MCLA Announces Four Finalists for Next President

April 2, 2026

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) today announced four finalists for the position of president, following a national search. The finalists were selected by the MCLA Presidential Search Committee and will participate in on-campus visits scheduled for the weeks of April 6 and April 13.

The four finalists are David Jenemann, Ph.D., Michael J. Middleton, Ph.D., Sherri Givens Mylott, Ed.D., and Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson, Ph.D.

Dr. David Jenemann serves as Dean of the Patrick Leahy Honors College and Professor of English and Film and Television Studies at the University of Vermont, where he oversees recruitment, retention, curricular innovation, and advancement for an interdisciplinary college serving undergraduates from across the university, including UVM's campus-wide Office of Fellowships, Opportunities, and Undergraduate Research. An internationally recognized scholar, he has published three books and numerous articles, with research spanning intellectual and cultural history, mass media, and the intersection of sports and society. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and completed the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Michael J. Middleton serves as Provost and Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Growth at Ramapo College of New Jersey, where he provides strategic leadership for academic programs, faculty development, and institutional planning centered on inclusive excellence and student success. Prior to Ramapo, he served as dean of the School of Education at Hunter College and dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts Boston. A scholar of motivation and learning whose research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, he holds a Ph.D. in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan and an Ed.M. from Harvard University.

Dr. Sherri Givens Mylott serves as Vice President of University Advancement at the University of La Verne, a private Hispanic-Serving Institution, and as Adjunct Faculty in the LaFetra College of Education, where she teaches doctoral-level courses on leadership ethics. With more than three decades of higher education leadership, she has served on five presidential cabinets, raised in excess of $1.1 billion across five institutions, chaired the committee securing $57 million for the establishment of the College of Health and Community Well-Being, and partnered with faculty through shared governance and trustee boards on strategic planning and crisis response. She holds an Ed.D. from the University of La Verne, a B.A. in Government from the College of William & Mary, and certificates in leadership from Harvard University and nonprofit management from Indiana University.

Dr. Diana L. 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), providing system-level leadership for 10 universities serving approximately 80,000 students. Previously, she served as Provost at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, where she helped lead the academic integration of three legacy universities, and has held provost and dean roles at Bloomsburg University and Southeast Missouri State University. A tenured professor and published scholar, she holds a Ph.D. from Kent State University and is recognized for collaborative leadership, fiscal stewardship, and a strong commitment to equity and access.

Each finalist will participate in open campus forums and meetings with students, faculty, staff, and community members. The campus community is encouraged to attend and provide feedback. Details on the schedule and open session times will be shared on the MCLA website's Presidential Search page.

The Board of Trustees will take up the recommendation at a public meeting on Thursday, April 23, at 5:30 p.m. in M218. The appointment will then require approval by the Department of Higher Education. MCLA remains on track for a July 2026 start date.

"The Presidential Search Committee is proud to present four exceptional finalists who each bring a distinctive vision and a deep commitment to the values that define MCLA. This has been a truly collaborative effort, reflecting the best of who we are as an institution, and we are grateful to the many students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members who engaged so thoughtfully in this process," said Brenda Burdick, Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

"We designed this search to be as open and inclusive as possible, and the response from our campus community has been tremendous. MCLA is at an exciting moment in its history, and these finalists are more than ready to meet it. I encourage everyone to attend the open forums, meet the finalists, and share their feedback. Your voices matter in this decision," said Dr. Yvonne Spicer, Co-Chair of the Presidential Search Committee.

The presidential search was launched following the announcement of President James F. Birge's retirement after approximately 10 years of service to MCLA. The Presidential Search Committee is composed of trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners. The search was supported by executive search firm WittKieffer.

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.