Hired
William McCormick, Florida Memorial University
William McCormick has been elevated to permanent president of Florida Memorial University, following a one-year stint in the interim role. He is the first alumnus of the Miami-based HBCU to serve as executive leader.
McCormick has been lauded for his “visionary leadership, decisive management, and heartfelt commitment” to the institution.
However, the new president’s promotion is not without controversy. Seven sitting members of Florida Memorial University’s Board of Trustees declared the vote to elevate McCormick illegitimate, according to a statement by the former interim chair. However, a district judge threw out the lawsuit due to insubstantial evidence.
Retiring
James Birge, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
James Birge, president of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for the past decade, announced that this will be his final academic year before retirement.
In an email acquired by the Berkshire Eagle, Birge noted his accomplishments in launching several majors in nursing and radiologic technology, while also expanding dual enrollment programs fro K12 students.
The president will wrap up a 40-year career in higher education upon retirement.
Marsha Danielson, Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State College Southeast President Marsha Danielson announced her plans to retire at the end of the academic year. She will have concluded five years as president and 30 years working for the Minnesota State system at the time of her retirement.
In her last year as president, Danielson plans to enhance the institution’s data analysis in enrollment management, as well as strengthen strategic communications and marketing with prospective students, Winona Post reports.
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Among Danielson’s biggest accomplishments are expanding college accessibility for K12 students and increasing student support services. For example, the president created new food pantries for students, 24/7 mental health services and eased transfer pathways to Winona State University, a nearby four-year university.
Bethami Dobkin, Westminster University (Utah)
Utah’s longest-serving college president, Bethami Dobkin, announced her retirement from Westminster University at the end of the academic year.
President since 2018, Dobkin led the transition from Westminster College to Westminster University to reflect the institution’s expanded academic offerings in professional, graduate and doctoral programs, Deseret News reports.
Other accomplishments include:
- Over $70 million in fundraising
- Capital projects on a new theatrical center and wellness center
- Founding a new mental health center offering free services for all students and supervision hours for aspiring clinical practitioners
David Livingston, Lewis University (Ill.)
David Livington is retiring from Lewis University at the end of the academic year after long and careful consideration with his family. President since 2016, Livingston is credited with record-breaking enrollment, doubling the institution’s endowment and overseeing the merger with St. Augustine College, Patch reports.
Charlotte Warren, Lincoln Land Community College (Ill.)
Charlotte Warren plans to retire from Lincoln Land Community College next June, capping off a 20-year tenure. The two-year school credits Warren with overseeing the establishment of four new facilities and the renovation of nine others, as well as securing millions of dollars in gift and grant funding.
Stepping down
Michael Schill, Northwestern University (Ill.)
Michael Schill resigned from Northwestern University last week, concluding a turbulent three-year tenure marred by political pressure and campus protests.
Under Schill’s leadership, Northwestern first came under political scrutiny after the president testified before a U.S. House subcommittee about antisemitism on campus. The Trump administration then opened a civil rights investigation into the school, freezing nearly $800 billion in funding. The move forced Schill to freeze hiring and eliminate over 400 staff positions in July.
“Our community has made significant progress while simultaneously facing extraordinary challenges,” Schill said in a statement. “Together, we have made decisions that strengthened the institution and helped safeguard its future.”
Laura Walker, Bennington College (Vt.)
Laura Walker will not be renewing her contract at Bennington College and will step down as president at the end of the fall term, according to the leader’s LinkedIn post.
“Our work has included doubling the number of applicants, graduating Bennington’s largest-ever class, and achieving dramatic increases in fundraising revenue, including the largest gift in the college’s history,” she wrote.
Walker will step into an advisory role for the college’s board of trustees, where she will work on new revenue projects and fundraising.
