College President’s Report November-December 2020
Appointments
Cal State Northridge Appoints Next President
The California State University Board has appointed Erika D. Beck to become the next president of Cal State Northridge. Beck is the current president of Cal State Channel Islands and will begin her new role on January 11th, 2021.
New President Selected at Case Western Reserve
Eric W. Kaler has been selected to become the next president at Case Western Reserve. Kaler previously served as the University of Minnesota’s president. He will replace Barbara Snyder on July 21st, 2021.
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Mount Saint Vincent Appoints Next Leader
Current VP of Academic Affairs, Susan R. Burns, has been selected to become the sixth president of the College of Mont Saint Vincent. Burns will succeed Charles L. Flynn who is retiring. She will begin her tenure as president on January 1st, 2021.
Connecticut College System Provost to Become Interim President
Jane McBride Gates has been approved by the UConn State College and University Board to become the system’s new interim president. Gates currently serves as the system’s senior VP for academic and student affairs. She will replace Mark Ojakian who is retiring on December 31st.
New President Appointed at Harford CC
Theresa Felder has been selected to become the 10th president of Harford Community College. Felder will replace Dianna Phillips, who resigned last February. She will begin her tenure on January 1st.
Lakeland University Announces New President
Beth Borgen has been promoted from executive VP to President at Lakeland College. Borgen is the school’s first female president and will begin her roll immediately.
Hofstra Board Announces New Leadership
Hofstra University has announced current provost for the University of Chicago, Dr. Susan Poser, as the school’s next president. Poser will become the school’s first female president starting in August.
Law School Dean New President at Seattle University
Current Cornell Law School Dean, Eduardo M. Penalver, has been named the next president at Seattle University. Penalver will begin his new post as president on July 1st, 2021.
St. John’s Announces New Presidet
Former president of Providence College, Rev. Brian J. Shanley, has been selected as the next president at St. John’s University. Rev. Shanley will replace Conrad Gempesaw, who will retire in June 2021.
New President at Western Illinois
The Board of Trustees at Western Illinois has voted to approve Dr. Guiyou Huang as the university’s next president. Huang currently serves as president at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He became W. Illinois’ 12th president on the first of this year (2021).
Wichita State Appoints Interim Leader
Dr. Richard Muma has been named by the Kansas Board of Regents as interim president at Wichita State. Muma is the current provost and replaced acting President Jay Golden. Golden resigned last September.
Retirements
Belmont University President Announces Retirement
Longtime Belmont University President, Bob Fisher, will retire at the end of the 2020-21 academic year. Fisher has served as Belmont’s leader for over two decades. In that time Fisher doubled the school’s undergraduate enrollment and added grad programs.
Mellon Retiring from Carlow University
President Suzanne Mellon has announced her plans to retire as leader at Carlow University. Mellon has served the school for the last eight years. She plans to officially leave on June 30th, 2021.
Clayton State President to Retire
Dr. Thomas Hynes Jr. informed students that he will retire as president from Clayton State University. Hynes has led the school since February 2010. His tenure will end on June 30th 2021.
Flagler President Announces Retirement
President Joseph G. Joyner will retire after the 2020-21 academic year. Joyner joined the school in 2017. A national search is currently underway to find Flagler’s next president.
Victor to Retire from Mercyhurst
President Michael T. Victor has announced his plans to retire from Mercyhurst University this June. Victor began his tenure as the school’s 12th president in August of 2015. A search for the next president is currently underway.
SW Oklahoma State President Retiring
President Randy Beutler has announced plans to retire from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Beutler has served as the university’s president since February of 2010.
Resignations
Texas A&M President Resigning Earlier than Expected
President Michael Young has announced his plans to leave his roll as president at Texas A&M. Young previously said he would resign in May of 2021, however he stepped down on December 31st 2020. Current chair of the engineering school, Dr. John L. Junkins, has stepped in as interim president until a replacement is found.
Florida State University President Resigns
John Thrasher has announced that he will be stepping down as president at Florida State. Thrasher has served as president since 2014 and will remain in office until a new president is announced.
University of Washington Tacoma Chancellor Stepping Down
President Mark Pagano has announced plans to resign from UW Tacoma. Pagano cited family reasons as the reason for stepping down. He will serve the rest of this academic year as chancellor.
VMI Superintendent Resigns
Army Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III has resigned as president of the Virginia Military Institute after an investigation into “ongoing structural racism” at the school. Peay has served as leader of VMI for the last 17 years.
Northern Arizona President Announces Resignation
Rita Cheng has announced her plan to leave NAU after six years as president. Cheng replaced John Haeger in 2001 as the school’s 16th president. She will serve until a new leader is named.
