College Presidents Report April-May 2025
Averett University Selects 16th President
Dr. Thomas Powell has been selected to serve as President of Averett University. He succeeds Acting President Venita Mitchell who stepped into the position following the sudden resignation of President David Joyce citing family health issues. Powell is the former President of Mount Saint Mary’s University.
Bethany College Welcomes President
Dr. Laura Crawley has been named as President of Bethany College in Kansas. She assumes the role from Interim President Steve Eckman who has served since President Elizabeth Mauch resigned to accept the role of Chancellor of Vermont State Colleges System.
Bradley University Welcomes Alumnus as President
Mr. James A. Shadid has been chosen to be President of Bradley University. He takes the helm from Interim President Jonathan Michael who held the position after the resignation of President Stephen Standifird in May of last year. Shadid is a former federal judge and a 1979 Bradley graduate.
Chattahoochee Technical College Appoints President
Chattahoochee Technical College has named Ms. Heather Pence to serve as President. She has served as Interim President since September 2024 following the retirement of President Ron Newcomb. Pence previously served as Executive Vice President for the college.
CUNY York College Selects President
Dr. Claudia Schrader has been selected to serve as President of CUNY York College. She has served as Interim President since President Bernecia Johnson Eanes stepped down to accept the presidency at Cal State Los Angeles. Schrader most recently served as President of Kingsborough Community College since 2018.
Governors State University Appoints Interim President
Dr. Corey Bradford has been selected to serve as President of Governors State University. He succeeds President Cheryl Green who retired due to health issues. Green passed away six weeks after her retirement. Bradford most recently served as Vice President of Administration and Finance for the university.
Hood College Announces 12th President
Dr. Deborah Ricker has been chosen to serve as President of Hood College. She assumes the position after serving as Interim President since July 2024 when then President Andrea Chapdelaine resigned to accept the presidency at Connecticut College. Ricker previously served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs for the college.
Jackson State University Appoints Interim President
Jackson State University has named Dr. Denise Jones Gregory to serve as Interim President. She steps into the position after the resignation of President Marcus Thompson. Gregory serves the university as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Landmark College Appoints 5th President
Dr. Jim Dlugos has been selected to serve as President of Landmark College. He has been serving as Interim President since July when President Peter Eden stepped down to accept the presidency at Franklin Pierce University. Prior, Dlugos served as President of St. Joseph’s College of Maine for 11 years.
Midland University Welcomes 17th President
Dr. Aly Williams has been selected as President of Midland University. She succeeds President Jody Horner who served as President since 2015. Williams most recently held the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Northland Community and Technical College Announces President
Dr. Shari Olson has been selected to serve as President of Northland Community and Technical College. She has served as Interim President since July 2024. Olson succeeds President Sandra Kidoo who served in the role since 2021.
Oklahoma State University Appoints 20th President
Dr. Jim Hess has been selected to serve as President of Oklahoma State University. He has served as Interim President since February after President Kayse Shrum stepped down. Hess most recently served as Vice Provost at OSU Center for Health Sciences.
Park University Names Interim President
Dr. Kathrine Swanson has been selected to serve as Interim President of Park University. She succeeds President Shane Smeed who resigned to accept the presidency at Utah Tech University. Swanson is the former President of Metropolitan Community College Longview.
Pasco-Hernando State College Appoints Acting President
Ms. Andrea Brvenik has been selected to serve as the Acting President of Pasco-Hernando State College. She currently serves as Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel for the college. Brvenik succeeds President Jesse Pisors who resigned amid an enrollment data dispute with the Board of Trustees.
Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Selects Chancellor
Dr. Christopher Fiorentino has been selected to serve as Chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. He has served as Interim President since October 2024 when Chancellor Dan Greenstein stepped down. Prior, Fiorentino held the position of President West Chester University.
Rockingham Community College Names 17th President
Dr. Sylvia Cox has been selected to serve as President of Rockingham Community College. She takes the helm from President Mark Kinlaw who retired after serving in the position for 10 years. Cox previously served as Chief Academic Officer at Southeastern Community College.
Simpson College Appoints Acting President After President’s Death
Mr. Terry Handley has been selected to serve as Acting President of Simpson College. He steps into the role after the sudden death of President Jay Byers. Handley currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the university.
Southwest Minnesota State University Appoints Acting President
Ms. Deb Kerkaert has been selected to serve as Acting President of Southwest Minnesota State University. She assumed the position after the retirement of President Kumara Jayasuriya. Kerkaert holds the position of Vice President of Finance and Administration for the university.
University of Michigan Names Interim President
Dr. Domenico Grasso has been named Interim President of the University of Michigan. He takes the helm from President Santa Ono who resigned to accept the presidency at the University of Florida. Grasso has served as the Chancellor of the University of Michigan Dearborn since 2018.
Utah Tech University Names President
Dr. Shane Smeed has been chosen to serve as President of Utah Tech University. He succeeds Interim President Courtney White who filled the position since January 2024 when President Biff Williams resigned. Smeed most recently occupied the position of President of Park University.
Washington State University Welcomes 12th President
Dr. Betsy Cantwell has been selected to serve as President of Washington State University. She takes the helm from President Kirk Schultz who resigned after nine years. Cantwell arrives from Utah State University where she served as President since 2024.