Five Women Appointed to Administrative Leadership Positions at Universities

Susan Kerry has been named vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at Hamline University in Minnesota. She has nearly three decades of higher education experience, most recently serving as chief financial officer at Michigan Technological University.

Kerry holds a bachelor’s degree in business and higher education administration from Northwestern University in Illinois and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Carla Panzella has been officially appointed vice provost for student affairs at the University of Pittsburgh after holding the position on an interim basis since January. Prior to her interim appointment, she served the university as associate vice provost for two years and dean of students for three years.

Dr. Panzella is a graduate of Saint Peter’s University in New Jersey, where she majored in psychology. She holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology and leadership from Columbia University and a Ph.D. in higher education from Seton Hall University in New Jersey.

Kristina L. Durocher has been named the inaugural visual arts director for the University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center. She has served as director of the Museum of Art at the University of New Hampshire for more than decade. Additionally, she currently serves as president of the Association of Academic Museum and Galleries.

Durocher is a graduate of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she received dual bachelor’s degrees in art history and painting. She holds a master’s degree in art history from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Alyssa Wilcox has been appointed chair of the University Campaign Planning Committee at Purdue University in Indiana. She has been with the university for over a decade. Alongside her new appointment, she will retain her current role as chief of staff in the Office of the President and senior vice president for partnerships.

Wilcox holds a bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.

Michelle Knudsen has been named chief investment officer at New York University. She has served as the senior portfolio manager at the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for the past five years. Previously, she held financial management and analyst positions with Partners Capital Investment Group and Goldman Sachs.

Knudsen is a graduate of Stanford University in California.