LGBTQ+ Pride Month is held in the month of June in the United States to commemorate the Stonewall riots, which occurred at the end of June 1969. Omicron Delta Kappa celebrates our members who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and who are advocates for inclusion and acceptance.
Joseph A. Bertolino
East Stroudsburg University, 1992
Joseph A. Bertolino was recently named the sixth president of Stockton University, and he will officially assume the role on July 1. President Joe, as he has been affectionately known at his previous institutions of Lyndon State College and Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), has been a social justice educator for almost 30 years and is passionate about student success and access to higher education. He is known for his commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse campus community. Bertolino has championed efforts to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their backgrounds or identities.
Since 2016, Bertolino has led SCSU, a public institution of more than 9,000 students in New Haven. He holds a Doctor of Education with a major in higher education administration and leadership development from Columbia University. Bertolino also earned a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University – Camden and a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in psychology and sociology from the University of Scranton.
Prior to joining Southern Connecticut State University in 2016, Bertolino was President of Lyndon State College in Vermont from 2012-16. From 2004-2012, he held multiple roles at Queens College/City University of New York, including vice president for enrollment management, vice president for student affairs, executive assistant to the president, and chair of the Department of Student Personnel. He has been recognized with numerous outstanding professional awards. In addition, Bertolino is a member of seven different national honor societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa. The American College Personnel Association presented him with the prestigious Annuit Coeptis Award twice as an outstanding new professional and as an outstanding senior professional.
Rick A. Bright
Auburn University Montgomery, 1996
Rick A. Bright is a renowned virologist and public health expert who has made significant contributions to the field of infectious diseases and pandemic response. With an extensive background in vaccine development and epidemiology, Bright has dedicated his career to safeguarding public health and promoting evidence-based strategies for disease prevention and control. He is the 2022 recipient of the Omicron Delta Kappa Pillars of Leadership Award in Academics and Research and was also a speaker at the 2021 O∆K National Leadership Conference.
After becoming a member of the Society, Bright was named his circle’s Leader of the Year in 1997. After earning his undergraduate degree, he eventually enrolled at Emory University, where he received his Ph.D. with a major in immunology and molecular pathogenesis (virology). Bright has extensive experience in global public health, having served with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and scientific advisory boards for the World Health Organization. He has also held positions in the private sector, making significant advancements in vaccine and therapeutic developments for influenza viruses with pandemic potential and new vaccine, treatment, and testing technologies. In addition, several organizations have recognized Bright for his ethical leadership through the COVID-19 crisis. Bright is the former chief executive officer of the Pandemic Prevention Institute (PPI) with The Rockefeller Foundation, where he led the development of the foundation’s pandemic data-to-action platform that integrates modern technology, data analytics, and global partners to help the world detect, prevent, and mitigate pandemic threats to achieve containment as quickly as possible.
Throughout his career, Bright has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to advancing our understanding of infectious diseases, promoting vaccine innovation, and ensuring the public’s well-being. His contributions have had a lasting impact on public health practices and pandemic response strategies, making him a respected figure in the field of virology and a champion for evidence-based healthcare policies.
Jillian A. Ellis
William & Mary, 2019
Jillian “Jill” A. Ellis is an English-American football (soccer) manager and executive who is currently the president of the National Women’s Soccer League San Diego Wave. Ellis coached the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) from 2014-19 and won two FIFA Women’s World Cups in 2015 and 2019, making her the second coach to win consecutive World Cups. She stepped away from being USWNT’s head coach in October 2019 and currently serves as an ambassador for the United States Soccer Federation, with her focus being on working with the federation to help raise the number of women in coaching. Ellis has also served as head coach for various college and United States national youth teams throughout her career.
Prior to her roles as a head coach, Ellis had already established herself as a respected figure in the soccer world. She served as an assistant coach for the USWNT during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the team won a gold medal. She also held coaching positions at various colleges and universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Illinois.
Beyond her coaching achievements, Ellis has also been an advocate for women’s soccer and has actively worked to promote the growth and development of the sport. Her contributions to the game, both on and off the field, have made a lasting impact and have helped pave the way for future generations of female athletes. Ellis continues to be celebrated as one of the most successful and influential figures in women’s soccer history. Her dedication, passion, and ability to inspire players have made her a true role model for aspiring coaches and athletes around the world.
Kristin G. Esterberg
SUNY Potsdam, 2015
Kristin G. Esterberg currently serves as the chancellor of the University of Washington Bothell. With a passion for education and a commitment to fostering inclusive and innovative learning environments, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s vision and success. Esterberg was educated at Boston University where she received a bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in philosophy and political science, magna cum laude (1982). She went on to earn a master’s degree (M.A.) in 1988 and a Ph.D. in 1991 in sociology from Cornell University.
Before assuming her role at the University of Washington Bothell, Esterberg served as the president of the State University of New York at Potsdam. She is known for her collaborative and inclusive leadership style, which has fostered a sense of shared purpose and empowerment among faculty, staff, and students. Esterberg’s research interests primarily revolve around gender, sexuality, and social justice, and she has published extensively in these areas. In addition, her academic background informs her commitment to creating an inclusive campus environment that values diversity and equity.
Wesley R. Fugate
Centre College, 2001
Wes Fugate is currently serving as the 20th president of Wilson College, located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He was elected to the Omicron Delta Kappa Board of Trustees in July 2021 and was instrumental in the revitalization of the circle at Randolph College. Fugate also helped to establish the circle at Wilson College in 2020. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts and economics at Centre College, Fugate earned a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University in higher education administration with an emphasis on institutional advancement. He received a doctorate in higher education from the University of Georgia. He is the recipient of the Alice L. Beeman Research Award in Communications and Marketing from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
Prior to his appointment at Wilson, Fugate served Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia, in a variety of roles, including vice president for student affairs and dean of students, vice president and chief of staff, secretary of the Board of Trustees, and interim vice president for enrollment management. Previously, he served as deputy chief of staff for planning and education policy for the governor of Kentucky. Fugate was also once a director of events for a national political party’s victory efforts, where he coordinated events for the President, Vice President, and First Lady of the United States, as well as many other high-ranking officials. In addition, he was an adviser to the Interfraternity Council at the University of Georgia and director of program advancement for Kentucky’s Governor’s Scholars Program.
Fugate’s commitment to creating an inclusive campus community is evident in his efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion at Wilson College. He has implemented initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of acceptance and respect, making Wilson College a welcoming place for students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
