Midwest First-Year Conference

Vincent Tinto is a Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at Syracuse University and the former Chair of the Higher Education Program. He has carried out research and has written extensively on higher education, particularly on student success and the impact of learning communities on student growth and attainmen  t. His book, Leaving College, published by the University of Chicago Press, lays out a theory and policy perspective on student success that is considered the benchmark by which work on these issues are judged. His most recent book, Completing College, also published by The University of Chicago Press, lays out a framework for institutional action for student success, describes the range of programs that have been effective in enhancing student success, and the types of policies institutions should follow to successfully implement programs in ways that endure and scale-up over time.

He has received numerous recognitions and awards. He was awarded the Council of Educational Opportunity Walter O. Mason 2012 Award for his work on the retention of low-income students, the Council of Independent Colleges 2008 Academic Leadership Award, the National Institute for Staff Development International 2008 Leadership Award, and was named Distinguished Fellow in the Council of Learning Assistance and Developmental Education Associations. Most recently, he was named recipient of the 2015 President Harry S. Truman Award for the American Association of Community Colleges for his work for community colleges across America. He has some 50 notable publications, including books, research reports, and journal articles, to his credit, and has lectured across the United States, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and South America. From 1990 to 1996 he was associate director of the National Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment. He has worked with a number of organizations, foundations, and government agencies on issues of student success and sits on a number of advisory boards including the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and The Lumina Foundation.

Dr. Tinto received his BS from Fordham in Physics and Philosophy, his MS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Physics and Mathematics, and his PhD from the University of Chicago in Education and Sociology.

Rico Reed

Assistant Director for Administration and Resource Development,
National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition
University of South Carolina

Rico Reed is responsible for developing, marketing, and promoting a consistent, positive, and accurate image of the National Resource Center to internal and external publics. His duties also include coordination of the Center’s efforts to develop and share pertinent resources, products, and events with our constituents. Rico has a background in higher education public relations, graphic design, and print journalism. In his time at the University of South Carolina, Rico taught 18 sections of the University 101 course, and was recognized for service to students, and excellence in teaching the course.