Pippa Jack has been appointed editor of the Yale Alumni Magazine. She has extensive experience in higher education, previously serving as editor of the Brown Alumni Magazine and editor-in-chief of the University of Rhode Island Magazine. She has also held senior editorial positions at Rhode Island Monthly magazine and the Block Island Times.
Jack studied classics at Oxford University in the United Kingdom before earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Sandy Barbour has been named interim athletic director at Utah State University. Her background includes over four decades of experience as a coach and college administrator. Previously, she was vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Pennsylvania State University. More recently, she served as a senior advisor for intercollegiate athletics at the Huron Consulting Group.
Barbour holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Massachusetts, and an MBA from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
Windy Ann Mack Stephenson has been named executive director of academic and scholarship services for the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College at South Carolina State University. With over 20 years of professional experience, her career has focused on advancing gifted education, educational equity, and community leadership.
Dr. Stephenson holds a bachelor’s degree from South Carolina State University, a master’s degree from Northern Illinois University, and a doctorate from Capella University.
Jackie McClanahan has been officially appointed human resources division director for the division of facilities at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, following one year of interim service in the role. She has been with the university since 2017, serving in various leadership roles in the Pamplin College of Business, the division of human resources, and the division of facilities. Earlier, she held human resources positions with New River Community College and Radford University in Virginia.
McClanahan received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and her master’s degree in management and leadership from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Valerie P. Dent has been promoted from interim vice chancellor to permanent vice chancellor for community colleges for the State University of New York System. Prior to her new role, she served as SUNY’s associate vice chancellor and chief deputy for student success. Before joining SUNY, she was first deputy commissioner for the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Dent holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and a juris doctorate from Columbia University in New York City.
Keli Zinn has been named director of intercollegiate athletics for Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New York. She comes to her new role from Louisiana State University, where she was executive deputy athletic director and chief operating officer. Prior to LSU, she served in senior leadership roles with the University of Maryland and West Virginia University.
Zinn received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree both in sport management from West Virginia University.
Christa Burgess has been appointed senior associate athletic director at Augsburg University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Most recently, she was athletic director at Trinity Washington University in Washington, D.C. Before transitioning her career to higher education, she taught health and physical education and directed athletics at JC Nalle Elementary School in Washington, D.C.
Burgess holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Trinity Washington University and a master’s degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University.
Deborah Keyek-Franssen has been joined the University of Oregon as associate vice provost for UO Online and continuing and professional education. With over two decades of experience in education, she most recently served as associate vice president and dean of university connected learning at the University of Utah. Earlier, she was associate vice president for digital education and engagement in academic technology at the University of Colorado.
Dr. Keyek-Franssen is a graduate of Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in German. She holds a master’s degree in Germanic languages and literatures, a second master’s degree in higher and postsecondary education, and a Ph.D. in Germanic languages and literatures from the University of Michigan.
Sonia De La Torre has been appointed vice president of student services at Fullerton College in California. Her background includes 24 years of experience in higher education, student advocacy, and equity-centered leadership. Most recently, she was dean of student equity at Long Beach City College. She has also served in student affairs leadership positions at Scripps College in California.
Dr. De La Torre holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, a master’s degree in educational counseling and guidance from California State University, San Bernardino, and a doctorate in educational leadership from California State University, Long Beach.