Hired
Scott C. Beardsley – University of Virginia
The University of Virginia selected its latest president in Scott Beardsley, the former dean of the institution’s Darden School of Business.
Beardsley was appointed president following the resignation of Jim Ryan, who faced political pressure from the Trump administration over his continued support for DEI initiatives.
Campus members involved in the selection process believe Beardsley can help navigate an unprecedented time for higher education as institutions grapple with independence, shifting funding models and broader challenges facing the sector.
“Dean Beardsley is an unusually thoughtful leader who understands the University not simply as an institution, but as a living, evolving and dynamic community of ideas shaped by its people,” former Rector George Keith Martin said in a statement.
Beardsley’s appointment came amid calls by Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger to pause the university’s presidential search until she assumes office, Virginia Business writes.
Manny Diaz Jr. – University of West Florida
The University of West Florida Board of Trustees has selected Manny Diaz Jr. as the seventh president.
Diaz oversaw statewide policy and student success initiatives for Florida’s K20 education system as the former Florida Commissioner of Education.
Diaz’s selection awaits approval from the Florida Board of Governors, which grants ultimate authority over all college and university president hires.
Joseph Hartman – Western New England University
Western New England University has selected Joseph Hartman as its seventh president, beginning in June.
Currently the provost at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Hartman developed new programs in data science and engineering, opened an academic center and integrated academic and student affairs. He previously served as the university’s dean of the engineering college.
Kent Syverud – University of Michigan
Kent Syverud has been appointed as the 16th president of the University of Michigan. Beginning in July, Syverud will be the first alumnus to head the university in nearly a century.
Syverud is the current chancellor and president of Syracuse University. In the last 12 years, he has helped produce record enrollment and expand STEM programs, chiefly in chip manufacturing and computer science.
The president-elect previously served as the law school dean at Washington University in St. Louis and Vanderbilt University.
Fundraising will play a key role in Syverud’s tenure at Michigan, which has raised $4 billion at the end of the 2025 fiscal year in pursuit of a $7 billion goal.
Syverud more than doubled Syracuse’s endowment, topping $2 billion.
“I do believe Michigan has been, is now, and must remain the best public research university anywhere,” Syverud said. “These are challenging times for Michigan, for higher education, and indeed for the whole world.”
Retiring
Brent Bates – State Fair Community College (Mo.)
Brent Bates stepped down as president of State Fair Community College on the last day of 2025. His higher education career spanned almost 40 years.
Bates began his career at State Fair as chief academic officer in 2002, where he expanded distance learning initiatives.
During his three years as president, some of Bates’ biggest accomplishments included expanding workforce development programs, overseeing technical credit and noncredit programs, and investing in school facilities.
George J. Hagerty – Beacon College (Fla.)
George Hagerty announced he will retire from Beacon College, concluding a 13-year tenure.
The college touted its accomplishments under Hagerty: record enrollment campus improvements and significant fundraising success.
Over the past two decades, Beacon has deepened its holistic support model for neurodivergent students.
Patricia R. Harris – Kuyper College (Mich.)
Patricia Harris will retire after nine years as Kuyper College’s president on June 30.
During her tenure, Harris introduced a student coaching program to boost retention, launched new intercollegiate teams and helped establish Kuyper as a Federal Work College.
Nora R. Miller – Mississippi University for Women (Kan.)
Nora Miller, president of the Mississippi University for Women, announced her intent to retire on June 30.
Miller helped increase enrollment, expand workforce-aligned programs and champion affordability during her eight-year tenure in executive leadership. She previously spent 17 years at the institution as vice president and senior vice president for Finance and Administration.
“Serving this university—my alma mater—has been the privilege of a lifetime,” she wrote in a public statement.
Stepping down
Timothy L. Killeen – University of Illinois System
Timothy L. Killeen, president of the University of Illinois System, announced he is stepping down.
Now graduating more than 28,000 students a year, the university system increased enrollment across three universities by 3.4% in fall 2025. Enrollment of underrepresented minority students increased by 55% since 2016.
The system’s research portfolio now also tops $1 billion a year under Killeen.
He will complete 11 years as president by the time he is set to retire on June 30.
Todd Telemeco – Mary Baldwin University (Va.)
Todd Telemeco has stepped down as president of Mary Baldwin University after less than a year on the job.
Telemeco accepted the position after former president Jeff Stein resigned less than one week into the current academic year.
The board stated on Jan. 15 that Telemeco resigned for “family and personal reasons.”
Mary Baldwin praised Telemeco for his rigorous financial assessment of the institution and his focus on the undergraduate residential experience.
Astrid S. Tuminez – Utah Valley University
After seven and a half years as president of Utah Valley University, Astrid Tuminez announced she is stepping down on May 1.
Tuminez stated she planned “to devote more time to her family and personal pursuits” during a State of the University address last week.
Her resignation follows a turbulent period for the university, including the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley in September. Tuminez also lost her husband suddenly in February 2025, according to The Guardian.
Student enrollment increased by 20% under Tuminez’s leadership. She also helped generate over $250 million in the university’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Terminated—and reinstated
Kevin James – Morris Brown College (Ga.)
The Board of Trustees at Morris Brown College has reinstated Kevin James as president of the Atlanta-based HBCU after he was abruptly terminated just a week ago.
The college terminated James’ employment on Jan. 12 “without providing specific cause or substantive explanation,” according to his public statement.
The president, who helped Morris Brown regain accreditation in 2022 after nearly two decades, was under contract through 2029.
James noted in his statement that he had recently completed a successful evaluation and received “consistently strong performance reviews” throughout his tenure. The university did not elaborate in its public statement on why it decided to part ways with its leader since 2019.
In a swift turn of events, the board this week invited James to return after it found that his termination “did not fully comply with the procedural and contractual requirements outlined in his employment agreement,” reports 11 Alive.
