72nd Focus Group Leaders
During the conference, student delegates are assigned to a “focus group” Essentially this is a cohort of other student delegates led by current Texas A&M Faculty and Staff. In these cohorts, you will discuss, team-build, and build long-lasting bonds and relationships as you head into the Fall Semester.
We would like to introduce you to your wonderful Focus Group Leaders for the 72nd Annual MSC Fall Leadership Conference.
Dr. Jennifer Bohac ’87 (PhD)
Jennifer is the Director of Outreach & Donor Programs for the Texas A&M Foundation. She joined the Foundation in September 2021. Jennifer is responsible for envisioning, developing, implementing, and overseeing meaningful donor outreach programs and concierge-level opportunities to complement and support the mission and goals of the Texas A&M Foundation. She utilizes relationships, creativity, a keen understanding of donor interests, and detailed knowledge of Texas A&M University to craft donor programs and special high-touch events to enhance engagement and inspire philanthropic giving. Jennifer showcases Texas A&M and provides ‘behind the scenes’ experiences for special guests and VIPs visiting Aggieland. In addition, Jennifer represents the Texas A&M Foundation within the local community and fosters strategic alliances for improving local and global engagement.
Jennifer graduated from Texas A&M University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science. She also received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics in 1988. While working full-time on campus, Jennifer completed her master’s degree at A&M in Higher Education Administration in 1994. She received her Ph.D. in the same field in 1998. Her dissertation was titled, “Occupational Progress and Career Planning of Former Football Players in the Newly Created Big 12 Conference”.
Jennifer is an emeritus board member from higher education, colleges, & universities on the Executive Advisory Board of the National Educational Travel Consortium. Jennifer is on the Board for the Salvation Army of Brazos County. She is also a member of the City of Bryan Senior Advisory Council and a board member of her Homeowners Association.
Robert Sturdivant
In my current role within Student Development in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, I spearhead the College recruitment strategy, working alongside 15 different academic departments to craft a cohesive approach across the College. I am passionate about helping high school students find their place at Texas A&M University and empowering them to envision the boundless opportunities available to them. Beyond recruitment, I serve as an advisor for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Student Council, Ambassadors, and the Collegiate Farm Bureau. Additionally, I provide primary staff support for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Freshman Experience and the Dean’s Excellence Scholar program.
Before my current position, I worked at a local church, where I played a pivotal role in supporting strategic projects and the efforts of our Executive Leadership team. My contributions underscore my focus on driving impactful change and enhancing organizational effectiveness.
My deepest passion is to foster an environment for students to grow and know themselves deeper. I believe strongly in the value of discipleship and mentorship and pouring into the next group of students. I can’t wait to meet all of you!
Stephanie Burns ’09
Stephanie Burns is the Director of the Office for Youth Engagement at Texas A&M University. In January 2023, she and her team launched this office to expand and enhance youth experiences across the University. Through partnerships with colleges and departments as well as communities and schools, the Office aims to equip students and their families with knowledge and resources to make decisions about their future. Stephanie believes in the power of education to create generational change and brings her experiences teaching and leading in high schools to this role.
A Teach for America alum, Stephanie has more than 10 years of experience working in Texas high schools including founding and leading a charter high school in Austin. She previously served as the chief of staff for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service where she drove strategic plan implementation and supported the Director with agency initiatives. Stephanie holds a Master of Education in educational leadership and urban policy from Southern Methodist University and a Bachelor of Science in animal science from Texas A&M University.
While at Texas A&M, Stephanie was a member of the MSC and served as a committee chair and the 60th MSC President. Stephanie was a recipient of many academic and leadership awards including the Buck Weirus Spirit Award and the Brown Foundation-Earl Rudder Memorial Outstanding Student Award. She firmly believes that the lessons learned and experiences gained through active involvement on campus were crucial contributors to her success after graduation.
