Leadership

Andrew P. Manion, Ph.D. assumed the role of President of Edgewood College on June 1, 2020. 

Dr. Manion previously served as President of Marian University from 2016 - 2020. Under his leadership, the university enjoyed significant growth in first-year student enrollment, expanded academic and athletics facilities, and made significant strides in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and social justice. 

Prior to that work, he served for nearly 20 years in multiple academic and administrative roles at Aurora University, including Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Provost, and Executive Vice President. 

Dr. Manion served on the faculty of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from 1991 to 1998, first as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, then as Director of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies, and as Associate Dean of Humanities. 

Dr. Manion holds a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Adelphi University in Long Island, New York. He is a graduate of St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis. where he majored in Psychology. 

He is past-President of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), of which Edgewood College is a member.

Arhelia Dalla Costa Behm joined Edgewood College in 2015. She currently serves as Vice President for Administration/Chief Human Resources Officer with more than 20 years of Human Resources experience. She is responsible for Human Resources, Information Technology, Risk Management, Facilities and Security. Prior to her newest role she served as Director of Human Resources, and as Deputy Title IX Coordinator. 

Prior appointments include Employee Relations Consultant with Nova Southeastern University; Employee Relations Specialist with Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., and Employee Relations Specialist with American Family Insurance.

Her areas of professional expertise include employee relations, change management, investigations, training, performance management, and corporate recruiting. She is also a certified Civil Rights investigator.

Ms. Dalla Costa Behm holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University, and a Master of Science degree in Management from Cardinal Stritch University. She is a proud first-generation college graduate. In her free time she enjoys cooking, hiking, and kayaking with her family.

Prior to joining Edgewood College, Ms. Berg was Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer with Slipstream Group, Inc., overseeing finance and program delivery operations as well as spending time overseeing human resources, legal/contracts, facilities, and the vehicle fleet. Previously, Amanda accumulated more than 15 years of financial and accounting experience at various organizations throughout the Madison area. Most recently, she served as Financial Controller overseeing the finances and human resources at ZD Studios, Inc., an environmental graphic design firm specializing in transforming and inspiring environments and brands. Amanda also previously held auditing, accounting and finance positions at Famous Footwear, Fiskars Brands, Inc., and Grant Thornton, LLP.

Amanda earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and a Master of Accountancy degree from UW-Madison. She is a Board Member for the Greater Dane County Advisory Board of First Business Bank,  a Council Member of the UW-Madison Athletic Department’s Equity Diversity Council, Treasurer of Out Professional Engagement Network (O.P.E.N.),  and a Lifetime Member of the National W Club.  In her free time, Amanda enjoys occasionally serving as an announcer and scoreboard operator for athletic events at UW-Madison, hiking and biking the great outdoors, walking her dogs, and camping in her VW van.

Tess Ferzoco joined Edgewood College professionally in April of 2016 and currently serves as Vice President for Enrollment Management. She is a double alumnus of Edgewood College receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Business in 2015, and her Master of Arts in Education degree in 2019. She has previously served in a variety of roles within Undergraduate Admissions, most recently as the Associate Vice President for New Student Enrollment.

Prior to her career in higher education she worked as a corporate recruiter in the Madison area serving at American Girl, LLC, and at Robert Half International.

A native of Wisconsin, Ferzoco is proud to work at an institution where many of her family members have also attended including her mother, sister, and several aunts and cousins. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband Tony, daughter Molly, and their two dogs.

Dr. Mangan is an experienced higher education administrator whose career has focused on Catholic higher education. With his work in academic affairs has come senior experience in advancement and fundraising. His most recent institutional appointment included service in both Academic Affairs and Advancement at Marian University. He began his service to Edgewood College during the Spring Semester 2022.

He holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. His baccalaureate degree is in political science from the University of South Dakota. Dr. Mangan holds as central to his professional life that higher education can be one of the most positive and transformative forces in a person’s life. He calls contributing to such transformation for others “profoundly enriching and rewarding.”

Richard Sims currently serves as Interim Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at Edgewood College.

As a higher education professional, Sims has more than 15 years of experience and has held professional roles where his primary function was to strategically lead, design, and develop initiatives to improve access and success for students who hold marginalized identities. 

Sims has served students in various professional roles, including athletics, enrollment management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, financial aid, and student life.  

Sims has presented and consulted for K-12 school districts, non-profit organizations and facilitated and led training for faculty, staff, and students that encourage learning, reflection, awareness and understanding. 

Sims has also instructed courses at the graduate and undergraduate level on social justice, equity and inclusion, civil rights, civic engagement, and identity development.  

Sims joined Edgewood College in 2022 as the Executive Director for Student Equity and Inclusion. He earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Western New Mexico University and his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from New Mexico State University. 

Katie Vesperman joined Edgewood College in a professional role in 2007, and currently serves as Vice President for Institutional Advancement. Prior to joining the College, Katie served as Program Director for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. She is a 1999 Edgewood College graduate from the School of Business. Her husband Mac graduated in 2015 from the Henry Predolin School of Nursing, and currently serves on the Venus Access Team at UW Hospital and Clinics.   

Katie is an active member of the Madison Chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals, the Wisconsin Association of Charitable Gift Planners, and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Madison.

In her free time, Katie enjoys the outdoors, sports, and spending time with her family.