All Entries in the "Leadership" Category
Seven Women Scholars Appointed to New Dean Positions
The new deans are Pearl Sandick at the University of Utah, Mo Zell at the University of Hawaiʻi, Rebecca Bott-Knutson at Virginia Tech, Jessica Lang at Fordham University, Kimberly R. Moffitt at Howard University, Kate Murphy at California Polytechnic State University, and Sarah Clark at Brigham Young University.
Heather Hulburt Norris Elected Chancellor of Appalachian State University
After leading the institution on an interim basis for the past year, Dr. Heather Norris has been named the permanent chancellor of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
Michelle Larson Named the First Woman President of Clarkson University
Michelle B. Larson, an astrophysicist and experienced academic professional, has spent the past decade leading The Adler Planetarium in Chicago. She is slated to become Clarkson University’s first woman president on April 1.
Laura Crawley Appointed President of Bethany College in Kansas
“I am truly excited and honored to join the Bethany College community,” said Dr. Crawley. “The college’s strong values of faith, service, and academic excellence deeply resonate with my commitment to supporting students and fostering growth.”
University of Richmond Law School Dean Wendy Perdue to Step Down in 2026
Since assuming her role as dean of the University of Richmond School of Law in 2011, Perdue has helped the school develop new academic offerings, secure new funding, expand its alumni network, and enhance its infrastructure.
New Dean Appointments for Eight Women in Higher Education
Here is this week’s roundup of women who have been appointed to new dean positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@WIAReport.com.
Shannon Lundeen Named President of Stephens College in Missouri
“The opportunity to lead an innovative and values-driven community that champions women and provides all students with an inclusive, transformational education is an incredible honor,” said Dr. Lundeen. “I am eager to join this dynamic, dedicated community and shape a bold and thriving future for Stephens College.”
Four Women Appointed President of Professional Academic Organizations
Patricia Brooks of the City University of New York, Madeline Clark of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Victoria Kress of Youngstown State University in Ohio, and Rowan Lockwood of the College of William and Mary in Virginia have been elected president of professional academic organizations in their respective disciplines.
Three Women Scholars Appointed to Dean Positions
The new deans are Paula Song at Ohio State University, Lisa Powell at Sweet Briar College in Virginia, and Nicola Mason at Morehead State University in Kentucky.
Four Women Professors Selected to Chair Departments in Academia
The new department chairs are Natalie Sowell at Spelman College in Atlanta, Jennifer Sacheck at Brown University in Rhode Island, Christine Chung at the University of California, San Diego, and Isabella Grumbach at the University of Oklahoma.
Lise Alschuler Will Be the First Woman President of Sonoran University of Health Sciences
“I am thrilled to lead Sonoran University into its next exciting chapter.,” said Dr. Alschuler. “Together, we will shape the future of health sciences education rooted in the healing power of nature.”
Wendy Elmore Appointed President of Lamar State College Orange in Texas
For the past five years, Dr. Elmore has served as the community college’s provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs.
A Trio of Women Selected for Provost Appointments at Universities
The new provosts are Jennifer Jacobs Henderson at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, Nicole Sampson at the University of Rochester in New York, and Michelle Mayo at Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
University of South Florida President Rhea Law Announces Intent to Retire
President Law was first appointed to her role on an interim basis in 2021. Since assuming her role, the university has experienced significant growth in enrollment, research, and funding.
Two Women College Presidents Announce Their Retirements
Carlee Drummer, president of Columbia-Greene Community College, and Tara McCrackin, president of the Kendall College of Art and Design, have announced their upcoming retirements.
Amy Gutmann Receives Yale’s Legend in Leadership Award
Dr. Gutmann led the University of Pennsylvania from 2004 to 2022, making her the institution’s longest serving president. After her retirement, she became the first woman to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Germany.
Four Women Appointed to Dean Positions at Universities
The new deans are Elisabeth Burgess at the University of North Georgia, Amber Perrell Slack at Queens University of Charlotte, Sevin Yeltekin at George Washington University, and Amy Nwora at Niagara University in New York.
