Kudos
Georgia Lorenz, president of Seminole State College of Florida, and Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College, have been named to Orlando Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful People of 2026, which recognizes influential leaders in central Florida in fields such as education, politics and government, business, entertainment, sports and the arts, tourism and transportation and philanthropy.
Lorenz was noted for strengthening Central Florida’s future by connecting education, workforce development and career opportunities.
“Lorenz said employers can strengthen education through advisory boards, internships and investments in training facilities. A $2 million gift from the Wharton-Smith Foundation supported renovations to Seminole State’s workforce trades center,” the publication said in a feature on the leaders.
Plinske was recognized for her leadership in making higher education more affordable and accessible to students, as well as getting them ready for the future workforce.
“At a time when the rising cost of higher education dominates national conversations, Valencia College President Dr. Kathleen Plinske remains focused on keeping college within reach. More than 43 percent of Valencia students pay nothing out of pocket for tuition and fees, an achievement she considers among the institution’s most meaningful,” the publication said.
Appointments
Juan Salgado, chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago, has been appointed to the National Commission on AI and the Future of the American Workforce, a national group of leaders convened to help policymakers address the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, skills and economic opportunity. The 20-member commission, hosted by the Urban Institute and the American Enterprise Institute, aims to shape policies ensuring workers, businesses and communities thrive amidst the global AI transition. It is co-chaired by former U.S. Commerce secretary and former Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo and former Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
Deborah Armstrong has joined Pennsylvania’s Bucks County Community College as vice president for advancement and alumni relations. She has more than 20 years of advancement experience in higher education, including positions at University of Denver, Syracuse University and SUNY Oswego.
Emmanuel Echevarria has been promoted to chief of staff at Bristol Community College. He has served as the Massachusetts college’s chief human resources officer since 2022.
Cynthia Gray is now the permanent dean of nursing and allied health sciences at Florence-Darlington Technical College (South Carolina) after serving in an interim role for the past year. She previously was director of programs for corporate and workforce development.
Tammie Holmes, vice president of finance and administration/chief financial officer at East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), has been named president of the Mississippi Association of Community College Business Managers. She joined EMCC in 2020.
Tina Jackson has been appointed dean of workforce education and public service at McLennan Community College in Texas. She previously served for six years as assistant commissioner of workforce education at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Leonard (Len) L. Lira is the new dean for academic success at Northeast Lakeview College, which is part of the Alamo College District in Texas. The retired U.S. Army colonel comes from San Jose State University, where he taught transportation management.
Gary Minyard has been named director of cultural affairs and community engagement at Macomb Community College in Michigan. He comes from Dayton Live, a performing arts nonprofit in Dayton, Ohio, where he was chief creative officer and vice president of education and engagement.
Kiona Sinks is now executive director of marketing and communications at Metropolitan Community College in Missouri. She comes from from the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, where she was director of marketing and communications for RideKC.
Daniel Watkins has been named vice chancellor/chief information officer at the Los Angeles Community College District. He previously was associate vice chancellor of information technology at the Ventura County Community College District.
At the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), Russell Romandini joins as director of financial aid, and Michael Lynch is now dean of student recruitment, progression and mobility. Romandini comes from the Berklee College of Music, where he was director of student financial services operations. Lynch most recently held multiple leadership roles at Emerson College, including director of strategic partnerships and academic recruitment, and director of undergraduate admission.
In addition, Adriana Wilding and Mike Nguyen have been named directors of CCRI’s Institutional Research and Analytics. Wilding most recently was CCRI’s associate director of institutional research and analytics. Nguyen served as director of institutional research and analytics at Harvard University.
At Dallas College, Bradford Williams has been appointed executive vice chancellor, and Chief of Staff Juan Carlos Garcia will assume added responsibilities for international engagement. Williams currently serves as vice chancellor of operations and president of the El Centro Campus, responsibilities he will maintain as executive vice chancellor. Garcia will support the college’s efforts to expand global partnerships, international programming and opportunities for students, faculty and staff.
At Bronx Community College (BCC) in New York, Maya T. Mapp has been named vice president for enrollment management and student success, and Christine Mellampe is now executive director of human resources. Mapp most recently served as associate vice president for enrollment management at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. Mellampe previously was chief human resources officer at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University.
At Dutchess Community College in New York, Irene Okwang has been promoted to vice president for institutional effectiveness and chief human resources officer, and Felicia Ellzy-Smith has been named chief of staff. Okwang joined the college in 2024 as its associate vice president of human resources. Ellzy-Smith came to the college in 2025 as its chief diversity and compliance officer.
