Our dedicated team of professionals is passionate about supporting colleges and universities in their pursuit of innovation, integrity, and development of students that exceeds what may be deemed “acceptable” by some.
We invite you to learn more about our team – professionals from diverse backgrounds who are committed to fostering trust, transparency, and growth in higher education.
Rob Manzer, President/CEO
Over a 30-year career in higher education, Robert Manzer has served in faculty and senior administrative roles at an historic accreditor and four independent colleges: University of Dallas, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Ohio Northern University and St. Edward’s University. He also co-founded Acadeum, a platform that supports new pathways and collaboration among 500+ colleges, professional associations, education companies and employers. Career highlights include creating the world’s largest course sharing consortium (the 315-member Council of Independent Colleges Online Course Sharing Consortium), spearheading the largest implementation of adaptive learning technology in American higher education, founding the United Methodist College Washington Consortium and the largest concurrent enrollment program in Nebraska. He has authored numerous articles and opinion pieces in leading academic, policy and current affairs publications, including the American Political Science Review, the American Journal of Political Science, Tocqueville Review, American Enterprise Institute, National Review, Washington Examiner, and the Dallas Morning News. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Carleton College, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Philosophy from the University of Chicago.
Cecilia J. Livengood, Chief Accreditation Officer
Ms. Livengood has more than two decades of experience in higher education accreditation and compliance, having served in various roles from consultant to senior management. Most recently she served as the Chief Compliance and Accreditation Officer for a programmatic accrediting agency. She holds a Master’s in Jurisprudence with a concentration in business law and a certificate in corporate compliance from Loyola University School of Law. She is a certified compliance and ethics professional.
Daniel Sessions, Vice President, Accreditation
With over two decades in higher education, Mr. Sessions has served as a Lead policy analyst for the Bureau of Indian Education and vice president of policy and administration for American InterContinental University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in workforce education and development from Southern Illinois University and a master’s degree in communications from Northwestern University. Mr. Sessions has held faculty appointments at institutions including College of Lake County, William Rainey Harper College, DeVry University, and Ivy Tech Community College.
Joseph Hoey, Accreditation Policy Consultant
Joseph Hoey, EdD is a veteran leader in higher education accreditation and institutional effectiveness with a career spanning more than three decades. Dr. Hoey has deep expertise in regional and specialized accreditation, institutional planning, assessment, and board-governance oversight. His prior roles include serving as Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation at National University as well as holding senior assessment and planning roles at respected institutions including Georgia Institute of Technology and Savannah College of Art and Design. Dr. Hoey served as a WSCUC Commissioner from 2018-2022. Academically trained, he earned a Doctorate of Education in Adult and Community College Education from NC State where he served and taught from 1993-1998; he also holds a master’s degree from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego.
René Eckstein, Operations Manager
Ms. Eckstein brings nearly 20 years of experience in the education field to NAAE. She is highly skilled in supporting organizational leadership and ensuring smooth administrative operations through initiative, creativity, and integrated digital platforms.
Jenny Thomas, Chief Human Resource Officer
With 11 years in Human Resources leadership roles across various industries, Ms. Thomas founded Mustang Consulting, an HR consulting firm dedicated to providing tailored solutions to small and mid-sized businesses. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Northern Kentucky University and is a SHRM Senior Certified Professional. As NAAE’s CHRO, she directs HR initiatives that align with organizational goals, promote employee development and positive workplace culture, and business growth.
Liz Dyvig, Chief Financial Officer
After working as finance manager for a large Dallas corporation for 10 years, Ms. Dyvig launched her own bookkeeping firm in 2014, where she specializes in the unique finance needs of non-profits and start-up businesses. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Global University, Springfield, MO.
If you are interested in working with the NAAE, please contact Jenny Thomas: jthomas@naae.org.
NAAE Core Values
NAAE’s Core Values – Excellence, Innovation, and Integrity – are the foundation upon which the organization’s associates, evaluators, commissioners and leadership construct a positive, purpose-driven work environment where individuals thrive and contribute meaningfully to the NAAE Mission. The values represent guidance for every decision made by both the organization as a whole and each individual within the organization.
Excellence
We commit to the highest standards in all we do, continuously improving our work through rigorous evaluation, self-reflection, and a dedication to quality that empowers individuals to reach their full potential.
Innovation
We embrace creativity, continuous improvement, and forward-thinking solutions, fostering a culture that encourages new ideas, advances knowledge, and drives meaningful progress.
Integrity
We uphold honesty, transparency, and ethical behavior in every decision and action, ensuring that our work reflects respect for human dignity, accountability, and a steadfast commitment to doing what is right.