Board of Trustees

Dr. Malinda Matney (she/her)
Nu Chapter, University of Michigan
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DR‭. ‬MALINDA M‭. ‬MATNEY served as National President from 2007-2009‭, ‬National Vice President for Colonization and Membership from‭ ‬2005-2007‭, ‬and National Vice President for Programs from 1995-1997‭. ‬She served as an elected Trustee from 2011-2019‭. ‬She served‭ ‬as Governor for the North Central District from 1997‭ ‬to 2005‭, ‬and the Midwest District from 1992-1995‭. ‬Dr‭. ‬Matney serves as the‭ ‬Chapter Sponsor for Nu Chapter at the University of Michigan‭.‬

Dr‭. ‬Matney is Managing Director for the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching at the University of Michigan‭, ‬and is on faculty of the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at UM‭. ‬Dr‭. ‬Matney earned her Ph.D‭. ‬in Higher and Postsecondary Education from the University of Michigan‭. ‬She holds an Education Specialist in higher education administration from the‭ ‬University of Missouri at Kansas City‭, ‬a Master of Music in Music History from the University of Colorado at Boulder‭, ‬and a bachelor’s degree in music from Wichita State University‭.‬

Her work involves leading a 14-person unit focused on developing faculty in their teaching roles‭, ‬and serving on the central team for UM’s university-wide accreditation‭. ‬Her research has included work on generational demographics‭, ‬hazing behaviors‭, ‬social networking‭, ‬and campus climate‭.‬

Dr‭. ‬Matney is a Life Member of both Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma‭. ‬She was initiated in 1984‭ ‬into Alpha Mu Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Wichita State University‭, ‬and served as Chapter President and District President‭ (‬for District V and the Midwest District‭). ‬She is an Honorary Member of Kappa Kappa Psi’s National Chapter‭, ‬Midwest‭, ‬North Central‭, ‬Northeast‭, ‬Southwest‭, ‬and Western Districts‭, ‬and Nu‭, ‬Zeta Chi and Alpha Iota Chapters‭; ‬and an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma’s North Central and Southwest Districts and Lambda Chapter‭. ‬

Dr‭. ‬Matney is a member of multiple national associations‭. ‬She has served on the Board of Directors of HazingPrevention.Org‭, ‬and‭ ‬the University of Michigan School of Education Board of Governors‭. ‬She has served as associate editor for Oracle‭: ‬The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and on the editorial board for the Journal of Student Affairs Research‭ ‬and Practice‭. ‬

Evan Thompson (he/him)
Zeta Chi Chapter, University of South Carolina
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EVAN L. THOMPSON (he/him), from the University of South Carolina, was elected the 46th National President of Kappa Kappa Psi at the 49th Biennial Convention in Orlando, Florida. He previously served the fraternity as National Vice President for Colonization & Membership (2015-2017), Southeast District Governor (2012-2015), and National Chapter Field Representative (2010-2012). After his term as National President, he served from 2019-2021 as Immediate Past National President and member of the Board of Trustees. Evan was elected to the Board of Trustees for the 2023-2027 term at the 2023 National Convention in Orlando, Florida.

 Evan graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Music Degree with emphasis in Instrumental Music Education in 2009 and Western Governors University with a Master of Science Degree in Educational Leadership in 2016. Professionally, Evan is the Music Teacher and Related Arts Team Leader at Pelion Elementary School in Lexington County School District One where he was named Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year. His experience also includes seven years of successful teaching in Sumter School District in Sumter, South Carolina.

 Throughout his service on the National Leadership Team, Evan has been actively engaged in developing and supporting programs that enhance the active member experience and advance our mission to college bands. Evan was a co-author of The Road to Wisdom Membership Education Program and served as a member of the Curriculum Development Committee from 2013-2017. The program was launched in 2017 and is now in its fourth biennium of implementation across the country. Evan appointed and oversaw the work of the Ritual Performance & Education Committee as they completed edits and revisions to the Ritual & Ceremonies and launched The Inner Circle curriculum at the 2019 National Convention. He was part of a team that envisioned and developed what is now The Founders’ Circle Leadership Development Program. This program includes a speaker series for district and national events and online resources and curriculum for self-paced development.

