UIU Administration

Prior to being selected as president by the UIU Board of Trustees, Dr. Duffy served Upper Iowa as the senior vice president for Academic Extension for four years. He was responsible for off-campus offerings at the 19 UIU education centers in the United States and the UIU distance education programs globally, which includes online and the self-paced degree program. In September 2012, Dr. Duffy also assumed leadership of the UIU Integrated Enrollment Center and the Office of Information Technology which provide essential services to all elements of the University.

Before joining UIU, Dr. Duffy served 12 years as the executive director at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he had similar responsibilities with extended campus operations, and also served as a full-time faculty and department chair. During his tenure at UT Martin, he also conducted extensive research on student persistence and performance which was published in 2010 as a chapter in the Harvard Education Press book, “A Critical Examination of the Advanced Placement Program.”

Dr. Duffy is a retired lieutenant colonel who served 20 years as an active duty infantry officer in the U.S. Army, in which he held numerous leadership positions that involved planning, organizing, managing resources/equipment and recruiting in locations around the world. He received his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Military Academy, master’s degree and education specialist degree from Appalachian State University, and his doctorate from the University of Memphis. He and his wife, Sharon, have two daughters (Dawn and Maryann), and five grandchildren (Ryan, Brilee, Madison, Bree, and William).

Dr. Binsfeld started at Upper Iowa in July 2020, serving as the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. In this role, he serves as the institution’s chief academic officer. He leads the development and execution of various academic priorities for the university, the allocation of resources that will support those priorities, and the implementation of the university’s academic strategic goals, including curriculum, budget, and program development.

Before joining Upper Iowa, Dr. Binsfeld served in several administrative roles as the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs at Northeast Iowa Community College. In his role, he led accreditation and assessment efforts at the institution. He also serves as a member of the Higher Learning Commission Peer Review Corps; as a reviewer, he is responsible for assuring that institutions comply with HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation and other requirements, as well as for helping institutions advance within the context of their mission.

In addition to his administrative positions, he has been elected to serve in several organizations. He served as a member of the Executive Board of Directors of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP). NACEP works to ensure that college courses offered by high school teachers are as rigorous as courses offered on the sponsoring college campus. As the sole accrediting body for concurrent enrollment partnerships, NACEP helps these programs adhere to the highest standards, so students experience a seamless transition to college. He was elected to the Council on Accreditation for Two-Year Colleges (CATYC). CATYC supports two-year colleges by providing professional development, networking, and research opportunities to support accreditation, quality, and innovation.

Dr. Binsfeld received his doctorate from the University of South Dakota in Adult and Higher Education, his Master’s degree from South Dakota State University in Communication Studies, and his Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and Spanish. He resides in West Union with his husband (Neil) and 13-year-old son (Carter).

Kathy Franken has been with Upper Iowa University since 2008 and became the Vice President for Enrollment Management in September of 2015. Franken provides leadership and direction for all enrollment, registrar, student success, retention, operations, and financial aid throughout the university including the residential Fayette campus, Online, Center locations (domestic and international) and Self-Paced modalities.

Franken earned her B.A. degree from Wartburg College, her Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Upper Iowa University and has over 25 years of experience in higher education. Franken and her husband, Chuck, have three children Stacey, Chris and Jordan and three grandchildren Payton, William and Charlie. Kathy and Chuck reside in Fayette.

Rick Hartzell started his tenure as Director of Athletics at Upper Iowa in January of 2018. Hartzell’s responsibilities include oversight, leadership and direction of Upper Iowa’s Division II athletics program which includes 23 varsity sports, and over 60 full and part time staff members and 445 student-athletes competing in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, and the GLIAC.

Hartzell earned his B.A. in Physical Education and English from the University of Northern Iowa and his M.A. in Educational Administration from UNI as well. He also has completed his Ph.D. work from the University of Iowa in Higher Ed Administration (ABD). Hartzell was the National AD of the Year in 2008 while at UNI. He and his family, Jill (Doctor of Chiropractic) and boys Jackson and Jace reside in Cedar Falls.

Tim Guyer began his tenure at the Executive Director, Human Resources in November of 2022. Guyer provides leadership in all areas of human resources and employee relations including serving as the Title IX Coordinator.

Guyer earned his B.A. degree in Sociology from Wartburg College and his Juris Doctorate from Drake University School of Law. He and his wife, Shannon, have two daughters, Sarah and Kaitlin and reside in Monticello.

Andrew Wenthe has been with Upper Iowa since 2005. Wenthe’s responsibilities include leadership of the Office of Institutional Advancement and Alumni Development as well as the Office of Communications and Marketing. Wenthe also provides leadership on regional economic development initiatives, government and community relations, and efforts to secure grant and foundation support.

Wenthe earned his B.A. in Political Communications from the University of Northern Iowa and his Masters in Higher Education Administration from Upper Iowa University. Additionally, he served for six years in the Iowa House of Representatives and currently serves as the Mayor of the City of Fayette.

Holly Wolff has been with Upper Iowa University since 2005. Ms. Wolff began her time at UIU in Facilities Management and Events Management before transitioning to the Office of the President in 2012. Ms. Wolff’s responsibilities include the day-to-day management and scheduling of the President’s Office, and assisting with the management and coordination of the Board of Trustees. Ms. Wolff is actively involved in University Strategic Planning and the Facilities Planning Committee.

Ms. Wolff graduated cum laude from Upper Iowa University with a B.A. in Communications and is currently enrolled in UIU’s Master of Business Program. As the recipient of the Erma K. Ledgerwood Scholarship in 2008, Holly has been paying it forward as an active member of Team Peacock since 2006, riding RAGBRAI to raise money for University initiatives and student scholarships. She and her husband, Tim, have three children, Ashten, Katie and Carson. Holly and Tim reside in Fayette, Iowa.