support students, faculty, and institutional initiatives. His focus remains on fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and developing sustainable programs that prepare students for the workforce of the future.

Tami Hill

Tami Hill proudly serves as the Project Coordinator Lead for the Workforce Development department at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and Administration from Purdue University and an Associate’s Degree in Human Services from Kaplan University, she brings a strong educational foundation to her role. Hired as an administrative assistant in 2016 at Lane Community College, her career has been rooted in administrative support. Knowing she wanted to do more, Tami joined the Workforce Development team two years ago and immersed herself in all that the workforce could be. In doing so, she uncovered a deep passion for connecting students with educational opportunities and fulfilling careers. In the past year, Tami has become Lane Community College’s contact for Handshake, a platform that connects students and alumni with employers. It facilitates job and internship searches, career events, and networking opportunities, all within a college career-services framework. In her free time, Tami relishes moments with her family, embraces the outdoors, enjoys horseback riding, reads books, and seeks new knowledge in whatever she can.

Tami applied for the NextLevel Post-Secondary Leadership program because it offers immersive learning experiences that will help further her leadership skills. She firmly believes in the transformative power of lifelong learning and is dedicated to fostering an environment where others can thrive and grow.

Juan Fernando Pienda

Juan Fernando Pienda is a passionate career and technical education (CTE) leader based in Denver, Colorado. As the Associate Dean at Emily Griffith Technical College, he drives strategic initiatives that strengthen industry partnerships, enhance program effectiveness, and expand career pathways. With a background in engineering and technical education, he leverages systems thinking and human-centered leadership to create high-impact learning environments. In his role, Juan aligns CTE programs with industry standards to boost student placement and workforce readiness. Working closely with his dean, he has refined program value propositions, developed a comprehensive onboarding program that achieved 100% instructor retention over three years, and revamped performance management processes. His focus on process optimization has led to scalable improvements in curriculum and student feedback systems. Fluent in English, Spanish, and conversational Portuguese, Juan has had the chance to work with people from different continents—Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia—gaining valuable cross-cultural insights. These experiences enhance his lifelong commitment to learning, which is also evident in his creative pursuits in cooking, art, and music. Embracing his passion for outdoor adventure—from mountain biking and camping to mountaineering—he serves as an active bike mechanic and cycling advocate, supporting the local community in making biking more accessible through hands-on workshops. Additionally, he actively supports facilitating men’s circles and retreats that promote emotional well-being and healthy masculinity.

Juan is excited to join the NextLevel Post-Secondary Leadership Program to deepen his impact in CTE and workforce development. As a proud Hispanic immigrant, strategic thinker, and innovator, he is dedicated to challenging the status quo and inspiring others to build transformative, human-centered solutions. He looks forward to forging meaningful connections and exploring collaborative opportunities, confident that progress is most powerful when achieved together.

Alan Munford

Alan Munford is the Principal of the Bancroft School, where he leads with a strong commitment to inclusive practices, student-centered innovation, and building collaborative, high-performing school communities. With over 10 years of leadership experience across K–12 education, Alan brings a proven track record of fostering positive school culture, academic growth, and strong partnerships with families and the broader community.

Prior to joining the Bancroft School, Alan served in a range of administrative roles including Principal of Mercer County Technical School and Bangor Area High School, Assistant Principal and Dean of Students at Chichester High School, and Special Education Supervisor at Elwyn Institute. His leadership has led to the development of college and career readiness programs, interdisciplinary instructional models, community-based learning initiatives, and inclusive student support systems.

Alan holds two Master of Education degrees—in Special Education and School Leadership—from Wilmington University, where he is currently completing his PhD in Educational Leadership. He is certified as a Principal in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, and holds teaching certifications in both general and special education.

At the heart of Alan’s leadership is a belief in equity, integrity, and shared accountability. He strives to create environments where every student is empowered to thrive, and every educator is supported to grow. His work at Bancroft is focused on building a culture of belonging, excellence, and opportunity for all learners.

