Excelsior College Welcomes New Members to Board of Trustees
Albany, N.Y. — The Excelsior College Board of Trustees, the governing body for the College, welcomes four new members. The board comprises 17 individuals from across the United States who are prominent in the fields of business, education, government, and the professions. The newest members are Kent Clark of Springfield, Va., Jennifer M. Gentry of Portland, Ore., Karen Kocher of Seattle, Wash., and Quintessa Miller, of Destin, Fla.
Kent Clark is a chief executive officer and military veteran with experience leading the strategy, finance, operations, personnel, and logistics of diverse organizations to drive efficiency, profitability, and risk reduction. He is president and chairman of the board, Clark Advisory Group. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he held progressive senior ranks, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. During his service, he advised U.S. Armed Forces leaders across multiple geographical locations, both domestic and abroad, on strategy, logistics, and resource planning. He also specialized in the deployment of large overseas logistical operations during combat, working with allies, foreign militaries, governments, and inter-agency partners. Clark is certified in board and advisory work across the spectrums of cybersecurity, governance, finance, audit, strategic planning, and development for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Clark earned a Master of Arts in Public Policy Management from Georgetown University, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Regents College (now Excelsior College), and associate degree in industrial technology and business from Pierce College.
Jennifer M. Gentry brings nearly 20 years of nursing experience to her role of chief nursing executive at the Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, where she is responsible for nursing strategic plans, quality outcomes, and caregiver wellness. Previously, Gentry worked within the Christus Spohn Healthcare System, headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, holding progressive nurse leadership positions before reaching the title of chief nursing officer. In this position, she reported directly to the facility president and held responsibility for all strategic, budgetary, and operational aspects of the nursing enterprise. Since 2015, Gentry has worked as an adjunct faculty member for Excelsior College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program and as a clinical examiner for the program’s Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination. She partnered with Excelsior to set up a new test site for the exam. Gentry is a three-time graduate of Excelsior College. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Associate in Science in Nursing from Excelsior.
Karen Kocher is the global general manager of 21st century jobs, skills and employability for Microsoft. Kocher previously held senior human resources, health care, and sales leadership roles in insurance, information technology, consulting, and business outsourcing across the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Kocher served as the chief learning officer and talent executive for Cigna Corporation and worked for IBM as the global content executive, Software Division, designing and implementing IBM’s social learning product strategy. Kocher earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Strategy and Communications from DePaul University.
Quintessa Miller is a highly experienced plastic surgeon practicing at Fort Walton Beach Hospital NWF Multispecialty Physicians LLC. Her areas of specialty include breast reconstruction, elective hand surgery, wound care, body contouring, facelifts, blepharoplasty, Mohs reconstruction, generalized reconstruction, and injectables. She is also a decorated member of the U.S. Air Force, having achieved the rank of colonel, and serves as staff plastic surgeon at Eglin Hospital at Eglin Airforce base in Florida. She has served as commander, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Miller earned a Doctor of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and completed residencies at the Kessler Medical Center, Louisiana State University, and Wright State University.
###
Media Contact:
Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-464-8531
ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.