 Evan presided over the 50th Biennial Convention on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. During the convention, the fraternity’s Centennial was celebrated with a special commission by composer Kevin Walczyk entitled Centurial Exultation. The piece was performed by the Centennial Alumni Band conducted by Oklahoma State University’s Director of Bands, Dr. Joseph P. Missal. The Centennial Celebration included guided tours of campus, National Headquarters, and Fairlawn Cemetery in addition to a special program near the Shrine to commemorate 100 years of leadership and service to college bands. The National Intercollegiate Band was conducted by Professor Jerry Junkin and premiered the commissioned work Fanfares for Friends by composer Joel Puckett.

Evan is a proud Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

Dr. Kevin “KJ” James (he/him)
Zeta Eta Chapter, South Carolina State University
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DR. KEVIN “KJ” JAMES was initiated in the Zeta Eta chapter at South Carolina State University in Spring 1997. He was an active member from 1997-2000 serving in different offices. Additionally, he served as the section leader of the percussion section. After completing his undergraduate studies, he became an active member of the Zeta Upsilon chapter at Troy State University and was elected as the Southeast District Member-at-Large. He is a life member of Kappa Kappa Psi and a member of the Atlanta Alumni Association.

Professionally, KJ serves as the 19^th President of Morris Brown College, a historical Black college founded in 1881 in Atlanta, Georgia. The institution is the only college in Georgia founded solely by African American patronage. Dr. James became the leader of the college while it was under duress and lacking recognition from the United States Department of Education as an institution in good standing. The institution lost its accreditation in 2002-03. KJ was serious about the historical legacy of Morris Brown and was on a mission to re-accredit the institution. As an executive leader with years of business experience, he understood that re-branding the institution while staying close to its mission was vital. Therefore, he initiated #TheHardReset, a campaign to restore Morris Brown to compliance and recognition by the Department of Education.

After two years of diligent restructuring, Morris Brown College secured “Candidate Accreditation Status” by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) on April 13, 2021. The institution came into compliance with the standards and criteria to be deemed a quality institution. The school was evaluated by an on-site peer review team which determined that the institution provides sound instruction and appropriate student services. The college is now eligible to apply to the U.S Department of Education to participate in financial aid programs and Title IV funding. Such funding is desperately needed to support the students and the overall mission of the college. KJ made history by leading the institution to become the first HBCU to regain accreditation candidacy after a nearly twenty-year hiatus. He drew from his 22-year career as a higher education administrator, professor, executive business leader, and motivational speaker to fulfill his role as the Chief Executive Officer of the college. Under his leadership, Morris Brown College has been completely transformed and revitalized.

KJ was named 2021 College President of the Year by the Georgia Greater Black Chamber of Commerce and one of Atlanta’s Most Powerful Leaders by Atlanta Magazine. Additionally, he received the 4 Brighter Futures Foundation, Inc. Chairman Award, was a Georgia Leadership Character Award nominee, Mentor of the Year for 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., and Morris Brown College was named Top 10 Smaller HBCU that is Rising #4 by the HBCU Campaign Fund. Moreover, he was selected and completed the Higher Education Leadership Foundation/United Negro College Fund Presidential Leadership Institute. KJ has been featured on CNN, CBS, NBC, Fox, US News, Forbes, Black Enterprise, The Root, NewsOne, The GRIO, HBCU Times, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, Inside Higher Education, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Atlanta Voice, Atlanta Magazine, and The Atlanta Tribune just to mention a few.

A native of Columbia, South Carolina, KJ attended South Carolina State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders and Social Sciences from Winthrop University; a master’s degree in Business Management, Leadership, and Organizational Effectiveness from Troy State University; and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He is also a graduate of the Higher Education Institute at Harvard University.

Eric Morson (he/him)
Delta Omicron Chapter, University of Connecticut
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ERIC B. MORSON was initiated into Kappa Kappa Psi at The University of Connecticut in April 1987, and graduated with an individualized B.A. in Marketing & Economics. He became an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma in 2004, a Life Member of KKPsi in 1990, of TBS in 2009, and is a Charter Member of KKPsiAA & TBSAA. He was elected to the Board of Trustees at the 2013 National Convention in Springfield, MA, and was honored with the Kappa Kappa Psi A. Frank Martin Award for Fraternity Service in 2014. Eric has served as the Board of Trustees Vice-Chair, as Board Liaison to the KKPsiAA Board of Directors, as National Vice-Chair and Finance Chair of the KKPsiAA Board of Directors, and on the former NAA Board of Directors as its National Membership Chair. He is an Honorary member of the Northeast, Southwest, and Western Districts, and the National Chapter.

