Who We Are2026-07-28T17:11:35+00:00

Experienced Higher Education Leaders & Consultants

Drawing on deep experience in higher education leadership, operations, advancement, enrollment, and student services, we bring firsthand insight and expertise to address the challenges campuses face—because we’ve lived them. Our approach is rooted in curiosity and collaboration, with one purpose: helping institutions build environments where students, staff, and systems thrive.

Meet the partners
Founding Partner

Thayne McCulloh Helps Leaders Achieve Success Through Expert Strategy

Thayne McCulloh, D.Phil, is a nationally recognized higher education administrator and consultant with more than 30 years of experience guiding his and other institutions through transformation, growth, and challenge. Thayne’s career at Gonzaga University included positions in a variety of operational and administrative areas, including President, Interim Academic Vice President, Vice President for Administration, Dean of Student Financial Services, Dean of Student Academic Services, and Assistant Dean of Students.

Some Key Accomplishments:

  • Directed Gonzaga’s recovery from the 2008–09 financial crisis, the bankruptcy of the Oregon Province Jesuits, and navigated the COVID-19 pandemic without furloughs or layoffs, ensuring program continuity for students and employees.
  • Launched and completed Gonzaga’s largest fundraising campaign to date, which secured one of the greatest gifts from a single benefactor in Washington state history.

  • Successfully forged the first ever public-private partnership with University of Washington School of Medicine to deliver the M.D. and P.A. programs on Gonzaga’s campus in Spokane

  • Capital Development & Partnerships: Oversaw major building projects such as the Hemmingson University Center, Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, Bollier Center for Integrated Science & Engineering, and a new health education facility built in partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine.
  • Success in Athletics: Expanded opportunities and new facilities for intercollegiate athletics, which ultimately led Gonzaga to invited membership in the Pac-12 athletic conference (2026).
  • Community & Economic Development: Spearheaded initiatives such as expansion of Spokane’s University District, Opportunity Northeast (a place-based initiative), and Gonzaga Family Haven (housing for homeless families) in partnership with the City of Spokane.
  • Led a regional consortium that secured U.S. Department of Commerce “Tech Hub” designation for Spokane and North Idaho under the CHIPS and Science Act (2022).
Learn More About Thayne

Over a span of thirty-plus years, Thayne’s career included positions in a variety of operational and administrative areas, from student affairs to academic affairs, which included oversight of numerous departments including housing and residence life, student retention, human resources, physical plant and construction, information technology, study abroad, and student financial services. For over two decades he was involved with regional accreditation, from peer evaluation to service on the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which he chaired for five years. Thayne led the development of a series of strategic plans for Gonzaga and periodically provided support for presidents at other universities who were pursuing various strategic or board development initiatives.

  • Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Gonzaga University
  • United States Army, Active enlistment (1983-1986); Honorably Discharged Sergeant (E-5)

As president, his focus was on increasing Gonzaga’s national profile by increasing its capacity to effectively deliver on its academic and institutional mission. Over the course of sixteen years, he worked together with many colleagues to successfully achieve numerous strategic initiatives, including significant capital projects, major fundraising campaigns, and important academic partnerships.  Gonzaga today is consistently recognized among the nation’s best comprehensive universities.

A native of Southern California, Thayne’s upbringing included years spent in Bethesda, Maryland and Seattle, Washington. Between high school and college, he spent three years on active duty as a food service specialist with the U.S. Army, a formative experience which provided him skills in logistics and gave him a much greater appreciation for what people in challenging situations can accomplish. He pursued his undergraduate degree in psychology at Gonzaga University, which is also where he and his wife Julie met. Subsequent to his undergraduate work, Thayne pursued graduate studies at the University of Oxford; following his second year of residency in England, Julie and Thayne married and both began working at Gonzaga later that summer. In 1998, Thayne was awarded a doctorate in experimental psychology from Oxford University for his research on the power of the social context in the formation of gender stereotypes.

Thayne and Julie are the proud parents of three daughters, a son-in-law, and two beautiful grandchildren. He enjoys engaging with colleagues actively serving higher education institutions and appreciates opportunities to support them in pursuing their goals of making educational opportunities possible.