Dr. Elizabeth Robinson
As an Instructional Professor, I have been on faculty since 1995 and have served the interests of faculty since 2004 when I was one of the faculty members active in the reformation of the Faculty Senate Subcommittee on the Status of Non-Tenure Track Faculty (now the University Committee for the Status of Academic Professional Track Faculty). I served as Secretary from 2004-2014 and served as a representative of the College of Arts and Sciences through Spring 2024. As a member of this committee, I was involved in drafting the university policy that created the second APT track (Instructional/Clinical/Research Professor) that is now in use at TAMU. I have also served on the Center for Teaching Excellence Faculty Student Advisory Board, on the Review Panel for the Faculty Fellow for Innovation in High-Impact Learning, and on the Dean of Faculty’s Fair and Transparent Career Progression for Academic Professional Track (APT) Task Force. In 2020, at the request of the Provost’s Office, I served as a University Level Reader for APT Promotions. In addition, I have served on ad hoc committees at both the department and college levels that worked to revise department and college by-laws after the formation of the second APT faculty track. In addition to regularly serving on most of the department standing committees, I have consistently served on promotion committees for APT faculty (both TAMU and Qatar) since 2017, chairing four. I currently serve on the English Department Evaluation Advisory Committee and Undergraduate Studies Committee, and I served on the College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Advisory Committee for the Promotion of APT Faculty (DAC-APT) from 2021-2023, having served on the same committee in the College of Liberal Arts from 2017-2021. I also serve on the AFS Distinguished Achievement Award for Individual Student Engagement Selection Committee. In the Fall 2024 semester, I will begin service as a College of Arts and Sciences representative on the Faculty Senate.
Dr. Timothy Powers ’01
Dr. Timothy Powers serves as Assistant Vice President & Chief of Staff to the Provost where he is primarily responsible for providing oversight of university priorities assigned to the Office of the Provost, coordinating and executing division initiatives, and supporting the Provost in the day-to-day functions of the office.
Dr. Powers previously served as Director of the Aggie Honor System Office at Texas A&M University from 2011 until 2022. As Director, Dr. Powers developed and led initiatives focused on elevating faculty and student awareness of academic integrity and the Aggie Code of Honor. Prior to these roles, he served as the Associate Director for residence life at Baylor University from 2006 to 2011. As an undergraduate at Texas A&M, Dr. Powers served as a member of the Corps of Cadets, Commanding Officer for Squadron 2, and a Ross Volunteer.
He received an individual Traditions of Excellence Award from the Office of the Provost in 2015 and the Team Award for Traditions of Excellence in 2019. His work with students has been recognized with awards from student governments at multiple universities, student organizations, and as a Fish Camp Namesake in 2016.
Dr. Powers earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural systems management from Texas A&M in 2001 and a master’s degree in educational administration from Baylor in 2006. He received a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Texas A&M in 2020.
Col. Michael D. Reilly ’94
Col Reilly is a 1994 graduate of Texas A&M University and 29-year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served in a wide variety of leadership positions from the national to tactical levels and across all three Marine Expeditionary Forces and the intelligence community.
Col Reilly served as a commanding officer at every level in the Marine Corps; from platoon to installation. Specifically, he commanded rifle and 81mm mortar platoons with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment; Company H, Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion; 3rd Intelligence Battalion; and the Combined Arms Training Center at Camp Fuji, Japan.
Col Reilly held staff positions in 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment; III MEF G-2; II MEF G-2; and 2nd MEB G-2. He additionally served in the Defense Intelligence Agency (Joint Staff J-2), the National Security Agency, and in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J3/5.
Col Reilly and his family lived in Japan for seven years and he deployed seven times; including two foreign humanitarian support operations and two combat deployments to Afghanistan.
Col Reilly completed his 29-year military career by serving as the Commanding Officer and Professor of Naval Science, NROTC Unit Texas A&M University and now serves as an Associate Professor of the Practice at Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Kelli Hutka ’97
Kelli Hutka is an Associate Director at Texas A&M’s Career Center where she works with the university community to enable mentoring experiences for students. Prior to joining the Career Center team in 2023, she worked at The Association of Former Students for over 21 years serving students, faculty and staff members and overseeing the Aggie Ring Program. She and her husband, Marcus ’96, have four children, Rylee ’25, Bryant ’28, Haley (15), and Elyssa (10), one granddaughter (18 months) and own an equine clinic in Waller, Texas. When not at kid activities, Kelli enjoys being outdoors, front-porch sitting, trying to understand horse racing and reading a good book.