All Entries in the "Leadership" Category
New Dean Appointments for Four Women Leaders in Academia
The new deans are Kim Jones at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, Dena Evans at East Tennessee State University, Denise Seachrist at Kent State University at Salem in Ohio, and Kathryn Bezella at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire.
Andrea Hayes Dixon Named Chair of Federal Scientific Management Review Board
The Scientific Management Review Board supervises and reviews the operation of all scientific research programs within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Hayes Dixon will serve as board chair through June 2026.
Dianna Vargo Appointed President of Wheeling University in West Virginia
“This is a very exciting and important opportunity, not just for me, but for our entire faculty and staff. All of us here are firmly committed to advancing this great University and providing the best learning environment for our students,” said Dr. Vargo, newly appointed president of Wheeling University in West Virginia.
Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Starr Minthorn Named President-Elect of the Association for the Study of Higher Education
A member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Dr. Minthorn is the first Indigenous person to serve as president in the history of the Association for the Study of Higher Education.
Rolanda Horn Named Chair-Elect of NASPA’s Center for Women
The Center for Women within the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators was established in 2001 to bring attention to issues concerning women in higher education. Dr. Horn has served as a board member for the center for the past two years.
Six Women Selected for Dean Roles at Colleges and Universities
The new deans are Michelle Scherer at Michigan Technological University, Carolyn Lawrence-Dill at Colorado State University, Kelly Sims Gallagher at Tufts University, Libby Thorson at the University of Wyoming, Ellia Sablan-Zebedy at Wenatchee Valley College, and Francine Staba at Alfred State College.
Jeannine Diddle Uzzi Named Sixth President of Thomas College in Maine
“By leveraging my experiences, I see opportunities to make Thomas a more inclusive community that serves students from all backgrounds — whether they are from Maine or beyond — who are seeking a place where they truly belong,” said Dr. Uzzi.
Alanka Brown Appointed CEO of Arizona State University’s California College
“I look forward to fostering a culture where students, faculty and staff can thrive academically, personally and professionally as their best selves,” said Dr. Alanka Brown, newly appointed CEO and dean of Arizona State University’s California College.
Two Women University Presidents to Retire at the Conclusion of This Academic Year
Waded Cruzado, president of Montana State University, and Joyce F. Brown, president of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, have announced their intent to retire at the conclusion of the current academic year.
Patricia Prelock Selected to Lead the University of Vermont
“UVM’s students are always my highest priority, and I look forward to leading continued collaboration with my valued colleagues across the university to ensure their success,” said Dr. Patricia Prelock, the new interim president of the University of Vermont.
Tashni-Ann Dubroy Named Chair of the National Association of College and University Business Officers
“I am immensely optimistic about the future of NACUBO,” said Dr. Dubroy. “We’ve never been stronger, and I look forward to working with my fellow board members to strengthen the value we provide to our member institutions, and in turn, to the students they serve.”
Arizona State Alumna Halla Tómasdóttir Sworn In as President of Iceland
President Tómasdóttirr is a founder of Reykjavik University in Iceland, where she served as director of executive education and founder of the women’s entrepreneurship program. She is an alumna of Arizona State’s MBA program in international management.
Two Women College Presidents Announce Their Resignations
Anita Thomas has resigned as president of North Central College in Illinois and Linda C. Young has announced her impending retirement as president of Wallace Community College-Dothan in Alabama.
Seven Women Appointed to Dean Positions at Colleges and Universities
The new deans are Sara Montgomery at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Gerarda M. Shields at Manhattan College, Bernadette Donovan-Merkert at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Elise Hepworth hat Northwest Missouri State University, Susan Davis at Southern Regional Technical College, Bridgett Golman at Tennessee State University, and Debbie Thomas at Texas A&M University-Galveston.
Karen Weiss Named Seventh President of Southeastern Illinois College
“I am eager to engage with the community to share my vision and work together to realize our collective potential for Southeastern Illinois College,” said Dr. Weiss.
Amy Goldberg Appointed Chair of the American Board of Surgery
Dr. Goldberg has spent more than 35 years with the Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, holding several academic leadership positions. She has conducted extensive research on trauma injuries and the impact of gun violence prevention.
