NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 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 successful candidate will replace President James Birge, who is retiring at the end of the term. 

 

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

 

David Jenemann is 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 campuswide 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 doctor of philosophy from the University of Minnesota and completed the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education.

 

 

Michael J. Middleton is 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 was dean of the School of Education at Hunter College and dean of the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. 

 

A scholar of motivation and learning whose research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, he holds a doctor of philosophy in education and psychology from the University of Michigan and a master of education from Harvard University.

 

 

Sherri Givens Mylott is vice president of university advancement at the University of La Verne in California, a private Hispanic-serving institution, and as adjunct faculty in the university's 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 doctor of education from the University of La Verne, a bachelor of arts in government from the College of William & Mary, and certificates in leadership from Harvard University and nonprofit management from Indiana University.

 

Diana L. Rogers-Adkinson is senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and chief academic officer for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, providing system-level leadership for 10 universities serving approximately 80,000 students.

Previously, she was 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 doctor of philosophy 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.

 

Fellow co-Chair Yvonne Spicer said the searc was designed this search to be as open and inclusive as possible.

 

"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," she said. 

 

The presidential search was launched following the announcement of 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.