Next Chapter Incubator Committee
To address the rapid changes in higher education and the workforce, COD established the Next Chapter Incubator (NCI). Led by STEM Dean Jennifer Cumpston and reporting directly to the president, NCI is a think tank-skunkworks group that operates semi-independently and develops solutions to respond to changes in the postsecondary education and workforce landscape.
Fellows Application
The President’s Innovation Fellows was launched in Spring 2026 to help advance College of DuPage’s four Presidential Goals – enrollment growth, student persistence and completion, community responsiveness, and internal process improvement.
Next Chapter Incubator invites COD employees to submit ideas that would strengthen the college’s mission and elevate how we all work together.
Projects that are selected will be honored at the next scheduled COD Kickoff, held twice a year.
STEM Dean, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math Phone: (630) 942-3570 Office Location: BIC 2E06D Email: cumpstonj@cod.edu Workforce Inn & Comm Ed Vice President, Workforce Innovation & Community Education Phone: (630) 942-3365 Office Location: BIC 3400T Email: cassidyj1180@cod.edu Heating/Ven/AC/Refrigeration Professor Phone: (630) 942-3068 Office Location: TEC 0024C Email: clarkr307@cod.edu Chemistry Professor Phone: (630) 942-2761 Office Location: HSC 3327 Email: dicarloc@cod.edu Welding Technology Assistant Professor Phone: (630) 942-2527 Office Location: TEC 1062 Email: ellisd86@cod.edu Nursing Associate Professor Phone: (630) 942-2204 Office Location: HSC 2202T Email: gawronb@cod.edu Adjunct Support Administrative Assistant Phone: (630) 942-2158 Office Location: BIC 2501 Email: johnsona1053@cod.edu Library Reference Librarian Phone: (630) 942-2383 Office Location: SRC 3134 Email: kelleyj@cod.edu Liberal Arts Dean, Liberal Arts Phone: (630) 942-2171 Office Location: BIC 2E06G Email: schiffmanr@cod.edu Electronics Technology Professor Phone: (630) 942-3390 Office Location: TEC 1052 Email: vrettosa@cod.edu Adjunct Support Dean, Adjunct Faculty Support Phone: (630) 942-3808 Office Location: BIC 2501D Email: watsons57@cod.eduCurrent Membership
Cumpston, Jennifer
Cassidy, Joseph
Clark, Robert
DiCarlo, Cory
Ellis, David
Gawron, Barbara
Johnson, Alyssa
Kelley, Jennifer
Schiffman, Robyn
Vrettos, Andreas
Watson, Sonia
Contact Information
Do you have an idea you want to share with the Committee or have any questions? Email us at incubator@cod.edu.
Take the Next Step
Whether you’re exploring, applying or planning your path, COD makes it easy to get started.
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