Updates on accolades, career shifts and changes among our members!

2024

Board member Mel Netzhammer, Chancellor of Washington State University Vancouver, has announced his retirement, effective at the end of the 2024-25 academic year. Read the announcement.

Patricia Rogers, who has led Lake Superior College as president for the past five years, announced that she will retire on June 30, 2025. Read the announcement.

Charlita Shelton, formerly Chief of Staff to the President at Gonzaga University, started a new position on June 10 as Interim Vice President of Equity and Belonging at Central Washington University. Read more here.

Several of our members have contributed to a new ACE publication, “Voices from the Field 2024: LGBTQ+ Presidents in Higher Education.” Interviews with founder Ray Crossman, Board members, Erika Endrijonas and Richard Helldobler, as well as DeRionne Pollard and John C. Hernandez were conducted by Angel de Jesus Gonzalez. Get the publication here.

Richard Helldobler, Board President and President of William Paterson University, has been named the winner of the Reginald Wilson Diversity award from the American Council on Education. The award is given for “outstanding contributions and demonstrated sustained commitment to diversity in higher education.” Read the announcement.

Board member Lori Ciccomascolo has been named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Springfield College, starting July 8, 2024. See the announcement.

Congratulations to Christopher Reber, President of Hudson County Community College, has been named CEO of the Year by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Read the announcement here.

2023

Tyler Hough, executive director of the Chicago Center for Urban Life and Culture, will lead The Philadelphia Center as part of a new management partnership with Albion College.

Board member and Past-President, Erika Endrijonas begins her tenure as Superintendent-President at Santa Barbara City College on August 1, 2023. She previously served SBCC as the Dean of Career and Technical Services from 2000 to 2009. Read more here.

Former Executive Director, Terry L. Allison, retired from Indiana University South Bend in May 2023. He was named Professor Emeritus of English and Chancellor Emeritus of that campus. Terry plans to attend the Leadership Institute this fall. In the meantime, he and his husband, Sylvain Hétu, are finally able to combine households and are looking for a new home in Montreal.

Board member, Angelica Garcia, has been named Superintendent/President at Santa Rosa Junior College. She has been President of Berkeley City College since 2020. She will begin her new duties on July 1, 2023. Read the announcement here.

Raymond Crossman, one of the founders of the LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education and a former co-chair of the board, has announced that he is leaving his position as President of Adler University in June 2024. See more.

Joe Bertolino, President of Southern Connecticut State University since 2016, will become President at Stockton University in Galloway, New Jersey on July 1, 2023. See more.

David Doré was appointed Chancellor of the 23-campus Virginia Community College System. He is scheduled to start in the role in April. He currently serves as president of campuses and executive vice chancellor for student experience and workforce development at Pima Community College in Arizona. See more.

2022

Sean Burke has been named Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs of Alma College in Alma, Michigan starting on June 1, 2023. Dr. Burke is currently Associate Provost at Luther College.

F. Patrick Robinson was named President of the Research College of Nursing, in Kansas City, Missouri. He began his duties on June 1, 2022. He previously served as the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Arizona College in Phoenix, Arizona.

Elizabeth Hillman was named as the President and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. She most recently served as the President of Mills College.

Margaret Drugovich will retire from 13 years in the Presidency of Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York during the summer of 2022.

Ryan Evely Gildersleeve has been named the dean of the College of Education at Eastern Michigan University. Gildersleeve joins EMU after serving as associate dean in the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver.

Carole Goldsmith moved to the district office to assume her new role as Chancellor of State Center Community College District in Fresno, California. Dr. Goldsmith most recently was President of Fresno City College.

Susan Henking has been named Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs of Wells College in Aurora, New York starting on July 1, 2022. Dr. Henking most recently was Interim President at Salem College.

2021

Matthew Derr, President of Sterling College in Craftsbury, Vermont ended his ten-year tenure in October. Matthew plans to write and do consulting work.

Mark Burstein retired from the Presidency of Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Burstein is now President Emeritus and plans to take a sabbatical year.

Kristin Esterberg is now Chancellor of the University of Washington, Bothell. Dr. Esterberg most recently was President of The State University of New York, Potsdam.

Maria Gallo is now Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin, River Falls. Dr. Gallo most recently was President of Delaware Valley University.

Richard Hopper has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship in Ukraine. Dr. Hopper most recently was President of Kennebec Valley Community College.

Larry Johnson, Jr. is now President of Guttman Community College in New York City. Dr. Johnson most recently was President of Phoenix College.

Mark Ojakian retired from the Presidency of Connecticut State Colleges & Universities.

DeRionne Pollard is now President of Nevada State College. Dr. Pollard most recently was President of Montgomery College.

2020

• Terry Allison, Ph.D. is now Executive Director of LGBTQ Presidents in Higher Education. Dr. Allison remains Professor of English at Indiana University, South Bend.
• Lisa Avery, Ph.D. is now President of Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon. Dr. Avery most recently was President of Portland Community College, Sylvania.
• Trenda Boyum-Breen, Ed.D. is now Chair of the Board of Trustees of Jeremiah Program in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, whose mission is to end the cycle of poverty for single mothers and their children two generations at a time. Dr. Boyum-Breen is also President Emerita of Rasmussen College.
• Allan Cahoon, Ph.D. is now Acting President of Sofia University in California. Dr. Cahoon most recently was President and Vice-Chancellor of Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
• Marge Connelly is now Chair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Ms. Connelly is retired from the Interim Presidency at Longwood University.
• Charles Flynn, Jr., Ph.D. retired from the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, New York. Dr. Flynn is now President Emeritus.
• Ralph Hexter, Ph.D. stepped down as Provost and Interim Chancellor of the University of California, Davis. Dr. Hexter remains Distinguished Professor of Classics and Comparative Literature.
• Kristina Johnson, Ph.D. is now President of The Ohio State University. Dr. Johnson most recently was Chancellor of the State University of New York.
• Raynard Kington, M.D. is now Head of School at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Dr. Kington most recently was President of Grinnell College.
• Gail Mellow, Ph.D. is now Executive Director of the New York Jobs CEO Council, a new coalition of employers, educational institutions, and community organizations across New York City to create opportunities for underserved New Yorkers—especially low-income and diverse communities—to access good jobs and climb up the economic ladder as businesses grow. Dr. Mellow most recently was President of LaGuardia Community College.
• Donald Straney, Ph.D. retired from the Vice Presidency for Academic Planning and Policy of the University of Hawai’i.
• Edward Summers, Ph.D. founded The Thinkubator, a local entity focused on bringing power to Bronx, New York youth voices through internships, work-based learning experiences, and a Youth Council. Dr. Summers most recently was Executive Director of The Bronx Private Industry Council.
• Ramon Torrecilha, Ph.D. retired from the Presidency of Westfield State University in Massachusetts.
• Karen Whitney, Ph.D. is now Interim Chancellor of the University of Illinois, Springfield. Dr. Whitney most recently was Interim Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.