The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) today announced two significant leadership changes, one imminent and one immediate, as the system chancellor announced plans to retire and a new board chairman has been elected. Both changes were made known during the quarterly board of trustees meeting held on Jan. 15, 2026 at River Valley Community College.
Chancellor to Retire in August
Dr. Mark Rubinstein, who has served as the CCSNH chancellor since 2021, announced his plan to retire before the start of the 2026-27 academic year, bringing to a close a career in education that has spanned more than four decades.
“Our mission is a vital one, connecting the talents and ambitions of New Hampshire’s students to the needs and opportunities of this state through accessible, high-quality postsecondary education,” said Dr. Rubinstein. “CCSNH is well-positioned to serve our students and the state’s workforce needs, and I am grateful to my colleagues who prepare our students to make such positive contributions to the health and wellbeing of our communities and to the economic competitiveness and vitality of our state.”
Rubinstein became CCSNH’s sixth chancellor when he was appointed to the position by the CCSNH Board of Trustees in 2021. Prior to joining CCSNH, he served as president of Granite State College (now known as the College of Professional Studies), part of the University System of New Hampshire. Rubinstein first came to New Hampshire in 1998 after educational positions in Pennsylvania and Florida.
“Mark Rubinstein has been a deeply respected leader and partner, whose intellectual gifts and extraordinary work ethic have left an indelible impression on all who have known him,” said Katharine Bogle Shields, chair of the CCSNH Board from 2021-25. “On behalf of the board, I extend our profound gratitude to him for his service to New Hampshire and the Community College System.”
Under Dr. Rubinstein’s leadership, CCSNH made significant advances in several aspects of its mission. They include:
· Accelerating the growth of workforce credential programs designed to provide quick on-ramps to high-demand jobs
· Increasing enrollment in CCSNH Early College programs that give high school students the opportunity to challenge themselves academically and to earn college credit that lessens the cost of college and accelerates pathways into careers
· Securing dedicated funding to support programs to strengthen New Hampshire’s Early Childhood Education workforce
· Deepening partnerships that set the stage for critical statewide initiatives such as ReGen Valley/Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute, Registered Apprenticeship pathways, and the federal Rural Health Transformation grant recently announced by Governor Kelly Ayotte.
During Rubinstein’s first year with CCSNH, he also worked with the board of trustees to incorporate an explicit reference to quality in the CCSNH mission statement to reflect the core commitment of the colleges, not simply to access, but to excellence.
As his retirement date approaches, Rubinstein said he will work with the CCSNH Board to support a process to replace him as chancellor and ensure a seamless transition for the organization and all of its stakeholders.
Rubinstein, who recently welcomed his first grandchild, said he looks forward to embracing the role of grandfather and having more time with his wife, Maria, and with their family, but also noted that his time in New Hampshire has instilled an appreciation for the Granite State’s ethic of civic responsibility and service that should be lifelong.
Lozeau Elected Board Chair
Also at the Jan. 15 meeting, the board of trustees elected Donnalee Lozeau as incoming board chair. Lozeau succeeds Katharine Bogle Shields who served as chair since 2021. Lozeau was first appointed to the CCSNH Board in 2021 by Governor Chris Sununu. January is the time of year when the Board elects a new annual slate of officers.
“We are very excited that Donnalee will be leading our board. She has a longstanding history of impactful leadership in the Granite State and has been a highly engaged member of the CCSNH board,” said Dr. Mark Rubinstein, CCSNH chancellor.
“We also want to thank Kathy Shields for her dedication to CCSNH’s mission and strong leadership during the past five years. As chair, she has helped lead the system through unprecedented changes and brought a strategic focus to the work of the board,” said Rubinstein.
Lozeau has a long and distinguished record of leadership and service in New Hampshire. She was recently named by Governor Ayotte to lead efforts to administer N.H.’s Rural Health Transformation grant, a federally-funded effort to expand access the healthcare in rural communities and build sustainable healthcare infrastructure. Lozeau’s career in public service includes eight terms as a State Representative from 1984-2000, including two terms as Deputy Speaker. She was elected Mayor of Nashua, N.H. in 2007, serving for eight years and managing New Hampshire’s second-largest city. Her current position as chief executive officer of Community Action Partnership Hillsborough and Rockingham Counties will soon come to an end when she retires from her role where she led over 60 programs, developed and renovated several properties and guided the agency through the Emergency Rental Assistance Programs entrusted to the state’s Community Action Agencies to manage millions of dollars of federal funds developing and following the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.
“I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by my fellow trustees, and I look forward to helping guide CCSNH through the next phase of its evolution,” said Lozeau. “Every community in New Hampshire, every workforce sector, and countless key state initiatives are strengthened by the presence of the community colleges and the work they do. I look forward to working on behalf of this impactful organization.”
The following individuals were elected or renewed in leadership positions for the upcoming year:
- Vice Chair – Edwin “Smokey” Smith, of Hinsdale, is a former seven-term state representative serving as chair for the Committee on Public Works and Highways and an independent businessperson in Hinsdale.
- Treasurer – Alison Stebbins, of New Castle, is a retired CPA, a former executive with Fidelity Investments and former CFO with Coolcore.
- Secretary – Nick Toumpas, of Rye, is actively engaged in the healthcare sector through several board positions, served as commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and held leadership positions in technology and emergency response.
The CCSNH Board of Trustees is designed to be broadly representative of the New Hampshire communities and industry sectors that CCSNH serves. Members are drawn from business and industry, education, healthcare, law enforcement, career and technical education, mechanical trades, technology, CCSNH employees, students and alumni, the community service sector and the public. The 24 voting members of the board are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the NH Executive Council. The board sets strategic goals for CCSNH and provides oversight at the policy level for the colleges within the system.
