The Plan for Mount Mercy •

	Dr. Christopher R.L. Blake President Dr. Christopher R.L. Blake began his duties as Mount Mercy College’s eighth president on July 1, 2006. Before coming to Mount Mercy, Blake served as provost of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Blake received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in theology from the University of Oxford, Keble College. He received his Ph.D. in education from the University of London, King’s College. He is a member of the American Educational Research Association, American Association of University Professors, University of Oxford Alumni Association of the United States, Pi Lamba Theta International Honor Society in Education and Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in education.
	Dr. John Marsden Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John P. Marsden is Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Prior to joining Mount Mercy College, he served as the Division Chair of Arts and Design and founding Director of the Interior Architecture Program at Chatham University. He was also a faculty member at the University of Florida and Auburn University. He holds a Ph.D. and Master of Science from the University of Michigan, a Master of Architecture and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Architecture from Carnegie Mellon University. He is the co-author of two books on dementia care settings, based on work completed as part of an interdisciplinary group funded by a National Institute on Aging grant, and is the author of Humanistic Design of Assisted Living, published by the Johns Hopkins University Press. More recently, he co-edited a book that will be released in 2009. He is also on the review board for two scholarly journals.
	Barbara Parks Pooley Vice President for Finance and Business Operations Barbara Parks Pooley was an assistant professor of accounting at Mount Mercy College from 1984-2006 prior to being appointed Vice President for Finance on July 1, 2006. Pooley is a Certified Public Accountant and worked in public accounting for two years before beginning her teaching career at Mount Mercy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Simpson College and a Master of Arts in accounting from the University of Iowa.
	Deborah K. Green Vice President for Institutional Advancement Deborah K. Green was appointed Mount Mercy’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement on July 1, 2006. She has considerable experience in higher education, previously serving as the director of college advancement at Cornell College for eight years. She has worked in development for Coe and Luther Colleges, respectively, and has been in the development field for 16 years. Green is a past president of The Eastern Iowa Association of Fundraising Professionals. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College.
	Scot Reisinger Interim Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services Scot Reisinger began his duties as Interim Vice President for Enrollment & Student Services for the College in March 2008. He previously served as the director of athletics at Mount Mercy for the institution’s 13 varsity sports. In his new capacity he directs the institution’s enrollment and admissions processes, financial aid, and student services. Reisinger received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with certification in secondary education and coaching from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa. He received a Masters of Arts in Psychology from Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland. Prior to joining Mount Mercy as director of athletics in July 2006, Reisinger served as athletics director for the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, Maryland.
	Dianne Austad '84 Executive Assistant to the President Dianne Austad joined Mount Mercy College in 1975 and has worked with four of the College’s eight presidents. She has served as the executive assistant to three Mount Mercy College Presidents, including Dr. Thomas Feld (1977-1999), Dr. Robert Pearce (1999-2006) and the current president, Dr. Christopher Blake. She also serves as staff secretary to the Board of Trustees. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the College in 1984 and is a past president of the Alumni Association. Austad was instrumental in the creation and publication of Courage and Change, a landmark book about the Sisters of Mercy and their efforts to create what is present-day Mount Mercy College.