Dr. Matthew Nappier

Dr. Matthew Nappier is the Director of Strategic Assessment, Planning, and Initiatives at Louisiana Delta Community College in Monroe, LA. He is a native of the Monroe area, graduating from West Monroe High School. He recently retired from military service after 22 years. He has an MS from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, an MA from Amridge University, and a PhD from Amridge University. Dr. Nappier started as the Director of Workforce Education and Recruitment in the Workforce Development department. While there, he also became the Perkins Regional Coalition Coordinator for Region 8 in Louisiana. He worked with the Workforce Director, Workforce Instructors, Admin personnel, and the Adult Education department to recruit for the non-credit programs and place students on pathways for continued education. He worked with a team to develop better execution of grants through braided funds and strategic planning. He also helped develop a new non-credit program for the local manufacturing industry, obtaining their participation in the process and acceptance of the program as one of value for their industry. In the Fall of 2024, he co-presented maximizing efforts in Adult Education to better equip those students for the workforce, leveraging those efforts for better annual funding from Perkins. Recently, he moved to his current position, where he is contributing greatly to the efforts of the college’s ten-year reaffirmation with SACSCOC and is expanding the assessments of the college to improve the quality of education. Dr. Nappier is excited about the leadership opportunity with the NextLevel Post Secondary Leadership program. He looks to share the lessons he has learned in CTE and learn from others, especially looking to grow his community in Work-Based Learning. He looks forward to utilizing the tools and leadership skills he learned in his previous career to create change and growth in his new career. Dr. Nappier is very involved in his community within and separate from his career in higher education. He is married to his wife Malissa, an educator at a local private school, and his five children are involved in sports and church, where he also holds leadership roles. His passion for higher education and CTE is driven by his desire to serve others and help them find the best path for themselves, their family, and the community.

Ferdie Santos

Ferdie Santos currently serves as the Talent Development Retention Director with the Orange County Regional Consortium (OCRC), based at Fullerton College. He immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines as a child and grew up across Southern California. Ferdie holds an AA with honors in Business Administration from Fullerton College and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University. Originally from Anaheim, California, he has dedicated his career to fostering workforce development and strengthening industry partnerships. With over 25 years of experience in employer engagement, Ferdie has a proven track record of building strong relationships and driving impactful results. His career highlights include serving in the United States Marine Corps, where he received commendations for outstanding performance and leadership. Transitioning to civilian life, he worked in Human Resources, focusing on employee benefits and creating lasting relationships through exceptional service. In his IT role, he managed critical projects that ensured business continuity during challenging times and transformed the perception of the IT department into a valuable resource. As a Business Development Specialist, he excelled in creating long-term client relationships and consistently surpassing sales goals. Additionally, he has overseen operations in various capacities, always focusing on connecting with people and figuring out how to best help them in any industry. In his current role at OCRC, Ferdie leads initiatives aimed at enhancing talent development and retention across the region, collaborating with industry partners and educational institutions to create impactful programs. His leadership philosophy centers on servant leadership, always looking to serve others whenever he can. As a disabled-rated veteran, he brings resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to service to every initiative he leads.

Outside of work, Ferdie has been happily married for 23 years and cherishes every moment with his wife and two beautiful daughters. He has a passion for surfing and loves spending time at the beach, whether it’s catching waves or simply enjoying the ocean breeze. Camping in his trailer is another favorite pastime, providing a perfect escape to nature and quality family time. Watching his girls grow and thrive in their various activities brings him immense joy and pride. Ferdie is also deeply involved in his community, contributing to various initiatives and mentoring young professionals. These activities keep him grounded and remind him of the importance of giving back.

Ferdie is excited about the opportunity to participate in the NextLevel Post-Secondary Leadership program. His current goals include continuing to make a positive impact in workforce development and expanding his leadership skills. He looks forward to collaborating with fellow leaders and contributing to the advancement of the field.

DeAnna Little, Ph.D.

ACTE NextLevel Fellowship Program Advisor

Gena Gesing

ACTE Manager of Postsecondary CTE