Delaware Valley University has successfully appointed Mr. James Cooper as the Vice President for Finance and Administration effective 11/15/23. Mr. Cooper brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education finance, budgeting, capital expense planning and execution, facilities, information technology, risk management, auxiliary enterprise operations, public safety, community partnerships and risk management. He currently serves as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Cabrini University with responsibility for the key financial and business functions within the University. These include financial operations and planning, facilities management, human resources, endowment and investment management, enterprise risk management, as well as the operations of information technology and services, food services, bookstore, public safety, groundskeeping, and facilities. Prior positions include serving as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Virginia Wesleyan University and positions in finance at Arcadia University, Ursinus University and LaSalle University. Before entering finance in higher education, he worked in the accounting and healthcare industries. He holds an MBA in Finance from La Salle University and a BBA in Accounting from Temple University. Read more.
The California State University System has successfully appointed Dr. Mandara Savage as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) effective Monday, October 2, 2023. Dr. Savage will work with the CSU’s 23 universities to advance a shared vision and strategic plan for PaCE to deliver creative, diverse and high-quality, fully online and hybrid programs. He will serve as a key leadership partner with the CSU’s Commission on Continuing and Professional Education (CPaCE) and external workforce development groups, and ensure greater integration of PaCE programs in advancing the CSU’s student success and equity goals. Dr. Savage holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology, Electronics, from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; a master’s degree in Technical Education, Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Memphis State University; and a Ph.D. in Industrial Education and Technology from Iowa State University. Named a Provost Faculty Fellow among other honors, he is a prolific author and presenter, has served on numerous university committees and has mentored several graduate students.
Pitzer College has successfully appointed Mr. Nathaniel Wyrick as the new Assistant Vice President of Admissions. Mr. Wyrick joins the Pitzer team after serving the past 5 years at Warren Wilson College as the Director of Admissions and has previous experience in Admissions at Tufts University and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. He began his duties on campus on September 29, 2023.
Field Museum has successfully appointed Dr. Erin Hagen as Senior Director of the Keller Science Action Center. She will lead the Field Museum's Keller Science Action Center, the conservation arm of the Museum, on international conservation efforts across the Andes/Amazon region of South America, as well as projects in the greater Chicago area. Dr. Hagen was most recently the Director of Science at River Partners, a California-based non-profit focused on conservation. Prior to that she was the Commissioner of the Alameda County Public Health Commission. She holds a Doctorate from the University of Connecticut.
Ursinus College has successfully appointed Dr. Gundolf Graml as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Graml currently serves as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean for Curriculum and Strategic Initiatives at Agnes Scott College. He brings over 15 years of liberal arts teaching and administrative experience that includes global learning, curriculum development, and faculty professional development to his new role at Ursinus College. While at Agnes Scott, he led the SUMMIT global learning, inclusive leadership, and digital literacy program - an innovative general education curriculum and co-curriculum that integrates the academic and experiential components of liberal arts learning and prepares students for purposeful growth and professional success. Read more.
The Kentucky Community & Technical College System Board of Regents has selected Dr. Ryan Quarles as the System's fourth President. A native son and former community college student, Dr. Quarles currently serves as Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture. First elected in 2016 to the statewide office, he leads the commonwealth's second largest constitutional executive branch agency. From 2011 to 2016, Quarles served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. As a college student, he was appointed by then Governor Fletcher as the student representative to the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, the state's higher education coordinating agency. In that role, he was immersed in the key issues of campuses and the state-level operations of higher education. Earlier work experience includes serving as associate general counsel at Georgetown College and in private practice. Quarles holds seven college degrees, including a doctorate in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University, a master's degree in higher education from Harvard University, and a juris doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Read more.
Bridgewater College has successfully appointed Ms. Meg Riner as Vice President for Institutional Advancement effective October 1, 2023. Ms. Riner has been in the development and fundraising profession for 21 years, first beginning as a Grants Specialist for James Madison University. She then served as the Senior Development Officer of the three foundations of Bon Secours Hampton Roads Health System before joining Bridgewater College in 2014 as a Development Officer. She then was promoted to Senior Director of Development at Bridgewater and most recently served as Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement. She has consistently advanced in the field, succeeding in securing millions in philanthropic contributions for higher education, nonprofit, and healthcare organizations. Ms. Riner holds a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University and a fundraising and development certificate from the University of Richmond. Read more.
University of Wisconsin-Parkside has successfully appointed Dr. Lynn Akey as Chancellor. Dr. Akey currently serves as the Vice President for Student Success, Analytics and Integrated Planning at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Akey will assume her new leadership role at UW-Parkside on January 2, 2024. In her current role as Vice President, Akey provided vision and direction for a comprehensive integrated program of student success services and activities to drive improvement of student success outcomes. She was responsible for departments of Student Success, Registration and Academic Records, University Advising, and Institutional Analytics and Strategic Effectiveness with 67 employees across four collective bargaining units and a $5.5M operating budget. Dr. Akey has led strategic planning at the University for the past ten years and generated extensive engagement and participation with over 150 campus faculty, staff, and students, shared governance bodies, advisory boards, foundation board, and community leaders. Dr. Akey holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northeast Missouri State University/Truman State University and a Master of Arts in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. Akey also earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development from the University of Minnesota. Read more.
Pitzer College has successfully appointed Mr. Michael Tocydlowski as the new Director of Financial Aid. Mr. Tocydlowski brings an extensive background in Enrollment Management and Financial Aid to Pitzer, having most recently served as the Director of Financial Aid at Charles R. Drew University, with previous experience at the Cleveland Institute of Art and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Mr. Tocydlowski began his work in higher education as an Admissions Representative following his graduation from Goldey-Beacom College where he received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration.