Hired
Denise Jones Gregory — Jackson State University (Miss.)
After an eight-month national search, Denise Jones Gregory has been selected as the 14th president of Jackson State University.
Gregory has served as interim president since May 2025 and previously held the role of provost and vice president for academic affairs. She was chosen from a pool of 79 applicants following multiple rounds of interviews and a comprehensive vetting process.
A Jackson State alumna, Gregory earned her bachelor’s degree at the university and later completed a doctorate at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
Gregory took the helm of the university during an era of notable leadership turnover. Jackson State’s former president, Marcus Thompson, stepped down after just a year and a half on the job, becoming the eighth president to have come and gone from the HBCU since 2010.
Jeffery Osgood — Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Jeffery Osgood has been named president of Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, effective April 17, 2026.
Osgood has served as interim president since August 2025, overseeing efforts to stabilize operations and redefine the university’s financial and academic direction. Previously, he was executive vice president and provost at West Chester University.
Leaders of Pennsylvania’s higher education system pointed to Osgood’s experience navigating complex systemwide challenges and his focus on collaboration and transparency.
Commonwealth University was created in 2022 through the integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities.
Christopher Reber – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (Penn.)
Christopher Reber has accepted the presidency of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology.
President of Hudson County Community College since 2018, Reber was named Community College CEO of the Year by the American Association of Community Colleges in 2024.
Jeremiah Shinn — University of Montana
Jeremiah Shinn will become the 20th president of the University of Montana on July 1, following a national search conducted by the Montana Board of Regents.
Shinn currently serves as interim president of Boise State University, where he has focused on student engagement, campus partnerships and access initiatives. Prior to Boise State, he held senior leadership roles in student affairs and enrollment management at both Boise State and Louisiana State University.
Montana higher education officials cited Shinn’s collaborative leadership style and commitment to student success as central to his selection.
Retired
Leon Botstein – Bard College (N.Y.)
Leon Botstein, president of Bard College for half a century, announced his plans to retire following an independent investigation into his longtime relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, AP News reports.
“In his public statements and his statements to the Bard community, President Botstein minimized and was not fully accurate in describing his relationship with Epstein,” the review said.
The investigation concluded that Botsein was not involved in any sexual offenses committed against women. The longtime president used his relationship with Epstein to raise funds for the college, such as a $150,000 donation in 2016.
“President Botstein forcefully argues that Bard’s need for funds was paramount. His view was, ‘I would take money from Satan if it permitted me to do God’s work,’” the review said.
Botsein’s relationship with the disgraced financier first came to light following documents released publicly by the U.S. Department of Justice, The New York Times reports.
Botstein, president of Bard since 1975, will retire at the end of the academic year.
Susan M. Donovan — Bellarmine University (Ky.)
Susan M. Donovan will retire as president of Bellarmine University at the conclusion of her contract in summer 2027, ending a decade in the role.
Donovan became Bellarmine’s fourth president in 2017 and led the university through a period of national recognition. During her tenure, Bellarmine transitioned to NCAA Division I athletics and earned Carnegie classifications for community engagement and economic mobility.
She also led Bellarmine through its most successful funding year in history.
Para M. Jones — Stark State College (Ohio)
Para M. Jones will retire as president of Stark State College on June 30, 2027, concluding 14 years in the role.
Jones led efforts focused on workforce alignment, student success and regional economic engagement. During her tenure, the college expanded dual opportunities with neighboring K12 districts, strengthened employer partnerships and achieved strong fiscal stability, including debt reduction and reserve growth.
The board is working with AGB Search to conduct a national search. Jones will remain in office through the transition period.
Charles L. Karr — University of Alabama in Huntsville
Charles L. Karr will retire as president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville in May 2026, concluding more than 30 years in higher education leadership.
Karr joined the university as interim president in 2021 and was named president in 2022. His tenure included expanded research activity, new capital projects and efforts to enhance student recruitment and academic quality.
University officials credited Karr with strengthening the school’s ties to the region and advancing its role within the University of Alabama System.
Ed Meadows — Pensacola State College (Fla.)
After serving as president since 2008, Ed Meadows has announced plans to retire from Pensacola State College on Dec. 31, WEAR TV reports. His presidency spanned nearly two decades, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in the Florida College System.
Ioannis Miaoulis — Roger Williams University (R.I.)
Ioannis Miaoulis will retire as president of Roger Williams University on May 31, closing seven years of leadership.
During his tenure, the university expanded experiential learning, strengthened its presence in Providence and advanced initiatives tied to law, justice and public service.
Roger Williams also secured $20 million for its architecture school, the largest gift in school history, during Miaoulis’ presidency.
Stepping down
Tim Sands — Virginia Tech
After 12 years as president, Tim Sands has announced plans to step down from Virginia Tech in the coming months.
His tenure was marked by impressive growth, including a 30% rise in undergraduate enrollment and a 185% increase in the university’s endowment. Major capital projects launched since 2014 have led to 15 major new construction sites totaling 1.9 million square feet.
Sands told the university community he intends to remain in office until a successor is in place. Details regarding the search process have not yet been announced.
