Hired
Jeannine Diddle Uzzi – Thomas College (Maine)
Jeannine Diddle Uzzi will become Thomas College’s sixth president beginning Nov. 1. The incoming president joins from Adler University, where she served as vice president of academic affairs.
”I see opportunities to make Thomas a more inclusive community that serves students from all backgrounds—whether they are from Maine or beyond—who are seeking a place where they truly belong,” Uzzi told Mainebiz.
Retiring
Jack Hawkins, Jr. – Troy University
The longest-serving chief executive of any public university, Dr. Jack Hawkins of Troy University, announced his plans to retire in October 2025. He will have served the university for more than three and a half decades by the time of his exit.
Under Hawkins’ leadership, Troy has transformed from a regional institution into a state powerhouse for international enrollment, become a doctoral-granting university and upgraded to a Division I NCAA athletics program.
He will serve as chancellor emeritus upon retirement, according to a university statement.
Patricia Rogers – Lake Superior College
Patricia Rogers announced her plans to retire as president of Lake Superior College in June 2025. She will have served six years at the Minnesota State System community college by the time of her retirement. Many of Rogers’ crowning achievements surround the renovation and implementation of student-facing facilities.
For example, Lake Superior College created a new study lounge and cafe, founded a DEI center, modernized its library and began plans to build a new apartment complex for students, according to a school statement.
Stepping down
Richard Benson – University of Texas at Dallas
The University of Texas Board of Regents will now be looking for a new president at UT Dallas following Richard Benson’s request to resign. The former engineering dean and professor helped UT Dallas secure R1 Carnegie status and qualify for the state’s National Research Fund, expanding its STEM research and development, The Texas Tribune reports. Benson’s reputation among students may have been blemished by state directives to eliminate campus DEI initiatives and promote police intervention to quell protests surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.
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Benson, who has served as president over the last eight years, is ready to lead the university over the next academic year as the board finds a strong replacement.
Heather Bigard – Lake-Sumter State College (Fla.)
Following a paid leave of absence beginning Aug. 22, Lake-Sumter State College President Heather Bigard has announced she will be stepping down to focus on her health and family, ClermontSun reports. The first female president’s tenure ends after two and a half years.
Judy Olian – Quinnipiac University (Conn.)
Judy Olian’s tenure at Quinnipiac University will conclude at the seven-year mark after she announced plans to retire at the end of this academic year. While credited for her bold innovation, Olian declared she would not be resting on her laurels in her last year.
“I plan on a full and busy year ahead, pushing our plans through to completion,” she said in a statement. “We have much to accomplish and I am dedicated to ensuring Quinnipiac is in the strongest possible position as we transition to my successor.”
Some of Olian’s key objectives in her last year involve increasing Qunnipiac’s collaboration with employers to bring cutting-edge certificate and degree offerings, as well as student immersion opportunities. The private Connecticut-based university also plans to increase campus civic engagement.
R. Gerald Turner – Southern Methodist University (Texas)
Another higher education titan announced he is stepping down after three decades of leadership. Southern Methodist University, which has experienced a 32% increase in enrollment and a quadrupled endowment (now $2.03 billion) under R. Gerald Turner’s leadership, will be back in the market for a president for the first time since 1995.
However, Turner isn’t saying goodbye to the private Texas research institution. He will be transitioning to a president emeritus and support the university’s development and fundraising efforts, CBS News reports.
