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President
Office Contact
Patrick Fitzgerald, Chief of Staff
ptfitzgerald@seu.edu | 863.667.5002
Dr. Kent Ingle serves as the president of SEU (Southeastern University) in Lakeland, Florida. Ingle is the executive head of the institution and all of its departments, directing the university’s operations in accordance with its vision, mission and beliefs. As the 15th president of SEU, Ingle is passionate about educating and preparing students for Christ-centered leadership and service.
Ingle has held a variety of leadership positions in higher education, pastoral ministry and the nonprofit sector. He is the author of several leadership books and the creator and host of the Framework Leadership podcast. He is also a frequent columnist for Fox News, Newsmax and Influence Magazine. He has appeared on Fox & Friends, CBSN, CNN, HLN and The Ingraham Angle on Fox. Ingle has earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.
Provost & Senior Vice President
Office Contact
Wendy Alderman, CAP, Executive Assistant
wfalderman@seu.edu | 863.667.5004
Dr. Meghan L. Griffin joined Southeastern University in 2017 as a dean after serving for six years as a tenured associate professor and administrator in Florida’s public state college system and serving seven years as a staff member and adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s satellite campus in Orlando, FL. Dr. Griffin has experience as a classroom instructor, faculty member, academic administrator, and curriculum developer therefore in public and private, Christian and secular settings at the undergraduate through doctoral levels and in traditional, residential, extension, and online deliveries. These experiences are brought to bear throughout SEU’s current menu of access to transformative Christian education throughout the SEU Network.
Dr. Griffin’s CV notes a record of scholarship and public thought leadership as well as academic program management and effective faculty oversight. Dr. Griffin has earned a Master of Business Administration degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Texts and Technology at the University of Central Florida.
Provost Emeritus
Professor of Practical Ministry
Office Contact
Kim D. White, CAP Expert, Executive Administrator
kdwhite@seu.edu | 863.667.5553
Dr. William “Bill” C. Hackett, Jr., currently serves SEU as provost emeritus, providing guidance to the university’s leadership team. He is also a professor in the Barnett College of Ministry and Theology and teaches a variety of practical ministry and Bible courses. He also teaches speech courses in the College of Business, Communication and Leadership.
Previously serving for 10 years as provost, Hackett has been an integral part of the university since 1988. He has held several positions in teaching, administration, student development and academic affairs. With 15 years of experience in ministry, Hackett has also served in many pastoral roles. He has received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Biola University and a Doctor of Education degree from SEU.
Senior Vice President of Strategy & Operations
Chief Information Officer
Office Contact
Lindsey Francia, Executive Assistant
lmfrancia@seu.edu | 863.667.5933
Dr. Cody Lloyd is the Senior Vice President for Strategy and Operations and Chief Information Officer (CIO). In his role, he oversees the accreditation process and provides key data and analysis for the university. He is responsible for leading and managing the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Office of Institutional Research and Strategic Projects, the Office of Accreditation and Compliance, Student Success, Digital Learning, Enrollment, Marketing, and Information Technology.
Prior to his current position, he served as the university’s associate vice president for information management. Lloyd has also worked in various capacities at Taylor University and Rollins College, and has led a wide variety of institutional accreditation projects. Lloyd has earned an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from SEU.
Senior Vice President of Finance
Chief Financial Officer
Office Contact
Julie Ann Hudson, Executive Assistant
jahudson@seu.edu | 863.667.5006
Phillip “Phil” Schmitt serves as the Senior Vice President of Finance and the University’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Southeastern University (SEU) in Lakeland Florida. In this position, Phil is responsible for leading and directing all financial elements while prioritizing systems to scale with the recent enrollment growth of SEU. Schmitt’s servant leadership and collaborative approach encourages cross functional team perspective, dynamic understanding of operational and strategic context, as well as striving towards unified goals.
Previously serving as the director of finance for both SEU and Roberts Wesleyan College, Schmitt has filled a variety of finance and accounting roles within higher education since 2012. His dedication to higher education excellence has enhanced team performance, decision making through meaningful financial reports and simplified understanding of operations impact on overall finances. Phil, CPA, earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Rochester.
Senior Vice President of Student Development & Campus Services
Office Contact
Sarah Gross, Executive Assistant
segross@seu.edu | 863.667.5654
As Senior Vice President of Student Development & Campus Services, Dr. Bethany Thomas serves the university through leadership and coordination of all elements of the student experience. Thomas works to create a cultural environment at SEU that empowers students’ growth missionally, encourages students’ achievement academically and socially, and inspires students’ depth spiritually.
Thomas has served the university since 2008, and previously held the position of executive director of student experience. Before coming to SEU, she worked in the office of the provost at the University of Miami. Thomas has received her Doctor of Education degree from SEU.
Senior Vice President of Advancement and Innovation
Dr. Michael Steiner is a visionary and results-driven executive with deep expertise in higher education leadership, strategic planning, and advancement. As Senior Vice President of Advancement and Innovation at SEU, he spearheads the university’s fundraising efforts, securing transformational gifts, and developing innovative funding models to drive institutional growth.
