University Welcomes New Hires
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Jodi Foster Silotto ’95 returned to Millikin in April 2024 as Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing & Communications.
As a student, Silotto earned a Human Services degree and was a standout on the basketball court. As a student-athlete, Silotto was an All-American, and in 2001, she was named to the Millikin Athletic Hall of Fame.
She first returned to Millikin in leadership roles in Marketing, including serving as Executive Director of Marketing & Communications until 2019. After leaving in 2019, Silotto helped shape the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s academic marketing and communications strategy as the Director of Academic Communications. In 2022, she became the Managing Director of Accounts and Public Affairs for DCC Marketing.
In her current role, Silotto provides vision, leadership and strategic direction in support of the mission of the University. As Vice President, she is responsible for leading and implementing a unified vision for enrollment management, for the development and execution of strategies for internal and external marketing and communications, and for strengthening the brand identity of 91ӣƵ. Silotto serves on the President’s Council and works closely and collaboratively with other members of the Council and Board of Trustees to advance the overall strategic vision, direction and initiatives of Millikin.
Three New Deans
Effective July 1, 91ӣƵ welcomed three new deans — Dr. Andrew Smith, Dean of the College of Professional Studies (CPS); Cameron Jackson, Dean of the College of Fine Arts (CFA); and Maret Matthew, Dean of International Education.
As CPS Dean, Dr. Andrew Smith oversees the college’s three schools: Exercise Science & Sport, Nursing and Education.
“I think we have a perfect balance at Millikin. Millikin has a history of being a liberal arts, fine arts and performing arts university, and we also have really strong professional programs,” Smith said. “Particularly in CPS, they are helping professions. They are nurses, teachers, trainers, and it’s important to highlight their work.”
Smith holds a Ph.D. in History from Purdue University and comes to Millikin from Marietta College, where he was Assistant Dean of Outcomes Data & Accreditation and Instructor in the Education Department. He has also authored a book on legendary boxer George Foreman, titled “No Way But to Fight: George Foreman and the Business of Boxing.”
CFA Dean Cameron Jackson oversees the college’s three schools: Music, Theatre & Dance and Art & Creative Media.
“This is such an exhilarating time to become part of the Millikin community and to stand at the threshold of the next era of education at Millikin,” Jackson said. “I have been honored by the welcoming environment I have found among the students, staff, faculty and administration, and I have been impressed with the history and tradition of Millikin’s mission of being driven by doing.”
Jackson is completing his Ph.D. in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Arts from the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom and has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Alabama, concentrating in Stage Management. He comes to Millikin after serving as the Production Manager of the Elm Shakespeare Company in New Haven, Conn.
As Dean of International Education, Maret Matthew oversees Millikin’s Center for International Education (CIE), the recruitment process for international students and is responsible for fostering an organizational culture and climate that fully supports global education.
“I am very excited about this opportunity to help grow and expand Millikin’s international student population. I hope to diversify the countries our international students come from, and I want to increase the support available to students and faculty who want to study and teach abroad,” Matthew said.
Matthew is completing her Ph.D. in Student Personnel Leadership from the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., and has a Master of Science in Training and Development from Eastern Illinois University.
Public Safety
Michael Martinsen was named Public Safety Director and Chief of Police in November 2024.
“Michael brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to campus safety,” President Jim Reynolds said. “I’m confident that his leadership will ensure our campus community continues to thrive in a safe and welcoming environment.”
Martinsen joins Millikin with more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement, including tenures as Director of Campus Safety at Ohio University and Oberlin College. He has also held law enforcement positions in Cincinnati and Hamilton, Ohio.
Women’s Basketball
In June, Kirsten Hammer became the fourth Women’s Basketball Coach in program history. Hammer came to Millikin after serving as Associate Head Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, her alma mater.
“I think you want to surround yourself with people passionate about the University,” Hammer said. “At Millikin, you have a tradition and a community that values women’s basketball, making the job much more fun.”
Following her graduation from UW-Whitewater in 2016, Hammer served as a Video Coordinator and Basketball Operations Intern with the Seattle Storm of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) in the summer of 2016.
Men’s Football
In December, Millikin named Decatur native Billy Riebock as the new Big Blue Head Football Coach.
Riebock comes home to Decatur with 18 years of collegiate coaching experience at all levels of NCAA football. Most recently, Riebock was the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach at NCAA Division II Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. Highlights of his two seasons with the Mustangs include having the second- and third-leading rushers in the Lone Star Conference and three All-Conference performers in 2023.
“I am thrilled to welcome Coach Riebock to 91ӣƵ. His proven track record of success and commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes aligns perfectly with our values and vision for the program,” President Jim Reynolds said.
