Kent John Chabotar has been president of Guilford College (NC) since 2002, where he also teaches political science. Previously, he served as vice president for finance and administration and as treasurer at Bowdoin College (ME). A budget and finance specialist, Chabotar earlier moved back and forth between a successful business career and teaching assignments at Harvard University, the University of Massachusetts, and Michigan State University.

Mark T. Cregan, C.S.C., became Stonehill College’s (MA) ninth president in 2000 and is a Stonehill alumnus. Previously, he was the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, a large inner-city parish in the Bronx, New York. As the parish’s chief administrative officer he was responsible for schools, buildings, outreach programs, pastoral activities, finances, and fundraising. During that time the multilingual Cregan also maintained a general practice law office, serving low-income clients with immigration, family, estate, and real estate problems.

James A. Davis has served as president of Shenandoah University (VA) since 1982 and previously held a number of positions as a faculty member and in administration at Ferrum College (VA). He won a special election to the Virginia General Assembly’s House of Delegates in 1978, and was re-elected in 1979 and again in 1981. In addition to his responsibilities as a delegate, Davis has served on several statewide boards and commissions.

L. Jay Lemons was named president of Susquehanna University (PA) in 2002. Earlier he served as chancellor of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, and as assistant to the president of the University of Virginia. He is an enthusiastic advocate of community service and a proponent of partnerships between the university and elementary and secondary schools. Lemons serves on a number of regional and national boards, among them the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, Sunbury Community Hospital, and United Way of Central Pennsylvania.

Luther Luedtke assumed the presidency of California Lutheran University in 1992 after two decades at the University of Southern California, where he held a series of positions as professor and director of graduate studies in English, chair of American studies, and director of the school of journalism. He is an accomplished scholar, and has been a Fulbright lecturer in Germany and director of the American Studies Research Centre in India. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education in higher education administration.

Trudie Kibbe Reed, in January 2005, became Bethune-Cookman College’s (FL) first female president since Marcy McLeod Bethune founded the school. Kibbe Reed previously served at the helm of Philander Smith College (AR), and for many years served as a senior administrator for the United Methodist church.

Lisa Ryerson became Wells College’s (NY) first alumna president in 1995. She is known for her advocacy of gender equity and commitment to providing increased access to higher education. Ryerson has written on issues such as the benefits of women-centered education, gender equality in education and society, women in leadership, and business-education partnerships.

John Strassburger has served as president of Ursinus College (PA) since 1995. During his tenure both enrollment and the college’s endowment have soared. Previously, he served as academic vice president at Knox College (IL). He has published in the fields of architecture, American history, and liberal education. He currently serves on the Commission on Leadership of the American Council on Education and is a trustee of several cultural and educational organizations.