President’s Cabinet

Peter J. Holbrook, Ph.D. is a visionary, values-based leader, adept at building strong working relationships and networks to leverage the talents of others to strategically and operationally achieve sustainable results. As Provost and Chief Operating Officer for Tiffin University, Holbrook brings more than 40 years of experience in organizational leadership, change management, teaching, leadership training, board development, fundraising, program development, assessment and evaluation, and strategic planning. Prior to joining Tiffin University, Holbrook was President and CEO of Cream City Foundation, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Dean of the College of Business and Management, Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Holbrook serves as Tiffin University’s first Provost, a role that highlights his ability to lead transformative change through shared vision, leadership, decision-making, and governance. Holbrook’s emphasis has been on driving student success through excellence and continuous improvement, leading to the development of signature programs and fellowships distinctive to Tiffin University that meet the educational needs of students and employers. Focused on the future of teaching and learning, he oversees the adoption of alternative credentials and micro-learning initiatives across multiple modalities, including credit and non-credit programs.

During his tenure at Stritch, Dr. Holbrook served in a number of key leadership roles that positively impacted the university’s fundraising, public relations, enrollment, and academic initiatives, including serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the Leadership Center. Early in his tenure, he led the process to achieve university status. As Dean of the College of Business and Management, he provided strategic leadership and insights for all academic programs within the college. He guided a multi-year change process that resulted in reaffirmation of the College’s ACBSP Accreditation, the renewal and growth of academic programs, and the reestablishment of faculty-shared governance, nearly tripling the number of full-time faculty lines to support quality teaching and learning in the classroom.

Holbrook has taught at the doctoral and undergraduate levels at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is a researcher, published writer, and speaker on leadership and change management, with an emphasis on Franciscan, servant, and transformational leadership. His current research interests include exploring the intersection of leadership capacity and innovation and change. Additional areas of expertise include cultural intelligence, with a focus on inclusive leadership and culture.

Holbrook has experience designing and facilitating leadership development programs and training for numerous for- and nonprofit organizations in Southeastern Wisconsin. He is a trained facilitator and coach in Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and Compression Planning. He has also led and facilitated strategic planning sessions for local organizations in Wisconsin, including the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is a member of numerous professional organizations.

Holbrook has volunteered with several local and national nonprofits in Southeastern Wisconsin and Seneca County, Ohio, including service on the Board of Directors of the

International Institute of Wisconsin, as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Seneca Regional Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Services, as a Commissioner and Vice Chair of the Milwaukee County Commission on Aging, on the Board of Directors of Diverse and Resilient in Milwaukee, and on the Milwaukee Public Television Vision 2057 Task Force.

Dr. Holbrook holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies and a Master of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Mitchell P. Blonde, a certified fund raising executive (CFRE), joined the Tiffin University President’s Cabinet in 2017. Prior to TU, he served 10 years as vice president of institutional advancement for Siena Heights University, a Catholic liberal arts institution located in Adrian, Mich. He has over two decades of experience in higher education and has spent the majority of that time in leadership positions.

A native of Michigan, Blonde earned degrees from Adrian College and Siena Heights University. His development career began at Adrian College while serving as director of annual giving and later transitioned to major gift officer at Bowling Green State University. He was named executive director of the Jackson Community College Foundation in 2005 and has taught at Central Michigan University, Baker College of Port Huron, Adrian College and Siena Heights University.

Blonde has served on numerous non-profit boards and committees. Currently, he serves on the board of the Tiffin–Seneca Public Library and is a Trustee for the Four County Community Foundation.

He enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing and travelling in his free time. He and his wife, Dawn, have two children.

Nadia Lewis received her B.A. from the University of Cincinnati in International Business and her Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership with a focus in Human Resource Management along with a certification in Strategic Global Organizational Leadership from Colorado Global campus.  Nadia has over 15 years working as an HR business partner for industries such as aerospace, engineering, robotics, healthcare, behavioral health, higher-education, factory automation and manufacturing.  She is a certified facilitator in Bridges out of Poverty, Fierce Conversations, the Color Code and CQ (Cultural Intelligence).  Helping to train organizations in the opportunities that exist to maximize the various pathways in creating a culture of engagement, under a culture of inclusion.

Nadia has served consecutive years as a chair and a board member for the Northwest Ohio Human Resources Association (a state chapter of SHRM) most recently consecutive years as the Diversity Chair.  She is also a member of the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) previously served in the role of President on the board for CUPA-HR.  She has also served as a keynote speaker/presenter at national, regional and state conferences. Presented on topics such as “Creating conditions that lead to retention, productivity, and engagement in entry-level workers”,  “Getting results through individual and organizational accountability” at conferences such as the NOHRA-SHRM Diversity Conference of 2017, Keynote Speaker CUPA-HR Conference 2017, 2018 & 2019, Keynote Speaker for Health Care 2016, Staffing World conference and other SHRM chapters.  Outside of her professional HR environment, Mrs. Lewis has served on the Lucas County Mental Health Board as well as NAMI as an advocate for creating opportunity and equitable access for the underrepresented population.

Mrs. Lewis holds a SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) in Human Resources.
Nadia Lewis currently resides in Maumee, Ohio with her husband Kevin and their two boys KJ and Camden.  Nadia is from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.  As a mom raising two boys of color, her goal is to have them grow up in a world that welcomes everyone and celebrates their differences.

A familiar face on Tiffin University’s campus, Dr. Amy Wood serves as TU’s Senior Vice President/Chief of Staff.

Earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tiffin University in 2003, a Master of Organization Development from Bowling Green State University in 2004 and a Ph.D. of Philosophy in Organization and Management from Capella University in 2015.

Prior to being named Senior Vice President/Chief of Staff, Amy has served in multiple roles at the university, such as the Senior Vice President for Campus Recruitment  and Student Affairs, Vice President for Enrollment Management, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management, Dean of Admissions, Director of Graduate & Distance Education Admissions, Director of Columbus Academic Center and a Financial Aid Counselor.

In her current position, she oversees athletics, Information Technology, the strategic plan and other strategic priorities of the institution.

Amy and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Grace and Keegan.