Hired
Terri Gomez – California State University, San Bernardino
The California State University Board of Trustees appointed S. Terri Gomez as president of Cal State San Bernardino. Gomez currently serves as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Cal Poly Pomona and will assume her new role on Aug. 3.
A first-generation college graduate, Gomez has championed student success initiatives, enrollment strategies and regional workforce partnerships over nearly three decades.
Trustees praised her student-centered leadership style and experience advancing graduation outcomes for underserved learners.
Monty Sullivan – North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges selected Monty Sullivan to lead the statewide system that serves more than 600,000 students across 58 colleges.
A former community college president with more than three decades of workforce development experience, Sullivan was praised by North Carolina officials for combining policy expertise with a strong record of employer engagement and student success.
Sullivan spent 12 years leading Louisiana’s Community and Technical College System, where annual graduates nearly doubled under his watch and lawmakers invested more than $500 million in training facilities.
His nomination now heads to the General Assembly for confirmation.
Tatia Daniels Granger – Averett University (Va.)
Averett University has selected Tatia Daniels Granger as its 17th president, effective Aug. 1.
Granger brings more than three decades of higher education leadership experience across enrollment management, academic leadership and executive administration at institutions including Duke University, Bennett College and James Madison University.
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Averett officials pointed to her collaborative leadership style and strategic vision as the university continues to stabilize finances and strengthen its regional impact.
Granger is also the first Black president in Averett’s 167-year history.
Jon Anderson – Utah Valley University
Pennsylvania Western University President Jon Anderson will transition to Utah’s largest public university on Aug. 10.
A Utah native, Anderson has held senior academic leadership positions at Southern Utah University, Middle Georgia State University and the University of West Georgia.
University leaders noted his experience across both academic affairs and institutional administration.
Anderson steps into Utah Valley at a sensitive time as student and staff recover from last year’s on-campus assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Marilyn Fore – Florence-Darlington Technical College (S.C.)
Florence-Darlington Technical College tapped Marilyn Fore as acting president following a 51-year career and nine-year presidency at Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
Fore is widely recognized across South Carolina’s technical college system for leading enrollment growth, expanding workforce programs and strengthening transfer partnerships. She also helped develop more than 80 academic programs and played a key role in establishing Horry County Schools’ Early College High School.
Her appointment carries personal significance as her late husband, Fred Fore, served as the college’s first president.
Lisa Rhine – Central Arizona College
Central Arizona College selected Lisa Rhine as its next president with an anticipated start date of Sept. 1.
Rhine most recently served as president and CEO of Yavapai College, where she introduced the first three-year bachelor’s degree at a community college in the U.S.
Board members cited Rhine’s experience leading Arizona institutions and her track record of improving student outcomes. During her tenure at Yavapai, the college earned national workplace recognition and was named a Bellwether Award finalist.
Retiring
Susan L. Thomas – Truman State University (Mo.)
Susan Thomas plans to retire next July, concluding an 11-year presidency that will rank among the longest in Truman State University history.
Thomas guided the institution through significant academic and infrastructure expansion, adding 16 undergraduate and 10 graduate programs while overseeing more than $67 million in campus improvements.
She also strengthened community partnerships in Kirksville and helped launch regional initiatives focused on autism services and workforce development.
Isabelle Cherney – Mount Mary University (Wis.)
Mount Mary University President Isabelle Cherney announced her retirement at the conclusion of her five-year contract in June 2027.
Since arriving in 2022, Cherney has overseen several academic and workforce-focused initiatives, including reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs. Under her leadership, Mount Mary earned repeated recognition for social mobility and secured a $1 million grant to expand health sciences training facilities.
Kathleen E. Harring – Muhlenberg College (Pa.)
Kathleen Harring will retire at the end of the 2026-27 academic year after more than four decades at Muhlenberg College, including service as its first female president.
Harring’s tenure included expanding graduate and continuing education offerings, launching student support initiatives and completing a fundraising campaign that generated more than $127 million.
She also oversaw major capital projects and strengthened Muhlenberg’s reputation for access, social mobility and civic engagement.
Stepping down
Rick Melson – Southwest Baptist University (Mo.)
Rick Melson is leaving Southwest Baptist University to become president of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He will remain at the institution through mid-August as the university begins its leadership transition.
Since taking office in 2021, Melson led a period of renewed momentum. University leaders credited him with reversing enrollment declines, achieving record university fundraising and guiding the institution through a successful accreditation reaffirmation.
