About the Firm

Thomas Brown and Associates (TBA) is a network of nationally recognized consultants working to assist colleges, universities, and other educational organizations to manage change, respond effectively to diversity, and increase institutional and individual effectiveness. TBA helps clients to understand how they can engage all segments of their campus community in collaborative efforts to enhance institutional stability, satisfaction and retention.

The TBA network is comprised of a team of skilled professionals with extensive experience as teachers, administrators, researchers, practitioners and communicators in higher education. We have established a national reputation for motivating, developing and engaging faculty, staff, and students to find meaning in their personal, professional, and academic pursuits. TBA team members have worked with hundreds of colleges and universities, the US Peace Corps, the American Council on Education Leadership Development Program, the US Ninth Circuit Court, and countless community and professional organizations.

 

  Our Team

Managing Principal

Thomas Brown

Senior Associates

Edwin Epstein
Thomas Kerr
Margaret C. King
Manuel "Buddy" Ramos
Rosalyn Dunlap
Nushi Safinya

 Thomas Brown, Managing Principal

Thomas Brown is a lifelong educator with an impressive record of success in creating academic and student affairs programs that promote increased satisfaction, achievement, and retention. Tom is known for his ability to communicate effectively with the diverse constituencies that comprise educational institutions, organizations, and communities – from board members to executive leadership, from faculty and administrators to frontline staff. A thoughtful, experienced, and engaging leader, Tom often uses humor to produce frank and meaningful dialogue around contentious and complex issues. His work is based on an integration of theories, research findings, and practical experience that makes a real difference for individuals and organizations.

Tom Brown served as an educator in academic and student affairs for 27 years, most recently as the Dean of Advising Services/Special Programs at Saint Mary's College of California. In addition to developing and administering Saint Mary's nationally recognized academic advising program, he was responsible for new student and family orientation programs, Academic Support and Achievement (e.g., tutoring, services for students with disabilities), pre-law advising, and the Offices of Asian Pacific American, Black, Latino, and International Student Programs. Tom initiated Saint Mary's International Students' Program and recruited for the College in Asia for five years. He also developed the High Potential Program, which provided access and support to first-generation students from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. Graduation rates for High Potential students exceeded those for all other cohorts at Saint Mary's.

Tom Brown has served as a consultant to more than 200 colleges and universities, and he is regularly invited to deliver keynote addresses at national conferences, campus colloquia, and workshops for faculty and staff. He is also widely known for his ability to engage, inspire and motivate students. He has published and presented extensively in areas related to student retention, academic advising, international education, and promoting the achievement and success of multicultural, international and at-risk students. Tom has held numerous leadership positions in the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), served as Chair of the Pre-law Advisors National Council, and he has earned numerous awards and recognition for his leadership and program development in the US and abroad.

From 1998-2001, Tom was a member of the Leadership Team and Executive Director of a foundation for De La Salle Institute (DLSI) in Napa, California. DLSI is the San Francisco District (CA, OR, WA) headquarters of the De La Salle Christian Brothers. The Institute provides over $6 million in annual support for elementary and secondary schools, a college, and numerous educational programs for students from poor and marginalized backgrounds in the western US, India, Kenya, Mexico, Pakistan and The Philippines.

  

  Senior Associates

Edwin Epstein was the Dean and Professor of the School of Economics and Business Administration at Saint Mary's College of California from 1994 to 2001. Prior to that highly successful tenure, he served for twenty-seven years at the Hass Business School at the University of California at Berkeley, where he was a Professor, Associate Dean, and Chair of the Academic Senate. Ed currently serves as Chair of the Peace and Conflict Program at UC Berkeley.

Professor Epstein is known internationally for his successful work to infuse ethical inquiry and social/political analysis into management education and the corporate community. A Yale Law School, UC Berkeley, and University of Pennsylvania alumnus, he has worked extensively with numerous colleges, universities, and organizations in the areas of strategic planning, assessment, and program development.

 

Rosalyn Dunlap has a distinguished record of achievement as an educator and administrator in intercollegiate athletics, including five years as a senior staff member at National Center for Academics and Sport. Rosalyn carries out a wide range of activities related to program assessment, design, and implementation in areas related to NCAA compliance, academic support programs for student athletes, staff development, and event planning.

