UAB Appoints Lora Fox as Deputy CIO

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has named Lora Fox its next Deputy Chief Information Officer and Associate Vice President for Information Technology.

Fox joins UAB from Indiana University, where she most recently served as Associate Vice President for Enterprise Systems. In her new role, she will help guide IT strategy, strengthen governance and organizational alignment, and support operational excellence across UAB’s academic, research, and clinical missions.

Fox will begin her new role on September 14.

Dr. Daniel Ngugi Appointed Chair of Business Management at Oregon Tech

LeadExec is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Daniel Ngugi as Chair of the Business Management Department at Oregon Institute of Technology, effective August 31, 2026.

An experienced academic leader and economist, Dr. Ngugi brings 17 years of higher education experience, including leadership in academic program development, strategic enrollment management, and institutional governance. He joins Oregon Tech from Minot State University, where he served as a tenured Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department of Business.

Dr. John Killingsworth Appointed Director of the Construction Management Program at Oregon Tech

LeadExec is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. John Killingsworth as Director of the Construction Management Program at Oregon Institute of Technology.

An accomplished scholar and award-winning educator, Dr. Killingsworth brings extensive academic experience and more than a decade of construction industry leadership. He joins Oregon Tech from Colorado State University, where he served as a tenured Associate Professor of Construction Management and as Interim Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

Dr. KC Santosh Appointed Chair of Computer Systems Engineering Technology at Oregon Tech

LeadExec is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. KC Santosh as Chair of the Computer Systems Engineering Technology Department at Oregon Institute of Technology.

An accomplished academic leader and internationally recognized scholar in artificial intelligence, Dr. Santosh brings extensive experience in academic program development, interdisciplinary research, and departmental leadership. He joins Oregon Tech from the University of South Dakota, where he served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science and founding director of its AI research initiative.

Dr. Jackie Zhang Appointed Oregon Tech’s Dean of the College of Health, Arts and Sciences

Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech) conducted a nationwide search and is pleased to welcome Jackie Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., as Dean of the College of Health, Arts and Sciences (HAS). Zhang will join Oregon Tech in June 2026.

Zhang’s most recent positions include Professor and Dean of the College of Health Professions at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Oregon Tech President Dr. Nagi Naganathan said, “Dr. Zhang will play a critical role in the vision of the College of HAS and help elevate Oregon Tech’s academic reputation. He brings more than two decades of academic and administrative leadership, with deep experience as both a dean and associate dean and a strong record of growing programs and student success.”

Dr. Richard Besel Appointed Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Oregon Tech

LeadExec is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Richard D. Besel as Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Oregon Institute of Technology. Dr. Besel began his tenure in June 2026.

Dr. Besel joined Oregon Tech from Grand Valley State University, where he was Professor of Communication and Media Studies and served for six years as Director of the School of Communications. In that role, he led one of the largest academic units within the university's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Castellino-Gergich named vice provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has named Lisa Castellino-Gergich, Ph.D., vice provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Analytics.

Castellino-Gergich comes to UAB from West Virginia University, where she serves as associate vice president for Institutional Data and Analytics and chief data officer. A senior higher-education executive with more than 25 years of progressive leadership experience, she has led multimillion-dollar initiatives spanning institutional research, institutional effectiveness, outcomes assessment, data governance, data management and strategic planning.

Austin College Announced 17th New President After National Search

SHERMAN, TEXAS – Austin College has announced the successful completion of the search for their 17th President. Chair of the Austin College Board of Trustees Scott Austin ’83 has announced that the College’s next President will be Dr. Rebecca Cantor.

Dr. Cantor is currently Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Spring Hill College, a private liberal arts institution in Mobile, Alabama, a role she has held since 2022. Prior experience includes positions as Assistant Provost and Writing Program Administrator at Azusa Pacific University and Chair of the Liberal Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design. As a tenured professor of English, she has taught over 70 courses and published two books of poetry.

UAB Human Resources announces new leadership in Benefits & Wellbeing

Lisa Meddock will join UAB Human Resources as assistant vice president for Benefits and Wellbeing, effective Jan. 12, 2026. The role oversees the Benefits, Employee Assistance & Counseling Center (EACC) and Employee Wellness teams.

Meddock has more than 15 years of leadership experience, during which time she has gained a deep understanding of the design and management of benefits and wellbeing strategies for healthcare, academic and corporate environments.

Kevyn E. Merten, PhD to join UAB as Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations

After an extensive national search, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has named Dr. Kevyn E. Merten as the Senior Associate Vice President for Research Operations, effective January 14, 2025.

Dr. Merten will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of Research (OoR). This role includes managing business operations, compliance, facilities, communications, human resources, and procurement. Reporting to the Vice President for Research (VPR), he will collaborate with the university’s leadership to implement UAB’s strategic research vision. Additionally, Dr. Merten will play a pivotal role in driving the “Growth with Purpose” initiative, leveraging his expertise in change management, process improvement, and infrastructure development.

