Independent Institution

Ms. Jennifer Soyka has been appointed as the new General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary to the Board at Fairleigh Dickinson University. She will begin on June 1, 2026. Ms. Soyka currently serves as the   Assistant Deputy General Counsel at Rutgers University. She joined Rutgers in January 2018 and focuses on providing legal advice, counsel and guidance related to procurement, international studies, finance, and other transactional matters, including general contract review. Prior to joining Rutgers, Jennifer served as Associate General Counsel at Kean University, where she had primary responsibility for all transactional legal matters. She joined Kean as Director of Purchasing. Before her employment at Kean, Ms. Soyka served as Director of Project Management at the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority, the New Jersey State authority responsible for the issuance of debt on behalf of New Jersey Colleges and Universities. She began her career as a public finance attorney in New Jersey. Ms. Soyka received her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis and her J.D. from Washington University School of Law.

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. 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. 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. 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.

John Paul “Jay” Dowd III, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new president at Wofford College. His tenure begins July 1, 2026. Dr. Dowd currently serves as president and chief executive officer of The Citadel Foundation, a position he’s held since 2013. Previously, Dr. Dowd served as vice president for development and executive director at the Francis Marion University Education Foundation, where he was a member of the senior staff and the college’s chief fundraiser. He also has served as vice president for advancement at Columbia College, assistant vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and vice president for institutional advancement at Methodist College. In each community, he was a leader and collaborator, discovering a passion for service and building and sustaining relationships based on transparency, communication and respect. He is a graduate of Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina, where he earned a B.A. in history. He holds an M.Ed., with a focus on student personnel services, and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of South Carolina. He has more than 30 years of experience in higher education strategy, fundraising, institutional advancement and executive leadership. Read more.

Dr. David Tolentino has been appointed as the new Dean of Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine at Campbell University. Dr. Tolentino, currently serving as the Interim Dean, has been selected for the permanent appointment. As noted in the press release, "Dr. Tolentino emerged from the process as the candidate of first choice, earning the nod for “his demonstrated leadership in growing clinical education programs, developing new affiliate partnerships and contributing to medical training across the region” since joining the school as associate dean for clinical affairs in 2016." Dr. Tolentino is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in chemistry. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2002 and completed his internal medicine residency at St. John Medical Center in Westlake, Ohio. Read more.

Mr. John McKiernan has been appointed as the new Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Holy Cross College effective May 1, 2026. Mr. McKiernan is a distinguished leader in higher education with extensive experience in administrative roles at Catholic institutions. Currently serving as Chief of Staff and most recently as Interim Chief Financial Officer at Wilmington College, he brings expertise in academic affairs, accreditation, strategic planning, and institutional governance. His previous roles include Assistant Vice President at Loyola University Maryland, where he managed board operations and strategic planning, and Director of Academic Counseling at Yale Law School. Mr. McKiernan holds a Juris Doctor and a BA in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA from the University of Scranton, and a postgraduate diploma in theology from the University of Oxford. Read more.

Dr. Christopher Sindt has been appointed as the new President at Lewis University. Since joining Lewis University in 2018, Dr. Sindt has served with extraordinary distinction as provost, overseeing Academic Affairs, Enrollment Management, Student Life, Athletics, and Campus Safety. He has played a central role in advancing the university’s strategic plan, strengthening student success, expanding academic innovation, and leading key initiatives that position Lewis for continued growth and impact. Under his leadership, Lewis achieved a successful 10-year reaccreditation term from the Higher Learning Commission, launched multiple new academic programs, expanded international partnerships, and supported major institutional milestones, including the merger with St. Augustine College and the growth of sponsored research and fundraising efforts. Dr. Sindt earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his master’s and doctoral degrees in English from the University of California, Davis. Read more.