Rosalyn has designed and administered comprehensive programs and services for student athletes at NCAA Division I institutions ranging in size from 2,500 to 30,000 She has a national reputation for effective and creative leadership in supporting student athletes to excel in the classroom and in their athletic endeavors. Rosalyn also understands how to engage the entire campus community – especially faculty members – in support of ethical, student-centered intercollegiate athletic programs.

Rosalyn Dunlap is a compelling advocate and role model for student athletes, coaches, and administrators. A five-time All American in track and field, she was inducted into the University of Missouri Hall of Fame in 2000. Rosalyn especially values opportunities to work with young women and girls, and motivates them to set high goals for themselves and develop strategies to maximize their potential as outstanding athletes, students, and people. She holds an MBA from the University of Missouri-Columbia and currently is a member of the inaugural class at Florida A&M Law School.

 

Thomas Kerr has over thirty years of teaching and administrative experience in higher education. He served as Associate Vice President of University Partnerships for Fairleigh Dickinson University; Dean of the College of Evening and Professional Studies and Associate Professor of Education at Drexel University (PA); Associate Provost for Academic Services at Rowan University (NJ); Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and Assistant Professor in the College of Engineering at Boston University (MA). Dr. Kerr currently is the President/CEO of Campus Group International Services, which has operations in Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom and the US.

Tom Kerr has a consistent record of success in creating innovative growth opportunities for colleges and universities. His initiatives create new sources of revenue, while offering programs that complement distinct institutional mission and strategic initiatives. Tom has also earned a national reputation for his expertise in international education, curriculum development, recruitment, retention, articulation, and grant writing. He has been successful in writing over twenty federal grants that have garnered nearly 8 million dollars for his clients.

Tom Kerr is a charter member of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and served as president from 1993-1995. He also served as NACADA Journal editor and has published and presented extensively. Among his national awards, Tom Kerr has received the NACADA Award for Service and the Virginia N. Gordon for Excellence in the Field of Advising.

 

Margaret C. (Peggy) King is Associate Dean for Student Development at Schenectady County Community College, Schenectady, N.Y., where she provides leadership for the Division of Student Affairs as one of a team of three Associate Deans reporting directly to the President. In her position, Dr. King directs the Academic Advisement Center and supervises Counseling and Career and Employment Services. She received her BA degree in history from Ursinus College (PA) and her MS in Ed.D. degrees from the State University of New York at Albany.

A founding member of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), Peggy was President from 1991-1993. She has been a faculty member for the Summer Institute on Academic Advising since its inception in 1987, served on the faculty of the first Advising Administrators Institute, and serves as a consultant on academic advising and student affairs for both two- and four-year colleges and universities. In her consulting role, Peggy has delivered numerous keynote speeches, facilitated many workshops and has worked to help institutions assess and improve services for students.

Peggy was editor of the New Directions for Community Colleges publication, Academic Advising: Organizing and Delivering Services for Student Success (1993). In addition she has authored numerous chapters and articles on academic advising in the two-year college, on advisor training, and on organizational models and delivery systems. She is a recipient of the State University of NY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service, the NACADA Award for Service to the organization, and the NACADA Virginia N. Gordon Award for Excellence in the Field of Advising.

 

Manuel "Buddy" Ramos is a Client Executive with Peoplesoft Consulting. Prior to this, Buddy served as a student and academic affairs administrator at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kansas. He specializes in helping colleges and universities to integrate people, processes and technology. His primary expertise is working with faculty and administrators to assess their needs across functional areas and to develop appropriate services and products.

A past President of the National Academic Advising Association and widely recognized author and speaker, Dr. Ramos has an extensive record of commitment and effectiveness in improving services for students in higher education.

 

Nushi Safinya is a professor at Saint Mary's College of California, where she has worked for more than twenty-five years providing leadership as a faculty member and past Director of the Studies for International Students and Intensive English Programs (IEP). Nushi is a nationally known expert in the areas of cross cultural communication, testing and composition. Her areas of work include program design and implementation, IEP faculty development, and supporting the academic and social integration of international students, as they adapt to a new language, educational system, and cultural milieu. A long time consultant for Educational Testing Services (ETS) writing programs, Nushi has assisted in the development of a wide range of assessment tools, such as TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, AP and PRAXIS. She also has held leadership positions in NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

 

What People Say

Evaluations from conferences, workshops, and groups (ranging from 5-10 to several thousand) overwhelmingly affirm the effectiveness of TBA. Our consultants are engaging, entertaining, and empathic communicators who teach and encourage participants to make a difference for their institutions and organizations, regardless of their position or status.