He is proud to have created and overseen the launch of the Alumni Giving Program (AGP) and the Scott Stowell Alumni Excellence Award, and to have served as the first colony advisor under our new colonization model. From chapter level through National Leadership, Eric has been consistently involved for more than 30 years, and has attended every National Convention since 1991. He passionately believes that actives and alumni should always feel that they are part of the family that is KKPsi and works tirelessly to that end.

Eric has been in the financial services field for nearly 30 years. His dual approach as a Financial Advisor with Equitable Advisors LLC and as a Tax Advisor with Family Tax Advantage LLC (which he and his father founded in 2002), comprehensively serves his clients in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Far East, and more than 40 states, with many in the NY Metro, Connecticut, and Greater Phoenix areas. His work integrates strategic long term financial planning, risk management, and taxation, while ensuring service remains paramount as he designs cohesive plans for clients’ goals and protection.

Eric is an elected member of the Stamford Board of Representatives (City Council) for the 2017-21 term, representing the 13^th District. As a Representative, he serves as Vice Chair of the Public Safety & Health Committee, a member of the Fiscal Committee and the Code of Ethics Revision Committee, and as a Deputy Parliamentarian.

Eric has co-sponsored legislation including a citywide ban on single-use plastic bags, has championed against discrimination, and helps run Government Access TV Channel 79. He holds town hall meetings for his constituents and is actively engaged citywide. Eric also serves on the Stamford Emergency Medical Services (SEMS) Board of Directors, and is a member of CERT. He is a 5-term Past President of the Saw Mill Association, Inc. and now serves as its Liaison to the City of Stamford. Eric was elected to the Democratic City Committee (SDCC) from Stamford’s 13^th District in 2014 and 2016, serving until 2018.

Eric played trumpet in the UConn Marching Band & Pep Band, and has been in the UConn Alumni Marching Band (UCAMB) since 1990. He was the UConn Alumni Pep Band Coordinator for 14 years, and is now Vice-Chair of the UCAMB Board of Directors. Eric volunteered as a Drill and Brass Instructor for the Stamford HS Marching Band from 1995-01, watching them grow from 4 to over 100, and become a competitive program. Many of his students became college bandmembers, band directors, and members of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

Eric runs a D.J. & Karaoke company he founded in 1993 and sings every chance he gets. He and his wife Michele are proud of their son Cameron, a junior at Arizona State University, and their daughter Callie who is also following in the family’s musical footsteps as a junior in the Westhill HS Marching Band. Both play the trumpet, just like their dad.

Jessica Lee (she/her)
Eta Alpha Chapter, Lock Haven University
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JESSICA LEE (she/her) currently serves on the National Council and Board of Trustees as the Immediate Past President. She was initiated into the Eta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania on November 22, 2003, and as an active Brother from 2004 – 2008, she served her chapter as Social Director, Vice President of Service, Central Precinct Chair, and Chapter President, where her chapter won the 2007 Northeast District John P. Ross Governor’s Cup for Most Improved Chapter.  She also served the Northeast District as District President from 2007-2008. While at Lock Haven, Jessica performed as a percussionist with the LHU Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Percussion Ensemble. In May of 2008, Jessica graduated cum laude with Bachelor of Science degrees in Special and Elementary Education. 

Following graduation in 2008, Jessica continued to work with Kappa Kappa Psi on the district and national levels. Jessica served as the petitioning group advisor to the Nu Delta chapter at McMurry University. She has also presented workshops over leadership, fraternal values, and membership education at district and national conventions for the last 15 years, including facilitating sessions at the Kappa Kappa Psi National Leadership Conference for District and National Leadership. Jessica has served for 8 years on the National Curriculum Development Committee, as one of the authors of The Road to Wisdom and 6 years on the Ritual Education and Performance Committee,as one of the author’s of the The Inner Circle Ritual Education program. Jessica also serves as one of the Keynote Speakers of the fraternity’s Leadership Development Program, The Founders’ Circle.

Jessica has served for the last 6 years on the National Council, as 2017-2019 National Vice President for Student Affairs, 2019-2021 National Vice President for Colonization & Membership, and in 2021-2023, served as the 48th National President of Kappa Kappa Psi.  As National President, Jessica worked to reCHARGE Kappa Kappa Psi by centering programs and initiatives on the values found in our ritual and expanding chapter officer and other development resources available to our Brothers.  A champion for students, she has worked to elevate all voices within the organization through expanded committee opportunities and appointments, refreshing the fraternity’s mission statement, updating the Road to Wisdom to include an Our Diversity Matters lesson, and facilitated work for an accommodations handbook for the Ritual.

