Public Institution

Dr. Derek McLean has been appointed as the new Dean of the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Utah State University. He will begin his new role on July 1, 2026. Dr. McLean joins Utah State from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he has served as dean of the Agricultural Research Division since 2023. Dr. McLean previously served as a senior science adviser in the Office of AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health, where he worked to ensure that research funding aligns to the priority areas established by the National Institutes of Health. Prior to NIH, Dr. McLean was the senior director of collaborative research for Phibro Animal Health Corporation. He also served for 10 years as a faculty member in the animal sciences department at Washington State University. Dr. McLean holds a Bachelor of Science in mathematical sciences and a Master of Science in animal physiology from Clemson University and a doctorate in animal sciences from Oregon State University. 

Dr. Betsy Becker has been appointed as the new Dean of Health Sciences at the University of South Dakota. Since 2020, Dr. Becker has served as the chair of the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences in the College of Allied Health Professions at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). In addition, she practiced physical therapy for 14 years across Nebraska and Arizona, with a specialized interest in women’s health. Dr. Becker will begin her duties with USD in July 2026. Dr. Becker holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of South Dakota and recevied her Ph.D.and Master's degree in Physical Therapy from UNMC. Read more.
 

Dr. Alan Sazama has been appointed as the new Inaugural Chair of Emergency Medicine at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine (SSOM). Dr. Sazama, currently serving as the assistant dean of medical education at SSOM, will begin his duties in this new role on May 22, 2026.  As noted in the press release, "Dr. Sazama is an award-winning and successful educator in emergency medicine with Avera Medical Group and has practiced bedside emergency medicine at Avera Health since 2017. A 2014 graduate of the Sanford School of Medicine, Sazama completed his emergency medicine residency at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was named vice chair of the Avera Health Division of Emergency Medicine in 2024." Read more.

Mr. Tony Gherardini has been appointed as the new Vice President / Chief Human Resources Officer at the University of Colorado System effective April 13, 2026. Mr. Gherardini most recently served as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA), where he led a 500-person agency with a $450 million budget and administered the statewide personnel system supporting more than 30,000 employees. Prior to his role at DPA, Mr. Gherardini served as Chief Operations Officer for the Colorado Office of Behavioral Health, overseeing administrative, financial, and operational functions, including supervision of the CEOs of Colorado's two behavioral health institutes. He also served as Director of State Operations and Cabinet Affairs in the Governor's Office, where he implemented and oversaw the performance management system for Colorado's entire executive branch and provided direction to 18 appointed cabinet members. Mr. Gherardini earned his Master of Public Administration from CU Denver and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Colorado State University. Read more.

Dr. Jeremy Pickard has been appointed as the new President at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College. His first day will be July 1, 2026. Dr. Pickard has worked for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges for the past 25 years and most recently served as the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. He also served as Dean of Agriculture, Business, and Professional Services and Associate Director for the Advanced Technology Environmental & Energy Center. Dr. Pickard holds a PhD in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies with an emphasis in Community College Leadership from Iowa State University, and earned a Masters in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the same institution. He has a B.A. in Secondary Business Education from Northwestern College. Read more.
 

Mr. Robert Watling has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at the University of New Hampshire March 2, 2026. Currently the vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer at the University of Dallas, Mr. Watling has led enterprise finance and administrative operations, overseeing budgeting, capital planning, and core operational functions while serving as a primary advisor to institutional leadership and the board of trustees. In that role, he focused on strengthening financial planning and governance, aligning budget decisions with enrollment and revenue trends, and supporting the university’s long-term financial sustainability.  Previously, Mr. Watling served as vice provost for academic resources at the University of North Texas and held senior finance and operations leadership positions at NC State University and Southern Methodist University. Across these roles, he has led complex budget and capital planning efforts, strengthened financial governance, and supported institutional priorities through more transparent and structured financial processes.  Mr. Watling holds a BA in public administration from George Mason University and an MBA from Virginia Tech Pamplin College of Business. Read more.

Dr. William Klein has been appointed as the new Dean, School of Communication and Information at Rutgers University-New Brunswick effective July 1, 2026. Dr. Klein currently serves as the Associate Director of Behavioral Research at the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences and has dedicated over three decades to advancing the understanding of health behavior and risk perception. Previous positions include significant roles at the University of Pittsburgh and Colby College, where he contributed to both teaching and research. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A in Social Psychology from Princeton University and a B.A. in Psychology and Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences from Northwestern University. Read more.

Dr. Moses V. Goldmon has been appointed as the new Vice President for Enrollment Management at Stockton University effective February 23, 2026. Dr. Goldmon brings more than four decades of experience in higher education and a deeply student-centered approach to leadership. Throughout his career, he has advanced enrollment strategy, student success, and institutional effectiveness across a range of public, private, and mission-driven institutions. His work consistently reflects a commitment to access, equity, and creating environments where students are supported, engaged, and able to thrive. Most recently, Dr. Goldmon served as Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Success at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he led significant gains in applications, new student enrollment, and transfer enrollment, while strengthening orientation, retention, and student success initiatives. He also has held senior leadership roles as Vice Chancellor for Student Engagement at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Executive Vice President at Lane College. He holds an Ed.D. in Health Education from the University of Tennessee, an MRE from Shaw University Divinity School, an MS in Physical Education from Iowa State University, and a BS in Health and Physical Education from the University of Arkansas at Monticello.

Dr. Teresa Rich has been appointed as the new President at Yakima Valley College. Dr. Rich, a long-time YVC administrator, has served as interim president since August 2024 and will officially begin her presidency on January 16, 2026. Dr. Rich brings more than two decades of experience in higher education accounting and administrative services, including 24 years at YVC, 18 of those as vice president for administrative services. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding student opportunities, strengthening academic programs, and reinforcing YVC’s role as a cornerstone of the region. Dr. Rich holds a bachelor's degree in Accounting and a master's degree in Professional Accountancy. She also earned her doctoral degree in Education (Community College Leadership) from Central Washington University. Read more.

Dr. Evon Washington Walters has been appointed as the new President at Clark State College. Dr. Walters will assume this role on July 1, 2026. Dr. Walters comes to Clark State from 9 years at the Community College of Allegheny, first as President of the Northwest Region (2016-2024) and most recently as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Community Engagement (2024-present). He has extensive experience in workforce development, strategic planning, enrollment management, and partnering with business and industry. He is committed to shared governance, servant leadership, expansion and improvement of services using technology, and professional growth for faculty, students, and staff. Dr. Walters earned a B.A. in Health Care Administration, an M.Ed. in  Staff Development in Higher Education, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, all from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Read more.