Leadership Appointments

Dr. Abby Parrill-Baker has been appointed as the new Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at University of Michigan-Flint effective June 1, 2025. Dr. Parrill-Baker currently serves as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Memphis, a position she has held since 2019, with a brief interlude as Interim Provost. In this role, she has supported the development of an expanded number of pathways for students into professional schools, secured more than $5 million in funding to support experiential learning fellowships, and led college-based initiatives that contributed to the university earning classification as a Carnegie Very High Research (R1) institution. Her academic and administrative career spans over two decades, during which she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in strategic planning, budget management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her research expertise in computational and medicinal chemistry has resulted in numerous publications and patents, underscoring her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and educational excellence. Dr. Parrill-Baker holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemistry from the University of Arizona, and a B.S. in Chemistry from Central Michigan University. Read more.

Dr. Christopher Fiorentino has been appointed as the new Chancellor at Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). Dr. Fiorentino is the current interim chancellor at PASSHE and former president of West Chester University. Dr. Fiorentino’s career at PASSHE spans 42 years. He began as an assistant professor of economics at West Chester University in 1983, the year the State System was established. Dr. Fiorentino held many positions at the university, including department chair, dean, vice president and president. He retired from West Chester University in June 2024 and returned to serve as interim chancellor in October 2024. Dr. Fiorentino earned his baccalaureate, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in economics from Temple University. He and his wife, Sue, reside in Chester County. Read more.

Dr. Michael E. Hill has been appointed as the new president at Randolph-Macon College. The appointment is effective August 1, 2025. Dr. Hill will join the Randolph-Macon community after completing his tenure as President of Chautauqua Institution, an educational community in western New York dedicated to engaged dialogue and cultural enrichment. Dr. Hill previously led the non-profit Youth for Understanding USA and served in senior roles at United Cerebral Palsy, Washington National Cathedral, and The Washington Ballet. He was also a founding faculty member at George Mason University's Master of Arts Management program, where he taught in an adjunct role for more than a decade and was named faculty member of the year in 2011. Dr. Hill earned a B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication from St. Bonaventure University, an M.A. in Arts & Cultural Management from Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, and an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University. Read more.

Dr. Maurice Hall has been appointed as the new Dean of the School of Communication and the Arts at Marist University. Dr. Hall will begin his new role on July 1, 2025. Hall currently serves as Provost and Professor at Bennington College in Bennington, VT. As Provost, Hall manages an extensive portfolio at the college serving approximately 1,000 students overall, as well as the day-to-day operations of the office and several key aspects of the college's day-to-day operations. He oversees a team of 15 direct reports, 60 members of staff and a budget of $30 million. Prior to his time at Bennington, Hall served as Dean and Professor of The School of the Arts and Communication at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). TCNJ is a college similar in size to Marist, with a similar focus on centralizing undergraduate education. As Dean, Hall led The School of Arts and Communication with departments and disciplines in communication and the arts that are very similar to the School of Communication and the Arts at Marist as well. Hall holds a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica as well as a Master of Arts in Communication from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He also holds a Ph.D. in Organizational and Intercultural Communication from Howard University. Read more.

Mr. Qadim Ghani has been appointed as the new Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at The College of New Jersey. Mr. Ghani will begin his new role on June 16, 2025.  Mr. Ghani holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Criminal Justice and a double minor in English and Political Science. He also holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Development with a concentration in Business Administration. He is currently completing an Executive MBA with a specialization in Applied Investment Management. Read more.