Sandra LaBlance, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Student Affairs

lablance@oakland.edu

Sandra LaBlance, Ph.D., is the associate dean of student affairs. Dr. LaBlance has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, most recently at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine where she served as director of academic and career counseling followed by three years of post-doctoral research with a focus on the socio-cultural issues that impact the career paths of biomedical scientists. Other research completed by Dr. LaBlance includes work focused on the role of relationships in medical student specialty choice as well as research on learning assistance, learning disabilities and effective pedagogical and learning techniques to support student needs.

Dr. LaBlance works closely with medical students throughout the medical specialty choice process, including residency application, interviewing and the match process. In addition, Dr. LaBlance has experience working with medical students who are interested in improving their study techniques and those seeking guidance in the process of preparing for the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 board exams.

Valerie Wherley, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Career Development

wherley@oakland.edu

Valerie Wherley, Ph.D., is the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Career Development.  Dr. Wherley has over 15 years of experience in higher education.  Prior to arriving at Oakland University, Dr. Wherley was a Clinical Assistant Professor of Exercise Science in the College of Health Professions at Sacred Heart University.  As a certified exercise physiologist by the American College of Sports Medicine, her research included the implementation of yoga practice to investigate functional communication in children with autism spectrum disorder, application of effective experiential learning models, and creation of interprofessional clinical education programs.  Dr. Wherley worked as a faculty member on the Pre-Health Advisory Committee, where she advised undergraduate pre-med students on course selection, graduate school prerequisites, test preparation, application deadlines, review of personal statements, mock interviews, and committee letter compilations. 

Dr. Wherley will be involved in both Career Development and Academic Support of M1-M4 medical students.  In addition, Dr. Wherley is directly involved in several medical student initiatives, including chairing the Inclusive Environment Committee, being a member of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee, and overseeing Wellness programming. 

Berkley Browne, M.A.
Director of Academic Success

browne@oakland.edu

​Berkley Browne is the director of academic success. Ms. Browne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albion College, a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, and a Post-Master's Graduate Certification in Higher Education from Oakland University. Ms. Browne is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Educational Leadership at Oakland University. Her experience working in academic support spans more than 10 years, and she worked with students in k-12 education, undergraduate education, and graduate education before coming to OUWB.

At OUWB Ms. Browne supervises the academic success team and has responsibility for academic support program development for all students. In addition, Ms. Browne supervises the peer tutoring program, provides guidance to students wanting to improve study strategies and learning techniques, works with students interested in support and advising while preparing for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams, and serves as the Disability Support Services liaison for medical students seeking academic accommodations. In addition to partnering with students to achieve their learning goals, Ms. Browne is a contributor to faculty development programming provided by OUWB’s Center for Excellence in Medical Education. Her research interests include innovations and best practices in learning assistance for medical students, the influence of social issues on motivation, self-efficacy, and achievement, and the relationship among self-regulation, sense of belonging, and academic success.

Gabe Dumbrille
Director of Student Affairs & Career Development

Gabe works primarily with M3 and M4 students on specialty choice and residency match. His responsibilities also include managing career development opportunities for student organizations, and providing support for the student affairs department at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.

Toni LeGrande
Administrative Coordinator

tlegrande@oakland.edu

Toni LeGrande is a Certified Meeting Professional with more than seven years of experience in higher education student services. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and completed her bachelor’s degree in Business Management at the Orlando, Florida campus. Her unique background also includes customer service training from Walt Disney World and six years planning and executing a variety of special events at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, Mich.

As the administrative coordinator for OUWB, Toni’s primary focus is planning special events such as the White Coat Ceremony and the induction dinner for the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Additionally, Toni is responsible for coordinating OUWB’s “Connect” program, which provides social and networking opportunities for the significant others of medical students. 

Katherine Stotts
Student Affairs Coordinator

kstotts@oakland.edu

Katherine joined the OUWB Student Affairs Team in May 2016.  She graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts in French Language and Literature in 2010. Before joining  OUWB, Katherine worked for Eastern Oil Company where she served as a Customer Service Representative for OEM/Automotive accounts.

Jennifer Root
Medical School Advisor

jmwalke2@oakland.edu

Jennifer Root joined the OUWB Student Affairs team in August 2018. She serves as the Medical School Advisor for M1 and M2 students providing academic, career and wellness support. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Detroit Mercy and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Oakland University. She is currently pursuing the Lean Leadership Graduate Certificate program at Oakland University. Jennifer has six years of professional experience in higher education with a strong focus in career and educational advising.

Julie Rank
Receptionist/Office Assistant

jrank@oakland.edu

An OU graduate, Julie was employed as a mortgage loan officer for over 15 years. She then sold advertising for four years before transitioning to education in 2012,  combining her love of knowledge and passion for teens and young adults with her professional life. After 5+ years working in a private high school as a communications associate, registrar, and administrative assistant, Julie joined OUWB in January of 2018. She has extensive volunteer experience mentoring and encouraging young people, including service at Wayne County Juvenile Detention Facility, Oakland County Children’s Village, Oakland County Mentors Plus Program, and Children’s Hospital of Detroit. She also has special training and certification in proofreading and editing. Julie is the Receptionist in the CMSS Suite, greeting and assisting OUWB students, staff, faculty, and visitors and serves as Office Assistant for Student Affairs.