Independent Institution

The Board of Trustees of Misericordia University has appointed Daniel J. Myers, Ph.D., professor and acting chairperson of Sociology at American University in Washington, D.C., as the next president of Misericordia University.  Dr. Myers will begin his presidential term on July 1, 2021. Dr. Myers earned a B.A. in political science, an M.A. in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State University, before completing an M.A. and doctorate in sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Read more here.

Blackburn College has named Dr. Steven Lambert as its new Vice President for Inclusive Enrollment. Dr. Lambert joins Blackburn from New Jersey City University (NJCU) where he served as Assistant Director of University Admissions. Prior to NJCU, he served as Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Georgian Court University. Dr. Lambert earned his Ed.D. from Saint Peter’s University with a focus on higher education leadership. He began his duties for Blackburn on February 8, 2021. Read more here.

Cornell University has announced the appointment of Dr. Ian Owens as the next Executive Director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dr. Owens is currently serving as the Deputy Director for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History having previously held positions as the Director at the Natural History Museum in London and as a professor at Imperial College London. Retiring Director, Dr. John Fitzpatrick, stated, "“It means a lot to me personally that I can hand off the baton to Ian and have 100% confidence. He’s a genuine bird person and has done very significant research both in evolutionary ecology and in global-scale conservation. We’re getting a real star here.” Dr. Owens will take the helm of the 106-year-old institution on July , 2021. He will also hold an appointment as professor in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Read more here.

The Board of Trustees and the Christian Brothers are delighted to announce Richard Plumb’s appointment as the 30th president of Saint Mary’s College of California. Plumb will begin his term on July 1, 2021. After a thorough national search, Plumb was selected because of his broad experience in strategic planning, curriculum development, financial management, fundraising, capital planning, and other critical skills necessary to leverage Saint Mary’s College’s distinguished history and write the next chapter for this remarkable institution. Plumb is a highly respected administrator, esteemed faculty member, and student-oriented leader. Learn more.

President Miles Davis has announced the appointment of Joseph Hunter, currently serving as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Development at Vanderbilt University to be the next Vice President. Prior to Vanderbilt, Hunter served in various fundraising capacities at Wichita State University, Western Washington University, the University of Oregon, and the University of Wyoming. Hunter holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Dayton and two master's degrees from Virginia Tech. Read more here.

Point Park University has announced the appointment of Dr. Michael Soto as its new Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. Dr. Soto currently serving as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs: Student Academic Issues and Retention and a Professor of English at Trinity University in San Antonio. Dr. Soto has been with Trinity University in positions of increasing responsibility since 1999. Building on his commitment to diversity in higher education, he served as the co-chair of the Retention and Graduation Task Force and director of the McNair Scholars Program where he supported students traditionally locked out of higher education on their path to advanced study. Dr. Soto holds a Ph.D. in English & American Literature & Language from Harvard University and a B.A. in Modern Thought & Literature/Humanities from Stanford University. Read More.

Morningside College has announced the appointment of Dr. Darrel Sandall as the Inaugural Dean of the School of Business and Continuing Studies. He has been serving as the Assistant Director at the Center for Innovation Management and Business Analytics (CIMBA) at the Florida Institute of Technology and is a tenured Associate Professor of Management in the Bisk College of Business at the Institute. Dr. Sandall is a corporate executive with 15 years experience as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Skills Officer within multiple small, high-growth companies. He has also served as a Management and Innovation Consultant with over 30 years’ experience helping organizations solve some of the most challenging problems.

LeMoyne-Owen College has selected Vernell A. Bennett-Fairs, Ed.D. as the 13th president of the college. Dr. Bennett-Fairs has over 25 years of experience in higher education, most recently serving as vice-president of Student Affairs at Delta State University in Mississippi. She also served in a similar role at HBCU, Kentucky State University. Dr. Bennett-Fairs brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education settings and we feel confident that she will continue the transformation already underway at LeMoyne-Owen College. Dr. Bennett-Fairs will take over from Dr. Carol Johnson Dean on January 5, 2021. Read More.

Sarah Lawrence College has appointed Mr. Richard Aks as its Interim Vice President for Finance and Operations beginning on January 5, 2021.

Saint Xavier University has appointed Dr. Michael (Mike) Marsden as Interim Provost. Dr. Marsden will begin his work on the second week of January 2021.