Meet the Team

  • Lee brings a wealth of experience in fostering innovation and growth in higher education, with a history of transformative achievements at hundreds of institutions including the University of Virginia, the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard Kennedy School, the Medical School of South Carolina, Columbia University, and Moravian University. Before founding Rhodes Advisors, he was instrumental in developing pioneering online programs as Chief Strategy Officer at Noodle, Inc., notably creating its university-employer healthcare partnership model. Before building up Noodle, while at 2U from 2012-2017, Lee enhanced the infrastructure of applications through collaborations with Amazon Web Services and Salesforce. With Rhodes Advisors, Lee is dedicated to crafting bespoke strategies that help universities navigate the challenges of today's environments. He is driven by a deep commitment to higher education and the edtech sector, with a history of impactful board and advisory roles, including his alma mater.

  • Joe has over 12 years of experience in higher education marketing, driving enrollment growth and helping prestigious institutions stand out in competitive markets. Known for leveraging storytelling to enhance the student journey and optimize LTV:CAC ratios, he led marketing strategies for Michigan State University, Villanova University, and Emory University as Head of Marketing at Bisk. Previously, as a partner at Circa Interactive, Joe collaborated with Noodle’s universities, including American University and Tulane University, and supported major OPMs with story-driven strategies. Following Circa Interactive’s acquisition by Archer Education, he served on their executive team. A former journalist and writer featured in the LA Times, LA Weekly, Slate, and Fast Company, Joe combines his expertise in storytelling and communications with a deep passion for the transformative power of education.

  • Anna is a highly accomplished finance professional with over 20 years of experience in finance and operations management across startups and global corporations, including Noodle, IBM, and Omnicom. Known for her ability to drive growth and enhance efficiency, Anna has a proven track record in developing and implementing financial processes that bolster bottom-line profits. As Director of Finance - Program Operations at Noodle, she led financial operations to support organizational growth and optimize program outcomes. Her previous roles include Director of Finance and Planning at Digital Remedy and Global Finance Manager at Omnicom, where she refined her expertise in financial modeling and strategic planning. Anna is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and holds degrees in International Business and Finance from NYU and Business Administration from UNA School of Business in Brazil. Her strong leadership skills, coupled with her ability to foster cross-functional collaboration, allow her to lead teams effectively and deliver impactful insights to senior leadership, driving results in dynamic, fast-paced environments.

  • Jeff is at the forefront of marketing technologies and search engine optimization (SEO), boasting a thirteen-year history of leading organic marketing innovations within the higher education sector. His tenure as interim Chief Marketing Officer at Noodle saw him spearhead the development of a dynamic in-house digital marketing team, revolutionizing the marketing approach for over 25 university partners. At 2U, as the first organic marketing hire, Jeff established a foundational SEO infrastructure, boosting the online presence of over 200 universities and their associated websites. His strategic vision focuses on helping universities reduce reliance on costly digital advertising and optimize student acquisition costs. At Rhodes Advisors, Jeff applies his vast experience to empower educational institutions through tailored organic marketing strategies, driving both growth and efficiency in their digital outreach efforts.

  • Laura is an experienced attorney with an extensive legal background in higher education and the private sector, both in the litigation and corporate space. After a clerkship in the Southern District of NY and work as a corporate and employment litigator at the law firms of Paul Weiss and Loeb & Loeb, she went on to positions as Dean of Faculty and Staff Relations and General Counsel at Hunter College, CUNY, and General Counsel to the University and Board at William Paterson University. She followed these positions with her role as Chief Legal Officer at Noodle, Inc. In all of these roles, she worked closely with university faculty and administrators, as well as with internal and external counsel, and developed a deep understanding of the wide range of issues facing universities from both the inside and outside perspectives.

  • Micah has spent the last two decades supporting the growth and development of multiple universities, OPMs, and EdTech companies. With an advertising and analysis background, Micah architected the portfolio strategy discipline within the University of Phoenix which created a pathway to grow into a critical market research, product marketing, and strategy leader for multiple OPMs and their clients. Seeing the demand for independent, objective market research, investment, and strategy support growing in an increasingly dynamic higher education space, Micah founded his practice in early 2022 and has spent the last two years providing expert guidance and direction firmly rooted in relevant and current data, to a broad range of universities, institutions, and investment firms, as well as the enterprises that support them. Micah holds an MBA from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Communication Studies from Northwestern University. Micah lives in Phoenix with his wife, five kids, and two rescue dogs.

Rhodes Advisors’ Higher Ed Advisory Network

Rick Matasar, JD

Vice Provost, Finance (NYU, Tulane)

  • David is a Salesforce Solutions Architect and 2X Salesforce Certified professional with deep expertise in education technology. Specializing in front-end and back-end Salesforce implementations, David excels at strategizing, designing, and deploying large-scale projects that drive operational efficiency. Currently a Senior Salesforce Consultant at LeedsSource LLC and Enrollment Systems Advisor at Rhodes Advisors, he leverages his skills in Salesforce Sales Cloud and Experience Cloud to deliver seamless, user-centered solutions. As Director of CRM Platform Operations at Noodle, David managed complex CRM architectures, implementing custom applications that streamlined admissions processes and enhanced user experience across multiple CRMs, including Slate. His earlier roles at 2U included developing strategic processes to support growth and optimize operations. With a B.A. in Economics from the University of Connecticut and an M.B.A. in Management Information Systems from the University of Baltimore, David combines strong analytical acumen with technical expertise to drive technology-driven innovation in education.

