Blackburn College has announced that Dr. Mark Biermann has been named as its next President. Dr. Biermann will assume office on August 15, 2020. Dr. Biermann has spent his entire professional career in higher education, holding a range of positions at a number of different colleges and universities. Biermann currently serves as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Valparaiso University in Indiana. Dr. Biermann earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Optics from the University of Rochester. Read more here.
The University of South Dakota has named Dr. Tim Ridgway as its new Vice President of Health Affairs and Dean of the Sanford School of Medicine. He will start his new position on September 1, 2020. Dr. Ridgway previously served as Executive Dean, Dean of Faculty Affairs, and Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine for the USD Sanford School of Medicine, and is currently a staff physician and director of gastrointestinal endoscopy at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital in Sioux Falls. Read more here.
The University of Toledo, a public research university in Toledo, Ohio, has appointed Dr. Gregory Postel, M.D., as its Interim President effective June 16, 2020.
Mr. Samuel “Sam” Williams has been selected as the new chief information officer for Linfield College. He begins his new role on Monday June 15, 2020. Mr. Williams was the director of academic technology services & innovation at the University of Portland, with 20 years of experience in both academic and administrative technology. He received an MS in education and information technology at Western Oregon University.
Tacoma Community College has announced the appointment of Karl Smith to the position of Vice President of Student Affairs, effective July 1, 2020. Mr. Smith currently serves as Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Director of Admissions at the University of Washington Tacoma, and his past roles include Chief Enrollment Officer, Associate Director for Recruitment and Admissions, and Director of Outreach and Recruitment. Mr. Smith holds a Bachelors of Arts and a Masters from the University of Washington and is currently pursuing an Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies from the University of Washington.
Prince George’s Community College has announced the selection of Dr. Falecia D. Williams as the College’s ninth president. Dr. Williams assumed her role prior to the start of the fall semester in August 2020.
Johnson C. Smith University announces the appointment of Dr. Vijaya L. Gompa as dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. She currently serves as professor of Mathematics and she served as head of the Department of Mathematical, Computing and Information Sciences at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. Dr. Gompa will begin her tenure at JCSU on June 1, 2020. Read more here.
Johnson C. Smith University has announced the appointment of Dr. Davida Loren Haywood as vice president for Student Affairs (VPSA). Haywood, a 1998 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, will be the chief officer responsible for developing a comprehensive program of services for traditional, non-traditional and graduate students. Dr. Haywood earned a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration (summa cum laude) from Johnson C. Smith University as well as a master of arts degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and Higher Education from The Ohio State University. She will begin her tenure at JCSU on July 1, 2020. Read more here.
Southern Connecticut State University has appointed Dr. Diane Ariza as it’s new Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She will assume her new role in July, 2020. Dr. Ariza brings more than two decades’ experience of administrative leadership in social justice and a background of teaching and research in ethnic studies. She has served as a board member of the National Association for Chief Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Conference. Dr. Ariza is currently Vice President for Community and Belonging at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. Dr. Ariza holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Sociology from Western Michigan University (WMU), a Master of Arts in Anthropology from WMU and her Bachelor’s degree from Stetson University in Florida. Read more here.