Coordinating Board

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) has appointed Mary Papazian, PhD, as executive vice president. Dr. Papazian, a two-time former university president with extensive board experience, will orchestrate AGB’s strategic planning processes to strengthen members’ satisfaction with AGB, engage with media and external stakeholders to advance the association’s thought leadership, and oversee partnerships with grantmakers and subject matter experts to expand reach and impact. Most recently, Dr. Papazian was interim CEO of the Business-Higher Education Forum, a nonprofit membership organization that connects higher education institutions to business talent. Previously, Papazian was the third woman to lead San José State University (SJSU), serving as president from 2016 to 2021. Dr. Papazian earned her PhD, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees from UCLA, focusing on English literature. Read more. 

The Illinois Board of Higher Education has named veteran education administrator, Ms. Ginger Ostro, as its new Executive Director. Ms. Ostro brings deep experience in Illinois education to the role, most recently serving as Interim Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Financial Operations at Chicago State University. Earlier in her career, she served as Deputy Executive Director at the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and as Director of the Office of Budget Planning at Governors State University. Read more here.

The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) has announced its selection of Dr. Lori Williams, a 25-year veteran of online higher education, as president and CEO. Dr. Williams brings to the role a rich background in instructional design and student support for online institutions and most recently served in a quality assurance role as an accreditor of higher education institutions.  Most recently, Dr. Williams served as Vice President of the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), an accrediting body overseeing institutions in California, Hawaii and the Pacific.  Read more here. 

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) has announced that Juliana Laing will be joining the AGB staff as Senior Director, Institutionally Related Foundations on January 24, 2019.  Ms. Laing most recently served as Special Projects Advisor to The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.  Prior to that, she was Founder and Managing Director of an advisory services firm focused on non-profit governance in Vancouver, BC.

The Louisiana Board of Regents unanimously selected Dr. Kim Hunter Reed as the ninth Commissioner of Higher Education. Dr. Reed currently serves as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

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AGB Search is pleased to announce that the Montana University System has appointed Chuck Jensen as its next deputy commissioner for administration and finance. Mr. Jensen is currently Vice President for Administration and Finance at Flathead Valley Community College. 

AGB Interim Search was pleased to assist Hartwick College's search for an interim vice president for college advancement, resulting in the appointment of Mr. James Thornton.

AGB Search is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Hagerott as the next chancellor of the North Dakota University System, effective July 1, 2015. Dr. Hagerott currently serves as the senior civilian and deputy director of the new Center for Cyber Security Studies at the United States Naval Academy. Please click here for more information.

AGB Search is pleased to announce the appointment of Joseph C. Rallo as the next Commissioner of Higher Education in Louisiana. Dr. Rallo currently serves as Special Advisor for Global Education at Texas Tech University. Please click here to view the Board of Regents' press release.

AGB Search was honored to assist the Associated Colleges of the South with the search for a president and is pleased to announce the appointment of R. Owen Williams, effective July 1, 2014. Dr. Williams is currently president of Transylvania University. Please click here to learn more about Dr. Williams and his appointment.