Hiring
Torey Alston – Broward College (Fla.)
The Broward College Board of Trustees has appointed Torey Alston as president. Alston was a previous member of the county’s school board, a position he gained by appointment from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, The Miami Times reports.
Elizabeth R. Cantwell – Washington State University
Elizabeth Cantwell, after less than two years at the helm of Utah State University, has accepted an appointment elsewhere. In April, she becomes the first female president at Washington State University.
“While her time at USU was short, we are grateful for President Cantwell’s dedicated work in lifting up Utah State University,” said the board in a statement. They credited her for jumpstarting the institution’s new model for fiscal sustainability, breaking records in research expenditures and leading its athletics department into the Pac-12 Conference.
Marie Hardin – Quinnipiac University (Conn.)
Quinnipiac University has found its next leader in Marie Hardin, professor and dean of Pennsylvania State University’s communications college.
As dean of the largest accredited mass communications program in the country since 2014, Hardin helped Bellisario College triple its endowment and revenue through online degree programs, and led efforts to quadruple its research expenditures. She also spearheaded the college’s rebranding initiative in 2017 and helped open a new media center.
Hardin begins in July.
Robert J. Jones – University of Washington
The University of Washington Board of Regents have selected Robert Jones to lead the flagship university beginning in August. This will be Jones’ third time heading a public university as he concludes a nine-year tenure as chancellor of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He previously served as president of the University at Albany.
Jones is most recognized in Illinois for his commitment to access and affordability efforts. The Illinois Commitment, a free tuition program that began in 2019, contributed to the university’s new enrollment record this past fall.
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“His inspiring and barrier-breaking personal journey, highly regarded scholarship and decades of transformative leadership convinced us that Chancellor Jones is the ideal person to build upon President Ana Mari Cauce’s legacy,” said Blaine Tamaki, chair of the university’s board.
Michelle B. Larson – Clarkson University (N.Y.)
Following a presidential search comprising more than 50 applicants, Clarkson University selected Michelle Larson as its next leader beginning in April. The first female president in the institution’s history, Larson returns to academic leadership after having served as the president of Adler Planetarium, a public museum for the past 12 years. Prior to that, she was vice provost at Utah State University.
A physicist by training, Larson was chosen to lead Clarkson due to her business experience and fiscal expertise leading a nonprofit in the Chicago region.
Joseph Odenwald – Alma College (Mich.)
Come June, President Joseph Odenwald will move from Southwestern Michigan College to Alma College. Odenwald has headed Southwestern Michigan since 2020. In that timespan, he committed to increasing enrollment every year, added eight-new academic programs and expanded campus residence halls, according to a press release.
Stepping down
Henry C. Foley – New York Institute of Technology
Henry Foley is stepping down as president of New York Institute of Technology, according to an announcement from the board of trustees.
In his eight years at the helm of New York Tech, Foley nearly doubled its endowment and capital reserves, helped substantially grow Hispanic and Black enrollment, established its first Ph.D. programs and expanded new teaching and interdisciplinary research centers.
Foley will be replaced by Provost Jerry Balentine following his last day on June 30.
Katricia Pierson – Crowder College (Mo.)
Katricia Pierson, president of Crowder College since January 2022, has resigned. She will continue on staff until June 30, KSN 16 reports. No reason has been given for Pierson’s resignation.
Pierson still serves on the board of trustees for the Higher Learning Commission, according to their website.
Kayse Shrum – Oklahoma State University
Kayse Shrum, following nearly four years of a historic presidency at Oklahoma State University has resigned. The research university’s board acknowledged Shrum had helped break records in enrollment, student retention, research funding and fundraising—but it did not provide a reason as to why she resigned.
Armando Valdez – Colorado State University Pueblo
Armando Valdez is out as president of Colorado State University Pueblo just a little over year after accepting the position, according to a statement from the university system. The system’s board found Valdez to have violated an unspecified university policy. While Valdez admits no wrongdoing, he resigned after recognizing he had lost the confidence of the board of trustees.
