�鶹��Ƶ

The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees voted last night to support Plymouth State University President Donald L. Birx, PhD (pictured), as interim president of �鶹��Ƶ. 

The University System of New Hampshire Board of Trustees voted Wednesday, October 15, to support Plymouth State University President Donald L. Birx, PhD, as interim president of �鶹��Ƶ, replacing Dr. Melinda Treadwell ’90, PhD.

Birx will serve as president of both institutions through June 30, 2026. He has designated Kirsti Sandy, provost, and Nathalie Houder, executive vice president of finance and administration, responsible for day-to-day operations at Keene State.

Treadwell, Keene State’s 11^th and first alumna president, will be the next president of SUNY Geneseo, a public liberal arts college in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Her appointment at Geneseo is effective October 27.

Birx has led Plymouth State since July 2015. He is regarded across New Hampshire as a trusted higher education expert for policymakers and business partners.

�鶹��Ƶ, Plymouth State University, and the University of New Hampshire comprise the University System of New Hampshire.

In announcing the transition decision, Catherine Provencher, USNH chancellor, said, “The intentional and sustained efforts of presidents Birx and Treadwell to prioritize the student experience at both campuses by sharing resources and strengths allow for continuity and a natural progression of interim leadership. This close working relationship makes President Birx the right person to lead both institutions through these challenging times.” 

Before joining Plymouth State, Birx served as chancellor of Pennsylvania State University, Behrend College; as vice chancellor and vice president for research for the University of Houston System; and as interim vice provost/president for research and professor of physics at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. 

Birx holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from the University of California, Berkeley; a master’s degree in physics and an MBA in finance, both from Miami University; and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton.

He said he will bring a “we’re in this together” spirit to the joint-presidency role.

"�鶹��Ƶ and PSU have been collaborating at all levels for quite a while, and this transition gives us a chance to see how we can be even more successful by working closely together,” Birx said. “I can never replace President Treadwell, who is a dear friend, an inspiring leader, and someone I admire greatly. At Keene State, she is everywhere and beloved by all. What I can do is help continue the great work already underway, building on the leadership team’s efforts, the dedication of faculty and staff, and the strong foundation that she helped create.” 

Treadwell was appointed interim president of Keene State in 2017, president in 2019, and held various teaching and leadership roles for more than 20 years at the college prior to becoming president.

“It has been the privilege of my career to date to have served my alma mater, �鶹��Ƶ, for nearly 25 years,” Treadwell said. “Keene State is an incredible community deeply committed to student success and creating leaders who will contribute to their communities in countless ways. 

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues at the campus, our inspiring business partners in the region, the University System of New Hampshire, and its Board of Trustees. I am confident that President Birx will continue to champion the value of public higher education in both Keene and Plymouth in his new leadership post. I thank him for his enduring commitment.”