Andrea Goldsmith Appointed President of Stony Brook University
An electrical engineer, inventor, and author, Dr. Goldsmith currently serves as dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton. She will begin her presidency at Stony Brook University in August.
Stacy Bartlett Named First Woman President of Point University in Georgia
Dr. Bartlett currently serves as Point University’s chief of staff. She is slated to become the university’s first woman president in July.
Audie Klotz Elected President of the International Studies Association
Dr. Klotz has served as a professor of political science at Syracuse University for over two decades. The author of several books, she conducts extensive research on international norms, migration, and foreign policy.
A Trio of Women Scholars Selected for Dean Positions at Colleges and Universities
The new deans are Nita Ahuja at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Malekah Salim-Morgan at Reach University in Oakland, California, and Rebecca Robertson at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, California.
University of Georgia’s Hye Jin Yoon to Lead the American Academy of Advertising
An associate professor of advertising and public relations at the University of Georgia, Dr. Yoon will lead the American Academy of Advertising for three years, serving one-year-terms as president-elect, president, and past-president.
A Change in Leadership at Salish Kootenai College in Montana
Stacey Sherwin has been appointed interim president of Salish Kootenai College in Montana following the resignation of former interim president Michael Munson, who is taking on a new role with Washington State University.
New Provost Appointments for Two Women Leaders at Southern Colleges
Pamela Wilks has been named provost of Paine College in Augusta, Georgia, and Erin McAdams has been named provost of Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina.
Three Women College Presidents Announce Their Resignations
Presidents Gilda Barabino of Olin College of Engineering, Soraya Coley of Cal Poly Pomona, and Kayse Shrum of Oklahoma State University have announced their resignations. All three presidents are the first women to lead their institutions.
Six Women Selected for Dean Appointments at Universities
The new deans are Holly Mercer at the University of Maryland, Holly Lisanby at Arizona State University, Rene Love at Old Dominion University in Virginia, Kelley Bolden Bailey at Florida A&M University, Ayanna Thomas at Tufts University in Massachusetts, and Susan Stone at the University of California, Berkeley.
Jeannette Nuñez to Lead Florida International University
Nuñez is the first Hispanic woman to have served as lieutenant governor of Florida. She has an extensive background in public administration, including governmental affairs in healthcare.
Elizabeth Cantwell Named First Woman President of Washington State University
Dr. Cantwell currently serves as president of Utah State University. Her background includes extensive leadership experience overseeing research initiatives in academia and U.S. national security.
Penn State’s Danielle Conway Appointed President-Elect of the Association of American Law Schools
Professor Conway has led Penn State’s law school for the past six years. Her decades of experience in law school leadership includes academic appointments at the University of Maine and the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa
Four Women Selected for Dean Positions
The new deans are Ana González at Hartnell College in Salinas, California, Aneika Simmons at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, Terri Rebmann at George Mason University in Virginia, and Susan Murin at the University of California, Davis.
Marie Hardin Appointed President of Quinnipiac University in Connecticut
“Quinnipiac is truly a values-drive institution, with outstanding leadership and a faculty and staff who are committed to student success,” said Dr. Hardin, current dean of the Bellisario College of Communications at Pennsylvania State University. She is slated to become Quinnipiac University’s tenth president on July 1.
Colby College in Maine Promotes Professor Denise Bruesewitz to Provost
Denise Bruesewitz has taught in the department of environmental sciences at Colby College for more than a decade. She will assume her new role as the college’s chief academic officer on July 1.
Bennett College President Suzanne Elise Walsh Announces Resignation
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to have led Bennett College through a period of significant transformation,” said President Walsh. “Bennett College is well-situated for its next chapter of growth and impact.”
New Dean Appointments for Four Women in Academia
The new deans are Amanda Haertling Thein at the University of Colorado Boulder, Sarah Soule at Stanford University, Nancy La Vigne at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and Jessica Slaten at Gadsden State Community College in Alabama.
Katia Passerini Named the First Woman President of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington
Upon joining Gonzaga University in July, Dr. Passerini will become the institution’s first woman president. She currently serves as provost at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