With a proven track record in securing major philanthropic and government funding, Dr. Steiner has successfully raised millions in private grants, including a $2.1 million grant from the Kern Family Foundation, $2 million from the Lilly Foundation, and a $4 million special capital appropriation from the State of Florida. His leadership extends to donor cultivation, corporate partnerships, and the execution of high-impact capital campaigns—most notably leading SEU’s $80 million “Freedom Campaign” to eliminate long-term debt and enhance financial sustainability.
Dr. Steiner’s strategic vision has been instrumental in reshaping SEU’s advancement strategies. He pioneered the Ministry Partner Program, a special fundraising endeavor targeted at securing $1 million in operational support for ministry education. His expertise in university operations, financial modeling, and governance ensures that advancement efforts align seamlessly with SEU’s long-term strategic goals.
Beyond his role at SEU, Dr. Steiner is the founder of Steiner Solutions, LLC, where he provides leadership coaching and facilitates strategic planning for executives and organizations. His extensive experience in board relations, donor stewardship, and public policy advocacy underscores his ability to cultivate meaningful partnerships that elevate institutional success.
A Ph.D. in Business Psychology with an MBA and a background in practical theology, Dr. Steiner combines data-driven decision-making with mission-driven leadership. His passion for Christian higher education, financial innovation, and leadership development continues to shape SEU’s advancement trajectory, ensuring affordable, accessible, and experiential education for future generations.
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Office Contact
Katie Marki, Executive Assistant
kmarki@seu.edu | 863.667.5502
Lathrop has spent over 20 years in local church ministry. During that time, he started businesses and ministries that partner with pastors and churches. He is the founder of Helpstaff.me (now Vanderbloemen Search), Oaks School of Leadership, and YoungPastors.com. Prior to coming to SEU, Lathrop worked as the director of strategic relations for the General Council of the Assemblies of God. He has also worked with the Leadership Network and Convoy of Hope and is the author of the book The Likeable Christian.
Vice President, Community Relations
Office Contact
863.667.5506
As the Vice President for Community Relations, Sylvia Blackmon-Roberts is responsible for advancing SEU’s vision, mission and brand through community engagement, outreach, awareness, and the building of corporate relationships that create partnerships, talent pipelines, experiential learning opportunities and support funding.
Blackmon-Roberts, a former CEO, brings over 35 years of executive leadership experience serving as a consultant to government, not-for-profit and corporate industries. She has been a panelist on Black Enterprise Television and CNBC. Additionally, she is a highly sought-after speaker regarding women in leadership. She has earned a master’s degree in human resources administration from Southeastern University.
Vice President, SEU Ministry Network
Office Contact
Katie Marki, Executive Assistant
kmarki@seu.edu | 863.667.5502
Steve Saccone currently serves as the Vice President of the SEU Ministry Network at Southeastern University, where he leads efforts to merge the academic world with the local church to develop the next generation of ministry leaders. He has more than twenty years of experience in leadership development in local churches, non-profit organizations, and universities, In his work, he’s helped design and implement innovative leadership development processes and pipelines, as well as internships and organizational growth strategies. His passion for fostering transformational leadership among college students and young adults is evident in his work. His expertise is found in equipping individuals to lead with character and competency, innovation and vision, as well as relational and emotional intelligence.
Steve is also a Gallup-certified Strengths Performance Coach, as well as Myers-Briggs and DiSC certified. He is deeply committed to helping people uncover their divine design, strengthen their relationships, and grow personally and professionally. Steve oversees more than 200 church partnerships nationwide in his current role, ensuring that Southeastern University’s resources and training programs effectively serve local churches and leaders. He also teaches as an adjunct professor, sharing his expertise in pastoral ministry, preaching, evangelism, and leadership development. Throughout his career, Steve has authored several books, including Relational Intelligence, Protégé: Developing the Next Generation of Church Leaders, and Made for More: Being Disciples, Making Disciples (co-author with Dr. Kent Ingle). Steve is also a sought-after speaker, consultant, and mentor for emerging leaders and collegiate/young adult ministries. He holds a Master’s Degree in Transformational Leadership (Bethel Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN) and will receive his Doctorate in Ministry from Southeastern University in April 2025.
Chief Advancement Officer
Office Contact
Jennifer Kress, Administrative Assistant
jekress@seu.edu | 863.667.5193
Dr. Ben Sigman serves as the Chief Advancement Officer. In this position he is responsible for capital development and fundraising at SEU This includes planned giving, annual initiatives, grants and special initiatives. These efforts help fund and fuel the innovation of the university and help keep SEU affordable and accessible for students .
Prior to coming to SEU, Sigman has worked as a Generosity Strategist at Generis and is the founder and Principle of Ministry Advance, a capital development group.
He holds both a master’s and doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary.
At SEU, our leadership is guided by frameworks, each intricately woven to foster our strategic and operational objectives. These frameworks are dynamic, incorporating a meticulous framing process that involves listening, auditing the context, clarifying goals, and cultivating alignment. We have developed distinct yet interlinked frameworks, including Urgent, Visionary, Cultural, Functional, Innovative, and Breakthrough.
Three coexistent leadership ecosystems leverage the diverse talents within SEU, fostering a robust foundation for progressive growth and innovation. This leadership structure enhances our focus on leadership frameworks, directly aligning our philosophy with our organizational structure.
