Jodie Ferise, EdD, JD, is a highly experienced higher education attorney with over 20 years in the field. Her distinguished career includes roles as general counsel, higher education lobbyist, professor, and college administrator. Jodie was appointed by Governor Holcomb to the Midwest Higher Education Commission in 2023 and has served on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s Partnership Pentagon.

She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) from the University of Pennsylvania, a Juris Doctor (JD) from Indiana University McKinney School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Public and Corporate Communications from Butler University. Jodie’s doctoral research and dissertation focused on strategies for recruiting and hiring diverse faculty to rural U.S. campuses.

Jodie’s career highlights include founding University Equity Solutions, LLC, a higher education consulting firm. She spent 13 years at the University of Indianapolis, where she taught at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and held key leadership roles including faculty senate president, associate provost, and chief international officer. She also served as vice president and general counsel for the Independent Colleges of Indiana, coordinating legal services and advocacy for the state’s 29 private colleges.

A strong advocate for experiential learning and global education, Jodie has taught in India, China, and Ghana, and has presented both domestically and internationally on numerous occasions. In 2011, she founded the Precious Words Africa project, which provides educational resources and health programming in West Africa.

Outside of work, Jodie combines her love of travel with her passion for sports, having visited over 25 countries and eight NFL stadiums in pursuit of her goal to see a game in every one. A Colts season ticket holder and a lifelong Cubs fan, she’s no stranger to weathering the elements at Wrigley Field. Jodie also enjoys reading, outdoor concerts, and spending quality time with her granddaughter Crosby, who is her namesake.

At CCHA Law, Jodie will be an integral part of Higher Education Practice, where her extensive experience and insights will guide institutions through the complex legal landscape of higher education.