Comings and Goings …
Suffolk University named Norman R. Smith interim president, beginning Sept. 1, replacing James McCarthy. Described as a turnaround expert at Wagner College in New York City, Smith is a member of the Registry for College and University Presidents—a service that matches veteran education leaders to interim positions, where they are viewed as freer to make unpopular changes. Suffolk has faced declining enrollment and revenue and recently announced a salary freeze and buyouts to law school faculty members with tenure or renewable long-term contracts.
University of Maine at Machias President Cynthia Huggins announced she’ll retire at the end of December, after leading the Washington County university since 2005. Earlier in the summer, University of Maine at Augusta President Alison Handley and University of Southern Maine chief Theo Kalikow announced their departures.
Stefan Pryor announced he will not seek another term as Connecticut education commissioner. Pryor was criticized by teachers and parents for the state’s efforts to adopt Common Core standards and promote charter schools.
Burlington College President Christine Plunkett resigned under pressure from students, as the college faces deep financial problems. The college’s trustees said Michael Smith of Essex, a former president of Fairpoint Communications’ Vermont operations and former state Administration Agency secretary, will succeed her as interim president.
Massachusetts College of Art and Design President Dawn Barrett announced she will leave the post after three years in charge.
Matt Gagnon, director of digital strategy for the Republican Governors Association, was named CEO of the Maine Heritage Policy Center, a conservative think tank.
The TERC Board of Trustees appointed Laurie Brennan interim president, effective Sept. 1, 2014, replacing Frank Davis, who announced earlier that he will step down to devote more time to his research aimed at improving STEM Education for boys of color.
Marilyn Pelosi was appointed director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Western New England University. The center is designed to provide faculty with access to empirically validated teaching strategies.
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