President/Chancellors

The Board of Trustees and the Christian Brothers are delighted to announce Richard Plumb’s appointment as the 30th president of Saint Mary’s College of California. Plumb will begin his term on July 1, 2021. After a thorough national search, Plumb was selected because of his broad experience in strategic planning, curriculum development, financial management, fundraising, capital planning, and other critical skills necessary to leverage Saint Mary’s College’s distinguished history and write the next chapter for this remarkable institution. Plumb is a highly respected administrator, esteemed faculty member, and student-oriented leader. Learn more.

Dr. Kathleen Plinske, executive vice president, provost and campus president of the Osceola, Lake Nona and Poinciana Campuses at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, has been selected as the new president of Valencia College. The new president will begin her new role in the spring of 2021.  Dr. Plinske earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Physics with highest distinction from Indiana University, a Master of Arts in Spanish from Roosevelt University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida, and a Doctorate in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University. Read more here.

LeMoyne-Owen College has selected Vernell A. Bennett-Fairs, Ed.D. as the 13th president of the college. Dr. Bennett-Fairs has over 25 years of experience in higher education, most recently serving as vice-president of Student Affairs at Delta State University in Mississippi. She also served in a similar role at HBCU, Kentucky State University. Dr. Bennett-Fairs brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education settings and we feel confident that she will continue the transformation already underway at LeMoyne-Owen College. Dr. Bennett-Fairs will take over from Dr. Carol Johnson Dean on January 5, 2021. Read More.

Ms. Madeline Pumariega has been selected to become the fifth president of Miami Dade College. She is expected to assume office in early January, 2021. A Miami Dade College alum herself, Pumariega was appointed as the first female president of the college.

Dr. Timothy Moore has been selected to become the fourth president of Indian River State College. Dr. Moore is currently the Chief Science Officer at MagPlasma and Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Probaxstra Inc. Moore, a military veteran, has a 35-year career in higher education, federal, commercial, military and start-up sectors. His roles in higher education include service as Vice President for Research at Florida A&M University, the largest of the public Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Research Program Development/Assistant Professor at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, Alabama; Director of Federal Research Program Development at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Director of Federal Research Program Development at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center at Kansas State University. Dr. Moore holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Auburn University, an MLS in Biology/Microbiology from North Carolina State University, and a B.S. in Biology from Wofford College. Read more here.

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology selected Mr. Pedro A. Rivera as the institution's 10th President and assumed the role beginning October 1, 2020. Prior to his appointment, Rivera served as Pennsylvania Secretary of Education.

Blackburn College has announced that Dr. Mark Biermann has been named as its next President. Dr. Biermann will assume office on August 15, 2020.  Dr. Biermann has spent his entire professional career in higher education, holding a range of positions at a number of different colleges and universities. Biermann currently serves as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Dr. Biermann earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Optics from the University of Rochester. Read more here.

Prince George’s Community College has announced the selection of Dr. Falecia D. Williams as the College’s ninth president. Dr. Williams assumed her role prior to the start of the fall semester in August 2020.

Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) has selected St. Louis native, Dr. Corey S. Bradford, Sr. as HSSU’s 20th president, effective May 4.  Dr. Bradford has worked in higher education for more than 26 years and currently serves as Senior Vice President for Business Affairs at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU). Prior to his current position, he served for 16 years within the Southern Illinois University System in various leadership positions. Dr. Bradford earned a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale; a Harvard Institute for Management Development Educational Certificate from Harvard University; and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mathematics from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. Read more here.

Mount Aloysius College has appointed Mr. John N. McKeegan, J.D. to serve as the College’s 15th president. Mr. McKeegan is Vice President for Institutional Advancement and General Counsel at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, and has held leadership positions there since 2010. Mr. McKeegan will begin his presidency on June 1, 2020. Read more here.