People
SCU Board of Regents
The SCU Board of Regents provides visionary leadership in support of the university’s mission to transform healthcare education. Drawing on expertise across healthcare, business, education, and public service, the Board helps guide SCU’s strategic direction while ensuring the university remains innovative, financially strong, and responsive to the evolving needs of students and the healthcare industry.
Under the leadership of the Board of Regents, SCU has experienced significant institutional momentum, including programmatic and geographic expansion, enhanced financial stability, and strong student, faculty, and staff satisfaction. In recognition of its forward-thinking governance and commitment to innovation, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) awarded the SCU Board of Regents the 2022 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership.
As stewards of SCU’s mission and future, the Board plays an essential role in advancing the university’s leadership in integrative, whole health education.
Cynthia Baum, PhD
Vice Chair – Regent
Provost & Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs, Thomas Edison State University
Chair – Mission, Academic & Student Affairs Committee
Member – Executive Committee
Melissa Esbenshade, MBA, BS
Regent
SVP, Marketing – InEight
Member – Governance Committee
Member – Mission, Academic & Student Affairs Committee
Member – Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee
Ilaria Gadalla, DMSc, PA-C, FHM
Regent
Dean, College of Health Professions South University
Member – Mission, Academic and Student Affairs Committee
Amy Goldstein, LMSW
Regent
Leader, Pain Collaborative
Director, Alliance to Advance Comprehensive Integrative Pain Management
John Grossenbacher, VADM USN(ret)
Regent
Vice Admiral and Commander of the U.S. Submarine Forces (retired)
Co-founder, Cornerstone Collaboration for Societal Change
LaKeisha Marsh, JD
Board Chair – Regent
Chair, Higher Education and Collegiate Athletics Practice at Akerman LLP
Member – Executive Committee
Member – Governance Committee
John Pecchia, MBA, CPA, CGMA
Treasurer – Regent
Retired Marist College
Chair Audit, Risk & Compliance Committee
Member – Executive Committee
Member – Business & Infrastructure Committee
Kavitha Reddy, M.D. FAAEM
Regent
Physician, Veterans Health Administration, St. Louis Healthcare System – Missouri
Samantha Simmons, MPH
Secretary – Regent
CEO, Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine & Health
Chair Governance Committee
Member – Mission, Academics & Student Affairs Committee
Board of Regents Emeriti
- Charles Crecelius, LHD
- Harry E. Douglas III, DPA
- Howard Essegian, DC
- William J. Keppler, PhD
- W.M. Marcussen, BchE, LHD
- Lawrence Tain, DC
- Frank H. Tranzow, MCA