San Francisco Bay University's leadership team dedicates itself to fulfilling the University’s mission of providing inclusive, innovative and inspirational learning experiences tailored to each individual’s needs. Meet the minds leading us into the next era of higher education.

Nicholas Ladany

Nicholas Ladany

President

President Nicholas Ladany, Ph.D., is the 4th president of San Francisco Bay University. Dr. Ladany brings an extensive background in higher education, with over 30 years of experience working with and leading institutions nationwide. He became president in June 2023.

Before joining SFBU, Dr. Ladany served as President of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he achieved remarkable success in increasing enrollment to record levels, overseeing the development of the university’s strategic plan, and launching various diversity initiatives. Under his leadership, Oglethorpe University successfully strengthened its finances, as well as student support, retention, and graduation.

Before his tenure at Oglethorpe, Dr. Ladany held numerous prestigious positions, including Dean and Associate Provost at the University of San Diego, Dean at Santa Clara University, and professor at Lehigh University, Temple University, and the University of Maryland.

Under Dr. Ladany, SFBU is embarking on a new phase of expansion for its academic programs, curriculum and enrollment. 

Dr. Jamie Ceman, VP of Marketing and Communications

Jamie Ceman

Interim Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Originally from the Midwest, Jamie Ceman, Ed.D., specialized in e-business consulting in the private sector and e-commerce marketing for two national brands before entering higher education in the University of Wisconsin System. She has won numerous professional awards, including being an honoree of the 2022 PRNews Top Women and recognition from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (Hermes and MarCom Awards) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence.

In fact, Ceman and her team at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh were the first-ever winners of the American Marketing Association’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year Team Award, making her a two-time winner of AMA’s Higher Education Marketer of the Year.

An alumna of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, Ceman earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management information systems. She holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from West Virginia University and recently earned her Doctor of Education in leadership and organizational change at the University of Southern California (USC).

Dr. Brad Fuster

Brad Fuster

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Brad Fuster, DMA, has extensive experience in higher education management, particularly in academic affairs, enrollment management and technological innovation. He has held key leadership positions at Keuka College, where he served as provost and intermittently as acting president, managing a substantial institutional budget and leading numerous academic and infrastructural improvements.

During his tenure at Keuka, Fuster led sweeping advancements in experiential learning, program development and enrollment strategies. He significantly improved student retention and success by demonstrating a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. Additionally, Fuster possesses a rich background in music education, having served as a professor and department chair, where he was instrumental in creating innovative academic programs and enhancing faculty and student resources.

Dr. Heather Herrera, VP of Strategy and Innovation

Heather Herrera

Vice President for Strategy and Innovation

Heather Herrera, Ph.D., is a dedicated professional higher education administrator with leadership experience in academic affairs, accreditation and assessment, degree program development (online and on campus), curriculum design, measurement instrument design, and student learning outcomes assessment.

Her accreditation expertise ranges from teacher education preparation, allied health professions, human development and rehabilitation, mental health wellness, and arts professions. She has led institutional research units, built teams, and directed the project management of a variety of key initiatives. Herrera is a proven expert in strategic planning and lives to serve initiatives focused on teacher preparation, higher education access, completion, diversity, and affordability.

Prior to joining SFBU, Herrera was at the University of San Diego where she served as the chief strategy and innovation officer, as well as the assistant dean of assessment and accreditation for the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. For nine years, Herrera was the Executive Director of Academic Affairs at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.

A native of San Francisco, Herrera started her career in the classroom and has more than 20 years of experience teaching composition and rhetoric, research methods, and comparative analysis and has a proven commitment to under-served students, is a proud first-generation college graduate who received her Ph.D. in English Education from New York University.

Brian Kim headshot

Brian Kim

General Counsel

Brian Kim, J.D., is an accomplished attorney and former judge with extensive executive leadership experience in higher education, specifically in accreditation processes, labor and employment law, and complex litigation. He has served in various executive roles, including provost and vice president for academic affairs at California Health Sciences University and president at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education.

Kim has also taught at multiple law schools over two decades, demonstrating his commitment to education. His career has focused on higher education law, accreditation and regulatory compliance. Having achieved a similar pinnacle in higher education serving in executive positions, Kim is excited to apply his legal skills specifically in support of higher education.

Dr. Stephanie Krusemark, VP of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

Stephanie L. Krusemark

Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs 

Stephanie L. Krusemark, Ph.D., leads San Francisco Bay University’s mission to guide more students on the path to lifelong personal and professional success. She oversees admissions, student affairs, student success, and health and wellness, providing wraparound support for all Bayhawks.

Krusemark has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and brings with her a passion and dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion and student success. She centers this commitment in her approach to strategic enrollment, which led her to leadership roles at Naropa University, Prescott College, Santa Clara University and Trinity Washington University.

She also served as the first vice president of university relations for Mentor Collective, where she was a strategic thought partner for more than 70 colleges and universities to close the achievement gap by leveraging peer and alumni mentorship. She is a member of the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals (NAGAP), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).

Krusemark comes to SFBU from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, where she served as vice president of enrollment management by growing the student body and creating new scholarships. She received her doctorate in higher education from the University of Denver, specializing in issues of diversity and higher learning.

Lisa Millora

Lisa Millora

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Lisa Millora, Ph.D., joined San Francisco Bay University in January 2024 to provide leadership for various university operations.

Guided by her belief in the power of higher education to contribute to the common good, Millora brings to SFBU her passion for addressing equity issues and advancing social justice initiatives through leadership and advocacy with campus constituents, local communities and other external stakeholders.

She brings more than 20 years of experience in student affairs, strategic planning, operations, and external relations. Additionally, she has experience leading teams responsible for community and government relations, marketing and communications, human resources, and Title IX. Most recently, Millora held various leadership roles at San José State University, including interim vice president for university advancement, vice president for strategy and institutional affairs, and chief of staff.

Millora earned master’s and doctoral degrees in education with a focus on higher education and organizational change from the University of California, Los Angeles. She also holds a master’s degree in higher education administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College.