State Portal Entity
(SPE) Contacts
Each member state has designated a SARA State Portal Entity (SPE) to oversee its SARA-participating institutions. For contact information, please select a state from the drop-down menu.
For contact information on state regulators, please consult the State Authorization Guide.
Select a State
Alabama
State Portal Entity Contact
Ron Leonard
Director of Special Initiatives
(334) 242-2211
ron.leonard@ache.edu
State SARA Website
Alabama Commission on Higher Education
100 North Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36104
Alaska
State Portal Entity Contact
Tyler Eggen
Institutional Authorization Program Coordinator
(907) 465-6471
tyler.eggen@alaska.gov
State SARA Website
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
PO Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811-0505
Arizona
State Portal Entity Contact
Lanna Dueck
Executive Director
(602) 529-6649
ldueck.azsara@riosalado.edu
State SARA Website
Arizona SARA Council
2323 W 14th St
Tempe, AZ 85281
Arkansas
State Portal Entity Contact
Alana Colburn
Associate Director of Private Postsecondary Education and Transfer Programs
(501) 371-2000
alana.colburn@adhe.edu
State SARA Website
Arkansas Department of Education - Division of Higher Education
101 E Capitol Ave, Suite 300
Little Rock, AR 72201
Colorado
State Portal Entity Contact
Heather Delange
Director - Office of Private Postsecondary Education
(303) 862-3005
heather.delange@dhe.state.co.us
State SARA Website
Colorado Department of Higher Education
1600 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
Connecticut
State Portal Entity Contact
Sean Seepersad
Division Director of Academic Affairs
(860) 947-1837
sean.seepersad@ct.gov
State SARA Website
Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd, Ste 707
Hartford, CT 06103-1841
State Portal Entity Contact
Emily Bjornberg
Senior Consultant
(860) 947-1824
emily.bjornberg@ct.gov
State SARA Website
Connecticut Office of Higher Education
450 Columbus Blvd, Ste 707
Hartford, CT 06103-1841
Delaware
State Portal Entity Contact
aQuena Williams
Post-Secondary Education Specialist
(302) 735-4127
aquena.williams@doe.k12.de.us
State SARA Website
Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal St, Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901
State Portal Entity Contact
Leigh Weldin
College Success Program Coordinator
(302) 735-4193
leigh.weldin@doe.k12.de.us
State SARA Website
Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal St, Suite 2
Dover, DE 19901
District of Columbia
State Portal Entity Contact
Terasita Edwards
Executive Director
(202) 654-6128
terasita.edwards@dc.gov
State SARA Website
DC Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
State Portal Entity Contact
Terron Scott
Deputy Director
(202) 368-1136
terron.scott@dc.gov
State SARA Website
DC Higher Education Licensure Commission
1050 First Street NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
Florida
State Portal Entity Contact
Brady Lyon
Educational Policy Director
(850) 245-3200
brady.lyon@fldoe.org
State SARA Website
Commission for Independent Education
325 W Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399
State Portal Entity Contact
Sonia Browning
Administrative Assistant II
(850) 245-3210
sonia.browning@fldoe.org
State SARA Website
Commission for Independent Education
325 W Gaines Street, Suite 1414
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Georgia
State Portal Entity Contact
Magda Rivers
Deputy Director/GA-SARA Coordinator
(770) 414-2644
mrivers@gnpec.ga.gov
State SARA Website
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 E Exchange Pl, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084
State Portal Entity Contact
Patricia Neri
Program Manager
(770) 414-3235
gasara@gnpec.ga.gov
State SARA Website
Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (GNPEC)
2082 E Exchange Pl, Suite 220
Tucker, GA 30084
Hawaii
State Portal Entity Contact
Jayson Horiuchi
Program Administrator
(808) 586-7327
hpeap@dcca.hawaii.gov
State SARA Website
Hawaii Postsecondary Education Authorization Program (HPEAP) Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs
PO Box 541
Honolulu, HI 96809
Idaho
State Portal Entity Contact
Tamara Baysinger
State Authorization Manager
(208) 332-1587
tbaysinger@edu.idaho.gov
State SARA Website
Idaho State Board of Education
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
Illinois
State Portal Entity Contact (primary)
Nkechi Onwuameze
Director for Academic Affairs
(217) 866-1429
sara@ibhe.org
State SARA Website
Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 N Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, IL 62701-1377
State Portal Entity Contact (secondary)
Keva Gaston
Assistant Director of Academic Affairs
(708) 967-6175
gaston@ibhe.org
State SARA Website
Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 N Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, IL 62701-1377
Indiana
State Portal Entity Contact
Ross Miller
Director of State Authorization and Reciprocity
(317) 232-1033
rmiller@che.in.gov
State SARA Website
Indiana Commission for Higher Education / Indiana Board for Proprietary Education
101 W Ohio St, Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204-4206
Iowa
State Portal Entity Contact (primary)
Lisa Pundt
