Hired
Shari Olsen – Northland Community and Technical College (Minn.)
Shari Olsen has been promoted to permanent president of Northland Community College, effective immediately. She has served in the interim since July 2024.
More from UB: Why Muslim voices face an ‘untenable environment’ in higher ed right now
Olsen worked for the community college between 1995 and 2007 in various roles, helping create associate degrees in robotics and manufacturing technology and securing nearly $8 million in a capital project for its nursing degree program, according to the media release.
Retiring
Jorge G. Gonzalez – Kalamazoo College (Mich.)
Kalamazoo College President Jorge Gonzalez is retiring after serving at the top post of the liberal arts institution for 10 years.
Some of Gonzalez’s preeminent accomplishments focus on access. Enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students set records during his tenure.
Gonzalez also raised over $200 million in a fundraising campaign that supported experiential and interdisciplinary learning, campus facility renewal projects and the revival of its men’s and women’s track and field.
Alan Miciak – John Carroll University (Ohio)
President Alan Miciak announced his plans to retire from his post at John Carroll University at the end of the 2026 academic year. He has led the institution since June 2021.
Under Miciak’s leadership, the private Jesuit University established its College of Health to address growing workforce demands in nursing, pre-health advising, counseling and sports science. He spurred the college to invest $100 million into the university as part of his plans to create a “destination campus,” leading efforts in more than 20 capital projects since 2022.
John Carroll University’s financial standing improved after Miciak helped raise $76.7 million from donors.
“At a time when other institutions are struggling, [Miciak] has set us on a strategic course to grow,” Nancy Benacci and Bill Donnelly, co-chairs of the university’s board of directors, said in a statement.
Larry Thompson – Ringling College of Art and Design (Fla.)
Larry Thompson, president of Ringling College of Art and Design for 26 years, has decided to call it a career after the 2025-26 academic year.
The private arts college has expanded significantly since Thompson stepped into the role in 1999. Student enrollment on the Tamiami Trail campus has doubled since his first year as president. He also spearheaded efforts to build 14 buildings and provide 20 more academic offerings college-wide.
“[O]our endowment has increased from under $4 million in 1999 to $73 million at the end of our last fiscal year, but there is still work to be done,” Thompson said in a statement.
Stepping down
Fred Keating – Rowan College of South Jersey (N.J.)
Rowan College of South Jersey will search for a new leader following President Fred Keating’s decision to step down.
Keating, who has led the community college for 15 years, played a key role in merging Cumberland County College and Gloucester County College to form the current institution. He will soon transition to a leadership role at Rowan University, a nearby four-year institution that has a dual enrollment agreement with the college.
David Joyce – Averett University (Va.)
In an official statement, Averett University President David Joyce said he is stepping down from his role at Averett University after his wife received a “serious medical diagnosis that will require [his] full-time attention.”
Averett’s vice president for student engagement has been named leader in the interim as it conducts a nationwide search yet again. Joyce had only led the institution for three months.
Joyce has previously served as the president for Brevard College in North Carolina, Ripon College in Wisconsin and Union College in Kentucky, WDBJ reports.
Alicia Córdoba – Aquinas College (Mich.)
Aquinas College President Alicia Córdoba has resigned after three years in her post. The private liberal arts institution has not shared why, citing employee privacy rights, and has already chosen an interim leader.
“Under her leadership, Aquinas has taken measures to strengthen our institution, including enhanced fundraising, stabilized enrollment and a renewed focus on our Catholic faith,” Sabo said. “We are grateful for the strides we’ve made during her tenure,” Mary Ann Sabo, a university spokesperson, told mLive.
Leslie McClellon – Arkansas Baptist College
Facing extreme financial challenges brought on by declining enrollment, Arkansas Baptist College has decided to part ways with President Leslie McClellon.
“We are grateful for Dr. McClellon’s efforts,” Board Chairman Bill Walker told ABC officials. “However, we must immediately change the trajectory of this historic institution if we are to survive and thrive again.”
McClellon became president in November 2024.
Charles Lepper – Grand Rapids Community College (Mich.)
President Charles Lepper is out as president of Grand Rapids Community College following a 15-minute closed session with college trustees, The Detroit News reports.
Lepper, who became president in September 2023, had been on paid administrative leave since March. Few details have emerged as to why.
