The University System of New Hampshire (USNH) Board of Trustees selected a new chancellor who will officially step into the role July 1, according to a press release from Thursday, May 23.
Catherine Provencher has served as USNH vice chancellor for financial affairs and treasurer for the past 10 years, according to the press release, which was shared with the KSC community in an email from KSC President Melinda Treadwell. The announcement describes the chancellor role as the “primary liaison” between USNH and the Board of Trustees, as well as figures outside the university system like elected officials and business leaders.
In an interview with The Equinox, Provencher said she has been serving as USNH chief administrative officer, which involves many of the duties included in the role of chancellor. She will continue these responsibilities in her new position, which will allow the chief administrative officer role to be discontinued.
One of Provencher’s priorities as chancellor is to continue working with the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) to “expand the reach and accessibility of public higher educational opportunities to all students across the state,” according to the press release.
The process of working with CCSNH is one of “alignment,” Provencher said. She said there were several goals of cooperation between the two systems, including improving the process by which students transfer from one system to the other.
In Treadwell’s email, she noted Provencher played “a key role in financial stewardship at Keene State” during Treadwell’s time as interim president.
Provencher’s role at KSC led her to spend more time on the college’s campus, which she described as “good experience” for both her present and future roles.
The USNH press release also detailed the Board of Trustees has selected Assistant Vice Chancellor of Financial Affairs Karen Benincasa to fill the vice chancellor role Provencher will be leaving.
Benincasa and Provencher have worked together in New Hampshire finance roles since before either of them joined the USNH staff, Provencher said. She added she has “total confidence” she and Benincasa will continue to successfully collaborate in their respective new roles.
Charlotte King can be contacted at
cking@kscequinox.com
This article was updated May 30, 2024, to include an interview with Cathy Provencher.