Postsecondary Authorization Administrator
(515) 210-8563
lisa.pundt@iowa.gov
State SARA Website
Bureau of Iowa College Aid - Iowa Department of Education
400 E 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
State Portal Entity Contact (secondary)
Keyli Keifer
Compliance Officer
(515) 971-2186
keyli.keifer@iowa.gov
State SARA Website
Bureau of Iowa College Aid - Iowa Department of Education
400 E 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319
Kansas
State Portal Entity Contact
Jennifer Armour
Associate Director, Academic Affairs
(785) 430-4288
jarmour@ksbor.org
State SARA Website
Kansas Board of Regents
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520
Topeka, KS 66612-1368
Kentucky
State Portal Entity Contact
Jevonda Keith
Executive Director, Postsecondary Licensing
(502) 892-3031
jevonda.keith@ky.gov
State SARA Website
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
100 Airport Road, Second Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
State Portal Entity Contact
Kathy Garrett
Program Director of State Authorization and Reciprocity, Licensure
(502) 892-3082
kathy.garrett@ky.gov
State SARA Website
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
100 Airport Road, Second Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Louisiana
State Portal Entity Contact
LeAnn Detillier
Assistant Commissioner for Program Administration
(225) 342-4253
leann.detillier@laregents.edu
State SARA Website
Louisiana Board of Regents
1201 N Third St, Suite 6-200
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Maine
State Portal Entity Contact
Michael Perry
Director of Higher Education & Educator Supports
(207) 441-1718
michael.t.perry@maine.gov
State SARA Website
Maine Department of Education
23 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023
Maryland
State Portal Entity Contact
Alexandra "Alix" Chaillou
Associate Director, Institution Review
(410) 767-3293
alexandra.chaillou@maryland.gov
State SARA Website
Maryland Higher Education Commission
217 East Redwood St, Suite 2100
Baltimore, MD 21202
Massachusetts
State Portal Entity Contact
Alex Nally
Deputy General Counsel
(617) 994-6955
anally2@dhe.mass.edu
State SARA Website
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Pl, Rm 1401
Boston, MA 02108
State Portal Entity Contact
Tiamekia Cezaire
Paralegal and Regulatory Affairs Specialist
(617) 994-6963
tcezaire@dhe.mass.edu
State SARA Website
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
One Ashburton Pl, Rm 1401
Boston, MA 02108
Michigan
State Portal Entity Contact
James Farhat
State Administrative Manager, Workforce Development, Post Secondary & State Approving Section
(517) 256-8670
farhatj@michigan.gov
State SARA Website
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Elliott-Larsen Building 320 S Walnut Street
P.O. Box 30805
Lansing, MI 48933
State Portal Entity Contact
Alexander Henderson
Departmental Analyst, Employment & Training, Post Secondary & State Approving Section
(517) 331-7565
hendersona18@michigan.gov
State SARA Website
Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Elliott-Larsen Building 320 S Walnut Street
P.O. Box 30805
Lansing, MI 48933
Minnesota
State Portal Entity Contact
Kate McCartan
Institutional Monitoring Specialist
(651) 259-3912
kate.mccartan@state.mn.us
State SARA Website
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Dr, Suite 350
Saint Paul, MN 55108
State Portal Entity Contact
Monica Devers
Academic Program Reviewer
(651) 259-3965
monica.devers@state.mn.us
State SARA Website
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Dr, Suite 350
Saint Paul, MN 55108
Mississippi
State Portal Entity Contact
Sheriece Robinson
Director of Regulatory Affairs
(601) 432-6336
srobinson@mississippi.edu
State SARA Website
Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
3825 Ridgewood Rd
Jackson, MS 39211
Missouri
State Portal Entity Contact
Joshua Fischer
Program Specialist
(573) 751-2361
joshua.fischer@dhewd.mo.gov
State SARA Website
Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
PO Box 1469
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1469
Montana
State Portal Entity Contact
Joe Thiel
Interim Deputy Commissioner for Academic, Research, and Student Affairs
(406) 449-9134
stateauthorization@montana.edu
State SARA Website
Montana University System
PO Box 203201
Helena, MT 59620
Nebraska
State Portal Entity Contact
Kathleen Fimple
Academic Programs Officer
(402) 471-0030
kathleen.fimple@nebraska.gov
State SARA Website
Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
PO Box 95005
Lincoln, NE 68509-5005
Nevada
State Portal Entity Contact
Terina Caserto
Senior Analyst, Academic and Student Affairs
(775) 784-3442
tcaserto@nshe.nevada.edu
State SARA Website
Nevada System of Higher Education
2601 Enterprise Rd
Reno, NV 89512
New Hampshire
State Portal Entity Contact
Steve Appleby
Director, Division of Educator Support and Higher Education
603-271-2408
stephen.m.appleby@doe.nh.gov
State SARA Website
New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
State Portal Entity Contact
Laura A. Stoneking
Administrator
(603) 271-4196
laura.a.stoneking@doe.nh.gov
State SARA Website
New Hampshire Department of Education
101 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
New Jersey
State Portal Entity Contact
Eric Taylor, Esq.
