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.
Ms. Aubrie Willaert has been appointed as the new Vice President for Development and Alumni Engagement at Columbia College Chicago. She will begin her position on February 1st. Ms. Willaert comes to CCC from the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music, where she served as the Executive Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations for 4 years. Prior to that, Ms. Willaert served for 2 years as the Director of Development for the School of Music at DePaul University. Ms. Willaert holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Florida State University, and a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music. Read more.
Mr. Christopher Delaney has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer search at St. Joseph's University, New York. Mr. Delaney, a native New Yorker, begins his responsibilities with the institution today, January 12th. Mr. Delaney served as the Associate Vice President for Finance at Gettysburg College from 2006 - 2024 and has spent this past year serving as the Interim Associate VP for Finance and Controller at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA. He began his career at Deloitte serving in the Higher Education and Not-for-Profit Practice in New York City. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from St. John's University and an MBA from New York University.
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. Sam Beldona has been appointed as the new Dean of the College of Business at Idaho State University. Dr. Beldona will officially begin his new role on March 1, 2026. Dr. Beldona currently serves as Special Advisor to the VPAA at the Leo J. Meehan School of Business at Stonehill College in Easton, MA. Prior to serving as Special Advisor, Dr. Beldona was a Dean at Stonehill College as well as the University of Scranton and the Dominican University of California. While at Stonehill College, Dr. Beldona collaborated with faculty to lead the Meehan School of Business's strategic planning process, ensured alignment with University and Academic Affairs plans while focusing on program innovation, enrollment growth, and elevating societal impact. He also worked with chairs to develop departmental strategic plans and used labor market analytics to ensure programs grant degrees that are in high demand in regional and national marketplaces. Dr. Beldona holds a bachelor's and two master's degrees, one in Business Administration and one in International Business. He also earned his doctoral degree in Business Administration from Temple University. Read more.
Dr. Martha “Marty” Wygmans has been appointed as the new Vice President for Student Affairs at Stockton University. Dr. Wygmans will begin her duties on January 5, 2026. Dr. Wygmans brings more than 30 years of experience in higher education and a strong record of advancing student success through inclusive leadership, collaborative planning, and a deep commitment to equity. Most recently, she served as Vice President for Student Success and Campus Life for the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, where she led student support initiatives across three campuses. Her work has focused on improving student persistence and graduation rates, with particular attention to supporting underrepresented and at-risk student populations. Throughout her career, she has partnered closely with faculty and academic affairs to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and co-curricular support, ensuring that students receive a coordinated and holistic educational experience. She holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from George Washington University, an MA in Agency Counseling and a BA in Business Administration/Labor Relations from Siena Heights University, and an Associate in Commerce from Alpena Community College.
Dr. Stephen Schultheis has been appointed as the new Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Southeast Missouri State University. He will begin his new role on January 14, 2026. Dr. Schultheis has 24 years of experience in higher education with a variety of leadership positions in enrollment management, academic affairs and student affairs. Schultheis was most recently vice president for enrollment management and chief enrollment officer at Middle Georgia State University. He’s also held positions at Clayton State University and Monroe College. Schultheis has a Doctor of Education from St. John Fisher College, a Master of Arts in higher education administration from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Science from Valparaiso University. Read more.
Ms. Shelley Thompson has been appointed as the new Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the WCU Foundation at Western Colorado University. She began her duties on September 29. Ms. Thompson brings a deep well of fundraising experience, a passion for access to education, and a desire to live and lead in a rural community. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President of University Advancement at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she helped guide a successful $100 million fundraising campaign. Prior to that, she held leadership roles with Outward Bound USA, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Colorado Community College System, and the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, among others. Her diverse experience taught her a lot about philanthropy and the mission it serves. Ms. Thompson earned her B.A. in Politics & Government at the University of Puget Sound and her M.A. in Political Science. Read more.