Incoming Hampshire College president Miriam Nelson says she is looking forward to the challenge of leading the liberal arts school. She was named to the position this week.
Nelson, who comes from the University of New Hampshire, is a scientist and public health expert. She spent more than 30 years at Tufts as a professor and associate dean -- and served as an advisor to two federal agencies under the George W. Bush and Obama istrations.
She said Hampshire faces the same challenges as many liberal arts colleges.
"There's decreasing enrollment with fewer high school seniors," Nelson said. "There's a lot of competition. We have some financial structures that are fragile. There's distrust in higher ed across the country. But to me, that's why I think Hampshire is going to thrive -- because we are innovative, we're entrepreneurial and there's not another place like Hampshire."
Nelson will be on the job starting July 1. She will replace the retiring Jonathan Lash.
