Our Staff
India Y. Tips Executive Director
India Tips currently serves as the Executive Director of the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). She is responsible for overseeing the daily operations and all accreditation activities, including the review and implementation of Commission-directed actions. She serves as the liaison to state and federal regulatory bodies, including the U.S. Department of Education, national and other accrediting agencies, and credentialing bodies in the health field.
Ms. Tips joined ABHES in November 1995. In her 25-year tenure, her experience spans the full spectrum of accreditation, membership services, and operations. She developed the educational content and curricula for the required training’s for initial and renewal applicants where she has been the lead presenter for nearly 15 years. She has participated in and supported efforts for more than five petitions for re-recognition by the U.S. Department of Education. Ms. Tips also serves as the staff liaison to the Commission’s Standards Review Committee (SRC) charged to review all components of the Accreditation Manual to ensure its content is relevant, adequate, and predictive of successful qualitative outcomes. She has been instrumental in the management and successful execution of 16 conferences serving more than 400 attendees and exhibitors annually, and has performed hundreds of accreditation visits to institutions seeking initial and renewal ABHES accreditation.
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Kyle Boyles Senior Accreditation Coordinator
Mr. Boyles joined ABHES in June 2015 and currently serves as a Senior Accreditation Coordinator. His responsibilities include planning on-site evaluation visits, coordinating these visits through travel with the teams, and co-presenting the Accreditation Workshop and Program Effectiveness Plan Workshop for initial and renewal applicants. He also serves as a staff liaison to the Financial Review Committee, Preliminary Review Committee, International Task Force, and the Surgical Technology Programmatic Accreditation Committee.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Studies, Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA
Crystal Calarusse Associate Executive Director of Program Development and Innovation
Crystal Calarusse serves as the Associate Executive Director of Program Development and Innovation. Ms. Calarusse joined ABHES in August 2020. She oversees ABHES’ Program Department and manages the review process for institutional changes, and ensures policies are consistently applied when analyzing and processing program-related applications. She is also responsible for leading initiatives relative to distance education and other higher education trends, including monitoring and tracking regulatory changes by state licensing, national credentialing and federal authorities that impact program-specific operations.
Ms. Calarusse has served almost 20 years in leadership positions in higher education accreditation, including Chief Executive Officer of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education, Chief Accreditation Officer at the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration, and as a board member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors. She has published and presented widely on accreditation matters, in particular equity issues and globalization, and is currently seeking a PhD in public policy at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Education
Master of Public Policy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Bachelor of Public Policy, New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL
Kelly Costello Manager of Accreditation
Ms. Costello joined ABHES in June 2013 and currently serves as the Manager of Accreditation. Her primary responsibilities include conducting on-site evaluation visits, processing complaints, and facilitating operations of ABHES review committees. Ms. Costello serves as staff liaison to the Annual Review Committee, Preliminary Review Committee, and Standards Review Committee.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
Holly Doering Manager of Compliance, Development and Quality Assurance
Ms. Doering has been with ABHES since May 2010 and now serves as the Manager of Compliance, Development and Quality Assurance. Her primary responsibilities include developing and maintaining the information systems including the accreditation management and annual report management systems. Additionally, she assists with all activities related to institutional and programmatic annual reporting. Ms. Doering also serves as a staff liaison to the Annual Review Committee.
Education
Master of Business Administration, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance, Strayer University, Woodbridge, VA
Karim Frazier Accreditation Coordinator
Mr. Karim Frazier joined ABHES in January 2021 and currently serves as an Accreditation Coordinator. His primary responsibilities include coordinating and conducting on-site evaluation visits. As a coordinator, Mr. Frazier provides support and interpretive guidance on accreditation standards to institutions and evaluators before, during, and after the on-site visit.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Randolph College, Lynchburg, VA
Steven Gelfound Associate Executive Director of Information Technology and Quality Assurance
Mr. Gelfound joined ABHES in November of 2019. As the Associate Executive Director of Information Technology and Quality Assurance, his primary responsibilities are the oversight of accreditation operations and technology at ABHES. He serves as a staff liaison to the Annual Review Committee and is a member of the ABHES Leadership Team.
Education
BA in IT Management, University of Phoenix
BS in Political Science & History, University of Delaware
Laurie Hart Office Assistant
Laurie Hart joined ABHES in 2007 as an Administrative Assistant. Ms. Hart is primarily responsible for assisting with workshop and conference preparations and registration; provides technology assistance to include IT helpdesk support; and provides general administrative support to staff.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Stacie D. Hendrickson Director of Institutional Review and Development
Stacie Hendrickson joined ABHES in August 2020 to serve as the Director of Institutional Review and Development. Ms. Hendrickson oversees ABHES’ institutional changes related to maintaining accreditation, to include ownership, additional locations, continuing education courses and programs, mission, and teach-out plans. Other responsibilities include strategic planning related to institutional effectiveness, supporting the ABHES Commission review process, and keeping abreast of accreditation issues in higher education that impact ABHES and its membership.
