Sarah Westberg, PharmD, has been appointed as the new Dean of the Anderson Family College of Health Sciences at Bethel University. Dr. Westberg joins Bethel from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, where she has served as professor and associate dean for professional affairs. In that role, she led initiatives connecting academic programs with professional practice, strengthened partnerships across healthcare systems, and supported continuing professional development for faculty. Dr. Westberg earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Drake University and completed a pharmaceutical care leadership residency at the University of Minnesota. She is a board-certified pharmacotherapy specialist and licensed pharmacist, served as co-associate dean of clinical affairs, and directed a large ambulatory care residency program. Read more.
Dr. Veronique V. Tran has been appointed as the new President and CEO at Gateway Technical College effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Tran comes to Gateway from Dallas College, where she served as the institution’s Founding Vice Provost for the School of Manufacturing & Industrial Technology. She is recognized for building high-impact academic, career, and technical education programs; strengthening student success outcomes; and aligning education systems with workforce demand and regional economic priorities. Her leadership is grounded in a student-centered approach and a commitment to collaborative innovation—bringing together faculty, staff, industry, and community partners to design programs and systems that expand opportunity, strengthen career pathways, and deliver results aligned with evolving workforce and regional needs. Dr. Tran earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston, and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the University of Texas at Arlington. Read more.
Dr. Kristin Landis-Piwowar has been appointed as the new Dean, College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Hartford effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Landis-Piwowar is a seasoned academic leader and scholar whose career spans cancer biology research, clinical laboratory science, and higher education administration. She comes to the University of Hartford from Oakland University where she serves as Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, Acting Dean of the College of Arts and Science and Professor in Oakland’s School of Health Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology from Wayne State University School of Medicine, an M.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science from Michigan State University and a B.S. in Medical Technology from Ferris State University. Read more.
Dr. Juliet Spencer has been appointed as the new Dean of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences at the College of Charleston. She will start as dean on August 1, 2026. Dr. Spencer currently serves as interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, where she has also held roles as director of the School of the Sciences and chair of the Department of Biology. A nationally recognized leader in student success, Spencer was recently honored with the 2025 Outstanding Support of Student Success by an Administrator Award from the National Organization for Student Success. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Virginia, an MBA with an emphasis in women in leadership from Texas Woman’s University and a B.S. in biotechnology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Read more.
Dr. Denise Jones Gregory has been appointed as the new President at Jackson State University, following an eight-month national search. Dr. Gregory will officially begin her new role on May 1, 2026. Dr. Gregory most recently served as Interim President of Jackson State University, a role she has held since May 2025. In this capacity, she served as the Institutional Executive Officer, providing executive leadership to ensure operational effectiveness, strategic alignment, and advancement of the university's mission and long-term priorities. Prior to serving as Interim President, Dr. Gregory served as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Jackson State, where she provided strategic oversight for all academic units — including six colleges, graduate studies, institutional research, and the university library — and managed a $56.5 million budget comprising 46% of the university's total operating budget. Dr. Gregory earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Magna Cum Laude, from Jackson State University and her Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Read more.
Dr. Leamor Kahanov has been appointed as the new President at Notre Dame de Namur University. She will assume the presidency on July 1. A nationally recognized higher education leader with more than two decades of executive academic experience, Dr. Kahanov joins NDNU at a defining moment, one marked by institutional revitalization, strategic transformation, and a renewed commitment to preparing students for the workforce of the future. Dr. Kahanov currently serves as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Alvernia University, where she oversees academic strategy, enrollment integration, and institutional planning. Throughout her career, she has led initiatives that strengthen academic quality, expand access, and drive sustainable growth. Her leadership is distinguished by a focus on innovation and workforce alignment, including the development of new academic programs, expansion of online and hybrid learning, and the creation of partnerships with corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations. These efforts have generated significant support for student success initiatives and expanded pathways for learners seeking career advancement. Dr. Kahanov holds an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of San Francisco, an M.S. in Exercise and Sports Sciences from the University of Arizona, and a B.S. in Exercise Science and Athletic Training from Indiana University. Read more.
Dr. Nancy LaGreca has been appointed as the new Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Hartford effective July 1, 2026. Dr. LaGreca is a distinguished scholar and senior academic administrator with more than 16 years of progressive leadership in higher education. She is currently Professor of Spanish Latin American Literature and Culture at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and a research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. She recently served as Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences for three years ending in 5/2025. Prior to her time at St. Mary’s, Dr. LaGreca spent 18 years at the University of Oklahoma, where her roles included faculty fellow in the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost; Associate Dean of the Graduate College; and Chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A in Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BA in Spanish from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Read more.
Dr. Jeremiah Shinn has been appointed as the new President at the University of Montana. He will assume the presidency on July 1. Dr. Shinn currently serves as Interim President of Boise State University, where he has led initiatives to enhance student engagement, strengthen campus partnerships, and expand access to educational opportunities. Prior to serving as Interim President, he was Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Boise State. He also previously served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Louisiana State University. Dr. Shinn earned a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, a Master of Arts in Higher Education from the University of Michigan, and a B.S. in Natural Science from Arkansas Tech University. Read more.
Dr. Todd A. Shawver has been appointed as the new Dean of the College of Business at Misericordia University effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Shawver joins Misericordia with more than two decades of experience in higher education and industry. He most recently served as Dean of the Zeigler College of Business at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, where he led the college through the successful integration of multiple institutions while strengthening academic offerings and operations. Under his leadership, the college achieved sustained enrollment growth, improved student retention, and increased operational performance. Dr. Shawver, a Certified Management Accountant, holds a DBA from Nova Southeastern University, an MBA from Plymouth State University, and a BA in Business Administration from New England College. Read more.