 

"I came to the symposium without enthusiasm and left with a decided 'attitude adjustment,' largely owing to you, your personality, and the clarity and persuasion of your presentation . . . one of the most masterful examples of teaching to which I've been treated in many a year."

Dr. Herbert M. Eder, Professor Emeritus
California State University, Hayward

 

"Your presentation ... wow. I must tell you, you blew people away. I had so many wonderful comments from folks all across campus. 'Transformative' was the word one of my most trusted colleagues used."

Jason S. Boyd, Lead Academic Counselor
University of Washington

 

"I cannot find the words to express my thanks for the superb presentations you presented at Mansfield University. With over 14 years in the area of diversity you are one of the most exceptional presenters I have had the pleasure to experience. The information you provided was comprehensive and true without being 'threatening' to listeners learning about issues of inclusion for the first time or those who are somewhat cautious when discussing these issues."

Dr. Shari J. Clarke, Vice President for Student Affairs
Mansfield University

 

"Terrific! Word spread very fast on campus yesterday about your stellar performance. Even the President thanked me . . . ."

Alden Reimonenq, Dean, College of Arts Letters and Social Science
California State University, Hayward

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! The past two days were all I could have hoped for – faculty, staff, administrators and students have told me all day how much they enjoyed your presentations, and the ideas you generated have been flying out across our email network since early this morning. Right now, I am thinking ahead as to how to follow up and take advantage of the momentum you created.

Carol Templeman, Director of Academic Advising
Baldwin Wallace College

 

On behalf of the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A), I want to thank you for your enlightening and inspirational keynote address. The membership expressed many wonderful comments about your lively and energetic presentation.

Curt Fludd, President
National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A)

 

Thank you for your outstanding presentation. The information and concepts you shared have already made a difference. You served as a positive catalyst for conversations among faculty, staff, and administrators about advising, retention and student success. There is now a sense of forward momentum and commitment to working together.

Gina Huston, Dean of Student Development
Olympic College

 

Your leadership and encouragement were outstanding and validated people's enthusiasm.... [and] has already resulted in a new campus-level committee as a forum for advisors from all units to work together on professional development and common issues.

Scott Evenbeck, Dean
University College, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

 

A powerful message, given that we intend to be learner focused ... an integrated approach that each and everyone can and should have a hand in advising... key points that could help structure our concept of the learning college.

Faculty member
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

 

Your presentation was incredible in content and substance. You just cruised through it and its structure with the most remarkable clarity. The faculty found themselves compelled to listen; they found moments arresting. It was the most relevant and best presentation the faculty has had for development in years – one of my colleagues said, "It was as if he was talking right to me."

Chris Paris, Assistant Dean
University of Incarnate Word

 

One participant came up to me immediately after your speech and told me, "I've been to four of your conferences, and Tom Brown was the best speaker I've heard." The rave reviews continued to pour in over the next day and a half. You are an extremely sincere, passionate, and compassionate communicator.

John Gardner, Founder
National Resource Center for the First Year Experience

 

I've had lots of positive feedback from faculty; you energized us. Thanks again; it is really refreshing to be around someone who can articulate so clearly and eloquently the beliefs we share in the importance of good advising.

Libby Wheeler, College of Agriculture
Food, and Life Science, University of Arkansas

 

A superb, dynamic speaker who covers a lot of essential information; his use of hard statistics with many memorable and often very funny anecdotes was very effective. Very entertaining and timely. Good use of humor. Kept us laughing and learning. Inspiring!

Participant Evaluations
Summer Institute on Academic Advising 2001

 

"Your recommendations hit the bull's-eye in identifying obstacles and areas of work which impinge on our progress on diversity issues. Your list of relevant recommendations have provided a legitimacy that we could not have obtained without your professionalism and expertise."

Professor Cyd Jenefsky Chair
Diversity Affairs Council
John F. Kennedy University

 

"This was the best workshop thus far...the quotes and stories helped me understand the theories and research presented...I can't wait to take this back to the office...I would love for UNF to bring Tom Brown back for another workshop, he was fabulous!"

Faculty and Staff Evaluation Comments
University of North Florida