President/Chancellors

John Paul “Jay” Dowd III, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new president at Wofford College. His tenure begins July 1, 2026. Dr. Dowd currently serves as president and chief executive officer of The Citadel Foundation, a position he’s held since 2013. Previously, Dr. Dowd served as vice president for development and executive director at the Francis Marion University Education Foundation, where he was a member of the senior staff and the college’s chief fundraiser. He also has served as vice president for advancement at Columbia College, assistant vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and vice president for institutional advancement at Methodist College. In each community, he was a leader and collaborator, discovering a passion for service and building and sustaining relationships based on transparency, communication and respect. He is a graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he earned a B.A. in history. He holds an M.Ed., with a focus on student personnel services, and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of South Carolina. He has more than 30 years of experience in higher education strategy, fundraising, institutional advancement and executive leadership. Read more.

Dr. Jeremy Pickard has been appointed as the new President at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. His first day will be July 1, 2026. Dr. Pickard has worked for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges for the past 25 years and most recently served as the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. He also served as Dean of Agriculture, Business, and Professional Services and Associate Director for the Advanced Technology Environmental & Energy Center. Dr. Pickard holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with an emphasis in Community College Leadership from Iowa State University, and earned a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the same institution. He has a B.A. in Secondary Business Education from Northwestern College. Read more.
 

Dr. Christopher Sindt has been appointed as the new President at Lewis University. Since joining Lewis University in 2018, Dr. Sindt has served with extraordinary distinction as provost, overseeing Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Student Life, Athletics, and Campus Safety. He has played a central role in advancing the university’s strategic plan, strengthening student success, expanding academic innovation, and leading key initiatives that position Lewis for continued growth and impact. Under his leadership, Lewis achieved a successful 10-year reaccreditation term from the Higher Learning Commission, launched multiple new academic programs, expanded international partnerships, and supported major institutional milestones, including the merger with St. Augustine College and the growth of sponsored research and fundraising efforts. Dr. Sindt earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his master’s and doctoral degrees in English from the University of California, Davis. Read more.

Dr. Teresa Rich has been appointed as the new President at Yakima Valley College. Dr. Rich, a long-time YVC administrator, has served as interim president since August 2024 and will officially begin her presidency on January 16, 2026. Dr. Rich brings more than two decades of experience in higher education accounting and administrative services, including 24 years at YVC, 18 of those as vice president for administrative services. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding student opportunities, strengthening academic programs, and reinforcing YVC’s role as a cornerstone of the region. Dr. Rich holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and a master's degree in Professional Accountancy. She also earned her doctoral degree in Education (Community College Leadership) from Central Washington University. Read more.

Mr. Senate Alexander has been appointed as the new President and CEO at Federation Early Learning Services. Mr. Alexander has an extensive background in Early Childhood education, youth development and nonprofit management. He most recently served as the Inaugural Executive Director of the Catherine Hershey Schools (CHS) for Early Learning, which was a $350 million statewide initiative in Pennsylvania to expand educational access to children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. Prior to his appointment at CHS, Mr. Alexander served as the Executive Director of the Rosslyn Children's Center in Arlington, VA. 

Dr. Evon Washington Walters has been appointed as the new President at Clark State College. Dr. Walters will assume this role on July 1, 2026. Dr. Walters comes to Clark State from 9 years at the Community College of Allegheny, first as President of the Northwest Region (2016-2024) and most recently as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Community Engagement (2024-present). He has extensive experience in workforce development, strategic planning, enrollment management, and partnering with business and industry. He is committed to shared governance, servant leadership, expansion and improvement of services using technology, and professional growth for faculty, students, and staff. Dr. Walters earned a B.A. in Health Care Administration, an M.Ed. in  Staff Development in Higher Education, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, all from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Read more.

Dr. David Cook has been appointed as the new President at Iowa State University. Dr. Cook has led North Dakota State University since 2022. His accomplishments include the launch of a data-driven strategic plan that reversed 10 years of declining enrollment and revenues and invested in student advising and mentoring programs that increased retention of first-year students by 3% and graduation rates by 12%. During his tenure, NDSU’s research funding and expenditures increased to historic levels and Dr. Cook helped launch fundraising efforts for initiatives to build leaders in artificial intelligence and drive solutions for modern agriculture. Prior to North Dakota State, Dr. Cook served as vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development at the University of Kansas. He also held several leadership roles at the University of Kansas Medical Center. As a faculty researcher, Dr. Cook was a principal or co-principal investigator on grants totaling nearly $11 million in external funding. He has published nearly 70 articles, book chapters, and abstracts, and has taught more than 25 courses in subjects including: health policy and management; diffusion, adoption and implementation of innovation; business and organizational communication; and strategic marketing. Dr. Cook earned a bachelor's degree in political science and speech communication from Iowa State University. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees, both in organizational communication, from the University of Kansas. Read more.

Dr. Brad Mortensen has been appointed as the new president of Utah State University. As noted in the press release, "Dr. Mortensen has served as president of Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, since 2019, where he has led WSU to multiple recognitions for outstanding return on investment for graduates, established the Miller Advanced Research and Solutions (MARS) Center in partnership with the Utah Legislature, the U.S. Air Force and the aerospace and defense industry, and overseen the establishment of new graduate education programs including the Doctor of Nursing Practice." A Utah State University (USU) Alumnus, Dr. Mortensen received his Bachelor's Degree from USU in Political Science, a Master's degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah. Dr. Mortensen will begin his responsibilities with USU on November 10, 2025. Read more.

Mr. Brent White has been appointed as the new President at Golden Gate University. Mr. White will officially assume his new role on November 1, 2025. Mr. White currently serves as Chief Global Officer at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, where he directs all aspects of global engagement for the campus, and as Professor of Law at the William S. Richardson School of Law. Prior to joining the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Mr. White served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Golden Gate University, leading the creation of new programs and international partnerships that significantly expanded the university's student body and its global impact. Mr. White earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York University School of Law, and his A.B., magna cum laude, in Public Policy from Duke University. His legal scholarship has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, National Public Radio, and 60 Minutes. Read more.

Dr. Marielena DeSanctis has been appointed as the new Chancellor at Colorado Community College System. Dr. DeSanctis will officially assume her new role on October 1, 2025. Dr. DeSanctis currently serves as President of the Community College of Denver (CCD), where she has championed student success, expanded workforce-driven innovation, and strengthened strategic partnerships across the Denver metro region. Prior to joining CCD, Dr. DeSanctis served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Broward College, a nationally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution in Florida. Dr. DeSanctis is the first Latina to lead the Colorado Community College System.  With more than 26 years of cross-sector leadership spanning K–12 education, higher education, and workforce development, Dr. DeSanctis brings a unique and comprehensive perspective that aligns closely with CCCS’s 2030 Strategic Plan. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, a Master of Math Education from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Read more.