Public Institution

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.

Arizona State University has named Dr. Sally C. Morton as the new Executive Vice President of ASU's Knowledge Enterprise. She will begin her new post on February 1, 2021. Dr. Morton currently serves as Dean of the College of Science at Virginia Tech. She holds a bachelor's degree in mathematical sciences, a master's degree in operations research, and a doctoral degree in statistics, all from Stanford University, as well as a master's degree in statistics from the London School of Economics. Read more here. 

Ms. Madeline Pumariega has been selected to become the fifth president of Miami Dade College. She is expected to assume office in early January, 2021. A Miami Dade College alum herself, Pumariega was appointed as the first female president of the college.

Kent State University has appointed Dr. Melody Tankersley as its new Senior VIce President and Provost, effective on November 1st, 2020.  An experienced leader, Dr. Tankersley has served Kent State in positions of increasing responsibility since 1993.  Dr. Tankersley is one of the nation’s leading scholars in her field of special education and is an accomplished administrator. Since being named interim senior vice president and provost in 2019, she has excelled in many areas, particularly in her handling of the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Tankersley earned her bachelor’s and master's degrees in special education from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina and her doctorate degree in special education from the University of Virginia. Read more here.

The University of Alaska Foundation has named Dr. Tod A. Burnett as president of the University of Alaska Foundation and chief development officer of the University of Alaska. Dr. Burnett, previously the executive vice chancellor for advancement at Brandman University, Irvine, CA, has extensive experience in higher education philanthropy and non-profit leadership.  He will begin his presidency on November 8, 2020.  Dr. Burnett has extensive private business experience, has served on a number of public and private boards and commissions and has been recognized by more than 75 public officials and organizations for his contributions to community and social causes. Dr. Burnett earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of California, Riverside, a master’s degree in management/finance from University of Southern California and a doctorate in education and psychology from Pepperdine University. Read more here.

Old Dominion University has announced the appointment of Dr. Benjamin Stuart as Dean of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. Dr. Stuart has been serving as Acting Dean for the past 16 months. Under his leadership, while facing the challenges of the pandemic, the College continued to build its research enterprise and revamped its academic programs to best serve the needs of all students. Dr. Stuart has been with the College for five years. Prior to his tenure at ODU, he spent 10 years at Ohio University. His current research focuses on biofuels/bioproducts production through the thermochemical processing of biomass. He has led or co-led more than $26 million worth of research projects funded by federal, state and industrial partners and is the author or co-author of 50 refereed/reviewed publications. Dr. Stuart holds a Ph.D., M.S. and B.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Read more here.

Dr. Timothy Moore has been selected to become the fourth president of Indian River State College. Dr. Moore is currently the Chief Science Officer at MagPlasma and Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer at Probaxstra Inc. Moore, a military veteran, has a 35-year career in higher education, federal, commercial, military and start-up sectors. His roles in higher education include service as Vice President for Research at Florida A&M University, the largest of the public Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Research Program Development/Assistant Professor at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Auburn, Alabama; Director of Federal Research Program Development at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Director of Federal Research Program Development at the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center at Kansas State University. Dr. Moore holds a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from Auburn University, an MLS in Biology/Microbiology from North Carolina State University, and a B.S. in Biology from Wofford College. Read more here.

Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) concluded a national search for a Vice President for Academic Affairs with the recruitment of Keith M. Williamson to the position. Williamson brings 17 years of teaching experience in the field of engineering and numerous relationships for innovation and business incubation.

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology selected Mr. Pedro A. Rivera as the institution's 10th President and assumed the role beginning October 1, 2020. Prior to his appointment, Rivera served as Pennsylvania Secretary of Education.

Central Piedmont Community College has appointed Mr. William (Chris) Cathcart as the new Vice President of Student Affairs.  Previously, Chris Cathcart served as the vice chancellor of student success for Ivy Tech Community College Northeast in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  He holds an MBA in strategy and finance from Vanderbilt University, a master’s degree in adult and community education from Ball State University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Morehouse College. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in community college leadership from Ball State University. Previously, Chris served Kaplan Higher Education as a Vice President of Campus Operations at a few progressing locations within the Kaplan system.