At its March 20 meeting, the University System of NH Board of Trustees unanimously extended the term of the Keene State College Interim President Donald L. Birx, Ph.D., through June 30, 2027, while he continues to serve as president of Plymouth State University. Since October 2025, when Birx was first appointed to the dual role, steps have been implemented to provide long-term leadership stability, including the permanent appointment of Kirsti Sandy to provost and vice president of Academic Affairs at Keene State College.
At its March 20 meeting, the USNH Board also unanimously approved the appointment of Nathalie Houder as interim executive vice president of Finance for Plymouth State University. Houder currently serves as executive vice president, Finance and Administration at Keene State College and will continue in that role while supporting Plymouth State (subject to approval from the New England Commission of Higher Education).
“One thing we share is a desire to work together to focus on applied skills and preserve the foundational strengths of a liberal arts education, which, combined, equips our students with career-ready skills that deliver value as they enter the workforce,” says Birx. He added, “We have accomplished much in a short period of time and are just beginning to realize the opportunities for the next five years.”