Our Staff

Ken Kettenbeil
Vice Chancellor, External Relations

Ken Kettenbeil is the Vice Chancellor for External Relations and is responsible for government relations and communications and marketing. His communications and marketing responsibilities include internal and external communications, website, advertising and branding at the university. His government relations responsibilities include representing the university in dialogues with federal, state and local governments, and presenting the university's position in current and proposed legislation.

Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, Ken served as the director of communications for smart USA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group. He also served as the vice president of communications for the Detroit Super Bowl XL Host Committee and marketing manager for the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. Ken earned a bachelor's degree in communications at Wayne State University and has completed graduate courses through Michigan State University. Ken was a world traveler in the past having once had breakfast in Germany, lunch in France and dinner in Italy during a whirlwind one-day trip to Europe! 

Government Relations

Matt Chisholm
Director, Government Relations

Matt Chisholm is responsible for advocating for the University of Michigan-Dearborn at state and federal levels of government. Before joining the university, Matt worked on Capitol Hill, political campaigns and as a marketing executive. An undergraduate alumnus of Saginaw Valley State University, he also holds an MBA from the University of Illinois. Matt is an avid NFL and Washington Football Team fan.

Communications

Kristin Palm 
Assistant Director of Communications 

Kristin leads the university's communications strategies, overseeing media relations, social media, the News site, The Reporter and other initiatives that advance UM-Dearborn's visibility and reputation. She previously held communications and fund development leadership roles with the Wayne State University Office of Economic Development, TechTown Detroit and the East Bay Asian Local Development Corp. in Oakland, CA. A proud alum of UM-Ann Arbor and the Michigan Daily, Kristin’s work has appeared in numerous local and national publications, including the New York Times, Metropolis and the San Francisco Chronicle. She is a collaborator in UM-Dearborn's Inside Out Prison Exchange Program and a co-facilitator of the Writer’s Block poetry workshop at Macomb Correctional Facility. She also enjoys hiking and wandering.

Lou Blouin
Writer

Lou worked in public radio for more than a decade before figuring out he wanted to be a writer. But the experience taught him that what makes most stories worth telling is the people who tell them. He has written about scientists doing cutting-edge research; profiled reluctant reality TV stars; and wrestled with how to relay stories about race in America with honesty, integrity, and humor. Prior to becoming a contributor for Legacy and Reporter, he worked as a features writer and associate editor at Hour Detroit magazine.

Sarah Tuxbury
Writer 

Sarah wants to tell your story. Writing for the university's Legacy magazine, the faculty/staff e-newsletter Reporter and other news avenues, she enjoys meeting the people who love our campus and sharing their experiences with readers. With 20 years professional writing experience – more than a decade of those in higher education – she's described what life was like in a stunt plane (like a roller coaster, but without tracks…and better scenery), listened to tunes with Bob Seger in his home’s music room while he was gearing up for a Tour, and read re-discovered 1940s love letters with a woman who lost her husband in World War II. In addition to writing, Sarah spends her time admiring historic architecture, losing Scrabble games to her Grandma and reading Choose Your Own Adventure books.

Kathryn Bourlier 
Digital Media Specialist

Kathryn oversees the university's digital media strategy, including managing university-wide social media accounts as well as providing leadership and expertise to key social media users across campus. With a background in marketing and communications, Kathryn has previous experience working in both the private and public sectors. Her recent work history includes several years with the Community Services section of the Troy Police Department organizing community events, managing social media initiatives, and facilitating public safety education. Kathryn earned her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Eastern Michigan University. In her time off, she enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with her two dogs and two cats.

Marketing

Bailey Ayers-Korpal
Director of Marketing and Digital Strategy 

Bailey is responsible for undergraduate and graduate marketing, brand management, advertising, web site and services. Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, Bailey has worked at various organizations creating and managing digital marketing campaigns for a wide array of clients, ranging from local businesses to national brands. Bailey earned her bachelor's degree in Journalism, specializing in Advertising from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Outside of work she enjoys traveling, crafting, discovering new hiking spots with her dog, and taking in as many baseball games as possible.

