Seven Women Appointed to New Administrative Positions in Higher Education

Wendy Cook has been appointed vice president of student access and success at Nash Community College in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She has been with the community college since 2023, serving as dean of student access and enrollment. Earlier, she worked for Wake Technical Community College.

Dr. Cook received her bachelor’s degree in middle-grades education from North Carolina State University, a master’s degree in counselor education from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, and a doctorate in community college leadership from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

Samantha Campbell has been selected to serve as interim associate vice president of Utah State University-Moab. A staff member with the university for more than a decade, she currently serves as the associate campus director and director of student services for the Moab campus.

Campbell holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Westminster University in Utah and an MBA from Utah State University.

Nikki Pantera has been promoted from deputy general counsel to general counsel at Boise State University in Idaho. She first joined the university in 2014 as associate general counsel. Earlier, she practiced law with Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley and clerked for Justice Jim Jones at the Idaho Supreme Court.

Pantera received her bachelor’s degree and law degree from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.

Brandy Salmon has been promoted from associate vice president to vice president for innovation and partnerships at Virginia Tech. She has held several key administrative roles at the university, including executive director for business engagement and managing director for Virginia Tech’s operations in Alexandria, Virginia.

Dr. Salmon holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, an MBA from Duke University, and a doctorate in microbiology and immunology from Cornell University.

Alison Chandler has been appointed assistant provost of student success at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. With 20 years of progressive experience in student success, inclusive campus environments, and serving underrepresented populations, her career spans academic advising, student support, academic affairs, university teaching, and administrative leadership.

Dr. Chandler holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Spelman College in Atlanta, a master’s degree in educational psychology and counselor education from Tennessee Tech University, a master’s degree in academic advising from Kansas State University, and both an educational specialist degree and doctorate in higher education leadership from National Louis University in Chicago.

Meredith Stewart has been promoted from interim vice president to permanent vice president and chief human resources officer at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She first joined the university in 2016 as the inaugural executive director for total rewards. Prior to Johns Hopkins, she was vice president of total rewards at the Algeco Scotsmans Group.

Stewart received her bachelor’s degree and MBA from the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Ann Schmiesing has been named senior vice chancellor for strategic initiatives at the University of Colorado Boulder. She had been serving in this capacity on an interim basis since March. A faculty member and administrator with the university for nearly three decades, she recently completed a stint as interim chancellor of the University of Colorado Denver.

Dr. Schmiesing received her bachelor’s degree from Willamette University. She holds a master’s degree in comparative literature from the University of Washington and a Ph.D. in German from Cambridge University in England.

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