Director, Office of Licensure
(609) 984-3738
eric.taylor@oshe.nj.gov
State SARA Website
New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education
20 W State St, 4th Fl - PO Box 542
Trenton, NJ 08625-0542
New Mexico
State Portal Entity Contact
Alicia Armijo
Constituent Services Coordinator & NC-SARA Coordinator
(505) 476-8411
alicia.armijo@hed.nm.gov
State SARA Website
New Mexico Higher Education Department
2044 Galisteo Street, Suite 4
Santa Fe, NM 87505-2100
New York
State Portal Entity Contact
Andrea Richards
Supervisor of Higher Education Programs
(518) 474-1551
iheauthorize@nysed.gov
State SARA Website
New York State Education Department
89 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12234
North Carolina
State Portal Entity Contact
Terrence Scarborough
Director of SARA North Carolina
(919) 248-4667
terrence@saranc.org
State SARA Website
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
PO Box 41349
Raleigh, NC 27629
North Dakota
State Portal Entity Contact
Claire Gunwall
Director of Academic Affairs & Workforce Innovation
(701) 328-4140
claire.gunwall@ndus.edu
State SARA Website
North Dakota University System
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 215
Bismarck, ND 58505-0230
State Portal Entity Contact
Lisa Johnson
Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs
(701) 328-4143
lisa.a.johnson@ndus.edu
State SARA Website
North Dakota University System
600 E Boulevard Ave, Dept 215
Bismarck, ND 58505-0230
Ohio
State Portal Entity Contact (primary)
Matt Exline
Associate Vice Chancellor, Program Development and Approval
(614) 728-3095
mexline@highered.ohio.gov
State SARA Website
Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 South Front St
Columbus, OH 43215
State Portal Entity Contact (secondary)
Tyler Treese
Assistant Director - Baccalaureate Program Review
ttreese@highered.ohio.gov
State SARA Website
Ohio Department of Higher Education
25 South Front St
Columbus, OH 43215
Oklahoma
State Portal Entity Contact
Elizabeth Walker
Coordinator for Academic Affairs Administration
(405) 225-9154
lwalker@osrhe.edu
State SARA Website
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
655 Research Pkwy, Ste 200 - PO Box 108850
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-8850
Oregon
State Portal Entity Contact
Rebecca Fuller
Operations & Policy Analyst
(971) 301-3455
rebecca.fuller@hecc.oregon.gov
State SARA Website
Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302
State Portal Entity Contact
Veronica Dujon
Director, Office of Academic Policy and Authorization
(503) 508-1790
veronica.dujon@hecc.oregon.gov
State SARA Website
Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302
State Portal Entity Contact
Michael Ralls
Education Program Specialist
(503) 979-6001
michael.ralls@hecc.oregon.gov
State SARA Website
Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission
3225 25th St SE
Salem, OR 97302
Pennsylvania
State Portal Entity Contact
Jennifer Stone
Higher Education Associate II
(717) 783-6786
jennstone@pa.gov
State SARA Website
Pennsylvania Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity
607 South Drive 3E
Harrisburg, PA 17120
State Portal Entity Contact
Gina Wetten
Higher Education Associate II
(717) 265-7723
giwetten@pa.gov
State SARA Website
Pennsylvania Division of Higher Education, Access, and Equity
607 South Drive 3E
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Puerto Rico
State Portal Entity Contact
Damaris Nolasco
Executive Director
(787) 722-2121, ext. 3801
dnolasco@estado.pr.gov
State SARA Website
Board of Postsecondary Institutions - Department of State
PO Box 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271
State Portal Entity Contact
Neydaliz Vega
Licensing Specialist
(787) 722-2121 ext 3809
nvega@estado.pr.gov
State SARA Website
Board of Postsecondary Institutions - Department of State
PO Box 9023271
San Juan, PR 00902-3271
Rhode Island
State Portal Entity Contact
