CLASS Advisory Council
Members of the advisory council for the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) at the University of Idaho help promote the college to a variety of constituencies, assist with identifying and acquiring additional resources and financial support for the college, serve as an advocate of the college, give advice on the programs of the college and help build working relationships with other colleges of the university.
Michelle Aragon is the senior vice president, managing director of business solutions for MAGNA Global, a business unit of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). She grew up in Jerome and became the first person in her family to attend college. She earned a bachelor's degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Media in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences in 1997. She also earned a Foundational Master’s in Business Administration certificate from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Aragon dedicates much of her free time to philanthropic work, a trend that started when she was philanthropy chair of her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, at U of I. Michelle lives in New York City with her life partner of 11 years, Lee Walling, and their dog, Ziggy.
Patrick Bageant, raised in Moscow, is a trial lawyer, Boise City Council President Pro Tem, and a proud product of public education. He received his undergraduate degree at the University of Idaho in Philosophy and Writing, and his law degree at U.C. Berkeley, where he won the Stephen F. Jamison prize as the best scholar and advocate in his class before clerking at U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. An avid hunter, patient father, and committed public servant, he has tried seven- and eight-figure cases to verdict in courts in Idaho and beyond and knows all the Gem State’s county license plate identifiers by heart.
Adina Bielenberg is the Corporate Director to the President at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. She graduated from the University of Idaho with undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Family and Consumer Studies.
Andrew Beck has served as President COO, and GM of several global software and technology companies. Beck graduated from the University of Idaho with undergraduate degrees in International Studies and Foreign Languages.
Carl Dyess is an attorney, Managing Director in several LLC’s, and an active entrepreneur. Dyess graduated from UI with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Economics before going on to study Law, management, and mathematics.
Jim is a 1966 graduate of the University of Idaho and was UI Alumni Association president from 1995-96. Jim has been in the fundraising profession for over 30 years in the areas of athletics, academics, healthcare, social programs and nonprofit business associations.
Christina Lords is the editor of the Idaho Capital Sun and proud fifth-generation Idahoan. During her senior year at U of I, she served as The Argonaut's editor-in-chief while working on her journalism degree and still loves visiting The Arg office to encourage student journalists when she's on campus. She's won first place awards for her reporting from the Idaho Press Club and the Utah-Idaho-Spokane Associated Press Association.
Rob McQuade is a U of I grad and now an attorney in Boise, Idaho. He earned his degree in history from the University of Idaho in 2008. Rob has served on the CLASS Advisory Board since 2019.
Edward Moore is the president and owner of DaviesMoore, a Boise-based full-service marketing firm specializing in brand planning, advertising and public relations. While attending the University of Idaho he studied communication with an advertising option.
Caroline Nilsson Troy is owner of the Nilsson Advisory Group, a nonprofit consulting company. Caroline previously worked 12 years at the University of Idaho and seven years at Washington State University as a fundraiser. She graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in communications.
Brice Sloan is a serial entrepreneur, dedicated learner and the founder of Sloan Security Group, Sloan Security Technologies, Sloan Metal Solutions and Base Strategies, a consulting practice. Sloan previously worked for the US State Department as a Foreign Service Officer. Sloan graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science in History in 1993.
Matt Strange is the Chief Strategy Officer for Hill Valley Healthcare in Brooklyn, NY. Matt has been a member of the CLASS Advisory Board since 2012. Matt received a Bachelor of Science in Public Communication in 2006 from the University of Idaho.
Al Tovey is a member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and the general manager of the Wildhorse Resort in Pendleton, Oregon. While attending the University of Idaho he majored in communication.