Hired
Eduardo M. Peñalver – Georgetown University
Peñalver, now the president of Seattle University and former dean of Cornell Law School, has been selected as the 49th president of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He takes his new office on July 1.
Peñalver opened Seattle University’s Cornish College of the Arts. Also during his tenure, the institution received the largest gift of art ever given to a U.S. university. The donation will be used to establish the Seattle University Museum of Art
At Cornell, Peñalver raised funds to double the law school’s spending on financial aid to expand student access. By the end of his term, more than 40% of students graduated debt-free—an increase from about 12% when he began.
“President Peñalver is an exceptional leader steeped in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition who brings a wealth of experience in higher education, a global mindset, a commitment to social justice and academic excellence, and a bold vision for Georgetown’s future,” Thomas A. Reynolds, chair of Georgetown’s board of directors, said in a campus message.
Christian E. Hardigree – Texas A&M University–Victoria
Hardigree takes her post at the time of growth for the campus in South Texas. She was previously regional chancellor of the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus and a member of the OneUSF executive team, overseeing academic programs, operations and a $130 million capital portfolio.
She was the founding dean of the School of Hospitality at Metropolitan State University of Denver and the founding director of the Michael A. Leven School of Culinary Sustainability & Hospitality at Kennesaw State University.
Texas A&M–Victoria joined the A&M System on Sept. 1, 2025, becoming the system’s 12th regional university.
Jennifer Chrisler – Hampshire College
Chrisler was promoted to president of the Massachusetts school after serving as interim leader for the past three months. Chrisler’s 30-plus-year career has spanned the fields of private and public education, electoral politics and LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
Chrisler has been at Hampshire since 2019, serving as chief advancement officer and vice president of institutional support. She is credited with rebuilding the advancement and development operations and securing some of the largest gifts in the college’s history. She also led Hampshire’s rebranding.
Chrisler was previously vice chancellor for advancement at UMass Dartmouth and vice president of alumnae relations at Smith College. From 2005 to 2013, she led the Family Equality Council, a nonprofit that advocates for LGBTQIA+ families.
Chris Olsen – Northern Michigan University
Olsen will become the 19th president of Northern Michigan University on Jan. 1. He has been Indiana State University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs since 2021, and previously as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and chair of the Department of History.
Indiana State University reached all-time highs in student retention and graduation rates, and record enrollment in the Honors College during Olsen’s tenure.
Brent White – Golden Gate University
White begins his term on Nov. 1 as the eighth president of the San Francisco institution, which specializes in career-focused education in law, business, technology, taxation and public service.
White is the chief global officer at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a professor at the William S. Richardson School of Law. He previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Golden Gate University and vice president for global affairs and dean of global education at the University of Arizona.
Retiring
Charles L. Karr – The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Karr will retire in May 2026 after joining The University of Alabama in Huntsville as interim president in 2021 and president since 2021. The university credited Karr with advancing its academic mission, strengthening its research enterprise and and expanding facilities. He previously spent 26 years at the University at Alabama, including a term as dean of the College of Engineering.
Charles W. Lindsay – Elmira College
Lindsay will retire at the end of the 2025–26 academic year, having led the New York school for eight years.
Elmira College has strengthened its financial position, grown enrollment, and advanced student success. It has also significantly reduced institutional debt, achieved notable fundraising increases and secured reaccreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the institution said of Lindsay’s presidency.
The college has also expanded its career focused programs.
Roger W. Schultz – Mt. San Jacinto College
Schultz is stepping down after 18 years as president and superintendent of the Southern California college district. Under his leadership, the college expanded from two campuses to three, opening new facilities in San Jacinto, Menifee and Temecula, the college noted.
Schultz oversaw the historic enrollment gains, record-breaking graduation numbers, the passage of a $295 million local bond and the construction of new academic and athletic spaces.
Eye on enrollment: Early numbers suggest international student downturn this fall