Joyce Buckner-Brown Appointed Provost of Alcorn State University
Dr. Buckner-Brown brings over two decades of experience in higher education and public health to her new role. She has recently served as Alcorn’s interim provost and associate provost for undergraduate education and success.
New Dean Appointments for Nine Women Scholars
The new deans are Erika Smith at Connecticut College, Angela Gilmore at the University of the District of Columbia, Ammina Kothari at Simmons University, Gail Orum-Alexander at Marshall B. Ketchum University, Angela Starkweather at Rutgers University, Theodorea Regina Berry at Montclair State University, Sheila Whitley at North Carolina A&T State University, Donna Stoddard at Babson College, and Jessica Huber at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College.
A Change in Leadership at Columbia University
Dr. Minouche Shafik, who began her presidency last year, faced national criticism for her response to on-campus student protests regarding the war in Gaza. She announced her immediate resignation on August 14. Dr. Katrina Armstrong, an administrator with Columbia’s medical school, will serve as interim president.
Cristie Kedroski to Lead Northwest Florida State College
Since 2010, Dr. Kedroski has overseen the Northwest Florida State College Foundation. During her tenure, the college’s assets have grown by more than 70 percent.
Stephanie Nesbitt Named Provost of Utica University in New York
Nesbitt has been an academic leader with Utica University for more than a decade, including serving as interim provost for the past year.
Holley Roberts to Oversee Academic Affairs at Georgia College & State University
Dr. Roberts brings nearly two-decades of experience as an educator and administrator at Georgia College and State University to her new role. She will begin her new position on August 19.
Three Women Appointed Deans at Universities
The new deans are Jeannine Dingus-Eason at Rider University, Penny Bishop at Boston University, and Vanessa Lopez-Littleton at the University of Washington Bothell.
Monica Williams Named First President of Texas Woman’s University at Houston
“I look forward to working with the university community and building on a legacy of excellence by producing more talented professionals who will make our community and the state of Texas stronger,” said Dr. Williams.
Emily Cutrer to Lead Sonoma State University in California
Dr. Cutrer’s new appointment marks a return to the California State University System, where she previously served as provost of California State University, San Marcos. Most recently, she served as president of Texas A&M University-Texarkana.
Rose Mince Named President of Carroll Community College in Maryland
Dr. Mince brings nearly four decades of community college leadership to her new role, including seven years as a senior administrator at Carroll Community College.
Neha Vapiwala Will Head the American Society for Radiation Oncology
Over the next four years, Dr. Vapiwala will serve one-year terms as the national organization’s president-elect, president, chair of the board of directors, and immediate past chair, respectively.
Ann Schmiesing to Lead the University of Colorado Denver
Dr. Schmiesing brings three decades of administrative and academic experience at the University of Colorado Boulder to her new position. Most recently, she has been serving as the vice chancellor for academic resources management.
Teresa Rich to Lead Yakima Valley College in Washington
Dr. Rich has spent the past 18 years as vice president for administrative services at Yakima Valley College. She will begin her new role as interim president on August 1.
Ten Women Selected for Dean Positions at Colleges and Universities
Here is this week’s roundup of women who have been appointed to new dean positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@WIAReport.com.
Maria Pharr Named First Woman President of Pitt Community College in North Carolina
Dr. Pharr’s new appointment marks a return to Pitt Community College, where she previously served as the assistant vice president of academic affairs. She has been serving as president of South Piedmont Community College in Polkton, North Carolina.
Two Women Named Chancellor of University of Hawai’i System Community Colleges
The University of Hawai’i System has appointed Margaret Sanchez as chancellor of Kaua’i Community College and Susan Kazama as chancellor of Hawai’i Community College.
Maisha Handy Named President of the McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago
Dr. Handy was the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in religion from Emory University. She will become the first African American president of McCormick Theological Seminary on September 3.
Lori Barber Appointed the Second President of the College of Eastern Idaho
For the past five years, Dr. Barber has served as the College of Eastern Idaho’s vice president of academic and student affairs. In this role, she led the college through a seven-year accreditation reaffirmation and the establishment of two applied bachelor’s degree programs.
Debra Townsley Selected to Lead Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania
With a notable background in higher education leadership, Dr. Townsley brings over four decades of experience to her new position. She previously served as president of both William Peace University and Nichols College, as well as interim president of Laboure College.
