Our Staff
Laura Bridges
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Dr. David W. Wantz
David’s role as president & CEO at ICI is directing, encouraging, and sustaining the service to ICI’s 29 member institutions – Indiana’s private colleges and universities. He advocates on behalf of Indiana’s students at the Indiana State House as well as in D.C., and works to strengthen relationships with people and organizations who can assist the ICI institutions.
You should contact David if you have a question about legislation, policy, or issues related to the state of higher education.
Laura Bridges
Laura’s role at ICI is helping ICI members work together through shared purchasing initiatives, training and education opportunities, or networking. She is always looking for new and different, yet highly effective, ways for members to collaborate. She also works closely with the ICI Presidents Council to provide ICI members valuable engagement with the corporate sector.
You should contact Laura if you are on staff at a member colleges or are a potential corporate partner interested in collaborative initiatives for ICI institutions.
Jake Burns
Jake’s role at ICI includes staying updated on Indiana higher education policy, fielding external data requests about Indiana private higher education, and coordinating the Admissions Tracker project, which provides admissions staff members with statewide trends. He also undertakes research on ICI colleges and universities to assist in telling the sector’s story.
You should contact Jake if you have a data-related question about the Independent Colleges of Indiana.
Jodie Ferise, JD
Jodie’s role at ICI is to work with ICI campus leaders to develop and coordinate the strategy and advocacy with legislators and policy makers about the benefits and importance of private higher education in Indiana. She serves as ICI’s attorney on all legal matters and manager of all legal counsel ICI retains. She also oversees training programs for our campuses, including the ICI Leadership Academy.
You should contact Jodie if you want to find out how ICI might assist you with legal or policy issues related to higher education at ICI institutions.
317-690-1149
Katie Goodrich
Katie’s primary role at ICI is directing the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program (LECSP). She works with the community foundations in Indiana’s 92 counties as well as both public and private colleges to administer the scholarship.
You should contact Katie if you have questions about the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program.
Kelly Smith
Kelly’s role at ICI is supporting the president of ICI. She assists with communication and calendar coordination between the ICI president and the presidents at ICI’s member colleges. She also plans the ICI board meetings and other events, such as Executive Assistant Day – a day of appreciation of the assistants to the presidents of our members.
You should contact Kelly if you would like to meet with ICI President David Wantz.
Kevin Watson
Kevin’s role as ICI’s CFO is ensuring that ICI’s financial records are protected and maintained in compliance with company policies. He oversees account activity, balance sheet management, payroll disbursements, and retirement contributions. He manages day-to-day asset management and handles the tuition disbursement of the LECSP for the benefit of our Lilly Endowment Community Scholars.
You should contact Kevin if you have questions about an invoice received from ICI or need information on the whereabouts of a payment.
Jen Zentz
Jen’s role at ICI is communicating with many of ICI’s various audiences, especially school counselors and their students. She shares information about Indiana’s private colleges by planning events like Private College Week and by developing resources like ICI GradFacts. She also works with all ICI institutions to administer the Realizing the Dream scholarship program funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc.
You should contact Jen if you are a high school student, parent of a student, or counselor looking for information about going to college.