James “Jamie” Jorgensen has accepted the role of Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel at the University of Iowa beginning September 30, 2022. Mr. Jorgensen, Senior Counsel at Husch Blackwell LLP since 2021, advises colleges and universities on numerous issues, including workplace and academic accommodations, accreditation, student conduct and faculty discipline, negotiation of real estate transfers, and academic programming partnerships. Previously, he was Chief of Staff and Chief Legal Counsel at Pitzer College in California. There, he conducted investigations under Title IX and other campus policies, led training sessions on Title IX, and helped develop the consortium’s response to COVID-19. Mr. Jorgensen has also served as an associate counsel and deputy general counsel at the University of Iowa. He received a B.A. degree in economics and political science, with distinction, from Iowa State University; a JD from the University of Michigan Law School and a PhD in education policy and leadership studies from the UI. Read more here.
Arizona State University has appointed professor and sociologist Dr. Rebecca Sandefur as the new director of the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics. Dr. Sandefur previously taught at the University of Illinois, is a faculty fellow at the American Bar Foundation and the editor of Law & Society Review, and is the recipient of a MacArthur "genius" Fellowship in 2018 and the Warren E. Burger Award in 2020. She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago and B.A. from the University of Wisconsin. Read more here.
The Albizu University Board of Trustees announced the appointment of Dr. Nelson Edward Soto as the university’s sixth president. Dr. Soto came to Albizu University from Union Institute & University in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he served as the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost. Dr. Soto has served as faculty at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis in the School of Education; Indiana University, College of Arts and Sciences; the University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Education; and the University of Cincinnati, University College. He has received multiple grants for his research. Read more here.
The University of Colorado System (CU Anschutz, CU Boulder, CU Denver, and CU Colorado Springs) has appointed Mr. Jason Sprinkle as the new Executive Director of Gift Planning and Gift Administration. He will begin his role on August 16th. Mr. Sprinkle currently serves as Director of Gift and Estate Planning at the University of Texas at Austin, where he has closed gifts of roughly $51 million over the last 3 years. Previously, he served as Associate Director of Gift Planning at the University of Chicago and, earlier, as a Gift Planning Attorney for the Indiana University Foundation. Mr. Sprinkle received his bachelor’s degree in English and political science, Master of Public Affairs in nonprofit management, and Juris Doctor, all from Indiana University.
University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, has appointed Mr. Justin Howe as the new Associate Director of Gift Planning. He will begin his role on August 23rd. Mr. Howe currently serves as Senior Coordinator of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he has worked for the past 3 years. Prior to that, he was a Major Gifts Officer at the University of Michigan. Mr. Howe brings to his work at UCCS a background in communications, project management, and philanthropy, as well as a track record of forging strong relationships between the institutions he serves and their external communities. He received his bachelor’s and master's degrees in communications from Michigan State University.
Lincoln University (MO) has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael J. Self, Sr., as its new Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Self will assume his new role on August 1, 2022. Dr. Self currently serves as the Assistant Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN. Prior to this, Dr. Self was the Vice President for Assessment at the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Self's experience has enabled him to better understand what is required for effective teaching and learning. He has coordinated faculty tenure processes, facilitated the implementation of professional development activities for both faculty and staff, and led the development of an academic innovation fund. Dr. Self holds a Master of Science in Mathematics, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and his Doctor of Philosophy in Science and Mathematics Education from Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, LA. Read more here.
Louisiana State University has announced the appointment of Mr. Todd S. Manuel as Vice President of Inclusion, Civil Rights & Title IX effective September 1, 2022. Mr. Manuel currently serves as Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Transformation at Edison Electric Institute (an association that represents investor-owned electric companies). At EEI, he led strategic efforts to advance racial and social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion for the electric power industry. Previously, he served as Entergy Corporation’s Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in New Orleans, LA and as a Partner with Taylor, Porter, Brooks & Phillips, L.L.P. in Baton Rouge, LA. His experience in leading large-scale transformations in complex corporate environments will prove invaluable in his new role as he seeks to create an integrated approach for diversity, equity and inclusion for the LSU campus and community. Mr. Manuel holds a J.D. from the Southern University Law Center and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Louisiana State University. Read more here.
Benedict College has announced the appointment of Dr. Robert Garner as the new Dean of the School of Science and Engineering. He started on July 11, 2022. Dr. Garner comes to Benedict after 10 years at University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. At UIW, Dr. Garner served as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and is credited for leading his department in acquiring certification from the American Chemical Society and the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He received his B.S. in Chemistry from Jackson State College and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Ohio State University. Read more here.
The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) has appointed Dr. Linda Kligman as its next President. Dr. Kligman joined the IIRP in 2010 and currently serves as Interim President. Previously she served as Vice President for Administration and Vice President for Advancement. Prior to the IIPR, she was the Executive Director of Jenkintown Community Alliance and Director of Educational Programs at The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University. Dr. Kligman earned a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Union Institute and University, an M.S. in Restorative Practices and a B.S. in both Appropriate Technology and Civil Engineering from Drexel University.