WEI Steering Committee

Dr. Terence Pitre is a distinguished academic leader with a rich educational background and a profound commitment to excellence. His journey in the world of academia, corporate leadership, and military service has shaped his remarkable career.

Dr. Pitre's educational foundation is solid, with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette in 1992. He continued his academic pursuits, earning an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Tulane University in 1994, followed by a Ph.D. in Accounting from Michigan State University in 2004. This extensive education has been the bedrock of his professional achievements.

His career spans various academic appointments, showcasing his dedication to shaping the future of business education. Dr. Pitre has held positions at institutions such as Bowling Green State University, Minnesota State University, Miami University, Sacramento State University, Saint Mary’s College-CA, The University of St. Thomas, and The University of South Carolina. Each role has contributed to his wealth of experience and expertise in academia.

Beyond the academic sphere, Dr. Pitre's journey includes Fortune 500 and military appointments, highlighting his diverse skill set. He has worked in various accounting and control roles at Kimberly Clark Corp., Brown & Williamson Tobacco, and International Paper Corp. Furthermore, Dr. Pitre has proudly served in the US Navy as an enlisted member and officer, demonstrating his commitment to public service and leadership.

In his current role as Dean of the College of Business Administration at California State University, Stanislaus, he serves as the Chief Academic Officer for the college, overseeing a diverse community of 1,500 undergraduates and 190+ graduate students, along with a dedicated faculty and staff of 70+. Dr. Terence Pitre's journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to education, leadership, and service, making him an inspiring figure in business education.

Jake Weigel is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus in object making and installation methods that combine his research in architecture, ecology, theoretical physics with personal experiences. He is an Associate Professor of Art and Director of the Dr. Allan Greenberg and Dr. Ellen Junn Warrior Fab Lab at California State University, Stanislaus.

Jake serves many roles at Stanislaus State including a member of the Foundation Board of Directors and the founding director of the Warrior Fab Lab. He brings his expertise of creativity with digital design and fabrication to the campus and regional community by working to establish a P20 pipeline for maker education. He places further emphasis on STEAM activities including entrepreneurship, transdisciplinary studies, design-based research, innovation for sustainability, and equitable access to technology in his role. Jake has received over $1 million in grants and awards for research and teaching opportunities.

An intentional collaborator, Dr. Rosalee Rush has more than 15 years of professional experience in higher education in Strategic Communications, Brand Strategy, Media Relations, Marketing, Crisis Communications, Web Strategy, University Advancement, and Alumni Engagement.

Passionate about building and fostering mission-focused and results-driven teams, Rosalee is committed to connecting individuals and ideas to achieve optimal outcomes and shared success. Her leadership style is characterized by a genuine heart for people, guiding her teams with empathy and a focus on collaboration and purpose. Currently serving as the Interim Vice President for University Advancement at Stanislaus State, Rosalee leads an incredibly dedicated University Advancement team comprised of communications and marketing, alumni engagement, advancement operations and philanthropic services.

An American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow (2015-16), Rosalee has presented at numerous conferences on communications best practices, including at the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE) in 2016. She co-authored Learning Organization Principles: The Impact on a Midwest State Government as Perceived by Its Employees. Rosalee was named a King/Chavez/Parks Future Faculty Fellow and a Fellow at the National Summer Institute for the Center of Multicultural Excellence Academy at the University of Denver in 2008.

Rosalee currently serves as a Board member of the Northern California ACE Women’s Network and a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Senior Communication Advisory Committee.

Prior to joining Stan State, Rush was the assistant vice president for marketing and communications at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. Earlier in her career, Rosalee was a communications specialist with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from Michigan State University and her doctorate in higher education leadership from Western Michigan University.