Lindsey Cuddeback
Marketing Specialist 

Lindsey is responsible for the development, coordination and execution of marketing initiatives for the university. Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Lindsey lived and worked in both New York City and Boston before moving back home to Michigan. Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, she worked at a Northern Michigan-based company as the in-house marketing specialist and was responsible for writing press releases, creating ads, designing catalogs and managing their website. Lindsey earned a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Grand Valley State University. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, drawing, reading, and spending as much time as possible with her family and friends. 

Violet Dashi
Multimedia Designer

Violet is responsible for promoting vision and supporting university efforts for UM-Dearborn. She is responsible for the creative execution and development of materials such as print, advertising, templates and banners. Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, Violet worked at several advertising agencies in Metro Detroit, specializing in responsive email design and managing the creative of complex CRM programs. In her free time, she enjoys to bake and go out for a run.

Cory Glover
Digital Communications Specialist

Cory is responsible for supporting the development and execution of email marketing initiatives for the University. Before joining UM-Dearborn, he spent over a decade working in higher education and non-profit settings. Cory has experience in copywriting, web management, email marketing, and everything in between. Prior to completing his master’s degree in communication from Central Michigan University, Cory earned his bachelor’s degree from UM-Flint. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar, attempting to write songs, running, and spending time with his wife and daughter. 

Doug Kubek
Digital Communications Specialist

Doug is responsible for supporting the development, coordination and execution of email marketing initiatives for the University’s graduate programs. He received his bachelor's degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations from Montclair State University and has spent the majority of his professional career working in the higher education industry. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, going on walks with his dog, playing hockey, and rooting for his favorite teams.

Katelyn Moiles 
Digital Communications Specialist

Katelyn is responsible for working with various business units to develop and evaluate current student digital communications. Katelyn graduated with a bachelor's degree in Integrative Public Relations from Central Michigan University and has spent her entire professional career working with CRM systems in the higher education industry. Outside of work, she spends her time watching movies, attempting DIY projects, and lounging with (and dressing up) her pets - a senior rescue dog and two chinchillas.

Jaycee Tenn
Writer

Jaycee believes that writing is the most effective mode of communication. As Marketing Writer, she is responsible for developing content focused on promoting the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s mission, reputation, brand key differentiators and program offerings to current and prospective students. Her work is spread across various communication channels and helps to support enrollment management. Prior to joining UM-Dearborn, she spent several years working in content creation, telling the stories of construction workers and the companies they built as well as covering topics such as alternative energy, biotechnology, and stock market trends. University of Michigan-Dearborn is not only her place of work but her alma mater, where she graduated with a major in English and a minor in Hispanic Studies. In her free time, she enjoys reading, conversations with friends and attempting to cook new recipes.

Web Services

John Powell
Assistant Director, Web Strategy and Services

John leads the university's web strategy, services and presence in support of UM-Dearborn’s communications and marketing efforts. He previously held similar roles at the University of Windsor, University of Detroit Mercy and Washtenaw Community College. John is a proud alum of UM-Ann Arbor’s School of Music and School of Information and was featured in a mid-90’s New York Times article for pioneering a new career path in the web. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, running, and spending time at the cottage with his husband and dog.

Claudia Lugo-Meeks
Web and Digital Project Specialist

Claudia is responsible for steering and maintaining the university's website and web content management system. She has spent her professional career in higher education both in Mexico and USA. Before joining External Relations, she served as Canvas administrator at UM-Dearborn's College of Education, Health, and Human Services. She was also responsible of maintaining the college's website and providing instructional and technical support to students, faculty, and staff. Claudia holds a master's degree in Educational Technology from Monterrey Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from University of Monterrey, both universities located in her hometown in Mexico. She loves spending her free time with her husband sipping coffee on their home's rear deck, bike riding or, every chance, traveling internationally.