Our theological seminary does not exist for its own sake, but exists rather to serve and resource the church of Jesus Christ."
Interim President Terry R. Taber, PhD
Terry Taber is a native of Evansville, Indiana, and holds a BS in chemistry from Purdue University, a PhD in organic chemistry from California Institute of Technology and, in mid-career, an MS in general management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology as a Kodak Sloan Fellow. Terry has recently retired from a long career with Eastman Kodak Company, where he served as Chief Technical Officer & Vice President, since 2008, as well as Senior Vice-President of Advanced Materials & Chemicals business, since 2020.
Terry has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, food ministries and Teen Mission International work camps. Terry and his wife, Sherri, are active members of Pearce Church and serve as small group leaders. Terry and Sherri also coordinate the Thanksgiving Community Food ministry at Pearce that distributes boxes of food and a turkey to over 1,000 families each year. Terry serves on the George Eastman Museum Board and the United Way Tocqueville Society Cabinet. While at Kodak, he served as technical board observer for Wildcat Discovery Technologies and a board member for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his appointment as Interim President, Terry was a member of the Roberts and Northeastern Board of Trustees from 2003-2015, 2016-2025; and as Board Chair 2012-2015 and 2022-2025.
Board of Trustees
Chief Diversity Officer, Cayuga Health Systems, Ithaca, NY
Janet L. Balajthy
Senior Advisor and Consultant, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
Pamela H. J. Braman
Superintendent, Genesis Conference Free Methodist Church USA
Rhonda K. Devan
CPA, Rasberry-Devan Consulting, Swannanoa NC
Melanie J. French
CPA, PC, Melanie French CPA, Buffalo, NY
Emerson U. Fullwood
Corporate Vice President, retired, Xerox
Ramona Graham
Registered Nurse, retired
Julia P. Grimm
Dean, School of Natural & Social Sciences, Retired, Byron, NY
Timothy R. Harner
Chief Legal Officer, Retired, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc
Holly M. Hillberg
Executive Leadership Consultant
Rochester, NY
Paul A. Lysander '85
Cloud Solutions Architect, VMware Darrington, WA
Kevin W. Mannoia
Pastoral Coach & Consultant, Upland, CA
Justin Niebel '06
Manager, TSC-Data and Security-Vertical
Charter Communications
Rochester, NY
Deborah K. Schmidt '79,
Partner, retired Toji Trading Group LLC New Buffalo, MI
Wesley R. Skinner, Jr.
Chairman of the Board, Manth-Brownell, Inc. Retired
Nat Harrington '17
Owner/Founder, Nat's Nuts, Rochester, NY
Susanne M. Mohnkern '77
Dean, Roberts School of Nursing, retired, Rochester, NY
Michael D. Traylor (NES 2012)
Superintendent, The River Conference, Free Methodist Church USA, San Antonio, TX
Trustees Emeriti:
Lorne W. Jackson (2013)
Leighan R. Rinker (2024)
David B. RInker (2024)
Sonnette Bascoe, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor to the President for University Culture
Reporting directly to the President, Dr. Sonnette Bascoe will provide strategic direction to the University's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, giving direct attention to the institution's policies, practices, structures, climate, and culture. Through the design and facilitation of diversity initiatives, services, and resources, they will support staff, faculty, and administrators in advancing diversity, equity, and belonging in all aspects of the campus.
Dr. Bascoe will work collaboratively with the President and campus leaders, guiding initiatives to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus environment for all constituents, with a particular focus on academic offerings and continued campus education and training.
Dr. Bascoe serves as Assistant Professor of Psychology and has served on the Roberts Wesleyan Academic Diversity Committee, Task Force for Diversity Education and Change (Chair), Racism in Enrollment Advisory Council, and the Resource Group for Race and Ethnicity (Co-Chair). Dr. Bascoe also founded the Roberts Wesleyan Undergraduate-Graduate BIPOC Mentor Program.