Senior Staff 

Prior to joining the staff at Methodist University, Dr. Harris held leadership positions in Housing and Residence Life at several institutions. He oversaw the development of an inaugural housing program in Georgia. As Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life at Lake Forest College, he doubled the size of the professional staff, developed living-learning communities, and created standard operating procedures that improved safety structures on campus. Dr. Harris began his professional residence life work at Georgetown University where he managed several residential communities and created a residence hall governance system serving over 6,000 residents..

Dr. Harris earned a B.A. in Public Relations and M.Ed. in Counseling with a concentration in College Student Development from North Carolina State University. He received his Ed.D. from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education.

Kathleen has been a leader in fundraising and leadership for educational organizations for over 30 years and has led successful campaigns that have raised over $25 million.  An engaged and active member of the Western New York community, she has developed strong relationships with business and community leaders, as well as private and public foundations that have resulted in significant partnerships and investments for the organizations she represents.

Kathleen serves on several local nonprofit boards, including currently serving as the Chair of the Education Advisory Council for the Diocese of Buffalo, and  serves on the Board and Executive Committee of Our Lady of Victory Human Services Board.

She is also a 2004 graduate of Leadership Buffalo. Kathleen is a native of Franklinville, NY, and received her B.A. in History/Political Science and a Minor in Sociology from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY and Masters in Public Administration from Hilbert College.

In 2007, she served as a counselor for the Canisius Opportunity Programs for Educational (COPE) office at Canisius College. Shortly after, she was promoted to Assistant Director, where she served for seven years. In this role, Dr. DeBose was responsible for the daily management of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Program. Her primary role was coordinating the admissions process, reviewing applications, coordinating community service projects, securing financial eligibility, coordinating a six-week summer enrichment program, and providing academic, financial, and personal support.

In 2016, Dr. DeBose was appointed director of the SUNY Geneseo Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Transitional Opportunity Program (TOP), and the McNair Scholars Program. In this role, Dr. DeBose helped secure a million-dollar grant designed to encourage and support BIPOC students to pursue a doctoral field of study by providing: research-intensive experiences and extensive mentoring and support. In this role she was able to help minimize barriers for low-income, underrepresented students, restructured the Learning Center, and created multiple programs, pipelines and services aimed to increase student retention.

Preceding her role as Vice Present for Mission and Equity, Dr. DeBose served as the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Hilbert College.

Prior to her role in higher education, Dr. DeBose served as a mental health counselor at Horizon Health services and a school counselor at Job Corps. Academy. Dr. DeBose earned a BS in Social Work from SUNY Fredonia, MSW from SUNY Buffalo, and a Ed. D in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College. Dr. DeBose also received certification in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Dr. DeBose is committed to helping minimize barriers and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. She is a transformational leader who understands the calling that has been placed on her life. She is woman of prayer and faith, and she is committed to supporting, uplifting, and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

In addition to serving as Vice President for Mission and Equity, Dr. DeBose also serves as a part-time counselor for Best- Self Behavioral Health and she serves as an adjunct faculty member at SUNY Buffalo. Dr. DeBose enjoys shopping, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with her family.

During the 2022-2023 athletic campaign the Hawks found success within many of their programs. Baseball, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Men’s Volleyball, and Women’s Volleyball all significantly improved their win totals, and set program records. The athletic program also relaunched Women’s Bowling and Women’s Lacrosse under his direction. The department also set records during the college’s annual Giving Day. 

Prior to Hilbert, Seil has served as the Assistant Director of Athletic Facilities at Canisius College. He managed the daily operations of the Koessler Athletic Center, as well as the game day operations for all 20 of Canisius’ athletic programs. He also oversaw 18 club sport teams and the intramural program. He also served as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator at Canisius. Prior to working in athletic facilities, Seil oversaw the academic support for all student-athletes at Canisius. In that role, he worked with departments and support services across campus to ensure student-athlete success.
 
Prior to Canisius, Seil served as an Academic Coordinator at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Seil previously served as a graduate assistant at Canisius and an assistant baseball coach at Medaille College. He is a certified game official for high school and college basketball, he serves as an adjunct professor at Canisius, and he was the Game Day Compliance Monitor for Major League Baseball when games were played at Sahlen Field in Buffalo during the 2021 season.
 
Seil earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education, as well as his master’s degree in sport administration from Canisius. He was an NCAA Division I baseball student-athlete for the Golden Griffins. 

Seil lives in Buffalo with his wife, Katie, and their son, Nolan.