NORTH ADAMS — The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts has identified four finalists in its search for a new president.

The finalists were selected by the MCLA Presidential Search Committee from the results of a monthslong national search by the firm WittKieffer, according to a statement released by the college. They will participate in on-campus scheduled visits for the weeks of April 6 and April 13.

All finalists will participate in "open campus forums" and meetings with students, faculty, staff and community members, the release said. More details on the schedule and open forums will be shared on the MCLA website's Presidential Search page.

The winning candidate will succeed President James F. Birge, who is retiring after about a decade at MCLA.

These are the finalists:

Jenemann

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," the release said.

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.

Middleton

Dr. Michael J. Middleton serves as provost and vice president for teaching, learning, and growth at Ramapo College in New Jersey, where he "provides strategic leadership for academic programs, faculty development, and institutional planning centered on inclusive excellence and student success."

He previously 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, according to the release. He holds a Ph.D. in education and psychology from the University of Michigan and an Ed.M. from Harvard University.

Mylott

Dr. Sherri Givens Mylott serves as vice president of university advancement at the University of La Verne, a private Hispanic-serving institution in California, and as adjunct faculty in the LaFetra College of Education, where she teaches doctoral-level courses on leadership ethics.

She holds an Ed.D. from the University of La Verne, a bachelor's degree in government from the College of William & Mary, and certificates in leadership from Harvard University and nonprofit management from Indiana University, according to the release.

Rogers-Adkinson

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. 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," according to the release.

A tenured professor and published scholar, she holds a Ph.D. from Kent State University.

The board of trustees will take up the recommendation at a public meeting at 5:30 p.m. April 23, in room M218. The appointment will then require approval by the Department of Higher Education, with an anticipated July 2026 start date.

"We designed this search to be as open and inclusive as possible, and the response from our campus community has been tremendous," said Yvonne Spicer, co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee. "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."