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.