Capella University Leadership

Scott Kinney, MBA

University President, Capella University

Scott Kinney joined Capella in January 2012 as University President after serving as president of West Education Group at Thomson Reuters Corporation. While at West Education Group, he led a group of five businesses providing legal education products and services to academic and legal professional customers around the world. His experience lies across many industries, with an emphasis on technology and information-driven businesses. Previously, Kinney served as president of FindLaw at Thomson Reuters Corporation from 2004-2007. Prior to that, he was an executive vice president at CBS MarketWatch, and worked for eight years at The Boston Consulting Group. Kinney graduated with an A.B. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

Barbara Butts Williams, PhD

Dean, School of Education

Barbara Butts Williams was appointed dean of Capella University's School of Education in 2009. Since joining Capella in 2002, she has served in a variety of academic leadership positions, including interim dean, associate dean, director of graduate programs, and MBA program faculty director with the School of Business and Technology.

Butts Williams has more than 30 years of management and leadership experience, including a decade in higher education leadership roles. She previously served as director of executive programs for the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and on the executive education advisory council of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. Her corporate experience includes executive education and management positions at The St. Paul Companies (now Travelers), Control Data Corporation (now Ceridian), and Wilson Learning Corporation. She also founded Growth Partners Consulting and was a governor appointee to the Minnesota Board of Social Work and The Metropolitan Council.

Butts Williams earned her Master of Arts in Business and Leadership from Hamline University, and her Master of Arts in Organization Development and Doctor of Philosophy in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University.

David Chapman, PsyD

Dean, Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

David Chapman has been a member of Capella's faculty since 1999 and was appointed dean of Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences in 2010. His previous leadership roles at Capella included interim chair of Industrial/Organizational Psychology and interim chair of General Psychology. Chapman’s leadership and academic experience also includes 15 years as the owner of a successful industrial/organizational psychology consulting business and 13 years with the University of St. Thomas in various academic leadership positions, including associate dean. He received his Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, where he also earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. He also holds a Master of Arts in Theology from Luther Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri.

Suzanne Holmes, DPA

Dean, School of Public Service Leadership

Suzanne Holmes joined Capella University in 2002 as an adjunct faculty member for the School of Human Services. She also served as core faculty and then as the school's chair for Administration and Management. When Capella launched the public health program in 2007 and the public administration program in 2009, Holmes assumed the role of program chair of these program areas. To help with the launch of the new School of Public Service Leadership in 2009, Holmes assumed the role of the school's interim co-dean; and was later appointed associate dean of the school in 2010.

Holmes's professional background was in healthcare administration where she served in executive leadership positions with hospitals, physician groups and managed care organizations. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, a Master of Arts in Public and International Affairs from George Washington University, and a Doctor of Public Administration from the University of La Verne. Her focus within the School of Public Service Leadership is to foster professional collaboration and a multidisciplinary approach to addressing issues and concerns facing professions, organizations and communities.

William Reed, PhD

Acting Dean, School of Business and Technology

William Reed joined Capella University in 1999 as an adjunct faculty member in the School of Business and Technology. He became a core faculty member in 2003 and has since served in a variety of leadership positions for the school, including first course lead, colloquia lead, and most recently, faculty chair of leadership and organizational development, and acting Associate Dean – a position where he provided leadership for course design and development. Reed was appointed acting dean of Capella’s School of Business and Technology in 2010.

Reed brings more than 30 years of academic and professional business experience to the position. Prior to joining Capella, he served as executive director for a division of a large computer hardware and software reseller; founded and managed a coaching and consulting firm; and taught undergraduate and graduate management and business courses.

Reed earned a Bachelor’s in Science and Technology, and a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Thomas Edison State College. He holds a PhD in Management Performance and Leadership from The Union Institute and University.

Feranda Williamson, EdD

Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies

Feranda Williamson was appointed dean of Capella's School of Undergraduate Studies in 2007, having previously served as the school's associate dean. Prior to joining Capella in 2005, Williamson held leadership positions at Malcolm X College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. From 1998 to 2004, she served as the college's dean of continuing education and from 2004 to 2005, as dean of career programs. During her time there, she was an Outstanding Education Administrator award recipient from the 7th Congressional District. She previously was employed by Robert Morris College from 1981–1998, first as a member of the business faculty and then as associate dean/program director. Since 1994, Williamson has also served as president/CEO of the ECC Music Workshop/Chicago Mass Choir, an award-winning, Grammy-nominated gospel choir. Williamson received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois; her Master of Arts in Adult Education from Roosevelt University in Chicago; and her Doctor of Education in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale.