Public Institution

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.

Dr. David Cook has been appointed as the new President at Iowa State University. Dr. Cook has led North Dakota State University since 2022. His accomplishments include the launch of a data-driven strategic plan that reversed 10 years of declining enrollment and revenues and invested in student advising and mentoring programs that increased retention of first-year students by 3% and graduation rates by 12%. During his tenure, NDSU’s research funding and expenditures increased to historic levels and Dr. Cook helped launch fundraising efforts for initiatives to build leaders in artificial intelligence and drive solutions for modern agriculture. Prior to North Dakota State, Dr. Cook served as vice chancellor for public affairs and economic development at the University of Kansas. He also held several leadership roles at the University of Kansas Medical Center. As a faculty researcher, Dr. Cook was a principal or co-principal investigator on grants totaling nearly $11 million in external funding. He has published nearly 70 articles, book chapters, and abstracts, and has taught more than 25 courses in subjects including: health policy and management; diffusion, adoption and implementation of innovation; business and organizational communication; and strategic marketing. Dr. Cook earned a bachelor's degree in political science and speech communication from Iowa State University. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees, both in organizational communication, from the University of Kansas. Read more.

Dr. Brad Mortensen has been appointed as the new president of Utah State University. As noted in the press release, "Dr. Mortensen has served as president of Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, since 2019, where he has led WSU to multiple recognitions for outstanding return on investment for graduates, established the Miller Advanced Research and Solutions (MARS) Center in partnership with the Utah Legislature, the U.S. Air Force and the aerospace and defense industry, and overseen the establishment of new graduate education programs including the Doctor of Nursing Practice." A Utah State University (USU) Alumnus, Dr. Mortensen received his Bachelor's Degree from USU in Political Science, a Master's degree in Public Administration from Syracuse University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Utah. Dr. Mortensen will begin his responsibilities with USU on November 10, 2025. Read more.

Mr. Jack Hershey has been appointed as the new Vice President of Strategy and Institutional Advancement at the Community College of Denver. Mr. Hershey will officially begin his new role on October 1, 2025. Mr. Hershey most recently served as the President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) leading Ohio’s 23 Community Colleges in advocacy, student success, and professional development. As President and CEO, Mr. Hershey led strategic efforts across the colleges to secure more than $1 billion in new investment from both public and private sources. That funding directly supported campus expansion, capital upgrades, the implementation of student success strategies, student scholarships, and workforce innovation. During his time at OCAA, graduation rates climbed, campus programming expanded, and colleges became more resilient and responsive to their communities. At the Community College of Denver, Mr. Hershey believes he can bring the same blend of strategic insight, advancement alignment, and deep commitment to mission. He understands how to build a culture of giving – not only through formal fundraising channels, but by positioning the college as a dynamic and essential community partner. He has worked closely with boards, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and led complicated communications strategies that shift public perception in order to galvanize new support. Mr. Hershey holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy Management from the University of Akron in Ohio, as well as a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Western Governor’s University in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Dr. Marielena DeSanctis has been appointed as the new Chancellor at Colorado Community College System. Dr. DeSanctis will officially assume her new role on October 1, 2025. Dr. DeSanctis currently serves as President of the Community College of Denver (CCD), where she has championed student success, expanded workforce-driven innovation, and strengthened strategic partnerships across the Denver metro region. Prior to joining CCD, Dr. DeSanctis served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Broward College, a nationally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution in Florida. Dr. DeSanctis is the first Latina to lead the Colorado Community College System.  With more than 26 years of cross-sector leadership spanning K–12 education, higher education, and workforce development, Dr. DeSanctis brings a unique and comprehensive perspective that aligns closely with CCCS’s 2030 Strategic Plan. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, a Master of Math Education from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. Read more.

Dr. Michelle Nelson has been appointed as the new Director of the DeWitt School of Nursing at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). Dr. Nelson will officially begin her new role on September 1, 2025. Dr. Nelson currently serves as the Interim Director of the DeWitt School of Nursing at SFA as well as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing. Since she has served as the Interim Director of the DeWitt School of Nursing since late October 2024, she is confident in her ability to see strengths and opportunities in the DeWitt School of Nursing and advance SFA’s vision for nursing excellence. Dr. Nelson holds a bachelor of science in nursing from Montana State University and a master of science in nursing education from Clarkson College in Nebraska. She also holds a Ph.D. in nursing from Texas Women's University. With nearly 30 years of experience in nursing and over 15 years as an educator in multiple institutions, Dr. Nelson brings a demonstrated passion for serving the profession and helping to shape the next generation of nursing professionals. 

Dr. Reginald Ellis has been appointed as the new Dean of Graduate Education at Clark Atlanta University. Dr. Ellis will begin his new role as Dean on July 1, 2025. Dr. Ellis currently serves as the Provost Professor of Community Outreach, Engagement and Research at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. As Provost Professor, Ellis serves as the liaison to connect university researchers with community partners and also partner with external stakeholders on mutually beneficial research projects. One of Dr. Ellis' major accomplishments while at Florida A&M was establishing the FAMU Research Hub Working Group to develop Research-Practice Partnerships (RPP) Grants. Dr. Ellis holds a Bachelor of Science in African American Studies and a Master of Applied Social Sciences from Florida A&M University. Dr. Ellis earned his Ph.D. in United States History Since 1875 in 2011 from The University of Memphis.

Dr. Kimberlee Messina has been appointed as the new Chancellor at City College of San Francisco. Dr. Messina will begin her new role on July 1, 2025. Dr. Messina currently serves as President of Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) in Spokane, Washington. SFCC is a comprehensive community college in the Community Colleges of Spokane District with an annual headcount of 7,220 students, 151 full-time faculty, 115 part-time faculty, 15 administrators, and an annual general fund budget of $26 million. As President, Dr. Messina provides strategic leadership for the college’s vision and mission. She also provides oversight of the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of the educational and fiscal programs of the college to achieve the goals defined by the Board of Trustees. Dr. Messina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Arts in Spanish from California State University, Sacramento. She also holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from University of California, Davis. Read more.