Our Leadership Team

President/Owner

Dr. Robert F. (Bob) Williams has over 26 years experience in leadership positions, beginning as an armor officer in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Major. Bobs other work experiences have been in transportation, logistics, operations, and online higher education. In the fall of 2009, Bob was recruited from Education Managements Online Division located in Pittsburgh, where he was the Director of Academic Operations, into a key role in senior leadership with Academic Partnerships, LLC (then known as Higher Ed Holdings). Bob holds a bachelor degree in Journalism from West Virginia University, a graduate degree in Leadership and Liberal Studies from Duquesne University, and received a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University. Bob has over five (5) years direct experience with two high-growth organizations building and sustaining instructional support for over 40,000 students.

Chief Operations Officer/Chief Information Officer

Diane (DeDe) Meek serves as the vertical director in managing education, business, and general course programs. DeDe has served in roles, including Dean of Academic Affairs, at several for-profit, proprietary universities over the last 12 years. She also has held management positions in a variety of companies, including Microsoft. DeDe holds a bachelor degree from Williams Woods College, a graduate degree in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix.

Chief Administrative Officer/EVP Strategic Partnerships

Alexandra (Alex) Forrester serves as the Executive VP of Strategic Partnerships and Chief Administrative Officer. Alex has a strong healthcare background having been a member of the Network Nursing Education Team at the Seton Family of Hospitals in Austin, where she managed the operations Clinical Education Center at Brackenridge. At IC, she has oversight for a robust recruiting effort, sales and client management. Alex’s strengths include Human Resources, Recruiting, and knowledge of the healthcare industry.

VP of Strategic Partnerships

John Forrester serves as a leader in developing relationships with existing and potential university partners for Instructional Connections with focus on ensuring exceptional customer service. John is graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington with a BBA in Marketing. John has 15 years of sales and marketing experience with Marriott International, leader in the hospitality, where he achieved many accolades and was recognized for his efforts for going above and beyond for Marriott's top strategic accounts.

Director of Operations

Jacquelyn Cato serves as the director of operations and assists in managing education, business, and general course programs. She is also responsible for managing the Vertical Lead Coaches. Jacquelyn has served in various roles within online education for the past 8 years. Jacquelyn holds a bachelor degree from Florida State University and a graduate degree in Biological Sciences from Saint Joseph College. Jacquelyn's strengths include effective training techniques, online course development and administration of varying Learning Management Systems.