Insights from Thayne
Founding Partner

Julie McCulloh Helps University Leaders Drive Innovation and Impact

Julie McCulloh is a well-known and respected higher education administrator and consultant with more than 30 years of leadership experience in higher education. Julie’s career at Gonzaga University included a variety of senior administrative roles including Vice Provost, Associate Provost, and Dean of Admission where she:

Some Key Accomplishments:

  • Directed comprehensive enrollment efforts, achieving strong enrollments across diverse academic programs
  • Spearheaded numerous technology initiatives that supported university enrollment across the student-engagement lifecycle. These included integration of data systems and implementation of contemporary CRM platforms for enrollment areas and graduate student services.
  • Collaborated with academic and administrative leaders to implement university-wide initiatives that advanced institutional priorities
  • Adapted university marketing and outreach to better respond to changing technologies
  • Improved operational efficiencies resulting in better service to students
  • Focused on recruitment, enrollment, and retention of first-generation college students and under-represented populations, dramatically expanding access to higher education for thousands of students
  • Established multiple partnerships with universities and third-party entities which promoted new enrollments for undergraduate, graduate and professional education
Learn More About Julie

Julie’s career in higher education has focused primarily on enrollment management—including undergraduate, graduate, professional, and international enrollment, as well as student financial services—while also leading institutional initiatives in technology, global engagement, partnership development, compliance, and leadership transitions. A passionate advocate for college access and diversity, across her career she has prioritized programs and initiatives supporting first-generation college-bound students, first-generation Americans, and students from low-income backgrounds. Her professional service includes work with the College Board, Washington Council, PNACAC, and the College Success Foundation, alongside volunteer roles with Saint Aloysius School, Gonzaga Preparatory School, and Northwest Second Harvest.

  • Master of Business Administration, Gonzaga University
  • Bachelor of Arts – Psychology, Gonzaga University
  • Certificate in Design Thinking, Gonzaga University
  • Current Pursuit – Executive Coaching, College of Executive Coaching

Jesuit philosophy profoundly shapes Julie’s approach to life and leadership. Guided by principles such as cura personalis (care for the whole person), cura apostolica (care for the institution), the magis (striving for depth and excellence), discernment, service and justice, and education for transformation, she seeks to foster community, collaboration, and openness.

Recognizing that every college and university exists in its own unique context, Julie values collaboration, empowering colleagues, and advancing student-centered initiatives. Motivated by a strong belief in the power of education to transform individuals, her goal is to support leaders in their vital work on behalf of higher education and the students these institutions serve.

Born and raised in the beautiful state of Montana, Julie moved to Spokane in 1988 to attend Gonzaga University—a community that has remained central to her life ever since. She and Thayne married in 1993 after meeting as members of Gonzaga’s Residence Hall Staff and have embraced life’s adventures together for more than three decades. They treasure their three daughters, a son-in-law, and their cherished roles as ‘Papa and Gogo’ to two (soon three) beloved grandchildren.

Insights from Julie
Consultant & Communications Specialist

Sarah Schwering Supports University Leaders With Communication Strategies

Sarah Schwering is the CEO of s•squared marketing & communications, a consulting firm based in Spokane, Washington. With more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communications, Sarah specializes in market research, communication plan development and execution, media and public relations, social media strategy, copywriting, crisis and issue communication, training development and facilitation, and much more.

Learn More About Sarah

Having earned both a B.B.A. and an MBA in marketing from Gonzaga University, Sarah bridged her academic strengths in marketing with communications and public relations experience having spent more than 6 years working for DH, a public relations and marketing agency. Following this role, Sarah worked as a freelancer for three years, became an adjunct instructor in Communications, Business Statistics, Principles of Marketing, and Generational Marketing, and eventually found her way back to Gonzaga University, serving as their Senior Director of Marketing & Communications in 2014.

In March 2020, Sarah started her own firm working with clients across multiple industries including higher education, health care, manufacturing and technology, engineering, as well as supporting many regional non-profits including The Rosalie Murrey Memorial Foundation, the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy,  Catholic Charities, Beyond Pink, Hello for Good, and the Spokane Regional Collaborative to Address Homelessness. In addition to her direct client work, Sarah also supports other marketing and communications agencies as extensions of their own team. In January 2022, Sarah returned to Gonzaga University to serve as the part-time Presidential Communications Specialist, supporting the Office of the President with leadership communications. Since 2025, Sarah has supported Higher Education Leadership Partners with research and communications strategies.

Sarah is deeply invested and rooted in the Spokane community, previously serving on Advisory Boards for Main Market, Spokane Junior League, the International Trade Alliance, GU MBA/MACC Executive Committee, and Gonzaga’s Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program. Currently, Sarah serves on the Multicare Inland Northwest Foundation Board, Second Harvest Board, Spokane Children’s Youth Theater (CYT) Board, Gonzaga’s School of Business Advisory Board, and Gonzaga’s MBA Board of Advisors.

  • Master of Business Administration, Gonzaga University
  • Bachelor of Business Administration – Marketing, Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Gonzaga University

Born and raised in Seattle, Sarah moved to Spokane in 2000 to attend Gonzaga University and never left! She and her husband Tim are proud parents to two incredible boys, John and Paul. 

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