Nicholas Ladany
President
Nick Ladany, Ph.D., is the President of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) where he is leading higher education change in meaningful and substantive ways following more than 30 years of experience as a tenured professor and administrator at public and private, large and small comprehensive universities. He is also a contributor to Forbes on topics related to reimagining higher education.
Ladany joined SFBU in 2023 after more than 30 years in higher education leadership. Previously he was President of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, GA, where he led the university through the pandemic, facilitated record enrollments, enhanced fiscal stewardship, launched multiple diversity initiatives, and enhanced student success and wellness. He also served as Dean of the School of Leadership and Education Sciences and Associate Provost for Academic Outreach at the University of San Diego; and Dean of the School of Education and Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA. At both USD and SCU, he turned annual deficits into surpluses, grew enrollment, and grew innovative academic programs.
Prior to that he was Director of the Counseling Program at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA; and Chair of the Department of Education and Human Services and Program Coordinator & Director of Doctoral Training of the Counseling Psychology Program at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.
He received his Ph.D. from the University at Albany, State University of New York, in 1992 and his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has contributed to more than 80 publications, including six books, and has conducted over 250 national and international presentations in more than 20 countries in higher education leadership; and supervision and training of mental health practitioners.
Brad Fuster
Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
Brad Fuster, DMA has served SFBU as Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs since 2024. As a respected music professor and academic leader, Fuster brings deep expertise in academic affairs, institutional effectiveness, enrollment management, international program management, and technological innovation to SFBU.
He has held key leadership positions at SUNY Buffalo State University where he was a Full Professor of Music, Department Chair, AVP, and Vice President. From 2018-2024, Fuster served Keuka College (NY) as Provost and intermittently as Acting President, leading sweeping advancements in experiential learning, new program development, general education revision, international growth strategies, and led a successful Middle States reaffirmation.
As an expert in higher education, Fuster has published numerous articles, book chapters, and regularly presents at national and international higher education conferences by special invitation. He is a frequent EdUp podcast guest, host of the EdUp Innovation Podcast, and wrote about higher education under contract for US News & World Report. As a musician, Fuster recorded, performed, and toured with orchestras all over the world. Fuster holds degrees in music from The State University of New York at Geneseo, Yale University, and The University of Southern California.
Heather Herrera
Vice President for Strategy and Innovation
Heather Herrera, Ph.D., is a dedicated professional higher education administrator with leadership experience in academic affairs, accreditation and assessment, degree program development (online and on campus), curriculum design, measurement instrument design, and student learning outcomes assessment.
Her accreditation expertise ranges from teacher education preparation, allied health professions, human development and rehabilitation, mental health wellness, and arts professions. She has led institutional research units, built teams, and directed the project management of a variety of key initiatives. Herrera is a proven expert in strategic planning and lives to serve initiatives focused on teacher preparation, higher education access, completion, diversity, and affordability.
Prior to joining SFBU, Herrera was at the University of San Diego where she served as the chief strategy and innovation officer, as well as the assistant dean of assessment and accreditation for the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. For nine years, Herrera was the Executive Director of Academic Affairs at New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
A native of San Francisco, Herrera started her career in the classroom and has more than 20 years of experience teaching composition and rhetoric, research methods, and comparative analysis and has a proven commitment to under-served students, is a proud first-generation college graduate who received her Ph.D. in English Education from New York University.
Sheri Boscaro
Chief Financial Officer
Sheri Snider Boscaro brings more than 20 years of financial leadership experience and an impressive corporate and higher education background. A certified CPA with a master's in professional accounting from the University of Texas at Austin, Boscaro has served as CFO for several organizations and Executive Director for Accounting Excellence at California Polytechnic State University, where she also increased funds by 300% and established strategic corporate partnerships. Her expertise in financial strategy, operational leadership and relationship building will ensure SFBU’s financial sustainability and growth. Boscaro’s collaborative and mission-driven leadership style will be critical as the university expands its impact.
Her expertise will be instrumental in advancing SFBU’s mission of providing inclusive and transformative education.
Rebecca Sandidge
Interim Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief Operating Officer
Rebecca Lane Sandidge, Ph.D., is a higher education executive and strategic leader with two decades of experience advancing institutional effectiveness, enrollment growth, governance, and organizational transformation. Known for her ability to combine strategic vision with authentic relationship-building, she has led complex initiatives that strengthen institutions, develop talent, and deliver measurable results.
Throughout her career, Dr. Sandidge has led multimillion-dollar growth initiatives, expanded national enrollment infrastructure, strengthened governance and compliance frameworks, developed strategic partnerships, and guided organizations through periods of significant change. Her expertise spans executive leadership, enrollment management, operations, fundraising, board relations, strategic planning, and organizational development. She is particularly recognized for translating ambitious institutional priorities into actionable strategies that improve performance, increase capacity, and support long-term sustainability.
Before joining SFBU, Dr. Sandidge served as Vice President for Enrollment Management and Chief of Staff at Oglethorpe University and held several leadership roles at Emory University's Goizueta Business School, including Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the Dean. Throughout her career, she has managed significant budgets, supported fundraising efforts exceeding $70 million, and led institution-wide initiatives that produced measurable outcomes in enrollment, operations, and organizational effectiveness.
Sandidge earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Georgia and her Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University.
Brandon Gregory
Chief Marketing Officer
Brandon Gregory has more than 20 years of experience leading brand strategy, digital marketing, and enrollment growth in fast-growing organizations across higher education and the theme park industry.
Previously, Brandon served as Senior Director of Professional and Continuing Education at the University of San Diego, where he oversaw USD Online, international recruitment initiatives, professional education, the English Language Academy, and teams responsible for marketing, enrollment, and student support. In collaboration with academic leaders, he helped launch and grow more than 15 graduate programs and established the Center for Cyber Security Engineering and Technology in partnership with the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering.
His experience includes audience research, brand development, media strategy, search and email marketing, enrollment and student success. Earlier in his career, he led advertising, brand campaigns, and digital commerce initiatives at SeaWorld San Diego.
Brandon holds an M.S. in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego and a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, San Diego. He is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership at USD.