Hedberg to join UAB as Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of Sponsored Programs

After an extensive national search, UAB has named Virginia M. Hedberg as the Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of Sponsored Programs, effective Jan. 15, 2024.

Hedberg will be responsible for leading the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) as partner to UAB’s faculty and staff in their efforts to secure and fulfill extramural support and conduct cutting-edge research and scholarship…

Houston Community College Announces New Executive Director of Facilities Services and Real Estate

Houston Community College (HCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Fernando Tezaguic as the new Executive Director of Facilities Services and Real Estate (ED FSRE), effective August 16, 2023. Tezaguic brings a wealth of experience and expertise to HCC, having previously served as the System Facilities Director at Baptist Health in Montgomery, AL, where he managed over a million square feet of clinical space, oversaw a $15 million annual budget, and led various strategic initiatives aimed at facility expansion, compliance, and operational efficiency.

With a career spanning over two decades in facilities management, contract management, real estate management, and compliance, Tezaguic is well-equipped to take on the challenges of his new role at one of the country's largest institutions of higher education…

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City (MCCKC) Announces Matt Wilkinson as Associate Vice Chancellor, Information Technology

In a strategic move to bolster its technological infrastructure and innovation, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City (MCCKC) has announced the appointment of Matthew Wilkinson as the new Associate Vice Chancellor of Information Technology, starting August 1, 2023. This key position marks a pivotal step in MCCKC's commitment to advancing its IT capabilities in support of its 10-year strategic plan.

Wilkinson brings to the role a wealth of experience and a proven track record in IT Service Management/Delivery, Infrastructure & InfoSec Management, and IT Project Management.

Houston Community College Welcomes Jacob Atkin as Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance & Accounting

Houston Community College (HCC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Jacob Atkin as the new Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance & Accounting (AVCFA), effective July 3, 2023. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in financial and business operations management, Atkin brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of strategic leadership to his new role.

Atkin joins HCC from Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where he served as the Associate Vice President for Finance, overseeing various aspects of financial operations and contributing significantly to sustainable growth and development…

Montco Names Longtime Human Resources Exec Catherine Creel Halen as Chief HR Officer

The Montgomery County Commissioners have hired Catherine (Katie) Halen, an executive with 25 years of human resources experience in the healthcare industry, as the county’s new Chief Human Resources Officer.

Halen had spent most of her career with Delaware-based Beebe Healthcare, an organization with 3,000 employees — similar to the Montgomery County government’s workforce size — leaving there as senior vice president, chief human resources officer…

Knighten selected Executive Director of Talent Performance & Relations

Harvey Knighten, a UAB alumnus with more than 20 years of human resources experience, will become the new Human Resources Executive Director of Talent Performance & Relations, effective August 14, 2023.

Prior to joining the HR team at UAB, Knighten served in HR leadership roles at Hibbett Retail, Inc…

Stone named executive director of UAB Environmental Health & Safety

The University of Alabama at Birmingham welcomes Lee Stone as the executive director of UAB Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) following a national search. He will join UAB March 1.

“We are excited to welcome Lee to UAB, where his experience and knowledge will serve him and our campus well,” said Greg Parsons, associate vice president and chief facilities officer…

The University of Alabama at Birmingham names new University Ombudsperson

Horvath to be next UAB Ombuds

Michelle Horvath, J.D., a certified mediator, has been selected as the next university ombuds.

The UAB Ombuds Office is a neutral resource available to all university faculty, staff, and mentored graduate and postdoctoral students to discuss workplace issues…

Goddard College names new Provost & Chief Academic Officer

Goddard College names Noah Coburn, Ph.D. as new Provost

Goddard College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Noah Coburn as the college’s new Provost. He will begin as Provost on January 9, 2023 following completion of a residency at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, where he is currently a Fulbright Fellow…

UAB names new Chief of Police and AVP of Public Safety

Daryl Green named Chief of UAB Police and AVP of Public Safety

The University of Alabama at Birmingham welcomes Daryl Green, Ph.D., as the associate vice president of Public Safety and chief of UAB Police following a national search. Green will begin his new role Aug. 1 following the retirement of Chief Anthony Purcell, who has served as the UAB Police chief…

Texas Tech College of Architecture Names New Dean

Flueckiger to be next Dean

Upe Flueckiger was named dean of Texas Tech University's College of Architecture, the university announced today (June 7). He will begin his new role July 1, 2022.

LeadExec and the firm's Founder & CEO, Lisa J. Marks, partnered with Texas Tech University on this national search.

Flueckiger has served as the college's interim dean for the past year and was one of four candidates considered for the position…

Carlow University Names New Dean for College of Health and Wellness

Dr. Rhonda Maneval, Vice Dean and Professor for the College of Health Professions and the Lienhard School of Nursing at Pace University, Begins July 1

PITTSBURGH – Carlow University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Sibdas Ghosh, announced on Tuesday, April 19, the appointment of Rhonda E. Maneval, DEd, as dean of the College of Health and Wellness. She will begin her new role on July 1…