Katie Tarr was promoted to director of athletics and chair of physical education and wellness at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. She has held the role on an interim basis since July 2025. Before her interim appointment, Tarr was the college’s associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator for nearly a decade. She has also served as head coach of the women’s lacrosse and basketball teams.
A graduate of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, Tarr holds a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Pennsylvania.
Sheena J. Cobrand has been selected to serve as interim general counsel and vice chancellor for legal affairs, risk, and compliance at North Carolina A&T State University. Cobrand has been serving as the university’s deputy general counsel and associate vice chancellor. Earlier, she worked in employment law for the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Cobrand received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Florida A&M University and her law degree from Florida State University.
Xiran Yuan was named senior director of visual arts programming and engagement in the College of Liberal Arts and managing director of the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art at Colorado State University. Yuan has been with the university since 2024, serving as director of exhibitions and community engagement in the department of art and art history. Her background includes more than 12 years of experience leading complex, large-scale art projects across museum, architectural, and public contexts.
Yuan earned her bachelor’s degree in visual and environmental studies from Harvard University and her master of fine arts degree in sculpture from the University of Illinois.
Amber Burdge is the director of athletics at Western Colorado University. Dr. Burdge comes to her new role from New Mexico State University, where she most recently served as assistant vice president for student involvement. She previously served as the university’s deputy athletic director for strategic initiatives and leadership, senior associate athletic director for sports administration, deputy Title IX coordinator, and senior woman administrator.
Dr. Burdge received her bachelor’s degree in health and her master’s degree in counseling and student personnel from Oklahoma State University. She holds a doctorate from Louisiana Tech University.
Ally Palmer was appointed community relations director for the Western Wyoming Community College Foundation. As the foundation’s chief development officer, Palmer will oversee strategic fundraising goals, strengthen partnerships with alumni and community organizations, and plan events for donors and students.
Palmer holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Wyoming and a master’s degree in innovation and management from Montana State University.
Sarah Custer has returned to Clemson University as the executive director of emergency management. She previously led the university’s Office of Emergency Management for nearly seven years before leaving to serve as vice president of emergency solutions at Safe Industries. Earlier this year, she founded The Resilience Advocacy Group, which provides executive-level advisory services in emergency management governance and institutional resilience.
Custer holds a bachelor’s degree in emergency and disaster management from the American Military University.
Kate Dorrity was promoted to director of emergency management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dorrity first joined the university in 2021 as assistant director of emergency management. She has also served as assistant director of emergency management and continuity at Indiana University and as assistant director of risk and facilities management at Purdue University in Indiana.
Dorrity holds a bachelor’s degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from Georgia State University.
Brittany Kicklighter has been appointed interim associate athletics director for development and Catamount Club director at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. She first joined the university in April 2025 and has been serving as director of development for athletics major gifts. Her background includes more than 15 years of experience in athletics fundraising, donor engagement, and campaign strategy.
Kicklighter earned her bachelor’s degree in sport and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina.