President’s Cabinet
Christopher Ames, Ph.D.
Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
In his role as Interim Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Christopher Ames serves as Georgian Court University’s chief academic officer, providing leadership for the university’s academic programs, faculty, student affairs, and academic support units.
Dr. Ames brings decades of experience in higher education leadership. Most recently, he served as President of Russell Sage College, where he led the institution through a period of strategic growth and financial stabilization. Prior to that, he held senior academic leadership positions including Vice President for Academic Affairs at Shepherd University, Provost and Dean of the College at Washington College, and Provost and Senior Vice President at Oglethorpe University. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with faculty to strengthen academic programs, expand graduate and online education, and advance institutional effectiveness.
A scholar of English literature by training, Dr. Ames has also taught at several institutions and has led initiatives in faculty development, accreditation, strategic planning, and enrollment growth. His extensive experience in academic leadership and shared governance supports Georgian Court’s commitment to academic excellence and student success.
Dr. Ames earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in English literature from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts in English (Plan II Honors) from The University of Texas at Austin.
Timothy Briles, Ed.D
Chief of Staff to the President
In his role as Chief of Staff, Dr. Timothy Briles serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the President while supporting operational coherence and institutional effectiveness.
Dr. Briles has been a member of the Georgian Court community since 2007, contributing in many capacities, including Associate Professor of Education, Chair of Advanced Programs in Education, Director of the Administration and Leadership Program, and Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA. He has also served as Special Assistant to the President, providing leadership on strategic initiatives such as the Strategic Compass Initiative and the Deloitte Project Management Initiative.
Before joining Georgian Court, Dr. Briles held leadership positions in secondary education, including Vice Principal and Dean of Students at Gloucester Catholic High School. His breadth of experience in education administration, accreditation, and leadership development positions him to advance the university’s priorities and support its mission.
Dr. Briles earned a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership from Saint Joseph’s University, a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Paul Ciraulo
Chief Financial Officer
In his role as Interim Chief Financial Officer, Paul Ciraulo provides extensive leadership in higher education financial management. He has held senior finance roles at Saint Peter’s University, Marymount Manhattan College, and St. John’s University School of Law, where he led initiatives in financial planning, operations, and strategic investment. Known for his expertise in budget oversight, facilities planning, and IT and administrative operations, Paul supports Georgian Court’s financial stability and strategic priorities.
Paul began his career in trust administration and private wealth management with Bankers Trust Company of New York and the United States Trust Company of New York before transitioning to higher education. While at Marymount Manhattan College, he led the expansion and diversification of the college’s real estate holdings with a focus on academic facilities and mixed-use housing. At St. John’s University School of Law, Paul served as a financial consultant to the American Bar Association’s Section for Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Rutgers University–New Brunswick and a Master’s Degree from California State University–Dominguez Hills.
Keith W. Cook, J.D.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
In his role as Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Keith W. Cook leads Georgian Court University’s fundraising, alumni relations, donor engagement, and advancement strategy in support of the university’s mission and long-term priorities.
Keith brings nearly two decades of advancement leadership experience across higher education. Prior to joining Georgian Court, he served as Senior Director of Education and Alumni Relations at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he led philanthropic initiatives supporting medical education and alumni engagement. Previously, he served as Assistant Dean of Alumni and Development at Seton Hall University School of Law and held advancement positions at Penn State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, specializing in major and planned giving, donor stewardship, and campaign strategy.
A licensed attorney and Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), Keith has extensive expertise in philanthropic planning, estate giving, and building lasting partnerships with alumni, donors, and institutional stakeholders. His experience advancing mission-driven organizations and cultivating transformational philanthropy supports Georgian Court’s commitment to expanding opportunities for students and strengthening the university’s future.
Keith earned a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law, a Master of Education from Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University–New Brunswick.
Erika K. Davis, Ed.D.
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Erika K. Davis, Ed.D. joined Georgian Court University on July 17, 2024, with proven experience in increasing institutional enrollment in mission driven institutions. Combining progressive management experience in both undergraduate and graduate operations she has become a compelling storyteller. Dr. Davis strategizes to execute creative and impactful recruiting initiatives that support the mission, ensure consistent brand messaging, and produce positive results. A servant leader who can build, coach, and mentor cross-functional teams and cultivate strong partnerships with stakeholders.
Dr. Davis is a resident of Allentown, PA and previously served as the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing for Cedar Crest College, Allentown PA where she successful delivered the colleges first total enrollment increase in fall of 2021 during the pandemic. Fall 2021 total surpassed 2020 at 1,440 students, with incremental increase after six-year deficit. Serving on Middle States Accreditation Team Working Group for Standard IV: Support of Student Experience. Dr. Davis launched several new programs including Division III Women’s Wrestling for Fall 2022, Doctor of Occupational Therapy, and Master of Art Therapy online.
A true believer Dr. Davis has also completed management roles at Neumann University (PA), Delaware State University (DE) and Trinity Washington University (DC). Dr. Davis has degrees from the University of Pittsburgh (B.A. in Communications), Carnegie Mellon University (M.A. in Professional Writing) and Morgan State University (Ed.D., Community College Leadership).
Joan Konopka
Chief Human Resources Officer
In her role as Chief Human Resources Officer, Joan Konopka provides strategic leadership for Georgian Court University’s human resources functions, supporting the university’s workforce through employee relations, talent management, compliance, compensation and benefits, and organizational development.
Joan joined Georgian Court in 2025 as Director of Human Resources and was appointed Chief Human Resources Officer in 2026. She works closely with university leadership to advance policies and practices that support employees, strengthen organizational effectiveness, and reflect Georgian Court’s Mercy mission and institutional values.
Before joining Georgian Court, Joan held human resources leadership positions with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Springpoint Senior Living, Monmouth Beach Board of Education, and Manasquan Bank. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives in compensation and benefits, HR technology, compliance, employee engagement, and organizational strategy, bringing more than 25 years of experience across higher education, nonprofit, financial services, education, and healthcare.
Joan earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management from Colorado State University Global.
Jeffrey Schaffer
Executive Director of Mission & Ministry
Mr. Jeff Schaffer brings more than three decades of pastoral experience in higher education to his role as Georgian Court’s Interim Executive Director of Mission and Ministry. He began his service to the university in 2013 as the Director of Campus Ministry.
Jeff maintains strong ties with the Conference of Mercy Higher Education (CMHE) and the Catholic Campus Ministry Association (CCMA) where he serves as the co-chair of the Pathways Certification Program. Jeff has wide-ranging experience with service and social justice programs and a depth of knowledge regarding the Catholic Social Justice Tradition and the Mercy charism.
Jeff has a Master in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans, a Graduate Certificate in Mercy Spirituality from Georgian Court, and the highest level of certification as a professional Catholic campus minister from CCMA.