Rebecca Ryan
Coordinator of Veterans Education and State Approving Agency
(401) 736-1164
rebecca.ryan@riopc.edu
State SARA Website
Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
560 Jefferson Blvd
Warwick, RI 02886-1304
State Portal Entity Contact
Jaime Wager
Program Specialist
(401) 654-4953
jaime.wager@riopc.edu
State SARA Website
Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner
560 Jefferson Blvd
Warwick, RI 02886-1304
South Carolina
State Portal Entity Contact
Argentini Anderson
Assistant Director, Academic Affairs
(803) 737-2276
aanderson@che.sc.gov
State SARA Website
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady Street, Suite 400
Columbia, SC 29201
State Portal Entity Contact
Yolanda Diane McCree
Senior Licensing Program Coordinator
(803) 856-0041
ymccree@che.sc.gov
State SARA Website
South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
1122 Lady Street, Suite 400
Columbia, SC 29201
South Dakota
State Portal Entity Contact
Katie Hubbart
Academic Affairs Specialist - South Dakota SARA Coordinator
(605) 773-3455
katie.hubbart@sdbor.edu
State SARA Website
South Dakota Board of Regents
306 E Capitol Ave, Suite 200
Pierre, SD 57501
Tennessee
State Portal Entity Contact
Ryan Arrington
Regulatory Compliance Attorney
(615) 253-7465
ryan.arrington@tn.gov
State SARA Website
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 9th FL
Nashville, TN 37243
Texas
State Portal Entity Contact
Cathie A. Maeyaert
Director- Private Postsecondary Institutions
(512) 427-6527
cathie.maeyaert@highered.texas.gov
State SARA Website
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
PO Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711
US Virgin Islands
State Portal Entity Contact (primary)
Sharlene Harris
Vice President, Information Services & Institutional Assessment
(340) 693-1361
sharris@uvi.edu
State SARA Website
University of the Virgin Islands
2 John Brewers Bay
St Thomas, VI 00802-6004
State Portal Entity Contact (secondary)
Laurence Blake
Director of Institutional Research Planning
(340) 693-1017
lblake@uvi.edu
State SARA Website
University of the Virgin Islands
2 John Brewers Bay
St Thomas, VI 00802-6004
Utah
State Portal Entity Contact
Cynthia "Cyd" Grua
Office of the Commissioner for Higher Education
(801) 646-4768
cgrua@ushe.edu
State SARA Website
Utah System of Higher Education - Board of Regents Building, The Gateway
60 South 400 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Vermont
State Portal Entity Contact
Katie Gagliardo
Post Secondary Coordinator
(802) 828-0699
katie.gagliardo@vermont.gov
State SARA Website
Vermont Agency of Education
1 National Life Dr, Davis 5th Fl
Montpelier, VT 05620
Virginia
State Portal Entity Contact
Darlene Derricott
Director of Academic Services
(804) 225-2621
darlenederricott@schev.edu
State SARA Website
State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
101 N 14th St, 9th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Washington
State Portal Entity Contact
Sam Loftin
Director of Consumer Protection
(360) 485-1078
saml@wsac.wa.gov
State SARA Website
Washington Student Achievement Council
917 Lakeridge Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502
West Virginia
State Portal Entity Contact
Lucy Kefauver
Director of Online Learning
(304) 205-6073 ext 56073
lucy.kefauver@wvhepc.edu
State SARA Website
West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
2001 Union Carbide Drive
South Charleston, WV 25303
Wisconsin
State Portal Entity Contact
Paige Smith
Chief Compliance and Risk Officer
(608) 265-2273
paige.smith@wisconsin.edu
State SARA Website
Universities of Wisconsin Administration, Office of Compliance & Integrity
780 Regent Street
Madison, WI 53715
Wyoming
State Portal Entity Contact
Rob Dennis
Chief Operating Officer
(307) 777-7013
rob.dennis@wyo.gov
State SARA Website
Wyoming Community College Commission
2300 Capitol Ave, 5th Fl, Ste B
Cheyenne, WY 82002
