Nicholas R. Santilli, PhD, served as the senior director for learning strategy for the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). In this role, he drove the development of learning content for individual practitioners and institutions looking to build the professional competencies of their faculty and staff. He was also the lead for the SCUP Planning Institute, the premier professional development program to create institutional capacity for integrated planning in higher education.

Santilli is a longtime member of SCUP, co-chairing two SCUP annual conferences; serving on the SCUP board of directors for three years (two years as chair); facilitating for the Planning Institute; overseeing the development of the Planning Institute curriculum; and working with the Planning Institute’s Facilitator Corps. He joined the SCUP staff after a 34-year career as a faculty member and administrator in higher education, which included positions in assessment of student learning and development, institutional effectiveness, accreditation, integrated planning, vice president for academic and student affairs, and provost. Santilli is also a member of the peer reviewer corps for the Higher Learning Commission, the largest regional accrediting body of higher education institutions in the United States.

He is a Cleveland native and an avid supporter of all things Cleveland, including the local arts scene, non-profit associations, and sports teams.