A life member of the Eta Alpha chapter, Jessica is also an honorary member of the Southwest District, National Chapter and the Gamma Nu chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, as well as an honorary member of the Delta Sigma and Kappa Upsilon chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Southwest, Northeast, North Central, Southeast, Midwest, and Western Districts and the National Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Jessica graduated in August of 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. Since then, she has consistently held leadership positions in her professional life. Currently, Jessica is the Director of Curriculum & Instruction in Bullard Independent School District, a 4A school district in East Texas. Previous to this position, Jessica has been a principal, assistant principal, instructional coach, and a special education teacher. Jessica currently resides in Bullard, TX with her husband and Past National President, Jack, 13 year old son & Euphonium player, Jackson, 10 year old daughter, Emmy, and their dogs, Holly and Muffy.

Bang T. Co (he/him)
Alpha Zeta Chapter, Indiana University
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BANG T. CO (he/him) proudly serves as the 49th National President of Kappa Kappa Psi. He was elected as the first Asian American Brother to serve in this role by a unanimous vote at the 2023 National Convention in Orlando, FL. Prior to his current role, Bang served as the first National Vice President for Membership & Expansion (NVPME) during the 2021-2023 biennium and as the National Vice President for Student Affairs (NVPSA) during the 2019-2021 biennium. He has also served the Fraternity in a variety of other roles, such as Chair of the North Central District Alumni Association (NCDAA), a Speaker for the Founders’ Circle Leadership Development Program, and a Curriculum Advisor during the rollout of The Road to Wisdom. In 2012, Bang was initiated into the Alpha Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Indiana University (IU) and holds Honorary Membership for the Northeast (ΚΚΨ), Southeast (ΚΚΨ), Southwest (ΚΚΨ & ΤΒΣ), and Western (ΚΚΨ & ΤΒΣ) Districts, as well as the National Chapter Tau Beta Sigma. In 2016, he was awarded the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award, the highest award a student can receive in Kappa Kappa Psi.

During his time at IU, Bang maintained a high level of involvement, including two years as the IU Marching Hundred Drum Major (2014, 2015) and Piccolo Section Leader (2012, 2013). As an IU Marching Hundred member, Bang received several recognitions, including the Alan Chepregi Memorial Scholarship, the “Outstanding Rookie” award, the “Outstanding Upperclassmen” award, and the “Most Outstanding Band Member” award, the highest award a student can receive in the IU Marching Hundred. As an alumnus, Bang currently serves as the Vice President and President-Elect of the IU Marching Hundred Alumni Band Board, which he has been on since his graduation in 2016. Bang also serves as a Leadership Clinician for the Crossroads Drum Major & Leadership Clinician and has been a part of the staff since 2013.

Professionally, Bang serves as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations & Individual Gifts for the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. In this role, he strives to create a positive impact on the Jacobs School of Music and its alumni through worthwhile programming, meaningful opportunities, and authentic connections. Prior to moving back to Indiana, Bang lived in the Nation’s Capital and served as the Programs Manager for Asian American LEAD (AALEAD), a youth-centric organization that focuses on the empowerment of middle and high school students from BIPOC communities in the DC/Maryland/Virginia areas. During his time in DC, Bang also completed the Non-Profit Management Executive Certificate Program through Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy.

Outside of his professional and fraternal life, Bang enjoys spending his time traveling with loved ones, visiting bookshops around the world, attending concerts and shows, and enjoying hotpot and KBBQ with friends and family. As the oldest child of an immigrant family, Bang is proud to showcase his heritage and culture through food, language, music, and fashion. He is also a KPOP fanatic and proudly claims to be an original ARMY of BTS. Bang also has three dogs (Lilo, Lily, and Louis) that he adores and loves to spoil.

As National President, Bang presides over the National Fraternity and serves as a non-voting member of the Board of Trustees.  That work includes management of the vast array of volunteers and committees that help the Fraternity accomplish its work, supervision of our National Headquarters Staff, and the planning of major Fraternal events, like the upcoming Biennial National Convention in conjunction with our lifelong partners, Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority.