Central Connecticut State University has concluded its search for the inaugural Vice President for Equity and Inclusion with the hiring of Dr. Stacey Miller. For the past five years, Dr. Miller served as Associate Provost for Inclusion and Retention at Valparaiso University in northwestern Indiana. As the chief diversity officer, she was responsible for the creation and implementation of the University’s strategic vision for diversity and inclusion and worked on a number of initiatives to strengthen the institutional climate and hiring practices. Prior to her tenure at Valpo, Dr. Miller served as the director of residential life in the Student Affairs division at the University of Vermont (UVM), a position she held for 12 years. She also received her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UVM and served there as a lecturer for the higher education and student affairs graduate program. Dr. Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Stony Brook University. Read more here.
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.
President Miles Davis has announced the appointment of Joseph Hunter, currently serving as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development at Vanderbilt University to be the next Vice President. Prior to Vanderbilt, Hunter served in various fundraising capacities at Wichita State University, Western Washington University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Wyoming. Hunter holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton and two master's degrees from Virginia Tech. Read more here.
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.
Point Park University has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Soto as its new Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Soto currently serving as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Student Academic Issues and Retention and a Professor of English at Trinity University in San Antonio. Dr. Soto has been with Trinity University in positions of increasing responsibility since 1999. Building on his commitment to diversity in higher education, he served as the co-chair of the Retention and Graduation Task Force and director of the McNair Scholars Program where he supported students traditionally locked out of higher education on their path to advanced study. Dr. Soto holds a Ph.D. in English & American Literature & Language from Harvard University and a B.A. in Modern Thought & Literature/Humanities from Stanford University. Read More.
Morningside College has announced the appointment of Dr. Darrel Sandall as the Inaugural Dean of the School of Business and Continuing Studies. He has been serving as the Assistant Director at the Center for Innovation Management and Business Analytics (CIMBA) at the Florida Institute of Technology and is a tenured Associate Professor of Management in the Bisk College of Business at the Institute. Dr. Sandall is a corporate executive with 15 years experience as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Skills Officer within multiple small, high-growth companies. He has also served as a Management and Innovation Consultant with over 30 years’ experience helping organizations solve some of the most challenging problems.
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.