Higher Education Commission Members

Members of the New Hampshire Higher Education Commission

Members as follows: President of the University of New Hampshire; President of Keene State College, President of Plymouth State University, two presidents from institutions within the community college system of New Hampshire, to be chosen by the board of trustees of the community college system; the chancellor of the university system of New Hampshire, or designee; the chancellor of the community college system of New Hampshire, or designee, the commissioner of the department of education, or designee; six representatives of the private 4- year colleges in New Hampshire appointed by the governor and council on recommendation by the New Hampshire College and University Council, with no more than one representative from any one college. Four members to be appointed by the governor and council who shall be residents of the state and of the lay public, having no official connection with any college, university, or private postsecondary career school as an employee, trustee or member on a board of directors; two members to be appointed by the governor and council, who shall be residents of the state and shall represent private postsecondary career schools. The terms of appointed members, except as indicated above, shall be for 5 years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. RSA 21-N:8-a.

Chair

Dr. Donald Birx
President, Plymouth State University
Statutory Appointment
 

Commissioners

Michael J. Apfelberg
Lay Public
August 2, 2023 to June 30, 2028

Dr. Elizabeth Chilton
President, University of New Hampshire
Statutory Appointment

Frank Edelblut
Commissioner, NH Department of Education
Statutory Appointment

Joseph A. Favazza
President, Saint Anselm College
September 23, 2020 to June 30, 2024

Shawn M. Fitzgerald
President, Antioch University
October 27, 2021 to June 30, 2025

Mark J. Laliberte
Lay Public
July 11, 2018 to June 30, 2027

Dr. Charles Lloyd
Acting President, Manchester Community College
Statutory Appointment

Vacant
Representative, Private 4-year college

Vacant
Lay Public 
 

Vice Chair

Sr. Paula Marie Buley
IHM, President, Rivier University
June 5, 2013 to June 30, 2025
 

Commissioners

Kevin M. O’Shea
Esq, Lay Public
May 15, 2019 to June 30, 2028

Cathy Provencher
Chancellor, University System of New Hampshire
Statutory Appointment

Dr. Mark Rubinstein
Chancellor, Community College System of New Hampshire
Statutory Appointment

Dr. Melinda Treadwell
President, Keene State College
Statutory Appointment

Alfred Williams IV
President, River Valley Community College
Statutory Appointment

Vacant
Representative, Private 4-year college

Vacant
Representative, Private 4-year college

Vacant
Representative, For-profit College or University, not a member of NHCUC

Vacant
Representative, Private Postsecondary Career Schools

Vacant
Representative, Private Postsecondary Career Schools