Public Institution

Monroe Community College has announced the appointment of Dr. Robin Cole Jr. as the Vice President, Economic and Workforce Development and Career Technical Education. Dr. Cole currently serves as the Dean of Business and Technologies at Southwest Tennessee Community College in Bartlett, Tennessee. His diverse career in the field of higher education includes overseeing both for credit and non-credit programs. He has established internships and grant training programs focused on rapid re-employment of IT professionals and has experience with building industry and community partnerships including dual enrollment pathways within K-12 school districts. Dr. Cole earned his Doctorate of Science in Information Systems & Communications in, his Master of Science in Communications & Information Systems, and his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris University (PA).

The University of Nebraska at Kearney has announced the appointment of Dr. Kristen Majocha as Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs beginning July 1, 2022. Dr. Majocha currently serves as Dean of Education and Liberal Arts and the Dean of Social Sciences and Human Services at California University of Pennsylvania.  Previously, she served as the Assistant to the Vice President of Academic Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, as well as the Director of International Program Support and Services in Student Affairs. She is the current editor of the Iowa Journal of Communication. Dr. Majocha earned a Ph.D. in rhetoric and a Master’s in communication from Duquesne University and a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.  She is a veteran of the US Navy.  Read more here.

The University of Colorado has announced the appointment of Ms. Jamie Mager as Director of Gift Planning/Philanthropic Advisor for the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. She will begin on May 17, 2022. Ms. Mager will join the University from her current role as Senior Director of Estate and Gift Planning for the American Cancer Society. Earlier, she held other roles with the American Cancer Society and served as a Certified Financial Planner with The Planned Approach. Ms. Mager received the 2020 Paul Jonas Emerging Leadership Award from the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable and was the American Cancer Society's 2017 National Winner for Exemplary Mission Delivery. She received her B.S. from Kansas State University. 

University of South Carolina has appointed Dr. Donna K. Arnett as its new Executive VPAA and Provost. Dr. Arnett currently serves as the University of Kentucky’s Dean of the College of Public Health. She will begin her new position at USC on Aug. 1, 2022. Prior to joining Kentucky, Arnett was associate dean and chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and is a past president of the American Heart Association. Dr. Arnett earned a nursing degree from University of South Florida, a master’s in epidemiology and biostatistics from South Florida, and a doctorate in epidemiology from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.  Read more here.

The Kansas Board of Regents has selected Dr. Daniel Shipp as the 10th President of Pittsburg State University. Dr. Shipp currently serves as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives and Associate to the Chancellor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Previous positions include Vice Chancellor for Student Success at the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He earned his B.A. in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, his M.A. in Education from the University of Nebraska Omaha, and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership & Administration from the University of the Pacific. Read more here.

The University of Houston - Downtown has appointed Ms. Kimberly Lambert-Thomas as Vice President for Administration and Finance. Currently, Ms. Lambert-Thomas serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business Services at Purdue University Northwest. Additionally, she worked as the Vice President of Administration and Finance at Governors State University. Ms. Lambert-Thomas holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of West Florida and a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland. She will begin her service with us at UHD on June 15.

North Dakota State College of Science has appointed Dr. Rod Flanigan as their 10th President. Dr. Flanigan is currently the Dean of Business and Technology at Cochise College in Arizona. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering and Technology Education from Utah State University, an M.B.A. from the University of Utah, and a B.S. in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Brigham Young University. Dr. Flanigan will begin his work at NDSCS by July 1, 2022. Read more here.

Norfolk State University has announced the appointment of Dr. Khadijah O. Miller as Dean of the Robert C. Nusbaum Honors College. Since September 2020, she has served as interim dean of the college. Under her deanship, RCN Honors College scholars have increased participation in internships, fellowships and post-graduation opportunities. Previously, she served as chair of the Department of History and Interdisciplinary Studies.  Dr. Miller joined NSU in 2003 as an assistant professor. Prior to joining NSU, she was the director of the Women’s Studies Program and Women’s Center at Rosemont College (PA). Dr. Miller earned a Ph.D. in African American Studies, an M.A. in African American Studies, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Temple University (PA), and a B.A. in Print Journalism from New York University.

Norfolk State University has announced the appointment of Dr. Isiah Marshall, Jr. as the Dean of the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work. Since 2016, Dr. Marshall has been an Associate Professor and Associate Dean for the School Social Work at Jackson State University. Prior to JSU, he was the founding Director of the Master of Social Work Program at Daemen College in Amherst, NY. He currently serves as a Commissioner for the Commission on Accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Dr. Marshall earned his B.A from Texas Southern University, his Master of Social Work (MSW) and Ph.D. in Sociology from Howard University. He will begin his appointment on June 1, 2022.

Sam Houston State University has appointed Dr. Emily A. Roper as the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. Dr. Roper has served as Interim Dean of the College since August 2021. A professor of Kinesiology, Dr. Roper brings over 16 years of experience to the role, having previously served as chair of the Department of Kinesiology, assistant dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and associate dean for the college. Dr. Roper holds a Ph.D. in Sport and Exercise Psychology/Cultural Studies from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, an MS in Community Health/Sport and Exercise Psychology from the University of Toronto, and a BA in Psychology from Kent State University. Read more here.