The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has appointed Dr. Steven Gentile as the agency's new Executive Director. Dr. Gentile has held numerous roles at THEC, ranging from Assistant Director of Fiscal Policy to the Chief Policy and Strategy Officer. He was most recently appointed Interim Executive Director in September 2023. Before joining THEC, Dr. Gentile served as the Assistant Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at his alma mater, Davidson College, in North Carolina. He received his Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy and M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University, and his B.A. in Economics from Davidson College. He is an alumnus of Leadership Tennessee NEXT, Nashville Emerging Leaders, and the Tennessee Higher Education Innovation and Leadership Fellows program. Read more here.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has successfully appointed Ms. Luanne Mayorga as the Assistant Chancellor for Strategic Programs and Partnerships. Ms. Mayorga is currently the Director of Employee Development at McHenry County College and has previous experience as Chief Engagement Officer at Anderson Humane, and Executive Director in the Division of Outreach, Engagement, and Regional Development at Northern Illinois University. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Dominican University, an M.B.A. in Marketing at Benedictine University, and an Ed.D. in Adult and Higher Education at Northern Illinois University.
University of Wisconsin-Madison has successfully appointed Ms. Angela M. Miller as Assistant Vice Provost for Strategic Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Administration. She started her new role on October 9, 2023. Ms. Miller currently serves as the Assistant Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, a role she has held since 2018. She also serves as the Chief of Staff in a dual appointment with the Chancellor. Previously, she was the Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, the College Scholar Advisor for the PEOPLE Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Research Assistant and Office Coordinator for the Minority Student Achievement Network at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ms. Miller is a Juris Doctor Candidate at Mitchell Hamline School of Law with a Certificate in Native American Law and Sovereignty. She holds a Master of Science in Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Read more.
Delaware Valley University has successfully appointed Mr. James Cooper as the Vice President for Finance and Administration effective 11/15/23. Mr. Cooper brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education finance, budgeting, capital expense planning and execution, facilities, information technology, risk management, auxiliary enterprise operations, public safety, community partnerships and risk management. He currently serves as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Cabrini University with responsibility for the key financial and business functions within the University. These include financial operations and planning, facilities management, human resources, endowment and investment management, enterprise risk management, as well as the operations of information technology and services, food services, bookstore, public safety, groundskeeping, and facilities. Prior positions include serving as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Virginia Wesleyan University and positions in finance at Arcadia University, Ursinus University and LaSalle University. Before entering finance in higher education, he worked in the accounting and healthcare industries. He holds an MBA in Finance from La Salle University and a BBA in Accounting from Temple University. Read more.
The California State University System has successfully appointed Dr. Mandara Savage as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) effective Monday, October 2, 2023. Dr. Savage will work with the CSU’s 23 universities to advance a shared vision and strategic plan for PaCE to deliver creative, diverse and high-quality, fully online and hybrid programs. He will serve as a key leadership partner with the CSU’s Commission on Continuing and Professional Education (CPaCE) and external workforce development groups, and ensure greater integration of PaCE programs in advancing the CSU’s student success and equity goals. Dr. Savage holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, Electronics, from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; a master’s degree in Technical Education, Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Memphis State University; and a Ph.D. in Industrial Education and Technology from Iowa State University. Named a Provost Faculty Fellow among other honors, he is a prolific author and presenter, has served on numerous university committees and has mentored several graduate students.
Pitzer College has successfully appointed Mr. Nathaniel Wyrick as the new Assistant Vice President of Admissions. Mr. Wyrick joins the Pitzer team after serving the past 5 years at Warren Wilson College as the Director of Admissions and has previous experience in Admissions at Tufts University and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. He began his duties on campus on September 29, 2023.
Field Museum has successfully appointed Dr. Erin Hagen as Senior Director of the Keller Science Action Center. She will lead the Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center, the conservation arm of the Museum, on international conservation efforts across the Andes/Amazon region of South America, as well as projects in the greater Chicago area. Dr. Hagen was most recently the Director of Science at River Partners, a California-based non-profit focused on conservation. Prior to that she was the Commissioner of the Alameda County Public Health Commission. She holds a Doctorate from the University of Connecticut.
Ursinus College has successfully appointed Dr. Gundolf Graml as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Graml currently serves as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean for Curriculum and Strategic Initiatives at Agnes Scott College. He brings over 15 years of liberal arts teaching and administrative experience that includes global learning, curriculum development, and faculty professional development to his new role at Ursinus College. While at Agnes Scott, he led the SUMMIT global learning, inclusive leadership, and digital literacy program - an innovative general education curriculum and co-curriculum that integrates the academic and experiential components of liberal arts learning and prepares students for purposeful growth and professional success. Read more.