  • Laura is a strategic product leader with over 15 years of experience driving innovation in AI, blockchain, ed-tech, nonprofit, and government sectors. She is the CEO and co-founder of a consumer AI company focused on reducing the mental load of motherhood. Previously, as Head of Product at NEAR, she led AI strategy and built an early-stage accelerator for ecosystem growth. Laura also served as VP of Product at Noodle, where she developed student support, instructional, and operational management products. Earlier in her career, she worked as a management and technology consultant for higher education institutions, led product and policy initiatives at the NYC Department of Education and KIPP, and co-founded an ed-tech startup. Passionate about expanding access to opportunity through education and technology, Laura specializes in product vision, cross-functional leadership, and digital transformation in high-growth environments.

Craig Boise, JD

Dean of Law (Syracuse)

  • Jed brings over 20 years of experience in education & education technology, specializing in partner success and strategic growth. As Head of Operations at Rhodes Advisors he oversees strategic university partnerships, leading initiatives that enhance program development and align with institutional goals to drive sustainable growth and high client satisfaction. Previously, as Vice President of University Engagement at Noodle, Jed managed large portfolios and led initiatives that significantly boosted program operational efficiency, performance, client retention and satisfaction. His earlier roles at Bottom Line and The Princeton Review further refined his expertise in team-building, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. Known for navigating complex, high-growth environments, Jed consistently delivers measurable outcomes through a customer-centric approach, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to innovation in the education and edtech landscape.

  • Stephen is a dynamic marketing leader with 20 years of experience spanning nonprofit and for-profit sectors, including financial services, EdTech, a major charter school network, and specialty construction. Skilled in strategy, growth, and performance, Stephen excels in driving brand engagement, revenue generation, and community building across diverse marketing ecosystems. As Managing Director of Marketing & Enrollment at Noodle, he led cross-functional teams to enhance brand presence and enrollment outcomes. Previously, he served as Senior Director of Marketing at Uncommon Schools, where he fostered stakeholder relationships and implemented impactful communications strategies. Stephen’s career includes senior roles in a wide range of organizations where he demonstrated expertise in integrated marketing, product management, and cross-industry adaptability. He holds an MBA in Marketing Management from Wright State University and a BA in Management from Cedarville University.

  • Mark is a technology, product, and operational leader who was instrumental in driving the growth of OPM 2U Inc. from a startup to a market cap of more than $4 billion. From 2012–16 he was VP of Implementation and created the company’s implementation function, guiding dozens of universities in how to adapt, adopt, and integrate business, marketing, and learning systems for online program scale and peerless student outcomes. As VP of Product from 2016–23, he led product development for 2U’s marketing, admissions, and business systems and later, global learning systems as well, including content/media management systems, LMS’s, and the learning tool ecosystem.

  • Amelia Manning is a higher education executive with over 20 years of experience leading large-scale operations, student success initiatives, and global strategy. As Chief Operating Officer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) since 2017, she reported directly to President Paul LeBlanc, overseeing Academics, Student Advisement, Business Strategy, and Global Operations. Having joined SNHU in 2004, Amelia played a key role in its transformation into one of the largest and most innovative online education providers. In addition to her work at SNHU, she serves as Vice Chair of the board of trustees at Urban College of Boston and as a board member at the American College of Education, contributing to advancing educational opportunities for diverse student populations. Amelia holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Michael’s College and a master’s from the University of New Hampshire.

Cameron McCoy

Provost (Shenandoah, Harrisburg)

Program-Level Experience

The Rhodes Advisors team has previous experience launching and then supporting the growth of 94 degree programs at 53 universities. A list of programs can be found here:

    • School of Education - EdD, Med Ed Policy & Leadership, MAT, smaller certificates

    • Lynch School of Education - M.Ed. Educational Leadership & Policy, M.ED. Global Perspectives (CnI)

    • Woods College - MS Applied Analytics (MSAA), MS Applied Econ (MSAE), Masters in Healthcare Admin (MHA)

    • Weatherhead School of Management - oMBA-Healthcare Management

    • School of Engineering - MSCS

    • Business School, Executive Education - AMP 

    • School of Social Work - MSW

    • School of Education - EdD and MEd

    • Kennedy School of Government - PLC (Public Leadership Credential - pathway to MPA)

    • School of Business - Exec MBA 

    • Supported the iterative development and growth of DPT, OT, and many other healthcare programs 

    • Doctor of Optometry (hybrid) 

    • School of Engineering - MSCS, MSDS, Post Bacc CS, Post Bacc DS

    • Fletcher School - MGBA (Global Business Administration), MIB

    • Ross School of Business - MBA

    • Kenan Flagler School of Business - MBA

    • Gilling School of Global Public Health - MPH, Nutrition

    • School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences - DPT, OT, HIM

    • School of Computing and Information - MSDS

    • PittEdge (Central Online Office)

    • Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - MSCS

    • Haslam School of Business - MSBC (Business Cybersecurity

    • Haslam School of Business - oMBA

    • Haslam School of Business - Executive MBA (Global Supply Chain)

    • Haslam School of Business - MS Supply Chain Management 

    • BIP (Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Programs

    • College of Health Education and Human Sciences - MPH

    • School of Engineering - AMP

    • School of Data Science - MSDS

    • School of Continuing Professional Studies - BIS, MPS

    • Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy - MPP

    • McIntire School of Commerce - MSMIT, MBA

    • School of Education and Human Development - Whole Portfolio

    • Information School (iSchool) - MSIM

    • School of Nursing - MSN (two tracks)

    • School of Medicine - Physicians Assistant Program

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