2022 Presenters

Dr. Karen Hall is an accomplished educational consultant and academic leader with extensive experience providing equity-focused leadership and directing academic program administration. Hall retired from the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District this year after serving as its superintendent since 2012.

She started her career as a distinguished educator and academic program administrator evaluating curriculum, maximizing learning opportunities, and employing innovative education methods throughout several school districts. Hall has been instrumental in assessment forecasting, analysis, and strategic planning while mentoring, coaching, and supporting educators to ensure professional development and equity-focused student progress.

During her tenure at Maplewood Richmond Heights, she developed enriched learning opportunities throughout the school district. All initiatives centered around social justice, community engagement, and advocacy for students to experience artistic self-exploration balanced with academic rigor. Hall’s introduction and implementation of the Public Education Leadership Project (PELP) worked to close the achievement gap so that all students could achieve academic success. Dr. Hall’s leadership at the Maplewood Richmond Heights School District culminated with achieving the “District of Distinction” and nationwide attention for strategic sustainability practices.

Her passion for educational equity and excellence is displayed throughout her academic and professional accomplishments. She has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Outstanding Administrator Award from the Missouri State Thespians Association in 2013 and the Inspiring St. Louisian Award from the St. Louis County NAACP in 2014. She has also received recognition from The National Conference for Community & Justice Metropolitan St. Louis with the Brotherhood Sisterhood Award in 2019 and the 2020 Salute to Excellence in Education from the St. Louis American Foundation.

As an academic leader and educational consultant, Dr. Hall is passionate about advocating for diversity and inclusion at the forefront of every educational endeavor by forging innovative community awareness initiatives, cultivating trusted relationships, and directing organizations to adopt inclusive methodologies.

Dacoda currently serves as the coordinator for Student Transitions & Family Programs to assist new students with their transition to WashU, develops programming and support for transfer and exchange students, and coordinates second-year experience. Dacoda works directly with the transfer and exchange student mentors, student executive board, and coordinates Winter Welcome. He also oversees communications for new students and families managing a student marketing team. On June 20, he will transition to Admissions and Aid as the inaugural Associate Director for Rural Recruitment. Originally from Southwest Missouri, Dacoda holds two degrees from Missouri State University: a B.S in intercultural communication/ethical leadership and an M.S. in student affairs in higher education. He is currently pursuing a PhD. in higher education administration from Saint Louis University. His research interests include second-year experience, rural student recruitment and persistence, and transfer student support, specifically at highly selective institutions.

Katharine serves as director of Student Transitions & Family Programs supporting the orientation, transition, and retention of new students and their families as they join the WashU community. Katharine provides strategic vision for the department and coordinates Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome. In addition, she serves as a four-year academic adviser for students in the College of Arts & Sciences. Katharine serves as the lead faculty member for the Directors and Managers Institute for NODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education.

Ally currently serves as the Manager of Residential Life Conduct here at Wash U. She’s finishing her 7th year here working on campus in the Office of Residential Life. Ally has a passion for building relationships with students and the restorative justice process. She believes that by emphasizing accountability through relationship building, we are able to not only repair harm that was caused-but also provide an experience in which students learn more about themselves and develop skills for long term success. When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her dog Walter and her pet bunny Gus!

Meghann Feely is the Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness at Washington University in St. Louis. Feely began work at WashU on Sept. 29, 2016. She is responsible for all aspects of our recreational fitness and wellness services.

Beth Doores currently serves as the associate director for campus life and a Arts & Sciences four-year academic advisor. With over 15 years of experience in higher education, Beth she has in-depth experience in advising, high impact programming, conduct, and experiential learning. She has presented at various national and regional conferences on mid-level management, trauma-informed advising, and creating equitable co-curricular experiences

Travis Tucker, Jr. currently serves as the director of LGBTQIA+ Engagement and Associate Director at the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) at Washington University in St. Louis. He previously has held positions as the assistant director of leadership and LGBTQIA at WashU, and the coordinator of LGBTQIA Resource Center at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Tucker has a degree in political science from the University of Akron and a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Miami (OH) University.

Dr. Aeryel Williams currently serves as the training and education specialist in the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. She earned her PhD in higher education administration from Louisiana State University in 2020. She is passionate about educating students in entertaining ways to make the content relatable and digestible. Her approach to changing the systems we operate within is student-centered, trauma-informed, and emotionally intelligent.