Hired
Shereef Elnahal – Oregon Health & Sciences University
Shereef Elnahal has been selected as the next leader of Oregon Health & Sciences University following another finalist’s withdrawal from the president search.
At 40 years old, Elnahal has already served a number of prolific leadership positions in health administration. He served a year as commissioner for New Jersey’s state health department before becoming president and CEO of University Hospital in Newark.
In 2022, Elnahal was selected as former President Joe Biden’s undersecretary for health at the Department of Veterans Affairs. In his three-year tenure, he focused on mental health and psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD, according to the university website.
Oregon Health & Sciences University’s board of directors still must approve the appointment. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, who appoints members to the university’s board, approved of Elnahal’s selection, Willamette Week reports.
Charles Lee Isbell Jr. – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has selected Charles Lee Isbell Jr. as its next chancellor following an extensive national search.
Isbell is a tested academic leader, having most recently served as the provost of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In his 20 years at the Georgia Institute of Technology, he expanded its College of Computing into a nationally recognized powerhouse, according to the University of Illinois’ newsroom.
A computer scientist by trade, Isbell has published more than 100 academic papers, which focused on research surrounding artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Alongside his tentative start date of Aug. 1, Isbell will also become the University of Illinois system’s vice president. He awaits approval from the University of Illinois Board of Trustees.
Daryl Minus – Eastern Shore Community College (Va.)
Daryl Minus has been appointed the next president of Eastern Shore Community College in Virginia. The longtime community college administrator and executive has worked in higher education for 20 years across Virginia, North Carolina and California, Shore Daily News reports.
Dr. Peter Mohler – University of Alabama
The University of Alabama has selected Dr. Peter Mohler as the state flagship institution’s 30th president.
Mohler has spent the last 14 years at The Ohio State University, most recently serving as its executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge. In this role, Mohler increased research and development expenditures by $600 million annually and established a cross-sector initiative to bolster collaboration with public and private sectors. He also served as Ohio State’s acting president in 2023, leading 15 academic colleges.
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A prolific researcher, Mohler has published more than 275 peer-reviewed articles that primarily focus on developing new diagnostics and therapies for heart disease, according to a university press release. His work has led to him being named a Pew Scholar, along with other prestigious awards and honors at the national and international level.
“Dr. Mohler is a highly respected and forward-thinking leader who will elevate The University of Alabama to new heights,” said Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Scott Phelps.
Mohler begins July 21.
Jared Tice – Capital University (Ohio)
Capital University has selected Jared Tice as its next president. He most recently served as the senior vice president and chief strategy officer at Catawba College, located in North Carolina. He previously served as the dean of students at Catawba and Barton College, also located in North Carolina.
Tice begins Aug. 1.
James J. Winebrake – Coastal Carolina University
The Coastal Carolina University Board of Trustees has appointed James J. Winebrake as its next president. He has served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina Wilmington since 2020.
A prolific researcher, Winebrake has earned numerous accolades during his time at Rochester Institute of Technology and James Madison University. He was recognized as a National Associate of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in 2020.
Retiring
Antoinette Hays – Regis College (Mass.)
Antoinette Hays has announced her plans to retire as president of Regis College in Massachusetts at the end of June 2026.
Hays’ 40-year career in higher education was concentrated at Regis. Her initial role as a part-time faculty member blossomed into 26 years as a faculty member, nine of which she served as the inaugural dean of the college’s nursing school. In her last 15 years as president, Hays launched two schools, an online graduate program and numerous other academic programs.
Stepping down
Salvador D. Aceves – Regis University (Colo.)
Salvador Aceves announced his decision to step down from Regis University in Colorado. An alumnus of the institution, Aceves also became the president’s first Hispanic president in 2023.
Aceves will step down sometime before fall semester begins.
Nora Demleitner – St. John’s College
St. John’s College has announced the departure of Nora Deleitner, who served as president of both its college-wide operations and Annapolis campus, in a letter to the community.
“During her tenure, President Demleitner focused on improving the student experience and outcomes,” Warren Spector, chair of the Board of Visitors and Governors, wrote in a statement. “She increased financial accessibility and enhanced wellness initiatives. She also strengthened the campus through ongoing assessment and data-informed decision-making.”
Demleitner became the president of the Annapolis campus in 2022 and of the broader system in 2024.