Background includes over 20 years of higher education operations, regulatory compliance management, project management, and leading change in operational processes and controls. Throughout her career, Ms. Hendrickson has served as Chief Operations Officer, Vice President of Operations, Vice President of Compliance, Campus President, and various other compliance management and operational roles. In addition, she served on active duty in the U.S. Army.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA
Master of Science in Management, Colorado Technical University, Colorado Springs, CO
Wazhma Ibrahim Accreditation Coordinator
Ms. Wazhma Ibrahim joined ABHES in September 2015 and currently serves as an Accreditation Coordinator. Her primary responsibilities include coordinating and conducting on-site evaluation visits. Ms. Ibrahim is responsible for the Change in Location and the Change in Name applications. Additionally she is a staff liaison to the Programmatic Accreditation Committee’s for Medical Assisting and Medical Laboratory Technology.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Communications, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Enoch Kasambara Staff Accountant
Enoch Kasambara joined ABHES in February 2016 and is currently our Staff Accountant. Mr. Kasambara is primarily responsible in supporting the Manager of Operations in the recording of cash receipts; bank deposit preparation; accounts payable and receivable; month and year-end reconciliation of accounts in accounting; and provides administrative support for Operations. Prior to joining ABHES, Mr. Kasambara has 6 years of accounting experience in corporate accounting and payroll processing.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Maryland University College, College Park, MD
Kimberly Neuenschwander-Hurley Manager of Training and Membership Services
Ms. Neuenschwander-Hurley joined ABHES in July 2015 as an Accreditation Coordinator and currently serves as the Manager of Training and Membership Services. Her responsibilities include co-presenting the Accreditation Workshop for initial and renewal applicants and conducting preliminary visits to confirm applicant eligibility and readiness to undergo the evaluation process. Additionally, she serves as the staff liaison to the Distance Education Committee.
Education
Master of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
Gina Rice-Holland Program Specialist
Ms. Gina Rice-Holland joined ABHES in November 2019 and currently serves as the Program Specialist. Her primary responsibilities include coordinating and conducting on-site evaluation visits.
Education:
Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, Bay Path University, Longmeadow, MA
Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix, Arlington, VA
Bachelor of Science in Business Management, University of Phoenix, Arlington, VA
Associate in Computer and Information Science, ECPI University, Manassas, VA
Ana Rogero Accreditation Coordinator
Ms. Ana Rogero joined ABHES in January 2021 and currently serves as an Accreditation Coordinator. Her primary responsibilities include coordinating and conducting on-site evaluation visits. As a coordinator, Ms. Rogero provides support and interpretive guidance on accreditation standards to institutions and evaluators before, during, and after the on-site visit.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration, Trinity Washington University, Washington, DC
Amy Rowe Associate Executive Director of Membership Services
Ms. Rowe has worked with ABHES since 2003. As Associate Executive Director of Membership Services, Ms. Rowe manages the initial and renewal accreditation activities, develops and maintains various training opportunities for staff and member institutions and programs, and co-presents workshops. She is also responsible for conducting preliminary consultation visits to confirm applicant eligibility and readiness to undergo the evaluation process. Ms. Rowe serves as the lead staff liaison to the Commissioner Nominating Committee and is a member of the ABHES Leadership Team.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Melissa Santillana Accreditation Coordinator
Ms. Melissa Santillana joined ABHES in May 2021 and currently services as an Accreditation Coordinator. Her primary responsibilities include coordinating and conducting on-site evaluation visits. As a coordinator, Ms. Santillana provides support and interpretive guidance on accreditation standards to institutions and evaluators before, during, and after the onsite visit.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies with a Concentration in Elementary Education, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Stephen Sonon Accreditation Coordinator
Mr. Stephen Sonon joined ABHES in January 2021 and currently serves as an Accreditation Coordinator. His primary responsibilities include coordinating and conducting on-site evaluation visits. As a coordinator, Mr. Sonon provides support and interpretive guidance on accreditation standards to institutions and evaluators before, during, and after the on-site visit.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, Villanova University, Villanova, PA
Paul Stukus Director of Accounting and Financial Reporting
Mr. Stukus joined ABHES in May 2019 and currently serves as the Director of Accounting & Financial Reporting. His primary responsibilities are overseeing accounting and finance operations as well as providing support to HR, IT and facilities.
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Denise Thelemaque Office Manager
Ms. Thelemaque joined ABHES in October 2019 as the Office Manager. Ms. Thelemaque’s primary responsibilities include general office oversight, processing of change in director notifications, annual conference and workshop preparation, and administrative assistance to the leadership team. Denise comes with 25+ years of combined experience providing high-quality training and management in the banking and financial services industry and executive-level client services in various industries.
Education:
University of Massachusetts – College of Management and Professional Studies, Boston, MA (2 yrs)