Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Board of Trustees Selects Dr. Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson as Next President

April 23, 2026

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Board of Trustees tonight voted to select Dr. Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson as the institution's 13th President, pending approval by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

Dr. Rogers-Adkinson will succeed President James F. Birge, who announced his retirement after more than a decade of leadership at MCLA.

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Rogers-Adkinson to the MCLA community," said Buffy Lord, Chair of the MCLA Board of Trustees. "This was a rigorous and far-reaching search, and it was clear throughout the process that Dr. Rogers-Adkinson brings exceptional leadership and a deep commitment to public liberal arts education that will serve our students and this institution well. We are grateful to everyone in our community who participated, and we look forward to this next chapter for MCLA."

The selection follows a national search conducted in partnership with WittKieffer, a leading executive search firm in higher education. The process included campus visits by four finalists, each of whom participated in open community sessions that welcomed input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.

The search was designed to be thorough, transparent, and reflective of the values and aspirations of the MCLA community.

Dr. Rogers-Adkinson currently serves as Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), where she provides system-level leadership for 10 universities serving approximately 80,000 students. A tenured professor and published scholar, she holds a Ph.D. from Kent State University and brings a distinguished record in academic leadership, fiscal stewardship, and a deep commitment to equity and access in public higher education.

The appointment is subject to approval by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. A formal start date will be announced following that approval.

About MCLA

At MCLA, we're here for all—and focused on each—of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants.